RATING: 5 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: +13:26
What was meant to be a simple vacation quickly devolves into an interstellar fight for survival at 30,000 feet.
Seeking some adventure in Las Vegas, you and your friends book an empty red-eye flight on Midnight Airlines.
Little did you know that this plane is transporting a secret. One so incredible that it could break the barrier between science and science fiction.
At the Las Vegas airport, Scientists from Area 51 wait patiently for this plane to land. But they will be waiting a long time indeed, for this plane and its unsuspecting passengers have a new destination into another dimension…
Will you figure out the mystery of Flight 13 before it’s too late?
Soon after takeoff it is clear that something is not right. It is unclear what happened to the crew, but they are nowhere to be found. Travelers must quickly work together to investigate the areas that are usually off-limits for clues about the extra cargo onboard.
Gaining custody of the classified Area 51 object is only half the battle. This is apparently not the only danger in the cabin today. Locating and neutralizing all of the threats will prove to be a challenge, but are crucial to safely landing at the intended destination.
The journey begins walking down the center aisle of a Sky Taxi 747 jet and claiming a spot in the first two rows. The locked entrance to the cockpit can be seen between the forward service panel and galley door; a small lavatory sits in the rear. Safety information cards are tucked into the storage pockets, the tray tables are placed in the upright position, and all luggage has been securely stowed away in the overhead compartments. Once seat belts are fastened tight, the flight is finally cleared for takeoff.
Following some brief turbulence, passengers are free to roam about the cabin. Gaining entry into the crew space reveals a large beverage cart and employee lockers. A single keypad is mounted on the wall to grant access to the various compartments inside. While there is no food or drink service offered today, voyagers will need to examine the contents of the room to begin to piece together this mystery.
As one might expect, breaching the cockpit is no easy feat, but it can be done in the event of an emergency if the operating manual instructions are followed precisely. Inside, the captain and first officer chairs are vacant, no sign of the occupants anywhere – hopefully the autopilot has been activated! Those who enter are greeted with flashing lights and an abundance of complicated switches and buttons. Following the procedures listed on the flight plan found inside might just be the key to finding out what this aircraft is actually carrying and getting out of here alive.
While the voyage begins with simple raindrops trickling down the portholes, the view outside soon shifts into something far more unexpected. The special effects in the ending sequence are truly out of this world!
Careful attention to detail is required for a successful trip to Vegas. Many puzzles rely on numeric keypads and combination locks; however, there are some innovative problems that lean on visual/spatial logic and physical manipulation of objects as well. The path forward is not always entirely clear, and flyers may find themselves wandering aimlessly up and down the aisle. Thankfully help can be requested by picking up the PA system handset, but be advised that it will count against the final score.
The challenges in the cockpit are most satisfying, as the authentic instruments, from the tactile switches to the realistic dials, are fun to interact with. The only downside is the limited time spent in this space – one could easily forget the clock entirely while engaging with these hands-on controls.
13th Gate Escape has created another fully immersive environment. With its believable set design and high-stakes narrative pacing, this is a must-do for sci-fi fans and thrill seekers alike. Due to the level of difficulty and the thought-provoking nature of some of the tasks, this experience is best suited for those who are more seasoned travelers.
Not many games can boast that they come with a motion sickness warning, but Disappearance of Flight 13 does just that, as travelers are standing in an actual airplane resting on a platform that simulates mild turbulence. Pack the Dramamine and hop aboard to take an interplanetary journey into the unknown – and try not to get probed.
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Venue: 13th Gate Escape
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Number of Games: 8
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 6 people
Group Type: Private / You will not be paired with strangers.
Cost: $34.99 per person
We thank 13th Gate Escape for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.
