Review: Red Door Escape Room | Once Upon a Time

RATING: 5 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 12:07

Fairy tales collide in this quest to locate the missing treasures and return the kingdom to its glory.

Story

Three magical items of immense power have been stolen and hidden in a castle. In the right hands, they can bring prosperity to the realm. But in the wrong hands, destruction and despair are certain to come. Make your way through an enchanted forest, search the castle, and retrieve the items before the story comes to an end.

The kingdom has fallen under a spell, brought on by the Black Wizard’s thirst for power. He has stolen the three mystical relics, which has caused the dominion to become suspended in time, frozen as is for eternity. The curse can only be broken when the trio of objects, icons of stories and legends themselves, is recovered from the Wizard’s clutches.

The Wizard, also called The Bitter Man, must be stopped at all costs. He has placed barriers and obstacles around his fortress to maintain his hold of darkness over the land. Those wishing to face off against The Bitter Man must delve into his psyche to unravel the mystery of where he has hidden the articles. Find the artifacts, break through the Wizard’s wards, and release the denizens from their fate.

Scenic

The journey begins in a forest clearing, at twilight. The overhead foliage and moonlight provide a tranquility and serenity that belies the sinister workings of the Bitter Man. Common fairy tale features are present; a wishing well, a sword sticking out of a stone, and a fairy village all lend to the fantastical nature that is Once Upon a Time.

The glade opens up into a recently occupied cottage, with a fire still crackling in the hearth, and a spindle all prepared for spinning yarn. Candles softly illuminate a wooden desk, while a gilded mirror rests above, reflecting the glow back out into the chamber. There is evidence that the owners of the dwelling work in the local mines, as ropes, shovels, and pickaxes adorn the walls, and a wooden panel covers the entrance to the mine shaft.

This entryway hides a secret; a tunnel passageway leads directly to the throne room in the castle where The Wizard has taken control of the court. Stone walls give way to wooden beams supporting a vaulted ceiling. Stained glass windows depict the very three objects that the Bitter Man has absconded with- a glass slipper, a magic lamp, and a poisoned apple, all further bringing the fairy tale to life. A hidden doorway leads back into the forest, making the story come full-circle.

Puzzles

Once Upon a Time contains elements that run the gamut from simple locks to high-tech “spell casting.” As the questers move between the enchanted forest, the cottage, and the Wizard’s lair, the challenges become increasingly more complex to solve. While the overall sequence of the game is linear, there are enough puzzles present in each segment of the adventure that multiple wizard-thwarters can work on different aspects simultaneously.

Some require little thinking, just a keen sense of observation. Merely paying attention to the environment can lend a hand to uncover some of the room’s mysteries. While certain riddles only require basic problem-solving skills, others are more in-depth and require interacting with the set itself to unlock its secrets.

One particularly innovative sequence involves physically manipulating and rotating the spinning wheel, while another requires critical thinking to decipher a color-code that correlates to different objects within the room. Despite the presence of a tremendous amount of lore from various stories and fairy tales, no outside knowledge is required. Everything makes sense within the game-world, and there are no logic leaps, so the story flows smoothly.

Overall

One Upon a Time does a fantastic job of drawing adventurers into a Medieval-era keep. Its emphasis on magic and wonder, along with the environment that is created, leads to full immersion in the storyworld.

By incorporating elements from many different well-known fairy tales and stories, the room creates a sense of familiarity while also maintaining intrigue into how to successfully defeat The Bitter Man’s magical prowess. The clever puzzles and detailed scenery all help to ensure that the resulting game is unique and memorable.

It also is the first entry of the chronological timeline that interconnects all of the stories at this venue into one shared universe, so it’s apparent that the game sets up the baseline of the narrative. It mentions the creation of a mystic power called “The Sight,” and it is this power that is present in all the other episodes.

The game really does bring fairy tales to life. Its intuitive game flow and unique, challenging puzzles provide the basis for what is ultimately a lot of fun. Solving Once Upon a Time will lead to the satisfaction of defeating the Wizard and restoring peace to the kingdom, ensuring players receive their own happily ever after.