RATING: 4 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 5:17
“Take a trip to the spice market” they said. “It’ll be totally low stakes and relaxing” they said.
As a special ops agent, covert investigations across the globe are nothing out of the ordinary. But your routine search of a spice market leads to an unexpected discovery…Now you’re left to combat an international crisis that threatens the state of the world as we know it. You’ll need to harness all your tactical skills and training if you’re ever going to put a stop to this global catastrophe. Through all the twists and turns you have to ask yourself…how deep does the conspiracy go?
Special ops teams have found themselves in quite the life or death hijinks. But no need to worry, it’s totally low stakes. The Escape Game throws agents into an immersive storyworld with the help of both a preshow and a mid-game revisiting from their command post. The unique additional contact helps to further the narrative in a really organic manner, something that sets it apart from many other games.
A fun and unexpected turn takes the story veering in an entirely different direction. What better place to spice things up than a market that sells just that?
The Escape Game consistently delivers in the scenic department, and Special Ops: Mysterious Market is no exception. Agents begin their mission smack dab in the middle of a spice market, and are immediately transported to a far off land. Vibrant colors, textures, materials, and even smells help build the visual world. Everything organically belongs in the setting which only further the immersion of the scenic.
Beyond the spice market the set locations take a drastic turn in style, but not in quality. Special Ops find themselves in a much more modern space, with digital interfaces, high tech equipment, and a…ummm…very low stakes problem to solve.
The contrast in scenic style between the spice market and the second half of the game creates a fun dichotomy. Both impressive and immersive in their own way, with each helping to make the other stand out as distinct through their differences.
Special Ops: Mysterious Market has a healthy mix of puzzle types that all fit the storyworld seamlessly. Some light searching, environmental observation, some clever word play, and a few fun tactile tasks turn the spice market into an exciting space to explore. Everything in this chapter of the game is hands on manipulation of physical items that fit the world nicely.
The back half of the game naturally introduces Operatives to more technologically advanced puzzles. Much like how the scenic flips the script, the puzzles do as well. Most of the later puzzles fall in to the task based category, as opposed to the more unique environment based puzzles of the first half of Special Ops: Mysterious Market. There is a distinct difference in challenges throughout the game though that helps create a well rounded experience.
The Escape Game has built a reputation for itself of being one of the leading chain brands in the industry, and for good reason. Special Ops: Mysterious Market is another marquee game for this juggernaut, and hits all the right notes. It has a fun and engaging story, complete with a nice twist and totally low stakes hijinks. The immersive scenic is detailed and quickly transports Operatives to a far away place. Puzzles throughout the game are well balanced and more importantly fun.
As was noted in the sections above, this game has two distinct “chapters” within it. The first half and second half of the game have a starkly different vibe. While both have their strong points, the beginning portion of this experience provides the more polished – and frankly more fun – gameplay. If the back end of Special Ops: Mysterious Market matched the first half this would easily be a 5 Key game.
This is a game that is approachable for first time groups or newer players, while still being very fun for experienced players. That is a tough mark to hit, but The Escape Game hits it time and time again!
Show your support for Escape Authority and get social with us:
Venue: The Escape Game
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Number of Games: 7
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 7 people
Group Type: Public / You may be paired with strangers.
Cost: $40.99 per person
We thank The Escape Game for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.
