RATING: 4 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 26:34
The Pharaoh’s spirit has been awakened; restore the temple or face his wrath!
You’ve finally uncovered an elusive and ancient tomb. The bad news? You’re cursed. Break the curse and escape before the tomb claims you too!
An entire temple has recently been discovered, making it one of the most important archaeological finds in recent history. There’s just one problem, though- all of the workers at the dig site have vanished!
It appears that the rumors of a curse are actually true. As luck would have it, the newest batch of explorers are set to enter the dusty, abandoned tomb, only to find themselves stranded when they are unexpectedly sealed inside.
Is there any sign of the previous tomb-raiders? Are the current grave robbers able to break free from the temple? Or is the entire place destined to be lost to the sands of time?
Explorers find themselves locked in a small stone chamber. Rotting wood planks line the ceiling, giving off a stale mustiness. The floor is completely covered in a thick layer of sand.
A shoddily wired electrical system looks as if it would help provide additional illumination, on top of the ethereal blue and red glow of the work lights. The walls are lined with a series of statues keeping watch over the temple, acting as silent sentries. The center of the room is dominated by a large, mysterious cube of rock, carved hieroglyphics encrusting its surface.
A rusted sarcophagus rests ominously leaning against a column, as if it’s struggling to not be crushed by the ravages of time. There is a giant bust of the pharaoh’s death mask occupying most of the innermost facade, its eyes casting a vacant, yet powerful gaze.
Two antechambers lie behind swinging panels. One, clearly the final resting place of some poor unfortunate soul, is awash with a crimson haze, illuminating the open casket and human remains within. The second contains a large skull-shaped altar to the temple deity, and an elevated dais platform engraved with a myriad of symbols. A partition marked with colorful circles and pierced through with holes acts as a divider between the two spaces.
The puzzles found within the tomb consist of a wide variety. Several challenges stem from the writings found in an old journal, left behind by a researcher who has fallen victim to the curse.
Temple explorers must replicate the field guide’s findings in order to break the enchantment. This one item is vital to the solving of numerous challenges. While each entry within the notebook is only utilized once, the ledger itself is omnipresent throughout the adventure.
There are very few “lock-and-key” tasks to be found. Instead, the vast majority of objectives deal with manipulating the physical environment. Whether archaeologists are searching through the sand and rubble for treasures, or paying their respects to the gods, Egyptologists will be immersed into the storyworld.
For the most part, the brain-teasers are logical and make sense. Everything is presented linearly, but done so in a way that enables multiple explorers to work together to solve the many conundrums.
The Curse of the Mummy falls firmly in the realm of “typical Egyptian escape game.” There are certain elements, such as the sand burying the floors, that do enhance the experience and realism, but there is little that is truly innovative or groundbreaking demonstrated.
The storyline, while solid, does seem slightly neglected, as there are no true mentions of the supposed curse, nor of any consequences to be suffered should said jinx prevail. Regardless, it is an exciting adventure where even the Egyptian deities get in on the action. Temple explorers better still be wary, though, lest they fall victim to the ravages of the desert and end up in de-Nile.
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Venue: The Escape Game
Location: Georgetown, Washington D.C.
Number of Games: 5
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 8 people
Group Type: Public or Private / You may or may not be paired with strangers depending on your choice of ticket type.
Cost: $41.99 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.
