Review: Exit Escape Room NYC | The Witch's Curse

RATING: 4 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 12:48

Spells, enchantments, potions… all the makings of a magical adventure await you. Just don’t get too ensnared, lest you become part of the mayhem.

Story

The kingdom is in peril as Agatha, the evil witch, has cast a spell to turn every creature in the land into a toad at the stroke of midnight… In an effort to save the kingdom, the king has sent you on a quest into the enchanted forest to find Agatha’s lair and get a spell reversal potion. But in order to do that you must find the witch’s Book of Magic which holds the recipe for the potion. Unfortunately Agatha has detected that someone has broken into her lair and locked you inside! Time is running out and there is only one hour left until her spell takes effect… can you find the Book of Magic, escape her lair and undo her spell in time? The fate of the entire kingdom is in your hands! Be part of an adventurous and magical fairytale story and bring it to a happy ending in this fun and exciting escape room game!

You’re thrust into the witch’s cottage while she’s out gathering ingredients for her next concoction. Dabble in the occult as you try to navigate her magical mannerisms. As you make your way through her quarters, you find she is in cahoots with other witches, some of whom might be a recognizable feature of today’s pop culture.

Try your hand at brewing some elixirs, casting spells, and deciphering ancient runes to beat the witch at her own game. Her cottage isn’t exactly the most organized of places, so it isn’t always easy to find the magical ingredients you need to break the curse. Get that cauldron bubbling, get your auras aligned with crystals, and get out… before you get turned into a toad.

Scenic

Everything takes place within a small two-room cottage, with tudor-style plaster walls and dark wooden beams. There is an air of neglect, as cobwebs and ivy have infiltrated the inside of the space.

The paneling is dotted with colorful stained glass windows. An exposed brick mantle and hearth dominate part of the facade, with a large cauldron resting in its cavity.

Antique bookshelves and writing desks provide a homey feel, showing that although this witch might be wicked, she at least likes to be comfortable. She even provides a couple of feline familiars with a cozy environment for them to snooze the day away.

Puzzles

The puzzles, while all entirely low-tech, flow together and increase the immersion into the storyworld. They make use of common items associated with magic and witchcraft, such as wands and broomsticks, so we can practice spell casting.

The runes and patterns that festoon the walls come into play, as they help provide insight into the witch’s mind. Clearly, she wants you to attempt to contact the other side, as seance-conducting materials (candles, a Ouija board, some crystal balls) are all present. A large portion of the activities involve interacting with the cottage itself and its various furnishings.

The vast majority of challenges are lock-based, but the solutions and ways of arriving at those answers can be rather clever. Colors and shapes influence the decisions made to come up with some of the answers, while using other objects in non-conventional ways helps to uncover the truths behind the mysteries. Overall

The Witch’s Curse is an excellent blend of spooky and silly fun. Its mentions of witchcraft and the occult are not overpowering, but rather serve to provided a detailed and nuanced look into the witch’s world. While there are brief mentions of figures from existing pop culture IP, there is nothing that would be considered trademark or copyright infringement.

Despite being fairly simplistic in its technology and game play, it is still completely entertaining, and mentally challenging to boot. The puzzles are all logical and intuitive, and make complete sense within the storyworld. We had a great time connecting to our inner witches. In fact, you could almost say our experience was… magical.