RATING: 4 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 19:50
When the magician goes missing, only the act of following in his footsteps will allow peace to be restored!
The King’s Royal Wizard has gone missing! You, his faithful apprentices, have been summoned by the King to find him. Disturbingly, you find that the wizard has left behind his Spellbook…
Magic reigns in the mighty kingdom. Unfortunately, its primary wielder has gone AWOL, and left his workshop in a bit of a state as well. Luckily for the visitors of the castle, his book of spells has remained behind in the chaos.
The tome acts as a guide, so that magicians-in-training are able to bring the Wizard’s power to its fullest capacity. Numerous otherworldly subjects and studies, like alchemy, astronomy and astrology, and even weaponry, are featured within its ancient pages.
Without the Wizard, the land’s magical stability begins to deteriorate. It is up to the apprentices to fulfill the sacred duties required by the King and restore the wizened warlock to his seat of power.
Magical apprentices get to explore the wizard’s workshop, located in the castle’s observatory. Stone columns frame the open-air window, providing a view of the surrounding countryside. A large wardrobe sits beside the potion-making desk, providing storage for all of his various ingredients.
Tapestries line the walls, adding a touch of coziness. An opulent gilded mirror commands attention; of course, it is a magical looking glass, capable of forming pathways to and from the realm.
A number of curios and curiosities rest nestled in a sizeable shelf. The magician holds a great deal of interest in the anatomy of mystical creatures, as evidenced by the various skulls strewn about. The wizard’s experiments can often go awry, leaving behind melted and deformed phials. A somewhat macabre detail can be found amongst the trinkets and knick-knacks; a poor rodent has apparently met his demise after getting trapped in a silver pitcher, his minuscule skeleton standing forlornly in the vessel. Once the disarray is restored to its proper state, only then will the enchanted reflecting portal reveal its true secrets.
Spell-casters must perform various fantastical tasks in their quest to restore the Wizard to his tower. Incantations are spoken, charts consulted, and mystical objects are retrieved, having been transported from other dimensions, as the mage’s presence lingers over his workshop.
Multiple disciplines of wizardry are found within the walls of the observatory. Practitioners must face challenges such as potion-brewing in order to get the apothecary ready for the magician’s return. Another obstacle involves mastering the utilization of the good sorcerer’s tools, including his wand and staff. One can even ponder if the apothecary doubles as a snack lounge, as several brain teasers hint at various food and beverages as ingredients for enchantments.
Every riddle helps to further the immersion that is created within the storyworld. Everything is intuitive and makes sense. There are no logic leaps or questionable actions. Also noticeable is the lack of red herrings or puzzles that seem to exist solely for the sake of being present. The Wizard’s Apothecary mostly follows a linear structure, but does so in a way that enables illusionists-to-be to solve multiple issues at once.
The Wizard’s Apothecary is a magical adventure that transports members of the court to a mystical realm. Its puzzles help to solidify this extraordinary kingdom into a tangible environment, where it is not just the royals who make it a magical place.
The fantastical and the commonplace combine in this long-standing observatory, allowing even the lowliest of peasants to rise above their class and become wielders of magic themselves. Of course, it is only when the disciplines are used together that the kingdom shines. The monarch can rest easy, knowing that his Wizard is there to maintain order. The apprentices, in turn, understand the peculiarities and abilities learned all help to keep the land in perpetual harmony.
Show your support for Escape Authority and get social with us:
Venue: Escape Room Live
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Number of Games: 4
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: $37.99 per person
We thank Escape Room Live for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.
