Halloween Escape 2014

Escape Date: 18^th October 2014

dPace: Dscry! I went to the Halloween Escape, held in the Wet World Shah Alam. The water park is now a horror-themed park!

Dscry: Oh! That one. I’ve seen the advertisements for it. So, what was the place like?

dPace: The place was decorated with horrific items, such has amputated hands and legs, with fog and mist giving the eerie atmosphere. They also have a laser and mist show that acts as the introduction to the storyline, similar to the normal escape games.

Halloween Escape 2014

Dscry: Sounds like a very nice place for Halloween. Too bad, I couldn’t go for it. Anyway, what can people do there?

dPace: Maybe you can go for other events in the future :) The place is like an escape game theme park, where there are different mini escape games to play. For each escape game or the horror house, visitors have to queue to wait for their turn to play. And for each escape game, the game time is 10 minutes, but they have two identical rooms for each escape game, so two groups of players can play at the same time. However, the queuing time is very long, very much longer than the normal queuing for a busy theme park day.

Dscry: Aww… Long wait? That place must be swarming with humans! I heard there is a horror house too which I think is the main attraction of the Halloween Escape.

Welcome to Halloween Escape!

dPace: As for the horror house, you have to walk through dark corridors and there were jump scares. After these dark corridors, there is an escape game for you to attempt in 5 minutes. If successful, players can proceed to the next stage of the horror house, which is more dark corridors and another escape game, also 5 minutes to complete. If players fail at the first stage, they will have to exit the horror house immediately and will not be allowed to experience the second stage.

Dscry: Is the horror house big and house like? I’m picturing an old abandoned mansion now. Is it something like that?

dPace: Nope, it doesn’t look like a house. They’re just calling it horror house for namesake.

Wanna take a picture with me?

Dscry: Oh. Would be nice if they could improve on that. So, what happens if the players failed any escape games? Are they given a second chance?

dPace: For all of the games, players can retry as many times as they wish. Furthermore, if a group successfully completes any escape games there, they are given a reward, a voucher to play escape games at one of the organizers’ branches.

Dscry: Oh! At least, there is a reward. Are there other rewards available or just that one?

dPace: For all the games I won, the rewards are all the same, a buy 4 free 2 voucher.

Hi, I'm Chucky. Wanna play?

Dscry: Are there any food stalls around the event place? I’m sure some humans would be hungry after all the wait and games.

dPace: Yups, there are! They sell fingers and eyeballs to munch on as well as packs of blood with different blood types available for drink, similar to those used in hospitals. I guess these Halloween delicacies came from rare sources because they were expensive!

A hearty Halloween-ish meal

Dscry: At least they have stalls offering nice Halloween delicacies. I would really love to try one of those.

dPace: Watch out, Dscry, there’s Chucky behind you! There’s also pretty Annabelle… Ooh, there’s a Chinese ancient minister, and also a prisoner, as well as surgeon that got leprosy! They’re all coming!

Dscry: Where?! Why are they coming? O_O

dPace: To scare visitors! I think almost none of the visitors were scared, except for a few surprised faces, frightened children, and a couple of screaming girls.

Oh, so you think you're hot, don't you?

Dscry: Wished I could witness the screams. As a whole, how would you rate your experience of the Halloween Escape?

dPace: All in all, I would say that the trip wasn’t very worth it, as we only played 2 out of the 4 escape games, which has 2 easy puzzles in each game. Experienced gamers will be able to solve them easily, which is not quite worth the long queue. Other friends who went there with me were also not very excited about the puzzles. However, the Haunted House did give quite a good scare. In terms of overall experience, I would rate it a “one-visit-is-more-than-enough”.

Dscry: Well, I’m sure they will make lots of improvements in the future. Hopefully, by then, I would have a chance to experience it myself! Happy Halloween, everyone!

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Happy Halloween 2014!

Event month: October 2014

Dscry: Greetings, humans! With about half a month to go until Halloween, what have you been up to? Horror movie plans, Halloween costume parties, or maybe trick or treating?

dPace: How about experiencing an escape adventure in this month full of horror? Instead of watching a horror movie, you can feel like you’re part of a horror movie. As such, Dscry and I will be suggesting a few recommended escape games to play with horror themes (in no particular order)!

The Missing Corpse (Mission-Q) 

Dscry: If I am not mistaken, this is the first escape game we played with some horror elements to it, right dPace? As the name suggests, the story is about the missing corpse which disappear without a trace. In this room, you and your teammates are going to find out the truth about the story. Corpse hunting during Halloween sounds interesting, don’t you think?

dPace: I feel that this room will give you a slightly horror theme, from Mission-Q. Although the theme will not entirely suit Halloween, but it definitely has the horrific feeling in this game. A must try for Halloween!

Click for Enigmatic Escape personal experience of the room!

Vampire Chronicles (Escape Room)

dPace: What do you cosplay when you think of Halloween? Vampires? Ahhh… How about being trapped as a victim of a vampire? Trapped in his castle? Try experience being in a vampire castle and try to escape from him. Hopefully this doesn’t spoil your childhood imagination of vampires!

Dscry: In this humble abode belonging to the creatures of the night, you will have to find your way out before the blood-thirsty creatures return and probably feed on you. Don’t forget to bring some garlic with you!

Click for Enigmatic Escape personal experience of the room!

Haunted Chamber (Escape Dungeon) 

Dscry: Escape Dungeon offers escape game with horror elements in them. However, dPace and I concluded that if you wanna try for their horror escape game, Haunted Chamber is definitely a must try. So, who or what exactly is waiting for you in the Haunted Chamber? Like they say on the site, be brave. Be very brave!

dPace: I would say that this room brings out a horror movie in you. You don’t need to pretend to be an actor/actress in a horror movie, for this room brings out the fear in you. Escapers will feel like they are in a horror movie, more than trying to escape from the room. In my opinion, this room has the more horrific elements among listed in this article.

Click for Enigmatic Escape personal experience of the room! 

The Overlook Hotel: Room 13 (Escape Room) 

dPace: I feel that this room is one of the scariest game from Escape Room. The puzzles in this escape game also strike a sense of haunting feeling when trying to solve them. This room definitely gives escapers a chill to their bones. What do you think, Dscry?

Dscry: Yup, I agree. I, Dscry hereby challenge you to have a stay at this hotel. Don’t worry; it costs almost the same as most budget hotels. In fact, it is even cheaper than some. I’ll personally advice you to book room 13 as it is the best room they have to offer.

Click for Enigmatic Escape personal experience of the room! (coming soon)

Mr Oswald’s Greatest Show (Breakout) 

Dscry: You would probably think that we recommend this room because it has a nice puppet show with horror elements in it featuring the famous marionette, Mr Oswald. Hmm… I think that is not quite right. And who is the owner of this marionette? You might be the lucky ones to find out his identity. 

dPace: This escape game does not only brings a horror element, it makes you feel as if you ARE really part of a horror movie being filmed by some non-living things. Escapers will not realize the role they are in, until the blindfolds are revealed. Do try this room to find out what you will become!

Click for Enigmatic Escape personal experience of the room! (coming soon)

Lost (Code Factory) 

dPace: dPace: Lost, is a room that I can summarize it as “full of surprises”. The room has elements which were never used before in other games. Not wanting to be a spoiler, this is a room I would say a must try for Halloween, if not for the unique elements used in this room. And don’t get lost!

Dscry: Honestly, I haven’t got the chance to play this room yet so I can’t really say much. However, if what dPace said is true about the room, you should attempt it and try not to get lost in the Lost room of Code Factory. Maybe I should consider joining you and your teammates to experience the room. Hmm…

Click for dPace’s personal experience of the room! (coming soon)

Halloween Escape 2014

Dscry: Last but not least, the main escape event for this year’s Halloween, Halloween Escape!

dPace: I will be going for it! And if you wanna catch a glimpse of the Halloween Escape 2014, you can click on the video below to watch the trailer. Otherwise, come and join me! See you for a horrific Halloween escape!

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Code Factory Challenge

Event Date: 27^th September 2014

dPace: Dscry! We have been challenged to escape games!

Dscry: Yeah! I received an e-mail about it. Enigmatic Escape has been invited by Code Factory to challenge their rooms in the Code Factory Challenge. I shall book my flight ticket as soon as I can. Wait for me, dPace.

dPace: And finally the day arrives! The challenge is to escape from their rooms, while being grouped with others whom we have not played with before.

Gathering and getting to know each other at Code Factory

Dscry: Yay! This is my first time coming to Code Factory. I thought I will never get the chance to. We were told to gather at Code Factory by 11am. Other invited guests include well-known bloggers and youtubers.

dPace: We met new friends and get to know more of the people behind the scenes of Code Factory. After all participants for the challenge have arrived, we drew lots for groupings. Dscry and I were in the same group, together with Ernest (dontlikethatbro.blogspot.com), Wilee (wileetee.com) and Pwincess. With this group, we’re challenged to attempt Burn Out!

Which team are you in?

Dscry: Before we entered the rooms we’re assigned to, all of us were instructed to create our own team names and posters. The waiting area was filled with glitters everywhere, thanks to all of us. Our team name was Champs Unite which we kinda got from a newspaper cutting right in front of us.

Team posters with glitters!

dPace: The other team also got their name from newspaper cuttings, pasted around the waiting area as decorations. We gave a team cheer and off we’re into Burn Out. The owner himself was our game master and briefed. He also told us that we are the first 5 escapers to ever attempt Burn Out in Code Factory! Burn Out will be open to public after this event.

Dscry: Whoa! I’m so honoured to be one of the first players of this room. I asked the game master how long the room testers took to complete the room, he answered it was on average of one hour and a half. O_O We have to do better than that, dPace!

The plan is we send them in, lock them inside and observe them. Muahahaha! - managers of Code Factory

dPace: We finally made it out of the room, after one and a half hour! According to the owner, he just completed the highlight-puzzle of that room just days before we played! Another honour for us =p We would definitely like to recommend you going to Code Factory to try out their games, especially Burn Out! It is worth it.

Dscry: Yup, do tell us your comments about the Burn Out room. After that, we attempted another room in Code Factory called Operation 174. This time, we got out just in time! Yay!

Group photo with other challengers at Code Factory

dPace: We’ll talk about these rooms in more details in the future. We took a group photo with everyone before we had late lunch together.

Everyone got a certificate, even Enigmatic Escape!

Dscry: We even got a certificate each!! Thanks for the invitation to try out your games, Code Factory! For more info, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/codefactory.com.my or follow them on twitter at https://twitter.com/Codefactory_My

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Escape Run 2014

Event date: 20^th September 2014

Dscry: Escape Room has decided to organise an event called Escape Run which is the largest interactive puzzle run. The event was held at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur. Our team sent out 2 teams and dPace was in one of the teams. As I was away, I couldn’t participate in the event. Thus, I am here to interview dPace about the event. So dPace, can you tell us a little bit more about this event?

Escape Run 2014

dPace: This event was held on the 20^th September, with each team consisting of 3 members. The price for participation is RM100 per person. Assembly time was at 9am and the closing ceremony ended around 4:30pm. We were directed to wear casual/sports. The event started with registration, speeches, and lot drawing. This is then followed by the escape run which consists of the group stage and final stage.

Dscry: I've seen videos on the Escape Run Malaysia Facebook page. Are all the participants required to make a video recording of their teams?

dPace: It was not compulsory, but the most “liked” video will win RM1000 cash prize. However, these video recordings were only notified after registration. Personally, I would have preferred that these instructions were given clearly during registration.

Dscry: Your team made an interesting video. How many teams were there for the Escape Run?

dPace: There were 36 teams.

Dscry: I see. That is equivalent to 108 participants. What happens when all the participants were gathered at 9am?

Waiting for the race to begin!

dPace: After checking our attendance and collecting goodie bags and jackets from the organizers, we were then told that we need to wear the jacket at all times! The organizers should have informed participants much earlier so that we can wear much lighter clothing inside.

Dscry: Whoa… Wearing the jacket at all times during the run! Maybe they really want all of you to sweat.

Escape Run jacket and finalist medal

dPace: Thankfully, we were in a fully air-conditioned mall. Otherwise, participants will be having a sauna in the jackets.

Dscry: Let’s talk about the run now. What are the participants required to do during the run?

dPace: The participants have different routes to prevent congestion at checkpoints. But at the end, all teams should complete all 8 checkpoints. At each checkpoint, there are puzzles to be solved within a time limit. Teams succeeding at checkpoints will be rewarded with a clue; otherwise they won’t get the clue to solve the murder mystery.

Dscry: Oh, I see. So, the objective of the run is to collect clues to solve a murder mystery. What happens if the team was unable to solve the puzzle at a certain checkpoint?

dPace: If teams cannot solve the puzzles at a checkpoint, then their time is equivalent to the maximum time for that particular checkpoint, which increases their total time.

Dscry: What is the maximum time for a particular checkpoint?

dPace: The maximum time for each checkpoint varies, but they are either 10 or 15 minutes. The times taken for a team to correctly reach their next checkpoint were also recorded. 

          

Dscry: I’m curious to know if they included any shops as a checkpoint. May I know what the eight checkpoints are?

Going round and round and round...

dPace: The checkpoints were sushi restaurant, juice bar, a telecommunications centre, roller coaster and spinning ride in the theme park, Berjaya College, the food court and Escape Room. They also included a bonus stage, where the reward for completing this stage is a deduction of 10 minutes. At the end of all 8 checkpoints, teams will solve one last checkpoint located outside the Berjaya Times Square Escape Room.

Dscry: Sounds like a long run. What happens at the final checkpoint?

dPace: At the final checkpoint, teams need to solve a murder mystery within 10 minutes using the clues they have collected from completed checkpoints. Teams that correctly identify the murderer will be awarded with a time bonus of 20 minutes, which will be deducted from the total time to complete the group stage. Six teams with the six fastest times to complete these eight checkpoints including the murder mystery will move on to the final stage.

Dscry: Was there a break in between the final checkpoint and the final stage?

dPace: Yes, there was a break for my team because we completed the final checkpoint at around 1:15pm and we have to gather back at 2:00pm. Thus, we took that time to have our quick lunch. However, other teams may have had shorter breaks because our start time was 10:30am, while there were teams that started off at 10:45am.

Dscry: That is strange. Why did some teams started off later?

dPace: This is so that the teams are evenly distributed to every checkpoint. This is also to ensure that each checkpoint will have a constant frequency of teams attempting their puzzles, rather than all of 36 teams going to a single checkpoint. They do this by assigning different routes to each team.

Dscry: Oh, that makes sense. Anyway, congratulations to you and your teammates for making it to the final stage! Can you tell us more about the final stage?

We were in the final stage!

dPace: Before the final stage, we were held quarantined so that the finalists will not be able to see other finalists attempting the final stage. The final stage was an escape game held inside a bus. There was a terrorist that set a bomb inside the bus, which will explode in 20 minutes. As we entered the bus, we were handcuffed. There were 4 things to be solved. Unlock our handcuffs, open a chest locked with a directional lock, unlock chest with a press-lock, and the most important of all, was to cut the correct wire of the bomb. Cutting the wrong wire means defeat, while the team that manages to cut the correct wire in the shortest time wins the grand prize!

Dscry: Did any of the teams managed to disarm the bomb correctly?

Ticking bomb in the bus

dPace: Nope, none of the 6 teams managed to disarm, or correctly disarm the bomb. Thus, all six teams failed the final stage. Since there were no clear winners from the final stage, the final standing was based on the total time used by the final teams to complete the group stage.

Dscry: Whoa! None of the teams managed to pass the final stage. That’s too bad. Ironically, the team that won the Escape Run 2014 was ‘Team 3 Idiots’. They’re definitely not a team consisting of 3 idiots. Well, congratulations to the winning team! I hope there will be more events similar to this in the future.

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