Escape Rooms
Escape Rooms are a unique experience which involves solving (usually) a number of puzzles to “escape” the room and win/complete the game.
They are a fun and interactive game to be played with friends or in my (our) case, as a couple.
Tokyo Mystery Circus
Tokyo Mystery Circus host a number of different themed, challenging yet fun escape games. Located in Shinjuku, only a couple of minutes walk from the Seibu line Shinjuku station and amongst other interesting venues, food places, bars and activities.
Many of their games are available in both Japanese AND English and include such things as a Prison Break “Escape from the Prison”, “Escape from the Witch’s House in the Woods” and “Escape the Nine Rooms” a runaway train scenario, among others.
So far we have completed two of these games, “Escape from Prison” and “Escape the Nine Rooms – Runaway Train”
NO SPOILERS AHEAD!
Prison Break
Our first game was Escape from Prison. After registering our time slot, we were guided to the in-mate check-in counter and informed of our plight.
We were to be “locked in” our cell together, with only our wits and some clues with which to fashion our escape.
I won’t detail how we got out, but we did…
The prison is comprised of three cells, meaning three different teams can take on the challenge simultaneously.. We were very pleased to discover ourselves as the first of the three teams to complete the game and escape.
The guard, named Tony, really played the part well and in all it was a very immersive and enjoyable (albeit slightly panicked, as is our style) experience. Players are against the clock, but the game is designed to be completed in under ten minutes. I highly recommend this game as an entry point to escape room games.
Escape the Nine Rooms – Runaway Train
This is where the challenges and difficulty factor went up. After our successful prison break we were filled with confidence and ready to return a week later to take on possibly the most challenging game of them all.
An incredibly well designed and storied scenario made up of nine separate escape rooms, each leading into another and all with multiple puzzles to solve. Players are given 50 minutes to complete all nine “cars”, which may sound like plenty of time, but it VERY QUICKLY ticks away.
We did well, we managed to get to the last room but with only two minutes to spare.. Sadly, two minutes was NOT enough to complete this, most challenging of all puzzles.. Never before had the words “GAME OVER” hit so hard.. After all we had been through over the previous 50 minutes, we were humbled and deflated by this most unfortunate end result.
We were “rescued” by a member of staff and led back to the check-in desk. Along the way taking note of the completion rate on the wall, less than 20%! Suddenly we didn’t feel so bad, it was a tough game not only for ourselves, but evidently over 80% of all players attempting.
A second attempt?
At the check-in desk we were informed that because we had made it all the way to the last “car”, we could re-enter with a revenge card at the last room with ten minutes to try again! This was music to our ears.. So naturally we accepted this and went back for more..
However, that last room is very challenging, without much instruction or clues we failed again, but only because we were too slow to work it out..
Revenge
Players who receive the RETRY CARD may return as many times as needed to complete the game. During our first retry, we eventually managed to work it out but unfortunately not quickly enough. So we took an hour off to get some food and hatch a plan. We returned with our plan worked out, the two of us working simultaneously on two separate puzzles within the last car to effectively double our time and hopefully finally beat and complete this challenging puzzle game.
We Did It!!
Finally, on the second retry attempt, we won.. We successfully stopped the train and escaped through the hatch, collecting our completion card on the way out ready to gleefully hand it into the check-in staff. We were congratulated and were kindly offered to have our photo taken holding the tablet with the completion screen and awarded our choice of delightfully train ticket themed completion certificates!
A Recommended Activity
I highly recommend Tokyo Mystery Circus to anyone who enjoys puzzle solving, mystery games and/or being challenged. As a group activity with friends, or as in our case a couple, it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. With plenty of games on offer and a variety of spots to eat and drink out afterwards, it’s a well worthwhile trip into Shinjuku.
Information
Tokyo Mystery Circus (English Website) https://mysterycircus.jp/en/
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