Can ‘YouEscape’? We Did. (Review)
The NoPro team escapes a virtual room using Google Hangouts
A few minutes prior to the start time, Cara, Patrick and I get a link to a Google Hangouts for YouEscape’s Magnum Opus room with some additional instructions about testing to ensure microphones and video work. We log in at the appointed time and are greeted by Nick who is offscreen for now. He is the creator and our gamemaster for today’s virtual escape room experience. YouEscape was created a couple of years ago by Nick who wanted to create a remote escape room experience specifically. With the support of beta testers, he’s created 12 unique rooms which he runs himself for guests.
Our team of three has done a number of escape rooms with others (Cara alone 111), but we have not done an escape room together. We are also obviously not co-present for this experience. On the screen in front of us is a table set with multiple lock boxes and items to engage with. Nick explains the process, which is simply that we will direct his hands and the clues we receive digitally will unlock a series of boxes. We will have 60 minutes to complete the room and all agree to play the game on the “normal” difficulty mode which means we get some clues, but not too many.
With the administrative tasks settled, Nick sets the timer and sends a link with the clues into the Google Hangout. The game is on. We are solving the mystery of a great alchemist who has disappeared and must ensure his secret is safe.
The use of video, pre-recorded audio, linked clues, and Nick’s hands on screen works surprisingly well. Juggling through multiple clues and windows is similar to my daily life of having email, Slack, PowerPoint, and 100 browser tabs open which is good that it’s familiar but is hard when the three of us are all bouncing between different clues, which I’ve seen happen IRL also. We struggle a bit through the first puzzle, but quickly find our footing. The clues become more complex as we go on, requiring some additional websites and multiple images to move the game forward and more importantly more communication between the three of us to determine which direction to go. Cara does a great job of keeping us (or me) focused and most importantly we solve the last lockbox, with about 8 minutes to spare.
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If you’re looking for a remote escape room experience, this is one to try. As the game progresses it becomes increasingly clear that Nick designs with a screen-first approach, not a room ported into a digital environment. After the game, we discussed how enjoying the game was during our 52 minute escape.
Patrick shared, “I honestly knew we were in for a good time when I logged into the Google Hangout early and had a delightful conversation with Nick. His passion in hosting these escape room experiences comes across with a strong intensity that feels like Nick is right there with you, wherever in the world you might be currently. Additionally, while the puzzles were well crafted, they made excellent usage of having to be solved using this online format. If you’re bummed you don’t have the chance to do something with your escape room and fellow puzzlers buddies, you all should definitely check out YouEscape.”
Cara, our resident expert, added “I found this game to be very enjoyable! As an avid escape room player, I thought the puzzles were clever, reasonably challenging, and well designed. The fact that everything was handmade made it feel all the more unique and delightful. Clearly Nick has devoted a lot of time and care to making these games run smoothly and still be engaging despite the remote format. I definitely recommend this to groups of all experience levels and am looking forward to scheduling additional games with my friends!”
YouEscape is available now. Pricing is $30 for teams of 1–5.
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