If the idea of a truly immersive experience involving clues, puzzles and codes excites you, then I would definitely recommend Cardiff Escape Rooms. I recently took a trip to what they call ‘The Ultimate Challenge’ for my first attempt at an escape room and was not disappointed. They have six different rooms to choose from and the themes massively differ between each one. From helping Owain Glyndwr storm Cardiff Castle, to finding yourself in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, there really is something for everyone. You are given an hour to complete the room with your guide watching and listening to your movements to ensure you are on the right path to escape.
‘Moriarty’s Revenge’ is the room that we tried our hand at. The setting was Sherlock’s iconic office and our mission was to help Moriarty get his revenge by swapping a file containing a grand plan to end Sherlock. The room itself felt realistic, with Sherlock’s desk, fireplace, and iconic hat making us fully engrossed in the challenge. Even the windows had a sepia effect making the streets of Cardiff appear Victorian, which I thought was a really nice touch. We were moving our way through the clues with a few helpful hints on a screen when we were off track. However, unfortunately, we did not complete the file swap and escape the room. We still felt proud of our effort and were determined to try again…
It only took 24 hours for us to book the next room and have another go. We felt more confident and clued up in how escape rooms operate and were excited for the next challenge: ’Oculus’. For lovers of true crime documentaries or psychological horror films, this room is made for you. We were trapped in the notorious serial killer, Oculus’ flat who is known for his obsession with gauging the eyes of his victims. The challenge was to find a suspected captive and escape the room before he returns and finishes the job. The creepiness of the room made this escape feel scarily real. We were greeted by the sound of a TV playing unsettling static sounds and warped classical music which instantly put us on edge in the best way. There were many eye-related objects around the room, from battered glasses cases to gouged eyes, making the killer’s niché clear. Luckily our eyes were intact, and we escaped with a minute to spare! It felt gratifying after our first failure and being told that this was their most complex room.
As I have enthusiastically ex-pressed, I thoroughly recommend trying an escape room. Whether it be for a birthday, a housemate activity, or a break from university work, give it a go. It is the perfect opportunity to fully immerse yourself and focus on completing the challenge set out where working out the clues and codes is extremely satisfying. I am excited to try my next one!
I would recomend this book to everyone and anyone