Trapp’d Peterborough – Madame Curio’s Cirque Delirium

Trapp’d Peterborough – Madame Curio’s Cirque Delirium.
Location: Peterborough
Game Date 28/10/2017.
Team: Amy & Ian.

Theme:
” “Roll up, roll up! Enter the mind meddling spectacle that is ‘Madame Curio’s Cirque Delirium’! Try your luck, prove your skills and test your aim… can you conquer our unusual carnival games? How about attending a captivating performance in our very own circus ring? A delightful fun-filled evening where our guests pile in, hoping to glimpse the circus’ famed attractions and maybe win a prize or two. Don’t believe us? Come and see for yourself! There’s so much fun to be had in our big top phenomenon!”

The poster seems intriguing but you get this niggling suspicion that all is not exactly what it seems. Since this circus came to town people have started disappearing. Guests supposedly enter the circus, but very few come out and people seem to whisper of a ‘ghostly aura’ surrounding the circus itself. Still, your attention has been caught and curiosity is getting the better of you. You decide to go along and see what it’s all about… besides, you’ve never been particularly superstitious…

After entering, it’s all fun and games until you start to notice the abnormal silence among the workers. They seem to labour along in a zombie-like state, almost like mind slaves. They don’t blink or speak to anyone – not even each other. It isn’t until you recognise a stamp on one of their hands for Madame Curio’s fortune tent that you notice they all have the same distinguishing stamp. A quick glance towards the sage’s tent tells you that passers-by are being reluctantly coerced into entering… and they never seem to emerge. Something rather sinister is happening and you realise that you could be next. The circus closes in 60 minutes and you can’t see an exit anywhere. Maybe they blocked it off? You need to find another way out of this circus nightmare before Madame Curio steals your mind and you remain Trapp’d in the circus forever!”

Wow, Trapp’d certainly deliver a thorough and well thought out back story! This is handed to you before you enter the room, rather than in the briefing.
We were blindfolded when entering the room, and this added to the surprise when we took them off! A very well decorated and HUGE room, with all the tropes you’d expect at the circus! There was so much eye candy to look at, it’s easy to spend the first 5-10 minutes just running round the room investigating everything. The space is large, and the room is more than capable of accommodating the maximum number of players. The room is lit well and the only moments of darkness come cleverly woven into the game play. There are a few surprises in the room, I will obviously not spoil them but safe to say, they are very fitting to the theme and a LOT of fun!

Game Play:
A fairly linear game, that at first glance seems open… this is not the case as there were certain obstacles and locks in our way to prevent an entirely open game.
In the early parts of the game, the set pieces and games serve to leave you bouncing from one to the other, figuring out the starting point and logic of the room, Once found the game started and was smooth throughout.
The puzzles focus mainly on physicality and skill, with a smattering of word and maths to make a balanced game (where people who aren’t quite as dexterously skilled can shine at the more logical brain based puzzles)
This is a very active room however, be prepared to come out excited but tired, it’s one of the more physical rooms we’ve played.
The flow was excellent, with each puzzle having satisfying ah-ha moments (especially the more brain based ones) and the skill based puzzles having good rewards.
The only stalling points were our own failings.
There were excellent uses of co-operation and teamwork based tasks!
A room which is a little different to the norm, takes the carnival theme and runs with it to create an incredibly fun hour!
Newbies take as big a team as you please, there is lots to do and lots to find! Enthusiasts, take a smaller team (or your regular players!) It’s a hoot!

Clue System:
Clues were delivered via walkie talkie (Note, there is no timer in the room!)

Game Host:
Matt was our game host (and also the owner) and he was on hand to deliver hints when needed, he was warm, very welcoming and delivered a good brief.

Did we escape?
Yes, in 49 minutes!

Website: http://trappd.com/
Price:
2 Players £39
3 Players £49
4 Players £59
5 Players £69
6 Players £79