The Panic Rooms – Prison Van

The Panic Rooms – Prison Van.
Location: Gravesend
Game Date: 21/08/2018
Team: Amy & Ian

Theme:
“You’ve been caught. You have been tried and you have been convicted. You are being transferred to a maximum security prison, then Boom! The secure vehicle you were being transported in is involved in an accident. You know that the police’s response time is 60 minutes. Can you escape in time?

You have to cooperate with the other convicts (or friends as you know them), who may or may not help you get out. You decide what information to share with the others, and you have to find the best way to convince them to help you. You are against the clock & against the law so just remember…Don’t Panic!”

The set was as immersive as it gets, this game takes place in a real prison van! The space is just that, a prison van… sterile, clinical and from the looks of it unescapeable! The space is very small. I would be cautious if you have claustophobia, but the space is light and there are aspects to make it more airy. 5 people would be a bit of a squeeze however!
A good soundtrack was playing throughout the game, which was a nice touch.

Game Play:
A linear game that felt quite old in its design. The puzzles ranged with logic, observation, math, searching and slight physicality.
The puzzles were fun, and logical. They all had lovely ah-ha moments. There was nothing that stuck out or wowed us as it felt like a group of puzzles in a van rather than a game that used the van and any story to deepen the puzzles.
The flow was good, and the van’s space was used very well, with every “cell” playing a part in the game.
A unique game in its setting, but it felt more like playing a collection of (nice) puzzles in a very cool setting!

Clue System:
Clues were delivered via a screen

Game Host:
Mikey was our game host and he was hilarious! So friendly and welcoming and ran our game with precision

Did we escape?
Yes in 47 minutes

Website: https://www.thepanicroom.net
Price:
2 Players £50
3 Players £66
4 Players £80
5 Players £95