City Mazes: Bamboozled

We signed up to get trapped in a Jumanji-esque, sentient, vaguely hostile jungle environment. What did we make of it?

The game host gave us a cheery welcome and a clear explanation of how the game worked.
This room doesn’t fall into the trap of relying too heavily on combination locks and number codes; instead there is a wide variety of puzzle types, including cryptic clues, mental challenges and spatial puzzles.
As well as the range of the puzzles, progression through the game was pleasingly organised into stages, with a visual confirmation when a stage had been correctly completed.
We liked the jungle noise soundtrack.

The visual design of the room was a little half-hearted and scruffy; more attention to detail could have created a more immersive, exciting jungle environment.
City Mazes advertise the room as suitable for up to 10 players. As a team of four we were each able to play a part in escaping, but we think that with a bigger group some players would be left out of the action. Almost all of the puzzles could be solved by one or two people.
On the occasions when we got stuck and needed a hint, it was not because the puzzles were especially challenging, but because we had essentially solved a clue but how to execute the solution was too opaque. Having more in-game clues to eliminate the need for external help would make solving each stage more satisfying.
A few spelling mistakes in clues were a bit distracting.

Family groups, Jumanji fans and groups where not everyone is an experienced escapist would enjoy this room.

Rating – 6/10