A High-Tech Escape Room Adventure

Table of Contents

Location: London

Date Played: Sept 2023

Team size: 2; we recommend 4-6

Duration: 1 hour

Price: ~£30-40 on their website, depending on player count

Premise

After some thorough research (i.e. visiting https://escapethereview.co.uk/), we found that clueQuest: cQ Origenes was one of the highest rated escape rooms in London. After an impromptu booking, we visited the place full of old decor and mices painted all over.


In cQ Origenes, you play as a team working under Mr. Q. Professor BlackSheep seeks to recreate the original genetical experiment that turned him into a sheep. He has launched a cyber attack on our old mainframe in the hope of extracting secret data, along with the genetical research he's missing.

In order to stop the Professor from breaching our firewall, you and your team will have to access Mr Q's old base. The only way in, however, is to shrink down to the size of a mouse with the help of the Shrink'o'Mat. Word of caution, agents: the technology you'll be exposed to is...a bit unstable and still experimental. You'll have only 60 minutes to counteract the cyber attack and secure the mainframe before the Shrink'o'Mat's effect wears off and things get.

The rooms are meticulously designed to create an immersive experience. The futuristic Shrink'o'Mat room is visually striking, and the transition from normal size to mouse size adds to the intrigue.

Puzzles

The puzzles in "cQ Origenes" are a highlight of the experience. The use of technology and machinery behind the scenes enhances the gameplay, making it feel seamless and engaging. Puzzle design is generally well-thought-out, with good signposting to guide players in the right direction.

However, there are instances of puzzles that involve busywork, which can be frustrating. Additionally, one puzzle is prone to errors and can result in significant time loss if mistakes are made.

The room also demands thorough searching, which can be challenging with a small team. Playing with only my brother and I led to extended search times and a failure to complete the room within the allotted time, exceeding by ~2 minutes.

Verdict

"clueQuest: cQ Origenes" offers an enjoyable and immersive escape room experience, with intricately layered puzzles and advanced technology integration. Our recommendation is to play with a larger group (4 or more) to facilitate more efficient searching and puzzle-solving. Despite minor issues, it remains a highly recommended experience.

Rating: 4/5

★★★★✩