Golden Pop: Jurasico (Barcelona)

All the ‘wow’ factors!

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If there was ever a game that I was REALLY looking forward to, then Jurasico was it. From the name you will already likely have a good idea what movie franchise this game is built on… Jurassic Park!

Being a child of the 80s means that when Jurassic Park came out in 1993, I was old enough to appreciate (and be terrified by) it. I remember visiting Canada in 1993 and my pride and joy was my Jurassic Park t-shirt, simpler times.

Anyway, we’ve played a few escape rooms that are dinosaur themed or not-so-loosely based on Jurassic Park, but Jurasico was the one that seemed to be the most epic and perhaps the most closely aligned to that Jurassic Park world.

Unfortunately we only had time for one game at Golden Pop, but I would have very much liked to have played more. The lobby, and arguably the whole building is like a cinema. Movie (room) posters adorned the walls, bright lights everywhere, and a host dressed like a cinema porter. I love that Golden Pop base their rooms on movies, and just run with that theme.

Instead of our usual team of four we played Jurasico as a team of five as a friend of the group also happened to be in town. When we arrived we were greeted by our host who invited us into the ‘cinema’ lobby, and we took a seat while he got a few things ready.

After not too long, it was time to head to our screening. This meant descending a long and dark corridor of stairs, and movie ephemera. On our way to the game we passed the bathrooms (useful) and then we were outside of the game and ready to visit Jurasico!

Worth pointing out that this game is pretty much not accessible in the slightest. There perhaps could be accommodations made, but stairs to get to the room, a number of steps, crawling, tight spaces, mud. It’s probably not accessible.

IMMERSION/ROOM DESIGN

This whole section could be summed up in one word…. WOW. To say this was likely one of the most impressive and immersive sets we’ve ever set foot in would likely not be an overstatement. Jurassico is beautiful and it felt like we were very much on Isla Nublar.

Sadly, due to a little confusion at the start as something got lost in the language barrier, we missed what was likely the most beautiful and awe inspiring moment of the whole game. This put a bit of a damper on the game for us as we instantly knew what we’d missed and would never get that moment back.

Ignoring the upset at the start, the rest of the set was epic and expansive and still had a ridiculous number of wow moments.

The game played out over a number of distinct areas, some were large while others were much cosier (especially for a team of five). Lighting was never really an issue and was more atmospheric than annoying – with additional light as and when required. Oh and the sounds in the game were all authentic, but this game was very, very loud!

Actually, if I had two gripes with Jurasico (and this is perhaps nitpicking) it would be the noise, and the mud. I understand why they made it muddy, but a little less mud would have been nice, and if they turned the volume of the music down from 11 – that would have helped too. Very much an assault on the senses.

PUZZLES

Jurassico had puzzles, and plenty of them, but it felt more like we were completing tasks to progress the story and the mission – diegetic puzzle design at its finest, everything belonged and felt part of the world.

As a team of five it did feel like there were times where we couldn’t get the whole team involved in actively completing something, so there was a little standing around/frustrations at times. We did split up but that was more to explore (and be amazed by) the set.

The puzzles, once solved, either triggered something using tech, or provided a code for a padlock – whichever was most suitable for the task we were completing. Observation, logic, teamwork, communication, minor searching, skill, and situational awareness made up the bulk of the puzzles.

GM/CLUE SYSTEM

As with all the games we played in Barcelona, the GM was integral to our experience and certainly gave it his all to ensure we had an experience that we would remember.

Unfortunately the language barrier proved a little tricky at times, especially at the start, but also when receiving clues. But that’s not on the GM, we were in a foreign country and he was making the effort to speak our language (better than we could speak his), so we’re just happy we were able to play this game in English.

Clues came through a walkie-talkie as and when needed or requested. Sometimes we would receive a nudge, other times we’d be told to immediately do something – again driving the story. Ignoring the language barrier, hearing these prompts was tricky at times due to the previously mentioned very loud background music/noises.

ANYTHING ELSE

Jurassico is a 100% must play, beautiful game. If you’re a fan of the Jurassic Park franchise then you’ll find Easter eggs all over the place and it will take your enjoyment and appreciation of this game to the best level.

Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and just let yourself be swept away into this world of dinosaurs!

Success / Failure

Final Rating:

Team: 5 players

Address: Carrer de Girona 7, Barcelona, España.

Website: https://goldenpop.es/