Clue Adventures: Jet 2 Space (London)

Innuendo’s in Space

If Space is the final frontier then Jet 2 Space is a full frontal fictional frenzy. It’s 2199 and you and your game partner have made the mistake of buying the cheapest tickets to space on the market. Not long after takeoff, you’ll realize that WheezyJet have cut every corner on Flight 069. You’ll need to work together to try and gain control of this poor excuse of a spaceship if you are going to survive. It’s a battle of man versus machine aboard this fully automated dustbin. Packed with fun challenges this Escape Room Game is designed just for 2 players, but will you remain friends as you hurtle into deep space.

It seems as though not a day goes by where someone on the UK Escape Room Enthusiasts Facebook Group doesn’t ask “What’s the best room for two players in London?” In fact, this question is so prevalent that there’s a rule about searching the group for previous recommendations that I am positive relates directly to this question. Clue Adventures have therefore certainly carved themselves a niche in the market with not just one, but two games that are specifically designed for two players. The first time Gord and I decided to brave playing as a team of two, of course, we chose the only room we knew of that had been designed specifically for this team size: 2 Tickets 2 Ride. When that didn’t end in divorce, there was no stopping us…

It’s only logical that the success of 2 Tickets 2 Ride would prompt Clue Adventures to make another two-person game, but they’ve set themselves up perfectly to become a great date night activity, as the game is situated on the first floor of a pub. With a full bar, a table reserved for those waiting to play the game, and a few boardgames to occupy those that arrive early, Jet 2 Space has a few advantages over 2 Tickets 2 Ride, if only in location (that’s not even taking in to account the overwhelming amount of innuendo within the game.) The location in Leyton should also be relatively simple to reach, as it is only a ten-minute walk from the Underground station. I say should, because due to a technical glitch, I did not have an easy time finding it.

I won’t go into too much detail, as I’m still not entirely certain about the technical process that caused it, but due to a glitch on Google, when following my directions from both City Mapper and Google, I ended up in North London instead of East London. At the time of writing this, the glitch appears to be fixed, but I would suggest to anyone planning to play, double-check that your route planner is directing you to Leyton, not Wood Green… As a consequence, I was an hour late to play our game, rather than 15 minutes early as planned.

Clue Adventures are normally quite strict about asking players to be on time, but our GM, Peter, was so kind about this mix-up, that he kept Gordon company as I raced across town, and was flexible enough to allow us to still play the game, which I am incredibly grateful for, especially as there was a team booked for the slot following ours (but keep things simple, turn up on time).

Due to my late arrival, the usual briefing was curtailed slightly (thanks mostly to the fact that we’re experienced enough to know that licking wires in an escape room is not the best idea). So after depositing our bags in the lockers, we were led to WheezyJet Flight 069. Now fully strapped in, with our seats and tray tables in the upright position, Peter gave us the basics, the takeoff video began, and we were off on our adventure into space.

PUZZLES

Puzzles in Jet 2 Space were incredibly varied. There was very little searching required, and the majority of the puzzles were more technology-based (flipping switches), or interacting with your surroundings, with only a few combination locks or keypads. One was a logic/maths combo that was straight forward enough, but apparently, I struggle with basic subtraction when under pressure. Paper and pen were provided, but I’m incredibly grateful that after a few minutes Peter did point out that there was a calculator available, which made this infinitely easier.

As we experienced with 2 Tickets 2 Ride, puzzles rely heavily on communication, which could make or break some teams. Somehow we actually managed to bypass the penultimate puzzle, solving it through mostly logical guesswork and a process of elimination. I’m fairly certain that there was a more “acceptable” way to solve this, but I’m still not quite certain we would have seen it.

The game was pleasantly free of red-herrings, although there was one moment where we did something, and I expected that this would need to go further, or it would come back and be important later, but strangely, once we completed the task at hand, there was nothing left to do but move on, and we never did return to it. I can only guess that it was necessary, but there was nothing to follow on from changing it.

IMMERSION/ROOM DESIGN

As we strapped ourselves in for take-off, I have to admit, I was not expecting what came next. But aside from the exciting start, the most memorable parts of Jet 2 Space are, without a doubt, the moments of humour and innuendo. I encourage everyone to thoroughly read your safety card, and amongst other things,  expect to find yourself telling your partner exactly how to find the G Switch… Aside from that, the set looks remarkably similar in places to every budget airline I’ve flown with, although I have to compliment them on the extraordinary amount of legroom that was available, all without having to pay extra!

GM/CLUE SYSTEM

Clues were delivered through a tablet, although the screens that showed the timer frequently offered a fair amount of additional useful information. Our GM, Peter, was quite simply, great. I’ve already gone into depth about just how understanding and patient he was with the whole ordeal of my arrival, but once in the room, he knew exactly when to chime in to avoid frustration. (Although, I wouldn’t have objected to being told that I had failed to notice that there was a calculator available just a few minutes earlier than I was). Luckily, despite the late start, with a timely nudge or two from Peter, we finished in about 48 minutes, which left him just enough time to reset and have a quick breather before the next team was due to arrive.

ANYTHING ELSE

Whether you’re an escape enthusiast or it’s your first time,  if you’re looking for a two-player game in London, or just looking for something a bit outside the norm for date night, you can’t go wrong with Jet 2 Space.

Success/Failed

Final Rating:

Team: 2 players – escaped in 47:55

Address: Coach & Horses 391 High Road, Leyton E10 5NA

Website: https://www.clueadventures.com/