Escape Reality: Fibonacci (Cardiff)

A decent room, let down by the clue system

You are a cryptologist assigned to work with a team of detectives to solve a gruesome murder in an art gallery. The corpse was discovered surrounded by mysterious symbols linking to the Fibonacci sequence. You have begun to unearth crucial information which has been kept a closely guarded secret for thousands of years. After discovering too much a ruthless group of dangerous individuals is following you, trying to catch you and keep you quiet. Preventing you from learning further truths, you have been trapped inside the room. You must use your expertise to solve the complex clues lying within or face the truth never being revealed.

After a quick break to clear our minds and rehydrate, we continued our Cardiff escape room day with Fibonacci, following on from Alcatraz, the other room we completed at Escape Reality that day. I would say of the two games we completed at Escape Reality, Fibonacci was the stronger room, though it ran into a few of the same problems as Alcatraz; namely, the clue system(s).

Immediately upon entering, we were immersed in a flickering, dimly lit art gallery, and proceeded to solve the murder. The lighting was purely atmospheric, and actually rather annoying – if we were really trying to solve a murder in an art gallery, all the lights would be on, but that’s probably just my dislike of unnecessarily dark rooms coming through. Our team quickly set about solving the secrets of Fibonacci, and worked towards making our escape.

Fibonacci is by no means an easy room, though we did find it a bit easier than Alcatraz simply due to the fact that the puzzles were a bit stronger and there were fewer red herrings.

PUZZLES

Puzzles in Fibonacci were varied, and generally quite logical, with a nice mix of padlocks and automation. We did hit one or two stumbling blocks which did require us to flip the light switch for assistance, with one particular puzzle standing out as particularly hard to see, and of course, what room entitled “Fibonacci” would be complete without its signature puzzle?

Game play is rather linear, and unfortunately, due to the nature of the clue system, you will know exactly where to go next. Some may love this, but others will not be a fan. Personally, I’m not a fan.

IMMERSION/ROOM DESIGN

The first thing I thought upon entering the room was, “I feel a bit like I’m in the Da Vinci Code.” Judging from the description on the website, the body in the corner, and the artwork on the walls, I expect this is what what Escape Reality are going for, and they have succeeded in creating a pretty immersive environment, with a few clever surprises. Perhaps the only thing that broke this was the clue system…

GM/CLUE SYSTEM

As with Alcatraz, you could either use the iPad provided to scan QR codes for hints, and, eventually, solutions, or you could flip a switch to have your GM come in to answer a question if you needed to.

As for our GMs, they were attentive, and helpful on the few occasions where we required assistance – once for better torches and once for actual help.

ANYTHING ELSE

The rooms at Escape Reality’s Cardiff location are decent, and definitely visually well done, but the clue system really lets them down. This was my least favourite aspect of both games we played at this venue, and makes me hesitant to try more with Escape Reality, Cardiff, or at any of their other locations.

Success / Failure

Final Rating:

Team: Five Players

Address: 2nd and 3rd Floor, 6-7 St. John Street, Cardiff, CF10 1GJ

Website: https://www.escapereality.com/escape-rooms-uk/cardiffcity/