Mad Machines: Birth Machine (Milan)

Ridiculously Unique

You have already been here. We’ve all been here, but none of us remember it.

Today, thanks to his extraordinary invention, Dr. Mad gives you the opportunity to relive your birth. But will you be able to do it again? You only have 9 months to come into the world!

Having heard nothing but good things about Mad Machines, we decided it was time to book in a trip. What we didn’t expect was that the Milan visit would be the opener to a trip to Spain, so in the end this was a very quick, less than 20 hour trip to Milan – just to play two games at Mad Machines.

The two current games available at Mad Machines are well known in enthusiast circles, and have both ranked well in the TERPECAs over the years. Time Machine peaked at position 39 in 2022 and Birth Machine at position 4 in 2022. A new game is also now open (Dream Machine) but it’s not currently available in English and was sadly not open in time for our visit.

Before our visit to Mad Machines, we’d stopped off at a lovely restaurant directly across the street, called Ristorante Sale Rosa. This place was recommended to us by another enthusiast, and it proved to be a great recommendation. Their delicious pizza fortified us for our games at Mad Machines. The first game we played was Time Machine, and we successfully managed to travel through time, and back again. Next, it was time to go back in time again, in a way, anyway, and experience Birth Machine

Had we not played the games back-to-back then the ‘welcome’ would have been the same for both. Enter the code at the exact time, and enter into the waiting area. The welcome here was different, and this room alone instantly made us feel upbeat and ready for fun.

Nothing about Mad Machines feels normal, especially the start. With tasks that need to be completed even before the game begins! Mad indeed. We completed our tasks, received a quick briefing, and then it was finally time to play this game we’d heard so much about. Speaking of time, this wasn’t a 60 minute game, no, for this game we only 40 weeks to escape.

IMMERSION/ROOM DESIGN

Regardless of which game you play, at Mad Machine, the world building and immersion starts before you enter the game. To say more would give away the surprise, but safe to say that Arturo is a delight and possibly the highlight of the venue. You’ll see.

Birth Machine is very much an unusual theme, not only because it’s very random, but also because it’s something we have all experienced, but no-one remembers. So is it authentic? I think for one part I don’t want to comment on that.

But, was this game beautifully themed, odd, random, hilarious, awkward, and potentially X-rated? Yes. Very much yes and that added to its charm and delight.

PUZZLES

I would argue that the most impressive feature of Birth Machine was not the puzzles, but the set. However, that’s not to say that the puzzles weren’t good, they were.

Each space we encountered had puzzles that felt diegetic where nothing felt out of space. The game started with perhaps a more traditional style of puzzles, and theme, and then as we progressed, things went officially crazy.

This game relied heavily on tech, and perhaps manual triggers, but there was not a padlock in sight. Puzzles involved logic, observation, teamwork (best be comfortable with your teammates), colours, physical/skill, and literally all of your senses. Is ‘exercise’ a puzzle type? Maybe…

GM/CLUE SYSTEM

If we needed help, we simply had to request it, and of course, it was more than just asking for help, it was another bit of entertaining fun (even if I did use it a couple of times before realising that it was for the clue system).

Clues would come through, very quickly, from Dr Mad and would appear as written words on the screen/projector. Of course, as good as Dr Mad is, he couldn’t do it without help, and our host behind the scenes was Danilo.

Danilo was a lovely host and quick to help when needed, and was clearly paying attention. He gave us a lovely debrief after our game, and spoke great English – which is great as we know VERY little Italian.

ANYTHING ELSE

I can see why Birth Machine is so popular, mostly because it doesn’t take itself seriously and has a very impressive set. Personally, I preferred the puzzles in Time Machine, but each to their own and all that.

Everything at Mad Machines has been carefully considered and design for fun. Even getting water at the end of the game was massively over engineered and silly.

Success/Failed

Final Rating:

Team: 2 Players – Born 11 weeks premature

Address: Via Ambrogio Binda, 7, 20143 Milano MI, Italy

Website:http://www.madmachines.it/