Omescape: The Penitentiary (London)

Not the room we had booked to do, but still fun

Escape the “Night Stalker’s” cell before it’s too late… Water White, more commonly known as the “Night Stalker” is one of America’s most infamous serial killers. He was reported dead last year, but there is talk among the other prisoners of mysterious circumstances. An unexplained machine was found in the Night Stalker’s cell, and the prisoner who discovered it is now missing. As you enter the room, you realise you are trapped in Water White’s cell – it’s silent, cold and claustrophobic. Instantly you feel the urge to get out as soon as possible…

We booked in to do the Biohazard room here but the GM was a little confused and ended up sending us to the Penitentiary room (perhaps that was a sign). We didn’t mind though, we have already done their Joker room so we had high hopes that this would be a good room.

Omescape is one of those places where even the waiting room buys in to the theming of the room, that theme was ‘creepy’. It didn’t help that we were there on a cold day and the waiting room was truly baltic! The GM introduced himself and took us to the room and we got started.

You are split up into two seperate cells at the start and have to solve clues to release yourself and then reunite as a team. Despite this room being a little creepy, it is in no way scary so I wouldn’t let that put you off.

This room is on two levels and arguably the low light combined with rushing don’t make a good combination when you throw stairs into the mix, I think at least three of us had a little trip at one point.

This was a fun room and we all enjoyed it, particularly the ending. A bit more TLC and this would have scored higher from us.

PUZZLES

One puzzle in particular in this room took a long time to fully solve, fortunately we worked it out early and started on it early otherwise it would have delayed us quite considerably. There was a nice use of team work that meant you really wouldn’t be able to complete this room with less than four people, perhaps three at a push but I’m not sure that is possible.

The puzzles weren’t hard, but they took a little time to complete them, and thinking about it there really weren’t that many either.

IMMERSION/ROOM DESIGN

It certainly didn’t feel like we were stuck in a prison, more like some very seedy basement. It was dark but there were torches and it continued the creepy feel that Omescape like to have. The room itself wins the award for being the first room we have done that has more than one floor so that was novel.

Unfortunately what we have noticed at Omescape is that their rooms seem to be a little tired and not maintained very well. There were areas on the wall where you could see other teams had written/drawn on the walls, and in on location the fact that it was worn down pretty much gave you an answer to a puzzle.

GM/CLUE SYSTEM

Clues were delivered via a walkie-talkie as and when you requested them, and nudges were supplied when the GM thought you needed them. He was attentive and could see if we were struggling at any point – fortunately we weren’t.

ANYTHING ELSE

Other than the fact that we booked a different room to this, it was all very smooth. The only way the room could be improved would be if they kept on top of the maintenance to stop their rooms looking so worn down.

Success / Failure

Final Rating: 

Team: 4 people – escaped in 38:11 (no clues)

Address: Omescape, Carnegie Street, London, N1 9QW

Website: https://omescapelondon.co.uk