Atlantis

“Atlantis” from “The Escapement” has been a long time coming, multiple issues with the site and other problems mean it has taken a long time to finally open. The Escapement already had a bit of a reputation with its first site (full disclosure, I wasn’t a fan of their pirate game but I did enjoy their mine themed one).

This is a very technology driven game where you board a submarine and descend to the lower depths of the ocean. The word immersive is bandied around a lot but I think this submarine interior certainly qualifies.

The theming of this game is stunning (as it the whole building interior as a whole), the set is metal and is hydraulically driven to simulate the dive. The other spaces are similarly well themed and a couple of the puzzles require a degree of physicality in order to complete them. The puzzles are also of a high standard often coupled with chunky physical props. The hosting was also excellent throughout.

We stumbled a couple of times with the puzzles but they were mostly intuitive but we were an experienced team and were able to escape without any clues needed. And yet a couple of gameplay issues keep this from being in my top games of 2022 but it only just misses out by a narrow margin and it certainly deserves all of the plaudits currently aimed at it. Of the two games at the venue, I think this is the better one.