K.O.N.G. Protocol

(By Domenika) I don’t like science fiction.
I hate all those movies with giant creatures destroying our world.
And yet I loved K.O.N.G. Protocol so much.

The game inconspicuously transports us from the busy urban streets of Barcelona into an abandoned research facilitiy. The beginning is very good in its simplicity and nicely stimulates our imagination, hinting at all the trouble we are about to encounter. Despite the warnings, we plunge into a beautifully crafted world, brimming with tension and anxiety. I have completly lost the feeling of being inside an escape room. There was no set design, no production value and even no puzzles. Instead, I just explored a desolate world, where nature had reclaimed a high-tech laboratory. It didn’t feel like a scenography and I didn’t feel like a player. We made our own choices and interacted with sourroundings. The puzzles were so well-integrated into the experience that we didn’t even feel like we were solving them. We just struggled with all those technological devices – trying to get them to work properly, finish our mission and save our asses. And we had our hands full. What could go wrong? Well, we did enter a restricted and dangerous zone… The constant feeling of endangerment was perfectly emphasized by lighting and sound effects. And there was always that lingering thought in the back of our minds – we might not be the only living creatures rummaging through this area… Our hearts skipped a beat more than once as the circumstances made us rushing, hiding or… Well, it’s best if you experience it firsthand.

If I am to be picky (and I need to be, since this is supposed to be a review, and not just my declaration of undying love – though I’m declaring that anyway), there were a few aspects that didn’t quite match the brilliance of the overall experience. Firstly, one scene felt like it dragged on for too long. While the payoff was satisfying, it significantly disrupted the flow since most of the team was just left waiting. Secondly, there was a moment near the end of the game where I felt that I was, in fact, in an escape room. And yes, I admit I’m nitpicking, but that’s only because Escape Barcelona has set the bar ridiculously high. Finally, the very last seconds of the game felt a bit artificial compared to the immersive adventure leading up to them. That said, pulling off the finale was clearly a massive challenge, so it’s somewhat understandable.

Once again, Escape Barcelona has stolen my heart. I’m fairly confident I could recognize their style anywhere, even if I played their games under a different name in another country. Their work is so uniquely specific. Moreover, their approach to creating escape games is truly refreshing – I don’t feel trapped by the usual game mechanics. Instead, I can make my own decisions and wonder how they would affect the outcome.

However, I must admit that CyberCity 2049 was even more groundbreaking in terms of gameplay design, offering a player a far greater freedom in both choices and exploration. In that sense, K.O.N.G. Protocol feels like a small step back.

Nonetheless, I absolutely adored this incredible adventure, and it holds a very special place in my escape room memories. I can’t help but wonder how Escape Barcelona team comes up with their ideas (and executes them so flawlessly). I’d love to vivisect their minds!

To sum up – K.O.N.G. Protocol has it all – the plot, the puzzles, the breathtaking scenography and all the emotions. Haven’t played it yet? That’s a grave mistake. Book the next flight to Barcelona and live the adventure of a lifetime.