La isla de las muñecas
This room, crowned as 10 Escapes’ No. 1 horror escape of the year, had been haunting my wishlist for quite some time. The only catch? It’s completely in Spanish. Since Santiago, the sole Spanish speaker in our team, was joining later, we almost had to skip it – until we luckily found Crisha, a local player, who stepped in at the last minute. Huge thanks to Cindy Escape Box for going above and beyond by arranging an English-speaking actor who was absolutely fantastic and ensured none of the terrifying details got lost in translation.
In La Isla de las Muñecas, players step into the eerie Tenebrae Museum, where curator Alexander Hearts exhibits a chilling collection of dolls from Mexico’s infamous Island of the Dolls. Each cracked, timeworn figure hides a sinister secret behind its hollow gaze. Once offerings to a restless spirit, these haunted relics now emanate an unsettling presence within the museum’s walls – something, or someone, seems to be watching, waiting for anyone brave enough to uncover the truth behind their silence.
Cindy Box, the creators of the award-winning Blasphemia, introduce La Isla de las Muñecas as the first chapter of the “Museo Tenebrae” trilogy. Drawing inspiration from real legends, the experience blends deep storytelling and authentic emotion with atmospheric horror. The set design is breathtaking: over a thousand dolls, continuously increasing through player contributions, create a claustrophobic yet mesmerizing landscape. Every detail – light, sound, and special effects – is tightly choreographed for a cinematic level of intensity, perfectly matched by immersive acting and direction.
The puzzles are plentiful, logical, and seamlessly interwoven with the narrative. They demand creativity, teamwork, and focus, offering medium to high difficulty best suited for seasoned players. The horror leans more on psychological tension and persistent unease than on sudden jump scares. Despite its intensity, the experience remains thrilling throughout, even including personal courage challenges for individual players who dare to push their limits. It’s a pity this masterpiece isn’t yet available in English – because if it were, it would no doubt rank among the world’s elite in the TERPECA awards. And on a practical note: parking is no issue at all, as the location sits in an industrial area with plenty of space.
