Maya
MAYA: THE LOST KINGDOM is Brain Lab’s first new game in Chengdu in almost two years. During that time, the team was quietly building a 2,000-square-meter underground adventure. As far as I know, it is currently one of the largest operating escape rooms in China. The size immediately sounds impressive, but the team has also filled the space with different environments, physical challenges, huge mechanisms and disaster effects. There is a lot to experience during its 140-minute runtime.
We begin at Yiwo Corporation, where we have been asked to investigate several missing-person cases. A test of the company’s latest VR technology suddenly sends us 4,000 years into the past, leaving us inside a lost Maya city hidden deep in the jungle. Our task is to explore its ruins and discover what happened to the kingdom. The story involves the Maya civilization’s research into preservation, resurrection and immortality. It is not especially complicated, but it provides a clear reason to continue exploring.
The variety of environments was one of my favorite parts of MAYA. We moved from a modern office into a tropical rainforest, underground tombs, ceremonial rooms and a royal palace. Every area had its own atmosphere and sense of scale. The tomb was especially memorable, with large statues, ancient murals and ceremonial altars. Some darker details gave it a slightly eerie atmosphere, and I was always curious about what we would find in the next area. Not every corner has the same level of artistic detail, which is understandable in a game this large. Some spaces are more carefully decorated than others, but the overall scale and variety still left a strong impression on me. Simply walking through the game already felt like exploring a large adventure attraction.
MAYA is not a puzzle-heavy game. Most of its challenges are light and accessible, keeping the experience moving without long interruptions. We still had to observe the environment, communicate and work together, but nothing became overly complicated. I enjoyed how many of the puzzles used Maya symbols, beliefs and rituals. They felt like part of the world rather than random tasks placed inside it. I also loved discovering hidden passages in places where I never expected to find them. Those moments made it feel as if we were uncovering a forgotten city ourselves.
The physical and mechanical effects are the real stars of the game. Moving structures, unstable platforms, chase scenes and large disaster simulations regularly surprised us. The finale brings together wind, height and a very ambitious rescue sequence. I don’t want to reveal too much, but it was easily one of the most spectacular parts of the experience. At times, I almost forgot that I was playing an escape room. It felt more like being inside a blockbuster archaeological adventure. The actors mainly connect the different chapters and don’t dominate the experience. The emotional side of the story is fairly simple, although one sacrifice near the end still gives it a touching moment.
For me, MAYA is less about following a deep story and more about joining a huge interactive expedition. It doesn’t have the strongest narrative or the same visual quality in every area, but it offers a fun combination of exploration, teamwork, physical challenges and enormous machinery. I would recommend it to players who enjoy action, discovering large environments and experiencing spectacular set pieces. An English audio version is reportedly in development as well. I hope it becomes available, as it would make the story easier to follow and allow more international players to enjoy the full experience.
