Punalada
Puñalada by Friki Escape Room in Madrid is a nostalgic yet modern tribute to the slasher genre, inspired by the iconic Scream films of Kevin Williamson. We played the Survivor mode with four players and escaped in 94 out of 100 minutes, and were more or less the last official playtest in English before the room was announced as officially playable in English. The experience immediately draws you into a cinematic setting that feels like walking onto a movie set where the line between player and victim starts to blur. The tone is suspenseful but playful at heart, making it approachable even for those who aren’t big fans of horror.
The space is cleverly designed with varied environments, keeping each transition dynamic and visually engaging. Lighting and sound play an essential role in building tension and guiding the emotional rhythm of the game. Just as in the Scream universe, a phone call can change everything here – the telephone becomes a key piece of the experience, heightening suspense and pushing players to stay sharp. While some sections evoke classic suburban slasher scenes, others deliver unexpected twists that reflect both love and irony for the genre. The creators clearly know what they’re doing: the references to pop culture, movie tropes, and Scream’s narrative patterns are everywhere without ever feeling forced.
The puzzle design is one of Puñalada’s strongest assets. There are plenty of tasks, and they’re integrated naturally into the story rather than inserted for the sake of difficulty. Some puzzles challenge observation and logic under pressure, while others require collaboration and quick decision-making in tense situations. Throughout the game, players are repeatedly confronted with small challenges or “tests of courage,” where boldness often pays off. And if the killer happens to catch you, you might just lose one of your precious lives – a fun and thematic mechanic that reinforces the survival aspect of the story.
The acting element, handled by the game master, adds an unpredictable dimension without overstepping into pure fear. The scare factor felt around 5/10 – enough to keep our adrenaline up, but always in balance with humor and engagement. It’s one of those experiences where you get back as much as you give: the more you embrace the roles and the absurdity of the slasher fantasy, the more fun the game becomes.
Overall, Puñalada succeeds as both a homage to classic horror and a clever escape room experience. It balances tension, puzzles, and cinematic storytelling remarkably well, proving that “escaping the killer” can be just as satisfying as escaping the room. For any fan of Scream or inventive horror adventures, this one deserves a spot near the top of the Madrid escape scene.
