Clue Cracker Escape Rooms
68 St Johns Road,
Tunbridge Wells,
Kent, TN4 9PE
​
Tel; 07498 532269
Website; www.cluecrackergames.co.uk
Located within the courtyard of a restaurant, you would be foolish to think that the lack of a "shop front" will effect your experience. A handful of teardrop flags and a banner adorn the front of the restaurant to advise you of the escape room. The setting is actually perfect for a full night out of food, drinks and escape room fun!
​
In addition, they have added a new location, just over the road - a beautiful, glass fronted unit, with some great styling!
Greeted at the entrance to the restaurant, they then advise your escape room host who escorts you to rear courtyard for your game to begin. Here is another huge plus that Clue Cracker hold over other escape rooms - pure, unadulterated, enthusiasm! We have had the pleasure of meeting a number of the Clue Cracker team member/owners and their passion for escape rooms is superb and not only does they set the scene for the room, they do a great job of capturing your imagination of what to expect inside.
​
A quick briefing regarding the padlock and puzzle types follows, before you are then suitably attired for your stint in prison! Escorted to the jail, the clock starts and you begin to plan your escape!!!
​
At present, Clue Cracker have three rooms; Jail Break, The Diamond Dogs and Temple Quest. We have had the pleasure of playing all three!...
TEMPLE QUEST
Please excuse the excessive use of positive words in this review! Literally every single box has a big green tick from us - if you want an immersive experience suitable for all the family with a real sense of adventure, this room fits the bill to perfection!
​
Our briefing began with the fantastic GM (Adam) advising us of the disappearance of famous explorer Rex Hunter. It is understood that a curse has fallen on the Temple of the Golden Monkey. You must find a way into the temple, following the footsteps of Rex and try to break the curse - its believed that no one that has entered the temple has ever returned... Can you?! We were passed our explorer helmets and satchel and lead to the room. (I'll be honest, this is the most excited we have been for a room for a very long time - and the briefing helped build it further!) What was really great here, is that the GM doesn't need to give a really heavy back story to this as, well lets just say, the story unfolds in an awe-inspiring manner when you walk though the entrance to the room! (Insert my massive geek smile here!)
​
So, entering the room and BOOM, your senses are hit instantly with the sheer drama of the room. You would be forgiven to think you've walked onto a movie set, it seriously is that good. Taking it all in whilst getting your introduction to the room set the heart racing and we were chomping at the bit to get going!
​
Here is the thing which sets Clue Cracker apart from many others - personality. They have managed to find a fantastic balance between having an immersive experience, yet not taking themselves too seriously. Temple Quest is a prime example of this magic. It has great character - and a special shout out needs to go out to the clue system - as ever no spoilers, but even if you don't need a clue, just ask - it will keep you entertained!
​
A great selling point of this game are in its puzzles. The focus in this room is all about physical puzzles - sure there are a handful of traditional ones, but be prepared to get a little more stuck in! There are numerous puzzles in this game which we had never experiences in an escape room environment before which was hugely refreshing. (One particular feature had us all laughing like we were 9 years old again!) The volume of puzzles in this room really is something to behold. Something that I love in rooms is when the puzzles are punchy and when you get instant and obvious gratification - massive tick in the box when playing Temple Quest!
​
We really loved the finale to this game - we already knew that time was ticking away, however there is a nice little plot twist to the closing moments to this game which meant that panic stations set in and we got all fingers and thumbs! The game builds to a great crescendo and you feel like you have been on real-life adventure.
​
Clue Cracker have really hit the jackpot with Temple Quest. All in all, an awe-inspiring, action-packed, puzzle-packed, atmospheric, humorous adventure which enthusiasts and families alike will be blown away by. Don't monkey around - get booked in to play this game - you will not be disappointed.
Would I recommend this room?
I mean, have you read what Ive said above?! OF COURSE I WOULD!
​
Who would I recommend it to?
Everyone and shout it from the rooftops! Enthusiasts will love the different approach taken to puzzles and families are sure to enjoy the adventure that you are taken on!
​
How many players would I recommend?
3 -4 players fit really well with this game. The play area isn't huge so you wouldn't want to get under each others feet but any fewer players and it might be hard to pack all the puzzles in within an hour!
​
Suitable for Children?
Yes, they'd love it! There are some puzzles which they may find harder, but with the physical elements in the game, its sure to be a big hit with the young (and young at heart!)
​
Star Ratings;
​
Enjoyment; 5
​
​
​
​
Puzzles; 5
​
​
​
Difficulty; 4
​
​
​
Theme; 5
​
​
​
Interested in booking this room?
Visit - http://cluecrackergames.co.uk/
​
​
THE DIAMOND DOGS
If you were to categorise a checklist for a great escape room what would it include? - Great puzzles - Check, Tension - Check, Attention to detail - Check, Atmosphere - Check. Yeah, lets be honest, The Diamond Dogs hits all the right notes on our checklist!
Met by outstandingly passionate manager Becky, a quick briefing advised us of the story line - We are The Diamond Dogs - a renowned group of jewel robbers. Contained within the vault of Wells & Co is a diamond worth £3.8million. All those that have tried before to take it have failed. Now, with the help of an insider, its the perfect opportunity for the ultimate smash and grab. Get past the high security facility, make our way into the vault, steal as much as we can, including the famous diamond, and get out before the police manage to catch up. Ok, even before we had walked through the door, we were already hooked!
As ever, no spoilers, however the manner in which this game commences is very unique and certainly sets the scene for a pretty phenomenal experience that follows.
​
The first thing that hits you as you make your way into the game, is the attention to detail. The immersion throughout this game is something that others can only dream of. What Clue Cracker have really nailed is how to use lighting, sound and effects to create a beautifully immersive experience - you would be easily forgiven if you felt you were actually committing a robbery!
The space has been really well utilised with great creativity. The actual game play area isn't particularly large, however the way in which the game has been laid out is a real credit to the design skills of the team.
​
In terms of puzzles, the number of them packed into this space is something to behold. The room contains a great variation too - with physical, digital, electronic and padlocks a plenty. They also vary in difficulty so make sure you pick your puzzles wisely - communication is certainly key as its easy to get overwhelmed with the volume of the task ahead. But don't forget, you have an insider who can help you!
​
The "insider" is a great addition to the game and providers an extra layer of immersion, as well a the tongue-in-cheek humour that the Clue Cracker team are renowned for. Something that the team prides itself on, is not taking themselves too seriously, and this game certainly showcases the combination of their fantastic design skills, but also their personality. If you don't leave this game smiling, you need some kind of personality transplant!
The final thing to note, is the manner in which this game flows and builds such great tension. With great lighting and sound changes, and the inevitable diamond to be stolen, panic certainly started to set in. The finale to the game is great and provides a fitting end to an outstanding experience.
​
In short, this prequel to the Jail Break game hits a home run (if you can combine the two games in one day I would highly recommend it!). All in all, our checklist for a great room has been ticked playing this one. Great puzzles, brilliantly atmospheric, subtle use of humour and a great flow, make this a room not to be missed. Its SAFE to say you'll love it!
Would I recommend this room?
Yes! Without a shadow of a doubt.
​
Who would I recommend it to?
Even though there are a handful of tricky games, I would recommend this to anyone! Families and experienced teams alike will all find this a brilliant hour of fun.
​
How many players would I recommend?
3 or 4 players would be perfect for this game. Any less and you'd really struggle to pack it all in. Any more and you might be getting under each others feet at times.
​
Suitable for Children?
Yes, it is. Just be mindful of how immersive the experience is but there's nothing scary here.
Star Ratings;
​
Enjoyment; 5
​
​
​
​
Puzzles; 4.5
​
​
​
Difficulty; 4.5
​
​
​
Theme; 5
​
​
​
Interested in booking this room?
Visit - http://cluecrackergames.co.uk/
​
​
JAIL BREAK
Its safe to say that prison escapes have become a staple theme these days and having tried a couple before you are often sceptical that they will become a "copy and paste" exercise. This couldn't be further from the truth here! The passion the team has for the room in every last detail smashes all others out of the water!
​
The attention to detail in this room is second to none. Without giving anything away, you truly are immersed into a prison escape environment. Every last detail is superb, with a real evident passion coming through.
​
There is also a phenomenal number of puzzles within the room, all of which we different degrees of difficulty. The mix of puzzles is something other locations can only dream of. The combination of padlock, number locks, physical challenges and puzzles means that the strengths of all your team members will be put to the test. The volume of puzzles is a real plus in this room, however, if you get stuck, the manner in which you gain extra clues is brilliant - very creative.
​
This is a room when communication is certainly key - given the volume of puzzles involved, it is easy to get lost on what has and hasn't been completed, so talk to your team mates and be methodical! And don't be lulled into a false sense of security - letting the clock tick away will become your enemy - as the room evolves you will see it tick away faster than you imagine!
​
This is a room not to be missed. With the combination of superb attention to detail, a massive array of puzzles, the intensity of the game play and the passion from the team, the team at Clue Cracker have hit the jackpot with this game!
Would I recommend this room?
Yes! For sure! Fantastic, well designed, hour of adrenaline
​
Who would I recommend it to?
Anyone! May be tricky for slightly less experienced teams however everyone would find this an enjoyable experience.
​
How many players would I recommend?
3-4 is a perfect team size for this room. This would allow everyone to be doing something without stepping on each others toes!
​
Suitable for Children?
Yes, it is. The theme is slightly dark but there's nothing scary to make you feel to uneasy!
Star Ratings;
​
Enjoyment; 5
​
​
​
​
Puzzles; 4.5
​
​
​
Difficulty; 4.5
​
​
​
Theme; 5
​
​
​
Interested in booking this room?
Visit - http://cluecrackergames.co.uk/
​
​