Before us, 14 groups tried but failed to escape from Runtertainment Inc.’s latest game, Breakout Philippines.
That was the idea constantly running in our head as Runtertainment managing director Angelo Cruz directed us toward Adarna’s Lair—one of two theme rooms inspired by the room escape concept game “Takagism.”
The objective: we must escape from the room within 45 minutes, solving a number of puzzles in the process.
The mind-boggling interactive game, brought to the country by the same team behind the Outbreak Manila zombie run series, is steadily gaining popularity in Asia, with similar concept rooms opening in Hong Kong, Singapore and China.
Those familiar with Escape the Room in New York City can expect that Breakout offers the same level of excitement and difficulty. “The only difference is the time allotted to escape,” Cruz said.
At New York’s Escape the Room, the probability of success was reported to be at only 15 percent. For Breakout, if we’re to base it on the 15 groups, including us who tried it a fortnight ago, we could say that the possibility of escaping is virtually impossible.
Difficult to crack
The theme rooms are so difficult to crack that, at press time, of the dozens of groups who tried it, only one has emerged victorious. (Adarna’s Lair and Prison Room have a difficulty rating of five and four, respectively.)
At Adarna’s Lair, we assumed the role of detectives. (Fans of Outbreak Manila will enjoy this theme room as this serves as a prequel to the zombie run series.) We were blindfolded and instructed to find incriminating evidence that Dr. Alfonso Adarna was behind the zombie outbreak. More importantly, we were to find a cure to the infection.
Meanwhile, at the Prison Room, another group assumed the role of a police officer wrongfully locked up. The officer has been planning his escape for months, only to be foiled by a former colleague. Luck found him when a riot ensued and no officers were in sight. All he has to do now is remember his escape plans before the dust settles.
Cruz said that it took two months to create these concepts along with its rooms. “One of the reasons people would want to join is because of the mystery behind the rooms. At the end of the day it’s your discretion, but who likes spoilers, right?”
He added that people who are tired of the usual weekend activities—karaoke, movies—and are looking for a different experience will find just that when Breakout opens on May 24.
Although Adarna’s Lair and Prison Room can accommodate up to seven and six players, respectively, it is not limiting the minimum number of players in a theme room. For P600 you can try to escape from the room on your own; a barkada of five and more pays P400.
Frustration hit us when the clock ticked zero. Even more when the clue we were looking for was right under our nose. Cruz would have given us a tour of the room (probably even more time to escape), if not for the next group waiting for their turn.
As to what lies ahead, or the feeling of escaping, we will never know—for now.
Breakout Philippines is at G/F Paragon Plaza, Edsa cor. Reliance St., Mandaluyong City. It is highly recommended that players register online via www.breakout.com.ph/register. Breakout is open every weekend, starting May 24, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Follow Breakout Philippines on Facebook and @breakoutph on Twitter and Instagram.
