Get a Clue, Mr Hidden
We Tried a Themed escape room by Breakout Games
A mansion not unlike the one that players might imagine while playing a game of Clue at Breakout Games.
Occasionally an opportunity to try something new comes to me as a result of having created Hidden Des Moines. Today’s story begins in my email inbox with a message from Breakout Games, an escape room operator located in Urbandale. They recently launched a new themed experience that is built to mimic the classic board game Clue, and we were treated to go for free if we shared our experience with you. To say that the child in me was intrigued would be an understatement.
Anxieties Quelled
Personally, I’ve actually never considered going to an escape room before because the idea of being locked in a room seemed anxiety inducing. I was pleased to learn that the door isn’t actually locked and you can leave at anytime, though you won’t solve many mysteries. With that knowledge in hand, we signed our waivers and trotted off to a strip mall in Urbandale where we met with our game-master David. It was immediately apparent that David really enjoyed his job and he mentioned that had done dozens of escape rooms like this himself. We passed through a door into the bright yellow foyer of a grand old mansion and as it closed behind us we were no longer in our own world, but the world of one Mr. Boddy.
Our Night at the Mansion
Now, those who’ve visited the Boddy estate will know that its proprietor is somewhat eccentric and reclusive. That is not to say that the gentleman does not entertain company at his large country home, on the contrary he is known for his lavish dinner parties in which guests can send for whatever meal they like- and his extremely stereotypical French chef and kitchen staff will prepare it and have it sent to the dining room. On this particular evening, myself and a team of investigators (my friends) found ourselves moonlighting as assistants to this chef while we vied for the baron’s life!
We arrived at roughly 7pm, after the usual colorful group of guests had gathered in the dining room. We knew that there would be an attempt on Mr. Boddy’s life by one of the guests at 8pm, and this left us with just under an hour before the murder! We were forced to rifle through the rooms of the estate in order to deduce just exactly what kind of nefarious plan had been concocted that evening and by whom. My associates lead the charge, it was, as it always is, my job to document the evening and I found myself running along behind them as they completed any number of tasks such as resetting the mansion’s security camera or putting together a puzzle. I’m embarrassed to admit, though, that I am no master documentarian and my footage came out resembling something akin to 1999’s Blair Witch Project.
Still, we were able to catch the killer and determine the planned murder weapon. Given that the case is ongoing I can’t discuss much more than that. Perhaps you could go to the Boddy Estate and decipher more for yourself?
Meanwhile, Back in Urbandale
When we exited back into the real world we were congratulated by David for our tenacity and quick thinking… though he was amused by me running along behind my friends recording video. (You’re not usually allowed to take pictures or video inside). The parameters for winning this escape room are guessing the right murderer, weapon, and room in which it will happen. Apparently we did quite well as first timers, 2/3. David was able to chime in and give us updates on our time and make sure that we did not need a clue to keep us moving along. We were pretty happy!
This was a comped experience, but having done it we told Breakout that we would definitely be back on our own dime. This is a high quality experience like you’d find in a big vacation town with the quirks and campy attitude of any endearing amusement park adjacent attraction. This room does actually occur over the course of an hour, and the larger a group you book the better your price is. Although we were told it can get more difficult if you go in a large group (maximum of 8) because you get “too many cooks in the kitchen”. Or should I say, “too many investigators in one mansion?”
You can book your own escape room with Breakout here.
