The story behind The Invitation escape room is extremely simple:
You have been invited to a meal at Lord Addington’s Mansion. However, after arriving you quickly discover it was a trap, and that soon you will be on the menu!
You have only one hour to escape the mansion, or else you will become the lords next slice of entertainment.
And that’s really all you’re told before the games master abandons you in an opulent manor house dining room.
Article continues after the jump…
What did we think of The Invitation escape room?
There were a few reasons we chose The Invitation:
- We have found previous Cluetopia games to be very well put together
- We have never been to Cluetopia’s Braintree venue before
- We were entertaining some escape room virgins
The Invitation is well put together and has some novel puzzles. Padlocks may have a bit of a bad rep with some escape room players, but finding the necessary codes is quite a challenge. At no point did we feel bored when faced with another combination.
That’s not to say everything is padlocks related. The playing space is much larger than it initially appears. And there’s a couple of tactile puzzles for variety. Mental or physical, there is a puzzle for everyone on your team to enjoy.
Looking for a discount on The Invitation or other Cluetopia escape rooms? Check out our Complete List of Escape Room Discount Codes
We much prefer linear, one-and-done rooms like this. Props and puzzles are used once, then you move on to the next challenge. These types of room are far easier to explain to inexperienced players.
It’s also worth noting that The Invitation contains some (mild) horror elements. Cluetopia recommends a 13+ age limit – and there must be at least one adult player on every team.
Any criticisms?
Nope, the Invitation is very well put together and a lot of thought has gone into making some really engaging puzzles. Cluetopia have managed to maintain their high quality standards in this latest venue.
It’s worth noting that there is some crawling involved get around the room. And although our games master said The Invitation could be completed by a duo, we suggest a minimum of three players.
Looking for escape room discounts? Check out The Complete Escape Room Discount Code List
Conclusion
The Invitation is billed as one of Cluetopia’s hardest rooms – and some of the puzzles are extremely difficult. This is not a game for beginners to play alone. However, our newbie team members did well, and we all escaped with time to spare.
The room has also been well-maintained. None of the puzzles are showing the usual signs of wear-and-tear or player abuse. This is a testament to Cluetopia’s games masters who clearly take good care of the property
Our game stats:
Number of players: 5 (aged 23 – 75)
Time taken: 46 minutes
Number of clues: 0
Did we escape? Yes
Did we have fun? Yes
Price: £110.00 (£22 per player)*
Would we recommend? Yes
Rating: 5 out of 5
Other important stats for The Invitation escape room:
Time limit: 60 minutes
Mobility rating: 1 out of 5 (the game operates on one level but at least one player will must be able to crawl. Also of note, Cluetopia is located on the first floor – there is no lift in the building).
Live actors: No
Cluetopia difficulty rating: 4.5 out of 5
Official website: Cluetopia Braintree
Where is The Invitation escape room in Braintree?
Cluetopia is located on Rayne Road in Braintree, above Artoria Tattoos. Entrance is made through the gateway on Panfield Lane.
Our booking confirmation suggested parking in the Sainsbury’s car park, one block south of Rayne Road (see the map above).
Article continues after the jump…
Please note that we use sponsored links on this blog. Although we may earn a referral fee or bonus points on some of these products and services mentioned, we never recommend anything we wouldn’t use ourselves.
Check out our full Affiliate Disclosure Policy for more info.
