With the build processes of our third and fourth rooms put on pause due to the pandemic, we thought about how we could add to our portfolio in a creative way. We decided to start with ‘The Mysterious Case of Hugh Dunnitt‘. This room was an ideal candidate to bring to the world of online escape rooms. It is a great introduction room for people who had not played escape rooms before. Hugh Dunnitt is still enough of a challenge to satisfy escape room enthusiasts.
Pentagram
How?
Using 360° photography of the original Escape Room and Telescape’s game builder system, we managed to recreate a digital version of Hugh Dunnitt. Puzzles are brought to life in unique ways along with maintaining the quirky and crazy charm that the original game has. All this is brought in a virtual environment that up to 6 devices can occupy at the same time. This enables you and your team to get your teeth into a proper escape room experience! If you are stuck at any point you can help yourself with either a clue. The players have everything they need to guide them (if needed) through the experience.
Traversing the Astral Plane, anyone?
What is next?
Hugh Dunnitt will be on sale (£15 per team) as of the 19th of March, 2021. The next digital escape room experience is First Contact. As with all Cryptology rooms, we will look to progress this onto the next level. We have a unique opportunity to delivery some actions and puzzles that we could not bring to the original real-life game. DEAN is involved and will guide you through time in space. Once completed we will be looking to complete our real-life third room ‘Afterlife‘. More digital games and real-life escape room experiences are coming throughout 2021 and beyond.
What has 3 rooms (one coming, very soon) and is still open? Cryptology Sheffield is!
Yep, we are still open!
As per Tier 3 government guidelines and after further clarification from Sheffield City Council, we are able to continue to serve Sheffield with our unique, safe, clean, masked Escape Room experiences.
“What has changed with Cryptology for Tier 3 restrictions?” I hear you say. The answer is simple, nothing. We still accept single household/bubble groups and we still space our bookings out to ensure each room is thoroughly cleaned before the next group arrives. We have all the information on our COVID-19 page.
Cleaning more than a channel 4 hording documentary
I Have Had Enough of 2020, What Are Cryptology Doing?
Although 2020 can, quite frankly, do one. We want to let you know what we have in the pipeline:
As a mortal, to enter your afterlife, you must first die. How you die is your choice but all must enter through the void of transcendence. Only the brave will follow the light, crawl out of the grave and go to hell and back. Logical thinking and teamwork is what you need to ensure that when your hour is up your name is found in the Book of Life.
As-Yet-To-Be-Named Scary Room – Coming to Sheffield early/mid-2021
Nothing to fear, but fear itself!
Tayson Tech are testing their latest invention ‘the Augmentation Chip’. Your team is the first set of human trials and Tayson Tech has to make sure that the human brain can cope with the chips augmented reality…to an acceptable %.
WARNING! You may experience extreme events and feelings.
Disclaimer: Tayson Tech accepts no responsibility for any neuro/psychological/physical damage that may occur during human trials of the Augmentation Chip v.001.
Along with this Cryptology Nottingham will be bringing their 5th room after the huge success of Daylight Robbery. This next room is called CubAI and we are trying to push the boundaries of escape rooms again with this one.
Cryptology’s Final Thoughts
As you can see even though 2020 has been a douche of a year, we still believe we are strong enough to survive (with your help) and flourish once we get back to some kind of normality.
We want to take this opportunity to wish everyone all the best and if you are stuck for something to do that isn’t a pint with a substantial meal, come along and have a cracking hour of unique live escape room experiences.
Gothic masterpiece is coming to Cryptology Sheffield
As Escape Room owners we love, as much as you do, to go visit other escape rooms. Sometimes we take trips to Europe and other times we go a little closer to home. In a Shipley not too far away we played a game that we thoroughly enjoyed at X-IT. The game was called Afterlife and after laughing, chuckling, and thoroughly enjoying the game we spent time with the owners and chatted with them about all things escape rooms. That we thought was that, until during the lockdown an opportunity arose (sadly, but not too sadly) for us to purchase this game and bring it to Sheffield. Now, I will say that this is not what we normally do. We pride ourselves on creating our own unique experiences that we build and create with our own blood, sweat, and beers. On this occasion, though the game, the seller, the buyer, and the timing all fit and we are excited to put this massive jigsaw puzzle and put a Cryptology stamp on it (Not too much, we loved the original).
What about ‘TBC Scary Game’?
Scares put back a little
What does this mean for Cryptology’s scary game? Well, in short, this pushes the ‘TBC Scary Game’ back, but not by too much. We are excited that we will hopefully be bringing you 2 escape rooms in quick succession. Afterlife, despite the name, is not a scary game. It is more gothic and atmospheric. ‘TBC Scary Game’ is our chance to make you fear your own thoughts!
When Will it be Ready?
Coming Soon?
Afterlife is coming and we are hoping within the next couple of months to be ready to go. Although it is a massive jigsaw, we still need to fit it to our location and iron out any issues that may arise. We are as anxious as you are to have a new game available.
What is Afterlife all about?
Enter your Afterlife
As a mortal, to enter your afterlife, you must first die. How you die is your choice but all must enter through the void of transcendence.Only the brave will follow the light, crawl out of the grave and go to hell and back. Logical thinking and teamwork is what you need to ensure that when your hour is up your name is found in the Book of Life. You can read more about Afterlife here
To celebrate the completion of the latest Nottingham room, Daylight Robbery. Cryptology decided to go do an Escape Room trip to some venues that had been recommended in Barcelona and Budapest. As one-third of the escape team was from Yorkshire we decided to choose our next destination from Budapest based on nothing more than price.
Daylight Robbery
Advice and Meat…and Beer
Our number one piece of advice for potential travelers is to not to book your flight in the middle of a major storm, Ciara tried her best to ruin our best-laid plans and we had to delay one of the escape rooms by a couple of days due to late flights. Instead, we arrived in a chilly Budapest in the dead of night and ventured out for some food to fill our souls ready for the next day of escaping or attempting. We discussed over a 52000HUF platter of meat, rice, and chips what the next day would hold and how it would stack up to the rooms we had done in the UK. Between the group, we have over 100 escape rooms under our considerably expanding belts.
Meattttt
Escape Budapest
We started the day with a walk to the first venue, Mystique Room. They had a large array of rooms to choose from, from which we chose; The Cube, The Time Machine, Alice and The Pharaohs Burial Chamber. In all of the rooms, the set design was fantastic and you felt like each one was its own micro-world. My only bugbear was the use of a walkie talkie in all areas. A walkie talkie does not fit in with the theme of the majority of rooms and let’s be honest they are a pain to understand/listen to and sometimes get forgotten. The standout game from this venue was ‘The Cube‘ a pristine build, with no padlocks and a real feel of the futuristic.
Escape CubedNearly ran out of time
Enigma and Scooters
After we had finished at Mystique we quickly realised that walking the distance to the next venue, Enigma, was not achievable. How could we get all the way across Budapest without the need for running (it has been a while since I last run). Then, like a white a green flash a Lime scooter flew passed. Yep, we were sold, downloading the app and finding the three nearest scooters we spent the next several minutes giggling like little schoolboys as we flew at an entire 22km/h towards our next escape.
Take my money!
We arrived just in time and the lovely host ushered us in and we were briefed on what was required. I will say that as a venue this seemed a little run down, but the puzzles were so strong it made up for our initial reservations. A good mix of puzzles that at times made teamwork an absolute necessity. I also got to slide across the floor like a slug and I can proudly say I am quite….sluggish.
Teamwork, makes the dream work!
Back on the scooters to find some food and some beers as we had a little time before the next game that had us excited. Mark had mentioned that this game was something else. We turned up to the venue and I saw a slide, I knew this would be good. The host Dave was an enthusiast and gave an impassioned brief that really set the tone for the rest of the games, oh yeah the games, Santa Muerte and Secret Subway at E-Exit. WOW, what a game I don’t remember a point where our jaws either came off the ground or we weren’t giggling at the thought of what was next. A true masterpiece of tech, story, and theme. I will not say more otherwise….spoilers!
Locked In Escape Rooms
Our final games of the Day were at A-Room and their sister company Locked In and we did House of Escobar and Research Base. House of Escobar was the standout performer and was a room that as a group we clicked with. Strong puzzles, great theming and a thoroughly enjoyable game. After this, we needed refreshment in the shape of a pint glass and painkillers for our backs and feet. We ventured to the Ruin bars to sample the local ale. Although to be fair there were more Brits than locals it seemed and it is one hell of a crowded area.
Purely medicinal
Making Up for Storm Ciara
The next day we decided to catch up on the missed game on the first night, White Mission and this was one that has been in Budapest for a while and had no backstory. You simply go in and have to get out, as a traditional premise for an escape room as you can get. The game was anything but traditional. Although I seemed to only see a small number of puzzles as I was the only one who had not done a specific puzzle, the game was enjoyable and worthy of the time.
The Blind Exhibition
We also got back on our beloved scooters and headed over to the Buda side to check out the Blind Exhibition. I was confused as to what this would be, but after a slightly awkward start where nobody really knew what was going on (All our faults as we had gone with no idea what was involved), we were given a tiny impression of what a blind person goes through living in a city and what they experience. Our host was great and even got us a drink at the end in a pitch-black bar. I would say this is a must-visit as it is an educational and fascinating experience.
The Blind Exhibition
Barcelona Bound
That night we flew to Barcelona, without hiccup this time. Tomorrow would bring a different style of an escape room.
With Black Friday on the horizon and Cyber Monday swiftly calculating your bank accounts demise. There is something else that gets my festive juices bubbling, Christmas dinner.
Must have the TV for £0.01 less!
Turkey, roast potatoes, sprouts, stuffing, pigs in blankets, a glassbottle of wine and pulling crackers. The fact you get out your best cutlery, fancy table cloth that makes only one appearance a year and glasses that you need a mortgage if you smash is all part of the most festive part of my Christmas. Even getting butter in the turkey and giblets for the dog is an enjoyable festive experience.
You put what, where?
All this food creation needs a soundtrack and in our household, it is Christmas classics, and the most festive sound known to humankind…the sound of siblings screaming over each others presents. If you are not a fan of festive tunes why not stick on Where Eagles Dare or any film with snow in it as let’s face it, there will probably be no White Christmas.
Some of you may find enjoyment in other parts of Christmas and that is fantastic and we would love to know what is your favourite part of the festive period?
I also have one small request for this Christmas. I’d like (along with an epic meal and family) is no matter our differences in opinions, faith, and views just have a great time with those that you love and be understanding to those you don’t.
OH and visit an escape room! I had to slam it in the post somewhere.
On August 8th it will be ‘Cycle to Work Day’, the premise being whether you are an avid cyclist or haven’t seen your bike in years that you have a go. As with these events you can sign up via social media or use an App on your phone like Strava.
Cycle to Work Day
If you are like me and need some extra motivation there are also several weekly challenges that you can take part in at Love to Ride.
Why I will take part in Cycle to Work Day
Reasons for weight gain??
In short, the level of exercise since I have taken on the task of bringing our unique escape experiences to Sheffield has fallen dramatically. At the same time, my “Timber” (Weight, Fattyness, roundness) has increased to an all-time high for me. I am not a complete beginner as a cyclist having previously, some years ago, done London to Paris and Loch to Loch cycling challenges. Unfortunately, all that previous experience and fitness has been replaced with a large amount of trepidation and fear at simply placing my enlarged bum on a bicycle seat.
Loch to Loch 2012ish
Get rid of the Monkey on your back!
As Team Sky, now Team Ineos would say you need to defeat the ‘Monkey on your back’, that voice that tells you that you cant do it, the hill is too big or you have left it too long to get into cycling or generally keeping fit. Well, let us get rid of that dissenting voice and instead get on ye bike for cycle to work day and enjoy the rush of endorphins as you accomplish something fantastic, work off a couple of those takeaway pounds and save some petrol money for something else….like a new bike 🙂
Team Building, as the name would imply, is an activity where colleagues work together to build workplace unity. Companies all over the world use a variety of techniques and strategies to help employees to get to know each other and advance their problem-solving skills, boost creative thinking and unify as a team towards a common goal.
However, some of these activities fail to attain these simple goals. I remember I once did a training day where I had to make some sort of structure out of straws. There was nothing wrong with this approach to business team building, but I couldn’t understand how my employer thought that this would be in any way interesting for those of us actually taking part. The majority of thoughts were simply towards the bar at the end the day or the coffee break (love a good biscuit!) where we could all keep in our own groups and question why we were here.
The Mysterious case of Hugh Dunnitt, Cryptology Sheffield
Cryptology’s solution
We see our escape rooms as part of the solution to this. Your team is placed in a themed immersive environment where you must work together, communicate and use your problem-solving skills to complete the room. You, for want of a better term, BUILD A TEAM! After you have all done the escape rooms, you can use our meeting room facilities to analyze, discuss and absorb what your mind has just gone through.
Conference facilities, Cryptology Nottingham
Due to the way we design our rooms, there has to be more than just one over-exuberant employee taking part to solve the puzzles, but there are various difficulty puzzles to ensure that it is an inclusive team event.
During Cryptology’s time in South Yorkshire, we have had; football teams, McDonald’s, banks, local businesses, council departments, and one person booked so she could assess her team that she had recently inherited. All of them went in knowing very little and with an air of pessimism that this was just another straw-building event, but on completion, these same people couldn’t believe that they had never done an escape room before and were excited to book again for their next team building event. Most importantly in my eyes is that whether you are successful in escaping or not, you ALL get something out of the experience.
First Contact Live Escape Room Experience, Cryptology Sheffield
Cryptology believes that with First Contact escape room ticking the box for choose your own path’ space adventure and The Mysterious Case of Hugh Dunnitt escape room taking you on a murder mystery tour with a difference. It is time that Cryptology Escape Rooms delved into the murky world of truly terrifying HORROR!
What Kind of Escape Room is it Going to be?
This experience will be more than just a scare-fest – in true escape room tradition, puzzles will be throughout your hour. But will you dare complete them all?
Set in a secret private lab where they test the latest and greatest (most of the time) in neural gadgets. This latest test involves your team and you are here to be a lab rat for a new neural implant. Unfortunately, they need to test this implant to its extremes and that means it will play on your fears. Don’t worry though, they almost never have issues during these tests, in fact 60% of the time it works every time.
This new live escape room experience will be based out of our West Street location in the centre of Sheffield, next to Tescos Extra and up the road from Pizza Express. This will be Cryptology Sheffield’s third immersive escape room experience and we hope to continue the high levels we have achieved so far.
