We were invited down to Stockport today to visit MoviESCAPE as we attempted their brand new escape room Haunted House II: Demon’s Curse.
Based in Welkin Mill this large foreboding building instantly gives me Saw movie vibes as John Kramer’s lair in the movies was based in an industrial mill / warehouse and this building has that exact character in spades.
Coincidental we walked into MoviESCAPE and they actually had their own Saw styled escape room!
Founded in 2016 the company aims to offer truly cinematic experiences with detailed set dressing and immersive experiences.
Through lockdown the team has gutted their old Haunted House room and has created a whole new experience.
Haunted House II: Demon’s Curse
Intrepid adventurers must enter the most haunted room of the most haunted house in the country to try and finally lay to rest the curse that has afflicted this terrible mansion for a century, Its owner, Lord Crowley, one of the most infamous demonologists of his time, mysteriously disappeared from within this very room almost 100 years ago.
In 1999 a team of paranormal investigators entered the room in an attempt to solve the mystery and were never seen again.
Others have followed, and they too disappeared without trace.
Now, something new has stirred deep in the underworld. Something angry.
Something that has not been able to find the portal to our world – until now!
Haunted House II is the same room but with new challenges, new puzzles and eerie props.
Not only is Haunted House II an escape room but within it contains genuine haunted artefacts from numerous haunted locations.
Before you even enter the room itself a book in the lobby of MoviESCAPE is alleged to be from the infamous Enfield House.
What a way to introduce us to a horror themed attraction!
Here you go lads, you’ve got some puzzles to solve surrounded by potentially haunted objects.
You go have fun now!
*Locks door*
Speaking of the lobby, it’s beautiful.
It’s simplistic in its design but it draws you in, it feels homely, it feels as though effort has gone into it and that’s rare at escape rooms.
MoviESCAPE makes it clear that they think about the things that most other escape rooms do not.
Exterior theming of the escape rooms was something I’d never seen before.
Haunted House II had a really old and large door with a gothic themed door knocker on it before we entered but one of the more simple designs!
Down the corridor there was a Merlin / Harry Potter styled room that was themed on the outside to look like a castle.
Another maze was themed like the meth lab from Breaking Bad complete with its portal window door and a large Santa’s grotto set-up for a special Christmas themed maze.
This was a very impressive location and the sky’s the limit for future additions.
First Impressions
Upon entering the Haunted House II room we were given a torch as the lights were dim, the room still had good lighting but the torch certainly helped as we looked in every nook and cranny for clues.
Beautiful sofas, a full sized piano, old spooky jukebox and even a fireplace and giant book case made up the rooms theming with unusual paintings and wall hangings providing more intricate decor.
The room had a nice feel to it and it was only afterwards we were told some of the objects inside were haunted.
I’m ever the skeptic and I certainly didn’t feel anything, or see anything other than the wonderful effects this room contained.
Puzzles / Effects
It’s clear just from entering the building that MoviESCAPE go the extra mile when it comes to providing that immersive experience.
The sets already immersed you into the story but I did find the puzzles a little tricky with this particular room.
Some puzzles were easy enough and were solved quickly but they weren’t as linear as other mazes we’ve tried.
Usually one puzzle leads to the next and it’s a nice little smooth flow from one to the other.
On some occasions during this particular room we needed a little nudge as some of the puzzles deviated away from the usual path an escape room would take.
One particular puzzle involving a book proved rather tedious and another one had us at a dead end.
An old school bell sits atop the piano and one ring of it and you’re given clues / guides to solve you clue from the spirits beyond.
We’re not escape room pro’s so this bell was used a few times!
Another point to make about this maze are the numerous jump scares.
Some are predictable and for the overall theming of the room one or two in particular felt out of place compared to the detail / quality of the room.
Only one prop in particular felt a little low budget but a skeleton in the room was also on the cheap side but this one had an excuse.
This particular prop very reminiscent of the plastic skeleton that was contained within the absolutely stunning escape room The Butcher at Escapologic in Nottingham.
With Haunted House II being labelled as a 12+ maze the skeleton could be excused. The other prop though however should absolutely be replaced.
Beautiful rooms with cheap props put into it diminishes the overall effect the room should have.
But with lighting effects (including some beautiful storm recreations) fog effects and some genuinely creepy moments it was quite an enjoyable atmosphere to be in.
We’ve been to scare maze after scare maze this October so jump scares are becoming something we’re slowly getting very used to.
If you’re easily jumpy or nervy you’ll definitely feel your skin crawling at various intervals.
Overall
We had a great time at MoviESCAPE, I appreciate anyone who goes above and beyond to deliver a unique experience and you certainly get that here.
Whilst I personally felt that the room wasn’t overwhelming scary it certainly had a nice atmosphere to it provided by the effects and the puzzles were rather imaginative.
A wonderful use of a certain element on the wall will certainly impress all those who enter and this room certainly is one of the stronger rooms we have played.
I always feel a bit stupid when i’ve hit a wall with a certain puzzle and even an experienced escape room veteran will probably hit a wall or two with this one so there’s definitely a challenge involved.
Haunted House II: Demon’s Curse is a solid room on its own, I personally think one prop in particular should be replaced to give the room a more polished and true-to-life feel.
I certainly won’t be mentioning the prop in question on here as to not give away spoilers but if i’m nitpicking over props then I really am short on negatives to say about this room.
Whilst we were invited down to the rooms (thanks Matt) we always give an honest opinion good or bad and I feel this was definitely one to check out if you’re an escape room junkie or a horror fan.
After we had failed to escape our room on time (we were given an extra 10 minutes out of pity) we were shown around all of the other rooms.
If you’re a theming junkie like myself then Merlin’s Magic Academy will blow you away, one step into the room and my jaw dropped.
The Sherlock Holmes room is also one of the more detailed rooms, it truly is beautiful but it’s also one of the hardest rooms to tackle.
Sawtopsy looks impressive, certainly better than the Saw room at GAME OVER Derby and Escape The Meth Lab was certainly the most simply designed room but it just has that nostalgia of the series that will immerse you into the story.
A movie escape room experience made by a team of passionate movie loving people.
Well worth a visit.
Visit https://moviescape.co.uk for more info!
