Alternative fun with Real Escape Games

PUBLISHED August 10th, 2014 04:00 pm | UPDATED March 26th, 2019 06:21 pm

Routine and repetitive working days can suck the life out of someone, so why do the same things over and over again for the weekends as well? Ditch that usual laying around at home and get recharged by trying your hand at a real escape game.  Real escape games are basically a 5D game that requires participants to ‘escape’ a certain scenario or room within a typical timeframe of 60 minutes by tackling a number of puzzles and riddles.

The following feature 5 of our favorite groups of good people bringing different versions of these games to our shores:

1. Real Escape Game (REG)

REG brings the hit-game directly from Japan all the way to our little island, with exclusive volumes that run over a few weeks at a time. If you are looking for quality puzzles and insanely creative storylines with the most unexpected twists, REG is one to have on your radar. Having held over 5 volumes of games like the Crazy Last Will of Dr. Mad and Escape from The Bank, they are without doubt one of the more seasoned players in the field. They most recently showcased Escape from Moon Base (Vol. 6), which ran until 15 June.

REG games are held for a limited number of sessions at a time, at different locations. Visit their website for more details on upcoming games.

2. Lockdown.sg

We know that we have all fantasized about video games as real life – if we could enjoy a game online so much, how much more would we enjoy it if it were to be translated into reality?  Lockdown.sg transports us into worlds that we have only known to exist online, supplying a variety of themed rooms that you can try to escape from. You may be kidnapped, be in jail, or be a victim of human trafficking and will have to escape the room to claim your freedom before time runs out. Are you up for the ultimate pressure-test?

Lockdown.sg is located at The Central, 6 Eu Tong Sen Street #03-51/52 and #02-33, Singapore, 059817.  Opening hours are 11am – 10pm. Make bookings for a game and get more information about them and the themes they offer at their website.

3. Freeing SG

If you are looking for the best experience of an alternate reality, Freeing SG will most probably be your answer. As the first to bring the real escape game trend to our shores, they certainly have some wicked skills to have you fumbling around to find an escape. Known for the sophisticated design of their themed rooms such as Painter’s Murder and Silent Blood, be warned you are likely to believe everything you have been told in the game. Enjoy 45 minutes of being Sherlock Holmes in an unrealistically realistic setting, and get into character to escape a prospective demise!

Freeing SG is located at Level 7, Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street, Singapore, 188067. Opening hours are 11am – midnight. Make bookings online and get more information on the games they offer at their website.

4. Xcape Singapore

Offering a bigger number of themes at one time, Xcape Singapore is the one to keep in mind if you’re looking for a different and exciting activity for you and your colleagues, friends or family. They open till 2am on Fridays and Saturdays to give you something fun to do after supper. Choose from creepy themes like Whisper of the Dead and Vampire Diary, and familiar videogame or movie-themed editions like Resident Evil and Tomb Raider. With well thought-out game and room designs, you’ll be sure to fall victim to the tricks they have up their sleeves. Known for making the pressure extremely real, the games that they offer are designed to keep you scrambling in stressful situations. Will you be able to keep your cool?

Xcape Singapore is located at 160A Rochor Road and 158B Rochor Road, Bugis Village, Singapore, 188435. Opening hours are Monday – Thursday: 11am – 11.30pm, Friday and Saturday: 11am – 2am, Sunday: 11am – 11.30pm. Make bookings online and find out more about the themes they offer at their website.

5. The Escape Artist

If you would like to be stuck in a scary and terrible situation but come out alive at the end, make sure to give the themed rooms offered by The Escape Artist a try. Along with themes that are inspired by TV shows like CSI, The Escape Artist also brings a fair amount of thrill and creepiness to the table with themes that are inspired by Jack the Ripper, zombies and haunted hotels. They have something for everybody, with their less terrifying adventure themes such as The Lost Treasure and The Secrets of Da Vinci. After all, it is only fun when it is fun for all!

The Escape Artist is located at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, #11-02, Singapore, 588179 and 52A Prinsep Street, #01-01, Singapore, 188683. Opening hours are Monday – Thursday: midday – 11pm, Friday – Sunday: midday – midnight. For bookings online and more information on what they are offering, visit their website.