We Tested It: A/Maze The Real Life Escape Game
A/Maze. NDG. Nicole Yeba in Prison Game
Have you ever tried an escape game? If not, you should go try one right away. Why?
At A/Maze, you get to test your survival skills in four different rooms. It makes your mind work.
Alexander Reverse and his partner, Anton Puscari, are fans of games and adventures. “We wanted to do something with a level of risk you can control, not dangerous but fun and challenging,” says Alexander.
Outside Amaze. Photo Nicole Yeba.
A/Maze has four games that are all different from one another: Lost Temple, Prison Break, Mad Scientist Lab and Ultimate Mind. “In our games, people don’t need to have specific knowledge, they don’t need to know any formula or equation,” explains Alexander about how the puzzles and answers are in the room and people simply need to find them. Each game and its challenges are different. People who escaped from Prison Break can still by challenged by Mad Scientist. The games have a length of 45 minutes, except for Lost Temple which is only 20 minutes long. Between 2 and 6 people can play one game at a time.
The most popular game without a doubt is Prison Break with a success rate of 25%. Lost Temple is the easiest one and the perfect game to initiate someone to the world of escape games. It’s ideal for couples and has a success rate of 40%! The hardest one is Scientist Lab with a success rate of 10%. Military was added a few weeks after my visit. A/Maze has a special wall of fame for people who complete all of their rooms. This should be your new #squadgoals.
amaze lounge. Photo Nicole Yeba.
People of all ages participating in the escape games from children, students, professionals and more. It seems they have an unofficial chart about the best university in Montreal because they ask the players which university they studied or are studying at and it seems Concordia takes the lead! They also have corporate events for companies from business people to artists to engineers.
Were you a fan of the TV show Prison Break? If yes, then head over to A/Maze and try their escape game of the same name. The action takes place in the 1920s in Montreal. The cops are corrupted and in league with the mafia. You are falsely accused of murdering someone and you need to escape from prison before the mafia come for you in 45 minutes. At the same time, you uncover the secret deals between the police and mafia. You only have access to one clue so use it wisely.
Nicole Yeba at AMAZE. NDG.
I tested Prison Break with an employee of A/Maze. He didn’t give me obvious clues and played his part well. I can’t say much about the game without revealing too many details but you really need to think twice about all of the clues. They can be tricky, but when you get them, everything is easier. The important thing is communication and working as a team. Also, once you use something, you will only need it once. I managed to break out of prison and I was really proud. I got to slide down an air conduit.
If you like trying new things, you need to try an escape game at least once and who hasn’t dreamt of escaping out of prison!
A/Maze is located at 3550 Saint-Jacques. Prices are $23 per person, $20 per person for two or more players, and $10 when paid online through PayPal. Up to five players can play a single game at one time. The game is open Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
