AFTERMATH UK | The Escape Room Game That Comes To You. Reviews 

Competitive Fun!

We booked in two Aftermath games side-by-side at our offices in Shoreditch this week. It was a tough game for both teams! We were a bit skeptical about the claims this could do a larger group (we were two team making up 48 in total), but if anything, it felt like there wasn't enough of us! There are so many clues and puzzles and things to do - including an entire onlne world to wade through it was a little overwhelming at first as we weren't talking to each other to start with. There's a lot of information to get through so the more people you have the better, that way things can be shared out (There's different sorts of puzzles so everyone can get a try).

Each team got this weird hatted agent guy with a funny mobile phone ID - matching hats and beards so not very James Bond. They explain you have to save the world and then work as your groups host. Our team had a really attentive guy with a posh accent who seemed to be taking it very seriously to the point of being funny! He kep the room circulating to make sure no-one was left out and they divide you into sub groups which overlap. So we were broken down into mini groups of 4 and given particular job to do but the host let's you swap about if you want.

SPlitting into two groups of 24 was also a fun idea, which meant that we could get competitive. Our team lost, but luvkyily the other team saved the planet from the bad guys (and us, I guess). There was some clever props as well, I'm still scratching my head on how they did the ending. All in all, a very happy group of us enjoyed this thoroughly.

One of my colleagues had been talking for a long time about doing an escape room for the company (we're a really small team) as a bonding experience but we could never find the time between our work/life balance. So, when this popped up, we figured we would give it a try, and make it part of our working day.

The concept is really neat in that "they bring the room to you". All we had to do was provide the visiting agent, 12, sent by Apollo, a room. After 5 or so minutes, we walked back in and everything was ready. It's a slick set-up. There's an entertaining briefing in two parts (personal and video) which sets up the mission. After that, you begin to forensically investigate a murder, but I don't know whether I can say anymore.

Between 6 of us, we had to be really focused on breaking down into departments (the codes and data are hidden from the team in several media types which are well designed) and then we all had to report back regularly. The levels the creators have gone to are amazing and you couldn't tell where the game ends and where the real world begins. The design of certain elements is really well thought through and is in no way cheesy or cartoon-y.

You really have to concentrate on the details - I would suggest that this really requires committed players to pay attention to every clue as it unfolds. Fortunately, if you miss anything, Agent 12 is there to help out. We all agreed it's a tough game, but it's rewarding as you crack each level before a surprisingly emotional twist at the end, which did jar some of our team a bit!

I booked this for a team-building session in a pub room. Once we had our space, the government agent met us and set up the room in minutes. One down side to this was that the noise from the pub bled into our room a little, despite the game leader bringing a lot of volume boosting speakers. So, if you do book a pub space, make sure it's not too noisy! Also, make sure there's enough room for your team - we had 19 players and the space wasn't big enough for us and the game, which made things a little tight. There's plenty for everyone to do, so make sure you get a room where you can spread out.

The spy guy who looked after us was very generous, he even explained that we should look like normal members of the public by getting drinks and blending in with the crowd, which was a nice gag and a lovely touch. We did pour beer over some of his clues, but he didn't seem to mind. Clearly, these guys are good at working with many different venues as they handled our needs and the pub's demands with ease.

Once we booked the room, everything else was provided - an actor, the puzzles, the story and the props we needed. Even the note paper and the agent's phone screen was themed. The more you looked into the world of the Ministry, the more touches you found.

This was a really fun alternative to the office drinks that was both fun for all of us (no-one was bored at all) and good for team building. I wish I'd picked a larger room as it was a bit of a squeeze, but we loved how it combined a social night and company morale.

Wow! The thing that really hits you about this game is not that it comes to you, but it's the way it's been thought up! The puzzles are really clever and the story feels really relevant like it could be happening now! I was reminded of House of Cards, The Handmaid's Tale and Skyfall as the government calls you into a uber-dangerous mystery in your own room. Eek!

Everything begins with a murder and and an email, and then you have to put on some gloves and save the world! I felt like a real spy working for a CSI department as we all tried to work out what was going on! The props looked like things you'd see on telly, really well made and you can touch everything. There's something for everyone - if you're good with puzzles, computers, phones... you name it, there's something for every one! I really want to say more, but I'm not allowed!!! lol

There was about 18 of us all working together and we found out at the end we were the second best team of the month! It's really amazing and makes you feel like you are living in a world of spies and conspiracies and murder. I have no idea how they thought any of the story up as it feels so real and like it could be happening tomorrow. Someone's really looked at the world to make this feel both scary and thrilling. All in all, this is an exciting, immersive world and I can't wait to try their second game!

I didn't think my office could become such an exciting place but it did thanks to the agent. So glad I booked this for everyone. We all loved it and we love Aftermath! Thanks guys

Aftermath is the immersive experience that comes to you. Personally, I find that it's half escape room and half murder mystery. We played this game with 12 people, and I think there were a bit too many people, but it's because we all were preoccupied with breaking all the codes and locks but not collecting backstory.

You arrived with a locked suitcase and evidence that you need to open to gain more information on what happened, and if you're successful you are saving the world from the 'aftermath'. As I said, we didn't know the extent of questioning that would happen after the game. We thought all we had to answer was, 'what are we saving the world from?' and we had that answer.

Since we were focussed on just solving it like a usual escape room (without necessarily trying to get deeper into the backstory), there was little to do for 12 people. Even if you do the usual pairing where 2 people are set to task, there were way too many clues and pieces of the puzzle and way too many people. Perhaps a group of 8 people would be more ideal as you would be able to organize yourselves better and communicate better.

Or maybe you can bump it to 10 people where 2 people are assigned to collect as much info about what happened, so that you are ready for questioning. It would really have helped if we knew the questions we were going to be asked after so that we would know what we are trying to find.

Nevertheless, it was unique experience an found it a good way to spend Friday evening.

Aftermath, the name suggest something has occurred and you need to solve it, so are you ready for it? This isn't the usual escape room that I have experienced, there was no room that you had to literally escape, but the clues and objects needing solving is not to be dismissed.

The game can accommodate at around 15-20 people, which I felt was a little  too much. We had 12 in our group and there were times I felt unsure what to do with myself and trying to get involved in the problem solving but didn't know where to start, and way the room was set was too spread out I felt. This game relied heavily on communication skills so, if that is lacking in the team then it does get a little confusing.

The game with giving away too much is very heavy on detail and information so you really need to be able to think outside of the box and pay attention to things that you would of otherwise dismissed.

My favourite part of the interactive part with one of the character.. again can't tell you as it would be giving it away.

If you are looking for something for like a corporate event for team building, this is definitely one I would recommend, as there is a lot of things that people can get their hands on.

There is a games master involved, I really wished we was told specifically about some of the questions you will be asked at the end so that we could of taken better notes.

All in all a great immersive experience and one that still gets me thinking about it. Oh I forgot to mention that we escaped with 7 minutes on the clock to spare..

Thanks to Aftermath and Love Pop Up London for the experience.

Amazing experience! Really brought the team together. Highly recommend to any company that wants to unite their team member

This was great. Very friendly and helpful.