Escape to the Real World: Columbia, SC

Do you love escape rooms or mysteries? How about being outdoors? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then Escape Productions: Spy Game is definitely for you! 

Thank you to Escape Productions for giving us the opportunity to try out Spy Game!

A New Way to Escape

Escape Productions offers a new concept, Spy Escape, an escape game that plays out in the real world. Similar to what you may experience in a typical escape room, this outdoor logic-style game involves clues, problem-solving, patterns, and hints. Immersed in bustling Downtown Columbia, players must use clues, solve riddles, and decode messages in order to complete the mission.

This real-life adventure incorporates local Columbia businesses, restaurants, menu items, monuments, signs, and more, as clues. And just like the real world, you will receive phone calls, texts, and emails as part of the communication for this outdoor escape experience.

A Different Sense of Realism

The idea for Spy Escape originated when the creators of Escape Productions came to fruition after an idea to create an escape game outside of a room. 

Unlike a traditional escape room experience, Spy Escape uses real Columbia locations and real interactions (i.e.phone calls, emails, text messages). The players are exposed to a different sense of realism. 

Though there is only one possible final outcome for Spy Escape, there are multiple paths teams can take to reach the end. Based on choices the teams make, the game can move in several different directions. The game is designed to be flexible, but most teams eventually solve the same set of puzzles.

Watch! The Spy Game Experience

Here are some scenes from our time playing Spy Game.

Kidding Around Columbia’s Spy Escape Experience

It’s mid-morning as I walk briskly, pushing my baby in a stroller down the sidewalk of Downtown Columbia, rushing to meet my teammates, Rachel and Kristen at the State House. The sun beats down the only way it knows how in Columbia in late July, hot and hotter. The humidity is stifling. As I meet my teammates we make sure everyone has downloaded Inflict, the Spy Escape app. We designate one person to check emails, messages and other clues. 

Once we begin the game, we talk and decide to head to what we think is the first location. It’s a pretty long walk, but certainly stroller-friendly. We arrive at our first location, but we aren’t sure what to do next. Do we notify the app? Do we take pictures of our location? We finally work it out (Sorry guys, no specifics! I don’t want to spoil the fun!) and move onto our next location.

Give us a Hint

At our second location, we are stuck. We can’t seem to crack the clue. We are asked by the game controller if we’d like a hint. Of course we do! After the hint, my teammates and I finally determine what we need to do next, and we’re soon on our way to the next location. 

I’m beginning to second guess bringing a stroller in this kind of heat as we trek across the Columbia street, but as we head back over to the State House grounds, we quickly approach shaded trees and some benches. While it’s a hot day, this game route lends itself to plenty of shady areas.

Surrounded by History

My teammates Kristen and Rachael talk about how some of us have never been to the State House, and I admittedly couldn’t recall the last time I had even experienced the State House grounds. This game was a great excuse to take in the beauty of the landscape and rich history surrounding us. 

As we work through our next few clues, and a couple (okay, several) hints, we begin plugging in answers to the questions within the game. We are struggling! All of us are having a blast playing the game, but admit we are thankful that we allowed for at least two hours of playing time. My team jokingly all said we weren’t sure how much longer it would take us to finish!

Mission Complete

Our next clue leads us down to another destination nearby. None of us had ever been to this building before, but commented on it’s splendor and rich history. Unbeknownst to us, we had reached our final destination and completed our mission! It took us roughly one and a half hours to finish.

The Kidding Around Columbia Team participating had an amazing time playing Spy Escape! It was fun, challenging, and a unique overall experience. 

Helpful Spy Escape Tips

• Watch the Spy Escape tutorial prior to starting your first game.
• Plan around the weather.
• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
• Bring a pen/pencil and a notepad to write down clues and help decode. 
• Bring water and snacks.
• Have a fully-charged phone.
• Assign roles (designate the most tech-savvy person as the main contact).
• Prepare to walk; however, the routes are both wheelchair and stroller-friendly.
• Allow at least a two-hour window for playing.

Questions & Answers

Q: Do you have to be “good at” escape rooms or solving riddles in order to enjoy Spy Game?

A: No! There is no limit to the number of hints you can ask for or any amount of assistance while you are playing. The idea is for everyone to have fun! If we have to help you with each puzzle you will still have a great time experiencing the story. 

Q: How many people is ideal for a first-time Spy Escape group?

A: Four players is a good team size. If groups have 6 or more, it may be more conducive to break them up into teams to play against each other. 

Q: Is there a time limit like in standard escape room games?

A: No, there is no time limit, so you will not run out of time to complete your game. The idea is for everyone to enjoy the story and explore Columbia.

Q: Is there an age requirement to play?

A: No, this is an extremely family-friendly game. However, anyone under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult due to safety concerns.

Q: Are phones or cameras permitted?

A: Yes, not only are they permitted, both are necessary in order to complete the game/mission. Players are encouraged to download the game app, Inflict, though only one player is required to download and use it for the team.

Spy Escape is an escape game that anyone can enjoy! Grab some family, friends, classmates, or colleagues and come experience Columbia like you’ve never seen it!

Escape Productions Columbia Website
Escape Productions Columbia Facebook

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