Reading, Jan 2023
Curiouser and Curiouser is the sequel to Time Trap’s previous game Imaginarium. There are any number of Alice in Wonderland rooms available, but Imaginarium was unusual in combining Wonderland theming with a section set inside Lewis Carroll’s mind. The sequel doubles down on that, with the premise that the author is suffering from writer’s block, and needs you to enter his mind and unlock his inspiration so that he can complete his second book.
The decor here is colourful and quirky, with sepia edges that evoke the life of a late Victorian gentleman. As is standard for TimeTrap, the quality of the components is immediately obvious, with plenty of wooden hand-made pieces, attractive construction and attention to detail, and everything in good repair.
I thought that the puzzle design showed an entirely fitting love of words and wordplay. I might even call the room ‚intellectual‘ or ‚highbrow‘, at the risk of giving the wrong impression: there are some reasonably physical tasks, and it’s far too colourful and hands-on to ever feel dry. Still, there’s something a bit cerebral about the puzzle ideas, and the game rewards curiosity and exploration.
It’s an immensely clever game, in ways both blatant and subtle. Most obviously, the puzzles are well designed, interesting and original. But the type of puzzles and the physical layout of the space have also been carefully constructed to reflect the theme. Those details aren’t things you need to pick up on to complete and enjoy the game, but help reinforce the setting and make it feel like a cohesive whole that’s been researched and thought through at every point.
All of which is to say, it is an exemplar of quality escape room design; for enthusiasts the biggest risk is of blasting through it too quickly. There are certainly flashier Wonderland rooms available – you won’t find any big Cheshire Cats or flamingoes. But the concept of this room is much more original and clever than that. If Lewis Carroll were around today, I’m sure he’d be a big fan of escape rooms, and I suspect he’d find this one particularly suited to his tastes. 