Ipswich, Dec 2017
The second game at Escape Ipswich (and also at various other branches of Escape around the country) has you investigating a serial killer, and inevitably you’ve found yourselves caught and in danger of becoming his next victims. Naturally this killer enjoys toying with his prisoners in the form of leaving them puzzles that they might be able to solve to escape.
Like the other game we played at the venue, there’s not a great deal in the way of decor here. Forget dank basements, this serial killer has imprisoned you in some well-lit office space. Nervous players might see that as a plus, but if you’re looking for a little creeping dread with your escaping there’s none to be found here.
Taken is less a serial killer horror experience and more a set of puzzles in converted office space. The theme does come through in the content though, partly in the choice of components and partly in the notes left for you in the style of creepy messages from the killer, which act as cryptic clues for what to do next.
Most of my comments on the other game at this venue apply here too. It’s very much on the easy side for an escape game, at least for experienced players, and has underwhelming decor; but as a sequence of puzzles in the classic escape room style it’s solidly designed and free from problems. Of the two games here I liked Taken a little less, but my teammate preferred it, mainly on the basis of the split team start and one clever letter puzzle, so your mileage may vary. 
