CTRL ALT ESC is an escape room business based in Margate which was founded in February 2017. Located just 15-20 minutes walk from the train station and being right on the seafront, this is a perfect addition to the Margate entertainment and leisure lineup. This escape room, which is family run, was aimed to push the boundaries and be different to other current escape rooms currently available in the UK market. Bringing a new dimension to these highly popular games, CTRL ALT ESC have Incorporated technology into the escape rooms to make them truly unique!
Geoff (one of the owners), has a strong background in technology and used this to create a room with the use of electronic systems. This allows for a wider variety of puzzles and challenges never seen or that could be done to great success in an escape room before. Coming away from combination locks and padlocks, they also wanted the experience to be more value for money. To do this, they give you 90 minutes to attempt an escape and charge for the room booking at a flat cost of £70. This charge allows a minimum of 2 players to a maximum of 8 players to take on the room at one charge.
After speaking to our lovely host and part of the family business, Laura, alongside Geoff told us how they got together, how the room works and how they built the electronic system which works perfectly for the escape room.
Using a 3D printer and family experience, they have created many unique & outstanding props and challenges which work with the theme of their first escape room.
Frankenscape - the only room they have until early 2018, is set in the 1800's. In the eerie castle of the eccentric Professor Alec Smart. He has gone missing in the middle of an important experiment, which now you must help complete before time runs out. Special effects such as strobe lighting and smoke are used to help give the attraction a more eerie feel during the experience.
Before entering, we were given this backstory in more depth and the task in hand that we must complete. The story would be more explained as we entered the castle and found instructions. With this room being the only Frankenstein themed room around, we were nervous and excited to experience this challenge.
The attraction had some of the best themeing we have seen in an escape room. From the start, the scene was set and the challenge of escaping had started before we knew it! The use of space was highly clever. Starting in an outside setting before moving inside later on. This helped create a powerful atmosphere from the start and had our team amazed. The use of effects were strong and immediate, which worked perfectly with the story and theme.
The technology used in Frankenscape is clever and sly. Using tablets and computers wouldn't of worked in a scene set in the 1800's. So creating interactive electronically controlled advanced puzzles was such a unique idea, which our team can not applaud enough. They are fitted, styled and themed to that period of time whilst having technology which is pretty new.
The amount of puzzles you had to complete, along with the range of physical and mental challenges was perfect. You totally forget that you have only 90 minutes in this room and time goes much faster than you think when stunned by how much you have to do. We believe there is the right amount of puzzles and challenges to do with the time given.
Overall, we don't want to give away too much about this fantastic room from this family run escape company! We believe the whole experience from start to finish is flawless. The family friendly theme and puzzles allow any ages to compete and enjoy the escape. With many hidden treasures inside the room, we highly recommend you visit.
We want to thank the whole family for inviting us down to experience, what has to be one of our favorite escape rooms ever completed. A special thanks to Laura & Geoff who took time out after to talk us through the room, company and future plans. We are excited to head down later in 2018 to see their 2nd creation, which is promised to be more futuristic and even more different!
You can book tickets to head down through the website - http://ctrlaltesc.co.uk/
You can also find them on social media by searching " CTRL ALT ESC "
Try and see if you can beat our time and let us know over on our social media!
