Chills and thrills in the Texas hills
Location: Austin, TX
Date Played: April 24, 2024
Team Size: 3-8; we recommend 2-4
Duration: 70 minutes
Price: $45 per player
Ticketing: Private
Accessibility Consideration: At least one player must crawl, and at least one player must climb
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
The Cabin: Chapter 1 upholds Escape Hour's reputation of high production value, excellent effects, and creative character. It's a rare legitimately scary game in Central Texas. We felt like anything could happen at any time, leaving us to giggle nervously and lean in to our fate.
This game excelled in its ambiance. It was a dark room, which I often find annoying, but I wouldn't have wanted this any other way. It felt authentic to grab candles on a whim, and no interactions were too difficult to manage in low light. Indeed, the game's best effects benefited from the shadows and low visibility. Separately, the final sequence masterfully subverted our earlier experiences, accelerating them in ways I hadn't seen before. If I think too much about it, the finale didn't make complete sense, but it was absolutely thrilling in the moment.
Much like The Crypt, the game's progression was clearly telegraphed throughout, guiding us from step to step. This wasn't a game of ahas; it was a game of completing tasks in a creepy setting. Indeed, the hint system was immersively woven into the experience, guiding us in effective and unnerving ways. As a result, the game felt more nudged than some players might prefer, but dampening the system too much would change the feel of the game. It was worth the trade-off for us.
Of note was that some puzzles in this room were familiar from other rooms at Escape Hour. It shared multiple elements with Call of the Ancient and one with The Crypt. Although these activities derived a different flavor from the personality of this game, they were still most impressive the first time we experienced them. All three games are absolutely worth playing; just begin with the one that interests you the most so that you can optimize your enjoyment of its parts. Want to scream? Start here. Looking for playful adventure? Start with The Crypt. Lovecraft fan? Call of the Ancient.
Regardless, The Cabin: Chapter 1 is a Central Texas standout, a well-executed horror adventure in the context of this region. My team doesn't have broader experience with the genre to compare to horror rooms outside this area, but we doubt that you'll find a scarier horror room within three hours of Austin. We left satisfied with our bravery and a bit out of breath; we think you will, too.
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