Social Escape Rooms - Ransom

Date: 08/01/2025

Company Name: Social Escape Rooms

Room: Ransom

Cost: $55 per person (Team of 2)

Time Allowed: 60 Minutes

Website Link: https://www.socialescape.com.au/rooms.html#ransom

Location: 62 Wyndham St, Alexandria NSW 2015

Best Parking: Street Parking

Succeeded: Not within 60 minutes - approximately 15 minutes over time.

Room Description: 

Disaster has struck; an unexpected disappearance of your loved one. How could this have possibly happened?

The delivery of a mysterious box, which contains a cryptic ransom note, will start you on a fast paced thriller that will have you gripped 'til the end. With great elements of action, a lot of suspense and intriguing puzzles, you will be kept on your toes for the entire 60 minutes. 

Prepare to be challenged as you work your way through the kidnapper's demands, all while unravelling the clues to save your loved one.

Comments:

Luke and I, embarking on our first escape room as a duo after completing numerous rooms in groups of four or more, were immediately greeted by a friendly Gamesmaster we affectionately remember as "Jesus." He was nothing short of brilliant, exemplifying just how critical the Gamesmaster is to creating an outstanding experience.

We absolutely loved the way Ransom unofficially began—it was such a unique and creative touch that set the perfect tone for the adventure ahead. As a team of two, we found the room packed with puzzles, keeping us both fully engaged and on our toes the entire time. While the experience is largely non-linear, there were a few bottleneck moments where we had to regroup, which provided opportunities for us to collaborate even more closely.

The theming and props were top-notch, with every puzzle feeling logical and seamlessly integrated into the space. The room itself was visually impressive, showcasing great attention to detail in its design and layout.

Ransom’s standout feature is undoubtedly its puzzles and game flow. With just the two of us, we were constantly on the move, working to solve a wide variety of challenges within the 60-minute time limit. Although we didn’t manage to escape within the allocated time, Jesus generously gave us extra time, allowing us to savour the sweet taste of success in the end. The puzzles ranged from familiar elements found in most escape rooms to some we had never encountered before. We faced an array of locks which was complimented alongside mechanical and high-tech puzzles. Each element flowed seamlessly, delivering clever and satisfying revelations throughout the experience.

As a duo, we particularly appreciated the subtle signposting, which kept us focused without feeling overwhelmed. While the theming and atmosphere don’t quite match the level of some of the very best rooms we’ve played (like Cipher), it’s worth noting that few rooms in Australia reach that level. Despite this, Ransom truly excels with its brilliant use of space, exceptional craftsmanship, and the sheer volume of puzzles that kept us thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

We’re already looking forward to returning and tackling some of their other rooms, like Bank Heist and Bellamy’s Booty!