The Elevator Shaft

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The new revamped Chapter 2 from “The Basement” is finally available and the wait was worth it. Before our journey into the “Elevator Shaft,” we arrived in Sylmar and waited outside a clearly marked building. Parking was conveniently on site but limited. The area was interesting to say the least due to its residence next to an Adult supply store. Forms are filled outside electronically and we are made to wait, slowly increasing the tension of what we were about to partake in. Eventually we were let inside to a dark lobby with multiple pictures and references to famous real serial killers in the hallways and bathrooms. The attention to story and research is very much appreciated and helps immerse you into the fictional world of Edward Tandy. Bottles of water could be purchased for $1 and lockers were there to store any loose items. Since the building encompasses all three chapters of the same story, I am surprised they did not theme the lobby to be Edward’s parlor or entranceway.

The story picks up after escaping from Edward Tandy the cannibalistic serial killer, who kidnapped you in The Basement: Chapter 1. You thought freedom was in sight but were gassed instead and placed in an elevator shaft while asleep. It is pitch black when we enter the first room and a video flickers on a TV screen. A terrified man named John Peterson explains to us what is occurring. Apparently he was hired to help Edward make some “engineering changes” to an elevator shaft on the property. Knowing something was sinister in the design, he confronted Edward and was told that he could not leave until the project was finished. In a final act of desperation, John mentions he laid out some clues to help us escape this contraption. The TV shuts off and the mechanism begins…

After scrambling in darkness with Edwards voice creepily calling out to you, the light flickers on and we are shocked at how vivid and realistic the room is. There are no flimsy props or amateur wallpaper. This place feels real. We have participated in many escape rooms and to be impressed at this level is quite an accomplishment. This is perhaps the closest to living out a movie scenario one can get. The attention to detail to lights and sounds in addition to how elaborate the puzzles are can be overwhelming at times. Having said this, it is also one of the more rewarding rooms out there currently.

The puzzles are well thought out and fit the theme like a glove. The engineering behind these puzzles are a marvel, and success or failure, it is enjoyable to see what effects occur because of your attempts. Most puzzles are physically oriented and stray from any notion of a puzzle book. You have to be smart but also adventurous to escape this room successfully. The variety of puzzles ensured we were never bored and there was usually a powerful indication that we correctly solved something. The amount of puzzles was quite satisfying considering the size of the room and the time limit given.

Without spoiling anything there are a few warnings to those who wish to challenge the room. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory and make sure you wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little wet in. In regards to your mental state be aware that while the main room itself is the size of an actual elevator shaft, there are times that might make one feel claustrophobic.

After escaping and taking a deep breath of freedom, our Game Master escorted us back to the lobby and informed us we could purchase exclusive escaped (or failed) t-shirts for the room we completed. We then took a group photo to memorialize the intense escape. Amazing is too modest a word for the caliber of quality The Basement team exerts. A well thought out and sequential story, immersive set pieces and design, and clever puzzles that are not found anywhere else. These elements solidify “Elevator Shaft” and their other rooms as some of the best around.

We are very pleased with “The Basement” and their intuition to improve rooms that have faults. If you played “The Boiler Room” previously, make sure you come back and try this new and improved masterpiece. These rooms are not scary per say but they are very suspenseful and intense. We hope to see more modifications and new rooms from this company in the future.”