Escape room enthusiasts know they’ll always receive a one-of-a-kind experience at Saskatoon’s Breakout Escape Rooms & Board Game Lounge. And the reason is simple.
“Every one of our games is built, designed and written right here, by us,” explains Roberta Alton. “We have seven escape rooms to choose from, ranging from family-friendly to super scary.”
Alton, Breakout’s owner, launched the business in 2015. Nine years later it remains the only locally-owned and operated – as well as the largest – escape room facility in Saskatoon. The local component may also be why Alton’s staff are so invested in Breakout’s success.
“One of the first things you’ll notice when you come here is how much the staff love working here. It’s a really fun and exciting environment when you walk through the door,” she says. “Everyone who works here also helps in the process of building and designing the games, so they’re emotionally invested in people coming in, playing and having a great time.”
Breakout’s newest game, “The Mysterious Invention of Madame X,” centres around a character – Madame X – who was the world’s greatest inventor but met an untimely demise. Players are challenged, by deciphering codes and solving puzzles, to discover her final, greatest, potentially world-changing invention. Seeing the game come to life, says Alton, is a considerable point of pride.
“We’re extremely proud of both the set design and the puzzles,” she says. “It turned out really amazing and is probably the most elaborate game we’ve built.”
“Madame X” requires a minimum of only two players to play and is suitable for all ages. Escape room player numbers at Breakout range from two to twelve, and each room is used exclusively by those who booked it. In other words, families and teams, and even tandems, are never grouped with other people.
Naturally, Breakout Escape Rooms & Board Game Lounge is a popular spot for kids’ birthday parties, workplace functions, family get-togethers and other celebrations and gatherings. And it’s not only the escape rooms that are on offer. More than 450 board games line the shelves, and for a flat rate (and a special rate for students) people can come, play a board game with their friends, enjoy a drink and a snack, and just have some fun for a reasonable price.
“For a very small flat fee you can come play board games and stay as long as you like,” Alton explains. “Our lounge is fully licensed, which means you can play a board game and have a soda or beer or one of our incredibly epic ice cream floats that are legendary here in Saskatoon.”
For workplaces or other groups already looking for Christmas event ideas, Breakout has special holiday-themed escape rooms. Players can enjoy “All Alone: A Home Alone Parody” as well as “Countdown to Die (The Hard Way),” which will no doubt spark some interesting discussion among players.
“It’s based on the movie ‘Die Hard’,” Alton says. “We could argue all day long as to whether or not it’s a Christmas Movie. I would argue that it is, but some people would say it isn’t.”
Maybe it’s a discussion to be had following a game of “Countdown to Die” at Breakout.
All those looking to book an escape room experience can do so online, and payment is taken upon arrival at Breakout. No credit card is needed to book. Players can just reserve a time slot, let the excitement build and have a memorable time with their family, friends or colleagues.
Breakout Escape Rooms & Board Game Lounge, located at 2750 Faithfull Ave #103 in Saskatoon, can be reached by calling (306) 384-0014, and further information about the business is available on its website.