I’ve always enjoyed puzzle-type activities, especially the kind that make you feel like you’re solving something bigger than yourself. My friends are the same; we’re all fans of story-heavy games, and two of them are loyal Ace Attorney and Danganronpa people. So when we decided to try an escape room, we wanted something a little more investigative than “find the key, open the lock, get out.”
Photo: When In Manila
Mystery Manila turned out to be a good fit for that. You aren’t just trapped in a room. You’re dropped into a story and asked to think your way out.
We booked our slot through their website. Simple enough. For our group of four, it was ₱450 per head, which felt reasonable for an hour-long activity.
When we arrived, we were asked to sign waivers and watch a short rules video—it was quick and straightforward. No pressure yet.
Photo: WhenInManila
Our game master then led us to the room and asked us to store our things in a box. Phones and bags away, distractions gone. It suddenly felt more real than I expected.
Before the timer even started, we already got a sense of the room’s theme. Ours leaned into a more narrative, investigative vibe—think piecing together what happened on a doomed train ride or uncovering strange events surrounding a missing person. It wasn’t a “find the key and escape” thing. It felt more like stepping into a case file waiting to be cracked.
We were given 50 minutes to work through the mystery. I won’t spoil anything, of course, but this room wasn’t the type where you spend the whole time figuring out how to escape. It was more of a detective-style challenge—clues, timelines, motives, the whole thing. Exactly the kind of setup my friends thrive in.
I’m a chronic overthinker, and unfortunately (or fortunately?), so are they. That meant a lot of intense theories, some accidental red herrings we created ourselves, and moments where we confidently explained something only to realize we were entirely off the mark. But that was part of the fun. The chaos was, in a way, the charm.
After following the clues and debating ourselves into several circles, we ultimately solved the puzzle. Honestly, solving it together, even in our chaotic way, made the final reveal feel satisfying.
What surprised me was how immersive it felt without being overwhelming. There were a few jump-scare moments here and there—which I won’t spoil—but nothing too intense. Mostly, it was a solid, story-driven puzzle that needed teamwork and a bit of logic. It hit that sweet spot of being challenging enough to be satisfying without sliding into that escape-room silence where everyone’s stressed and no one wants to talk.
By the time our 50 minutes were up, we were all laughing at how many times we spiraled into unnecessary theories. It was fun in a very grounded way—no extreme theatrics, no over-the-top effects. Just a well-crafted room that lets you feel like you’re stepping into a mystery for an hour.
If you’ve been wanting to try an escape room but prefer something more narrative and less claustrophobic, Mystery Manila is a great place to start. It’s collaborative, engaging, and surprisingly non-intimidating, even for people who tend to overthink every clue.
Sometimes all you need is a good story, a ticking timer, and friends who are willing to argue over fictional evidence with you.
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Would you bring your friends to an escape room? Let us know in the comments.
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