An Escape Room in my Home

Last weekend, my living room turned into a haunted asylum, and my friends had no idea what they were getting into!

I hosted a game night featuring Forsaken Souls: Hidden Ward, a print and play escape room that I’d recently reviewed. But instead of just playing it solo like before, this time I stepped into the role of the game master and watched as my friends tried to unravel the twisted mystery I had set before them.

Yes, the game has a detailed Game Master guide. What a game changer!

And let me tell you, watching them sweat over clues I already knew felt awesome, haha.

The premise? An investigator enters the haunted halls of Hawksley Asylum, where a letter from the past reopens a case he thought was long closed. But nothing is quite what it seems…

Ghosts from the past, scrambled messages, and some very clever puzzles make this one intense ride. Even I, after having played it once, felt the tension rise again when the lights were dimmed and the sound effects kicked in.

There’s something incredibly satisfying about prepping a game like this. I had the puzzles prepped, the props cut out, the game's audio-visual cutscenes queued up on the TV, and a few personal touches added for extra spook. One of my friends jumped when a hidden note revealed itself under a cup. Another spent ages trying to solve a clue the wrong way. It was chaos in the best way!

What I appreciated most was how balanced the experience felt. The puzzles had variety, the game flowed naturally, and even as a host, it didn’t feel like I had to manage every second. Once the players got going, the story carried itself. I was just the puppet master in the background, sipping tea and silently enjoying the show. Felt like live theatre.

I stepped in at intervals whenever my friends entered new rooms. That’s when the cutscenes took the stage.

I had a time limit set for the game, and no, they didn’t escape in time! But they were close, and the post-game discussion about what they missed lasted longer than the game itself.

I’ve hosted a fair number of game nights, but this was the first time it truly felt like I was offering an experience. Not just a game, but an event.

And the best part? It’s print and play, meaning anyone can set this up with just a printer, scissors, and a bit of planning.

If you’ve ever enjoyed being the dungeon master in a tabletop RPG, or just love watching others puzzle through immersive mysteries, give this one a shot. 

The Kickstarter campaign for the game ends in less than 12 hours!!