Retribution
Retribution
A Game Design Case Study
A Game Design Case Study
This is a real-life escape room created by the EscapeTalk team, and I'm proud to serve as the lead game designer for this project.
RETRIBUTION
RETRIBUTION
RETRIBUTION
RETRIBUTION
Intro
Intro
About the Game
About the Game
Retribution is a classic game featuring challenging riddles and a linear game flow. Currently operating in Qom city, Iran, our team devoted meticulous attention to every detail of the game. From crafting core gameplay mechanics to designing intricate riddles, immersive decorations, engaging dialogues, and more, we ensured a truly immersive experience for players. This dedication has earned Retribution the distinction of being recognized as the best Escape room in Qom by players in T4F.
Retribution is a classic game featuring challenging riddles and a linear game flow. Currently operating in Qom city, Iran, our team devoted meticulous attention to every detail of the game. From crafting core gameplay mechanics to designing intricate riddles, immersive decorations, engaging dialogues, and more, we ensured a truly immersive experience for players. This dedication has earned Retribution the distinction of being recognized as the best Escape room in Qom by players in T4F.
Idea
Idea
The game revolves around a highly collaborative game flow, emphasizing teamwork and collaborative problem-solving. Each challenge and riddle in Retribution requires the combined effort of two or more players to solve. At its core, the gameplay is designed to foster team building and promote collaborative problem-solving, catering to strong and intelligent players seeking an immersive experience.
The game revolves around a highly collaborative game flow, emphasizing teamwork and collaborative problem-solving. Each challenge and riddle in Retribution requires the combined effort of two or more players to solve. At its core, the gameplay is designed to foster team building and promote collaborative problem-solving, catering to strong and intelligent players seeking an immersive experience.
Scenario
Scenario
The story unfolds around a forgotten prison steeped in Middle Ages history. When a historian uncovers its existence, rumors of a massive gold reserve hidden behind its doors surface. However, accessing the prison proves to be no easy feat. Legend has it that the prison only materializes on a single night of the year, disappearing after just one hour. Enter the players, a group of gold seekers determined to break into the prison. But as they embark on their quest, they quickly realize that the prison holds many secrets, including...
Gameplay Design
Gameplay Design
Game Flow
At the start of the game, players find themselves confined to separate cells. The game is divided into three phases, with the first phase focused on escaping their individual cells by solving unique riddles. However, there's a twist in each cell! Cells are paired in two-member groups, such as cell 7 and 5, and they can activate each other's lights. When one cell activates its light, the other cell's light turns off, and vice versa. The trick lies in the fact that to solve their riddle and escape, they need the clues from each other's cell. Working together is essential for success.
In the second phase, players navigate the prison environment, encountering a myriad of riddles and puzzles. Together, they must unlock each challenge and collaborate with the game characters to uncover the location of the gold resource and how to access it. Collaboration is key as they work together to overcome obstacles and uncover hidden secrets within the prison.
In the final phase, players confront a trap-filled room rife with physical challenges and numerous clues that can be deciphered to solve puzzles. This phase presents the ultimate test of their skills and teamwork, as they navigate through the toughest challenges yet. Successfully overcoming this phase leads to their ultimate reward: claiming the gold loot they've been seeking.
At the start of the game, players find themselves confined to separate cells. The game is divided into three phases, with the first phase focused on escaping their individual cells by solving unique riddles. However, there's a twist in each cell! Cells are paired in two-member groups, such as cell 7 and 5, and they can activate each other's lights. When one cell activates its light, the other cell's light turns off, and vice versa. The trick lies in the fact that to solve their riddle and escape, they need the clues from each other's cell. Working together is essential for success.
In the second phase, players navigate the prison environment, encountering a myriad of riddles and puzzles. Together, they must unlock each challenge and collaborate with the game characters to uncover the location of the gold resource and how to access it. Collaboration is key as they work together to overcome obstacles and uncover hidden secrets within the prison.
In the final phase, players confront a trap-filled room rife with physical challenges and numerous clues that can be deciphered to solve puzzles. This phase presents the ultimate test of their skills and teamwork, as they navigate through the toughest challenges yet. Successfully overcoming this phase leads to their ultimate reward: claiming the gold loot they've been seeking.
Challenges
For the puzzle game, we devised four riddles for phase one, each requiring collaboration between two players in two cells. Phase two presents the game's toughest challenges with two additional riddles, each demanding the collective effort of four players to solve. Finally, in phase three, two more riddles are introduced alongside physical challenges within the trap room.
For the puzzle game, we devised four riddles for phase one, each requiring collaboration between two players in two cells. Phase two presents the game's toughest challenges with two additional riddles, each demanding the collective effort of four players to solve. Finally, in phase three, two more riddles are introduced alongside physical challenges within the trap room.
Cells: This is where the players stay and try to help each other to solve their riddle
Cells: This is where the players stay and try to help each other to solve their riddle
The Prison environment: Hardest puzzles of the game are designed in this phase.
The Prison environment: Hardest puzzles of the game are designed in this phase.
The gold trap room: riddles beside physical challenges.
The gold trap room: riddles beside physical challenges.
Trap Room
In Retribution, we dedicated significant effort to designing a special room that emulates the intricacies of a real trap room found in Middle Ages prisons. Drawing inspiration from ancient Egyptian traps, we incorporated physical elements that actively engage players in the environment. This room serves as a culmination of our creative vision, blending historical inspiration with immersive gameplay to deliver a truly unforgettable experience.
In Retribution, we dedicated significant effort to designing a special room that emulates the intricacies of a real trap room found in Middle Ages prisons. Drawing inspiration from ancient Egyptian traps, we incorporated physical elements that actively engage players in the environment. This room serves as a culmination of our creative vision, blending historical inspiration with immersive gameplay to deliver a truly unforgettable experience.
In addition to Time Boxes, each player possesses a unique ability that aids the team in completing missions more efficiently. It's up to the players to strategize and decide whether to keep certain roles in the safety of the Time Machine or send them out on the mission. Here are the ability cards:
In addition to Time Boxes, each player possesses a unique ability that aids the team in completing missions more efficiently. It's up to the players to strategize and decide whether to keep certain roles in the safety of the Time Machine or send them out on the mission. Here are the ability cards:
Riddles & Puzzles
Riddles & Puzzles
Despite its classic gameplay and linear flow, our goal with Retribution was to create the most challenging escape room experience in Qom. We aimed to push players to their mental and physical limits as they strive to break free from a Middle Ages prison setting. This immersive environment provides a platform for players seeking the ultimate test of their abilities.
Despite its classic gameplay and linear flow, our goal with Retribution was to create the most challenging escape room experience in Qom. We aimed to push players to their mental and physical limits as they strive to break free from a Middle Ages prison setting. This immersive environment provides a platform for players seeking the ultimate test of their abilities.
Riddle Document
