Recently, the TC gang received a strange email, inviting us to assemble and go to Hallows Hill. Intrigued, we rallied our toughest members and ventured across the digital world to this spooky abandoned house.
Hallows Hill is no ordinary game. Requiring a mere web browser and the technical capability to be able to share your screen with your team of up to 6, you are good to go.
Immersive Team-Based Horror Fun!
The developers, Wolf Escape Games, have a couple of escape games under their belt. How would we find our foray into Hallows Hill? More importantly, would we all survive?
Gameplay
I must say, I haven’t played a game like this yet. Yes, I have taken part in actual escape rooms and have been intrigued by the puzzles, both physical and mental. But how would they transfer into an online version?
Setting up the game was very easy. Having added Hallows Hill to our cart via Wolf Escape Game’s website, we were sent a code to enter when we were ready to play. This is a single-use code, and being via a web browser, there are no files to download as the game streams seamlessly.
Our game had a playtime of around 90 minutes, however, there is no timer forced on you as in the escape rooms that you may have physically played. If you need to stop the game for any reason, progress is saved and you can continue at another time that suits you. The code does not expire until you complete your escape.
With my screen shared and the TC gang quietly anticipating what would happen next in our Discord channel, it was time to begin.
Time To Buddy Up
As the game commenced, a QR code was presented that allowed everybody taking part to interact with it and view a digital backpack on their phone or screen. This contained clues and diary entries that would later aid with puzzles that we came across.
With myself at the helm, I was the one that physically interacted with the escape room. The controls were very simple. By moving the mouse around the screen, similar to a point-and-click, you highlight items that you can interact with. This then presented you with a closer view of the item or area and the chance to engage further.
The movement of the game was a case of clicking on arrows in each room or area that then took you onto the adjacent scene.
As we slowly got immersed into the chilling story of a missing old lady and her connection to the abandoned house, Hallows Hill, our intrigue grew and grew. Split into chapters you can see your progression through the game as you edge closer to the conclusion.
Riddle me this
The puzzles we were presented with were a mixture of logic and maths. Each relied on clues that had been read either in the diary or around the room. While some were relatively straightforward, some stumped us for a while. Through the Discord chat, each team member could speak up and provide their thoughts and advice on what they thought the solution was. Liv, Didi, Jordan, Charlotte and Carol Vorderman Stu were invaluable in their help.
Hallows Hill’s puzzles and mechanics reminded me of how the likes of the awe-inspiring 7th Guest and 11th Hour played back in the day. I used to spend hours with friends huddled around my screen trying to solve the elaborate conundrums. It was wonderful playing a more modern-day version as the echoes of nostalgia for me still rang out.
Back to the mystery afoot, the pressure was on me to listen carefully to what was said and then transfer that into the game. Wolf Escape Games have made the gameplay mechanic cleverly, as the digital backpack held key information that I could not see on my screen. Yes, in hindsight I probably should have scanned the QR code and had it on my phone! However, I quite enjoyed the teamwork vibe.
The inevitable happened
When we finally get stuck on a puzzle, there is the ability to ask for help. Each piece of advice costs 5 minutes to be added to your finishing time. Annoyingly the first two clues were things that we already knew about the puzzle, therefore we needlessly added 10 minutes to our time. We completed the puzzle without actually obtaining the information we were after from the hint system!
With a finishing time of 91 minutes (should have been 81), we were greeted by the chance to write a comment about how we felt the mystery went, along with a scoreboard screen that gave Team Venom a ranking.
Graphics & Audio
Having a good internet connection is obviously a must for the game to run and also stream to others on your online call.
The cinematic quality of the cutscenes was of a great standard. The visual effects of each scene were well-drawn. There were a few jump scares and frankly, quite chilling moments, during the escape room.
The attention to detail when inspecting rooms and puzzles gave a great level of immersion, especially in the dimly lit areas. The setting was portrayed fantastically well.
The sound quality of the music, effects and dialogues added to the escape room mystery. Invoking further emotion and suspense to an already troubling storyline.
During our playthrough, one of our team did experienced some audio issues. Being both on good fibre internet connections we were unsure of the cause. Nobody else came across the same issue, therefore it may have been a browser issue rather than the actual game.
Longevity
As with all escape rooms, the mystery is all over once you have completed it. Thankfully Wolf Escape Games has Miami Bay that you can purchase and play as well as Sherlock Holmes’ Phantom Hour which is coming soon.
Final Thoughts
The TC team and I went into Hallows Hill having never played an online escape room before. I must say that the way the game mechanics played ensured that all of the team could provide help and instruction to me. I was worried that it would be a case of them all sitting there watching me complete everything. However, this was not the case at all.
Currently on offer for £19.20, Hallows Hill is very satisfying to play and makes for a wonderful team-based game that everyone can enjoy from the comfort of their chairs.
Hallows Hill receives a Thumb Culture Platinum Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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