Lyon Prison VR Escape Room: A Detailed Review

So, are you someone after an adventure? Like, your ordinary tour around Lyon just isn’t going to cut it? Well, that’s when you might start looking at unusual activities, you know? Maybe a virtual reality escape room set in a prison strikes your fancy, almost? Now, Lyon, it has this old prison, see, and someone thought it might be an idea, too, to make a VR escape experience right in it. I had to check it out. What followed was, well, it was an afternoon of head-scratching, a little bit of mild panic, but overall quite a fun thing.

First Impressions: Gearing Up for the Virtual Lockup

OK, first, you’re walking into what used to be a real prison. A real prison! How about that? Right away, that’s something, definitely. We put the headsets on in this area, and it’s quite well lit, anyway. Now, there are all these wires, like your typical VR setup. Soon you are no longer looking at your mates but you can now only see the inside of the prison, seemingly. Then they say you are being accused of some type of heist and that you are locked away awaiting judgement and you need to get out quick smart!

The setup is alright, and everything worked as it should. No software crashes or any type of delays that will spoil your time! The staff were lovely to us and told us not to get freaked out, which was sound advice! In the story you can meet other inmates and there is a real sense that you are not alone and the world keeps spinning even when in “prison”! Some interactions seemed to require you getting down low, almost to do something or examine an area, but then again it could just be that the people doing it with me were clumsy.

Story and Immersion: Believable Bars?

So, is the story anything decent? Well, in short yes. It sucks you in well, actually, you kind of buy into your role. Is that your success depends on tricking others? Perhaps! I do not want to give away any parts but expect there to be guard interactions and also the discovery of some kind of underground network.

OK, so the virtual bars seem real in the moment, that’s to say, when you know you’re solving something that’s really there. So, very neat when the puzzles used some stuff that was there with you. A cupboard with items might then lead to discovering something like, well a weapon!. You look and feel immersed really when doing that type of thing! Actually it also makes sure you are not able to simply blast through. So then it has this bit of reality versus VR blended. How clever is that?

You are with people when in the escape and that adds a lot to the immersion when you are communicating! Actually, that means, even when someone isn’t great at solving a puzzle, yet, they add to it being a laugh. You’ll be pointing and shouting things! A VR escape is cool because you get some physical stuff. This VR escape, more or less, is something different. That means it’s a real location. So then your brain kind of gets even more into believing it. At times! OK? Very clever use of both!

The Puzzles: Tricky or Just Tedious?

Escape rooms have to get the puzzle balance just right. As a matter of fact, there is nothing worse than too difficult. Right? Or those that expect the ridiculous or are simple enough to finish too soon. Some VR ones go all over the shop, you see, in the way of making it super complicated with random stuff.

In this prison one they seemingly have cracked it somewhat! Not too hard, or easy, I should say, just quite enjoyable! Anyway, one puzzle used a black light. It was fun to spot and quite fun pointing it everywhere to locate stuff, which really brought out my inner child! In some respects, the physical objects used with it add more to the VR puzzle vibe, maybe!

Working as a crew is helpful! When doing a VR escape, naturally you tell each other what’s up, though? That makes them more social maybe. If you want something done quickly, usually you divvy up the tasks with your mates. In this escape it’s a very good thing to do and almost needed for one puzzle!

The VR: Crisp or Cloudy?

So the graphics: alright? In short, you should know that I am sure other VR is better. Having said that, you see what you have to. No big deal really. Maybe this is just me being non-picky. The headset, while not top of the range I don’t think, fit comfortably! During the whole duration, that’s to say about 45 minutes, not once did I need to adjust it! That to me is something to sing about, like your perfect shoe.

Are the animations lifelike? Well not totally I suppose, but it is still enjoyable actually! Basically, don’t expect a Hollywood movie maybe, yet you should know what’s what. Seemingly, even someone like my mum who finds tech tricky could have some fun with this and not get frustrated. Then again, maybe I’m wrong! My mate really enjoys high resolution when he is on his PC. He still loved it all too. Very honest.

The Verdict: Time Served or a Getaway?

To escape? Or not? Well for me yes, without a doubt! This escape really does get a massive thumbs up, apparently! Anyway, it really felt very neat to do something VR in such an unusual place. Not only did you use your brain with riddles yet seemingly it had a historical site too. That’s Lyon Prison for you. Then a VR headset is placed over your eyes. Then again how amazing is that, like? So you’re escaping both digital prison AND escaping literal prison?!

Should you do it? Actually, you’ll want people in your group who are very excitable, too, or really up for the daft bits. Some people there with us actually took it rather calmly, and I had the feeling they would like your typical escape game better. If you’re game, literally, just book!