L'Orient Express: our test of the escape game inspired by the adventures of Hercule Poirot at Enigma 78

Want to follow in the footsteps of Hercule Poirot? Head to Enigma 78 to discover the escape game "L'Orient Express" and plunge into the mysterious atmosphere of 1930s Istanbul. Ready to solve the mysteries of the Orient Express? We've tried it, we'll tell you!

Ready for a journey through time and mystery? The L'Orient Expressescape game at Enigma 78, in Maurepas (78), transports you straight back to the 1930s, to Istanbul station, for an adventure where mystery and history mingle. In this escape game, participants are invited to follow in the footsteps of the famous detective Hercule Poirot, as he travels from Istanbul to Paris. Get ready for a series of unexpected twists and turns that will test your powers of observation and deductive skills.

In this escape game, you're not just travelers, but detectives on the trail of the"Smuggler of the Orient", a mysterious figure who operates in the shadows. The historical setting and detailed puzzles are designed to immerse you fully in the period and stimulate your critical thinking. Every clue, every interaction and every discovery brings you closer to the truth, while giving you the thrill of a true crime thriller.

Synopsis of L'Orient Express at Enigma 78:

"Plunge into a bygone era and let yourself be transported back to 1930 in Istanbul's vibrant railway station. In this whirlwind of activity, a mysterious figure known as the "Smuggler of the Orient" conducts his business in the shadows. Your mission: embark on this captivating adventure to retrace the steps of the famous detective Hercule Poirot. Follow his itinerary from Istanbul to Paris by train, but be prepared to be surprised by unexpected twists and turns along the way. Are you ready to plunge into this thrilling quest where your powers of observation and deductive skills will be put to the test? The train is about to depart and your adventure to solve the riddle of the Orient Express is about to begin. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!"

Our test of the L'Orient-Express venue at Enigma 78 :

A room we were able to test, on a more or less pleasant Saturday afternoon. It's a room with a few peculiarities we'd like you to know about before you attempt the adventure: there are no clues here... well, there are, but it's up to you to ask for them by pressing a button. Those wishing to challenge themselves will choose to use the button in question as little as possible, while neophytes will be able to press it at will. Note, however, that if you get stuck, the game master will still be able to help you, even if you don't press it (but only if you're really, really stuck). It's an arduous adventure, so don't hesitate to ask for help.

Another special feature is that the mechanisms are all automated, which may come as a surprise to today's adventurers, since there's virtually no searching involved. So there's no need to turn the whole room upside down in search of a key or anything else, as everything is hidden away in various clearly visible, magnetically-locked compartments, which you'll have to open by solving riddles.

Having said that, let's move on to the room itself: the scenery, with its automated mechanisms, is fairly minimalist, but no less immersive. From the very first room, you're immersed in a train station, searching for artifacts and, above all, train tickets, which you'll need to find in order to board. The other rooms are of the same ilk, simple in their decor, but highly immersive, making the "journey" quite realistic. You'll enjoy wandering around theOrient-Express in search of the riddle you need to solve to progress in the adventure.

And while we're on the subject of puzzles, their resolution is very fluid (compared to automated mechanisms), with each one leading to another, and so on. A very good point, which means that teams don't have to waste their time on fifteen puzzles at a time. Often easy to solve when you've got a bit of gumption, sometimes a little more complex, everything is done in a very dynamic and fluid way. In short, there's never a dull moment...

What more can I say? We barely made it out of the theater, with only a few minutes left to complete this high-flying investigation. But it was well worth the effort, as L'Orient-Express is a very pretty room, and rather new in its conception and in the approach to escape games in general. A must-try, in short... All you have to do now is make up your own mind!

Please also note that the room has no padlocks, and is unfortunately not accessible to PRMs, due to the decor. As the train prepares to leave the station, your adventure begins... Are you up to the challenge and ready to unravel the secrets of theOrient Express, folks?