Breakout Manila: Press Play Review

I have always been a fan of detective novels. The typical whodunit kind of tale where you solve logic puzzle and searched for clues at a given scene to solve. It challenges ones logic, analogy and keen sense of observation. I cant say Im good at it but much like playing video games its a nice mind tickler on a lazy weekend. Solving puzzles to get that oh so precious gem or key to unlock a hidden door to the next area. I have always wanted to try one but most of them involve some sort of fear or horror theme and sadly as much as I hate to admit it I scare rather easily. That was until I found out about Breakouts new theme room is titled Press Play which judging by the poster is an 8 bit video game inspired Escape Room. Being a big fan of the 8 bit nostalgic games like Mario and Pacman I knew Ive found the Escape Room for me.

But what is an Escape Room?

Escape Room games is a concept that originated in the 90’s from Japan called “Takagism” and has challenged gamers from all over the world. Just recently, this experience has been taken to the next level by being brought to real life! With your team, you need to observe and use your environment to find hidden objects, decipher clues and solve puzzles to unlock different stages until you finally Breakout from the room.

Breakout Manila is the first Real Escape Room in the Philippines brought to you by the folks behind Outbreak Philippines. has now gained fans from countries such as China, Singapore, US, and even Canada, before finally reaching Philippine shores. Breakout Room was created sometime back May 2014. Some of their themes are based from a movie or TV show (The Walking Dead, Hush or Saw)

I booked a two person game that one fateful night roughly two hours after the work shift ended. We had a quick dinner and got to Serendra BGC about 5 minutes before our scheduled booking. It was really cutting it close and rebooking the schedule for another time is something Id rather not do, but that was clearly the least of our worries. I got butterflies in my stomach and feels like I'm about to see the dentist for the first time. I was feeling nervous that's for sure.

We paid up front for our reservations at the counter and they were nice enough to let me have a photo with them before they oriented us on the task at hand. Thankfully they got baggage are for your stuff since your going into them armed only with your mind and wits. Only tip I can give is try not to drink to much and take a bathroom break before you start since you will be in there for quite a while.

The task is simple enough and that is to ESCAPE THE ROOM IN 45 MINUTES. Participants are encouraged to PLAN as a team, SOLVE puzzles together in order to ESCAPE before time expires. 

Since we decided to play the Press Play Breakout Room our scenario is that we are trapped in a Retro video and have 45 minutes to get out or else be trapped in the virtual world forever. The scenario feels like something out of an episode in the 80's cartoon Captain N. If you ever watched and loved Captain N it will definitely bring out the fangirl/fanboy in you.

Im not going to spoil the fun for those who want to try this but I will say that each of the puzzles fit the theme of the room and is ingeniously placed that it will challenge your logic and comprehension skill. If you played those escape room games on the internet, your phone or tablets, or a big fan Sherlock and CSI solving cases then your in for a lot of fun. Breakout has that similar concept of the survival horror wherein you have to accomplish tasks and solve some riddles to escape.

Sadly we didn't escape the Room and was trapped inside the virtual world forever. But according to them we did managed to solve half of the task that we encountered in the Breakout Room and we did managed to go home with some consolation prices in tow.

Overall Breakout Press Play is an awesome breakout game and is the best out there since this is more puzzle solving oriented and is less scary so kids can easily join in the fun of searching for clues and enjoying the puzzle solving elements within. Its a great way to spend some quality time bonding with friends or families. Something I'd easily recommend everyone to experience at least once.