Tired of singing in KTV chambers with friends on the weekend? Try something exciting that requires wisdom, patience and team spirit.

Recently in Shanghai, especially among white-collar workers, Mr X has become a well-known name. It is a giant real scene "room escape game" played in rooms in Huangpu district.

The main design team of Mr X moved scenes of novels, movies and comics into the mystery rooms to allow players to experience a sense of the surreal.

All the props on site are exquisitely replicated antiques aimed to create a European nostalgia old house with tactile sensation. The size of each room ranges from 150 to 200 square meters.

The goal of the game is to get out of the chamber with your group of eight people within 60 minutes.

Unlike many escape games, Mr X creates a perfect story scene for the players.

The different themes of the five chambers include the Final Judgment, Mr X's Treasury, Prison Camp, Pupil of the Eye and Mysterious Night. They are designed in a variety of solid geometric shapes - each assembled to form a huge magic cube castle.

Mr X exploits up-to-date electronic technology, mechanical movement, installation art, architecture, astronomy and chemistry in the chambers, which confound players with a series of hidden barriers and new branch quests.

Players who succeed in escaping any of those five rooms can participate in a special event every three months, with a chance of winning attractive prizes.

lixinzhu@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/16/2012 page15)