spy-missionsVenues at Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Croydon

Prices between £7 – £11

Teams contain 2 – 8 players

http://www.spymissions.co.uk

The state of the art battle-cruiser, UNS Steadfast, has been seized and the terrorists are threatening to launch a nuclear missile at a major UK city. It’s up to you to stop them!

Like The Crystal Maze crossed with Die Hard, SpyMissions sees you and a group of friends infiltrate a hijacked ship and battling to solve a series of puzzles. The challenges vary between mental, physical or dexterity – one minute you might have to break a code, the next rewire a circuit, or shoot out shields with a laser gun – and all are set against the clock. Some of the puzzles are fiendishly tricky, others less so – but they’re enjoyably chaotic and, locked away inside the dark engineering decks of the Steadfast (or rather, a slightly claustrophobic basement in Croydon…) suitably tense. The atmospheric and torch-lit main rooms are linked by dark crawl-spaces and ladders, so although you’re led around by an enthusiastic guide you’ll feel like John McClane clawing his way around Nakatomi Plaza. There won’t be any wondering how the same shit can happen to the same guy twice however – with 16 different challenges available, each game sees your group tackle only 4 or 5 over the course of an hour, meaning each return you make is a different adventure.

SpyMissions is aimed at 6 years old and up (including adults). Some of the objectives might be a bit taxing for the very young and a bit simple for grown ups but stick a birthday party of hyped up 10 year olds in there and they’ll have an absolutely brilliant time – especially when they realise the future of civilisation depends on them!

Verdict: SpyMissions is a tense, well-presented group role play activity with plenty of action. For movie-addicted kids and adults alike, it’s highly recommended. 8/10.

Martin Stiff