Present, in February 2023, were: The Ant, Aunty Ant

I love a good temple game. And this is a very good temple (ish) game. Our first experience at Hounds and it was a spectacular one. From the in-character greeting by Sir Reginald Xavier Spencer Spencerson IV to the frantic rush to the exit with literally 56 seconds remaining, this was an absolutely top class adventure.

The premise – an explorer has gone missing and the British Government is keen to track him down, less out of concern for his personal safety and more to do with the very valuable artefact he may have had in his possession. The only clues to follow are the contents of his expedition tent, including the eponymous diary. Set in some indiscriminate 1940s colonial-type era, this has a lovely, vintage, Indiana Jones vibe, which combines humour with slightly sinister undertones.

The set is fabulous and extensive, spinning off in unexpected directions, with several inventive secrets. All the props feel authentic and satisfyingly tactile with a terrific use of space, and the overall impact is immersive and thrilling. There is a good use of lighting effects, which does involve a degree of darkness, as warning for those who aren’t keen on that. We did struggle a little with visibility in places and it might be worth asking for an extra lantern or two if low light levels are a problem for your team.

Physically, the immersion extends to needing a fair bit of proper exploration. A bit of scrabbling, some uneven surfaces, clambering (not all the team) and some tight spaces are worth mentioning. Explorer hats are offered, if you like that kind of thing!

Puzzle-wise, this has several versions of classics, with some nice codes and logic, mixed in with good observation and practical tasks. Not too much to trip a team up, despite us taking ages on one of the more straightforward physical tasks. But, there is a lot of content here, enough to keep teams well occupied. We didn’t take anything much in the way of a hint but we were down to the wire to escape – a testament to the GM’s good judgement (our fabulous host, Art, although they must have been sweating as we dillied about with the final task).

As shown, this is doable as a two – a less experienced team might want more bodies. But, as Hounds advertise themselves as a guided experience, I think the emphasis is very much on ensuring that teams complete, so groups that are struggling would almost certainly be given far more nudges than we were.

This is a smart and stylish game for younger people – the teens would certainly have adored it. Out of the three games we played here, Explorer’s Diary is definitely the most family friendly. But generally Hounds is a venue for an adult audience and it isn’t aimed at kids (I wouldn’t be keen on sticky, careless or immature hands battering this beautiful set either). There are few perils and a little menace in the game, plus some stressy special effects (see their disclaimer) so might not be absolutely suitable for sensitive teenagers. Otherwise though, this is a really fabulous experience, probably in my top five all-time favourites, and I’d encourage all adventure fans to explore it for themselves.

• Storyline: Strong, interactive narrative with a clear mission. Maybe a little Escape Room Logic going on.
• Theming and Set: Up with the best in the country, easily.
• Searching: A little, but not a major factor.
• Puzzles: Good mix to play to all strengths.
• Physicality: The most physical of their three games, but not overly strenuous.
• Scare factor: Usual temple-type factors (bugs, bones, bangs) but definitely not a horror or actively scary game.
• Company Age Guidance: “We recommend a minimum age of 14 years old. It is at the sole discretion of parents/guardians whether under 14’s should attend. We strongly recommend 2 adults accompany groups of children. Guests under 8 years old are not permitted to participate in our experiences. No infants.”
• Age suitability: I’d say brave, sensible tweens would be fine in a mixed group.

Also at this venue: Questionable Ethics

Hounds website