We recently took part in the Bunker 13 escape room by Atomiq Games in Brno, and I have to say it was a very interesting experience. I hadn’t been to an escape room for a long time, but as soon as I returned to them a while ago, I started enjoying them immensely, and we’ve been going fairly regularly ever since.
This time, the occasion was simple – my friend Dušan had a birthday, received a voucher, and invited a group of friends to play together. I enjoy things like this, so I didn’t hesitate and went with them.
What exactly is an escape room (and why are there suddenly so many of them everywhere)?
For those visiting an escape room for the first time or who have never heard of them – it’s a game in which you and your team are locked in a themed room and usually have 60 to 75 minutes to solve a series of puzzles, ciphers, codes, and mechanical challenges to get out. It’s not about strength or speed, but about teamwork, logic, and observation.
Few people know that the escape room in its current form first appeared in Japan in 2007, where Takao Kato and his SCRAP team created it under the name Real Escape Game. It was inspired by point-and-click “escape the room” computer games from around the turn of the millennium. Within a few years, the format began spreading from Asia to Europe, and around 2013, the first escape rooms also appeared in the Czech Republic – mainly in Prague at the time. Today, there are more than a hundred across the country, and Brno is among the cities with the widest selection.
I really enjoy seeing projects that take the format further – and Bunker 13 is exactly that kind of place.
Where to find Bunker 13 and what it looks like
The entire game takes place in a fairly inconspicuous apartment block on a housing estate. From the outside, you would never guess that a post-apocalyptic bunker awaits you inside. It almost feels as though you’re going into someone’s basement – but once you get inside, you’ll be surprised by how perfectly crafted the entire setting is. Every detail fits, with no amateurish scenery or makeshift solutions. It’s clear that the creators put a great deal of care into it.
When the staff member welcomed us, she calmly explained all the rules – what to do, what not to do, and that we must not move anything, shift tables, or force things apart. Everything in the game should work easily, and if something “won’t work,” it’s a sign that you’re heading in the wrong direction. Incidentally, this is a good rule for any escape room – if you have to use force, you’re probably solving it incorrectly.
The story: radiation is leaking and time is running out
The plot is brilliantly constructed and immediately draws you into the action. The world as you know it no longer exists. A network of bunkers has become the survivors’ new home – and Bunker 13 recently went silent. You and your team are sent to find out what happened. But as soon as you enter, the outer door slams shut, the control system reports a malfunction, the dosimeter begins ticking alarmingly fast, and you discover that radiation is pouring out from somewhere inside.
Your task is to make your way through the entire bunker, collect the scattered panels (printed circuit boards), and connect them to the main switchboard so that you can unlock the door, stop the radiation leak, and get out. It sounds simple, but reaching those panels and figuring out where to find each one will seriously put you to the test.
The first room and how we found our bearings
After the introductory briefing, the staff member closed the door behind us – and suddenly we were standing in a fairly spacious room full of various devices, gauges, and details. At first, I thought: “How many tasks could there possibly be here – four, five?” A naive assumption.
As soon as we began deciphering the first clues, it became clear that there was much more to it than initially met the eye. Most importantly, solving the puzzles gradually opened up additional rooms that we had no idea even existed at the start. And that’s all I’ll reveal about the story, because any further information would only spoil the surprise.
Puzzles that will put you through your paces (and that’s a good thing)
The challenges are truly ingenious. Don’t expect anything as trivial as “find the key under the vase.” There is a combination of logic puzzles, physical principles, and tasks involving sound, light, numbers, and the environment itself. Some of them will really make you sweat – and at times, you’ll feel as though your brain has simply frozen. But when you finally figure them out, it’s a fantastic feeling.
The game is officially rated as hard difficulty, and the operators state that only 15% of teams complete the game without hints. Which makes sense – it’s a little more advanced than ordinary family escape rooms.
The hint system is pleasantly designed, however. At each task, you’ll find a hanging plaque with a small question mark that you can turn over, with a short hint on the other side. If even that doesn’t help, you can call the staff member via radio at any time; she monitors you through the cameras and can give you more specific advice. We managed it using only those small hints; we didn’t really need to call for assistance, even though it was challenging at times, which made me happy.
A dramatic finish with three seconds left on the clock
And now for the best part – we solved the final task and connected the last printed circuit board approximately three seconds before the time limit expired. Seriously, without exaggeration. When the final “board” clicked into place and the system beeped to indicate that the radiation had been stopped, we only had time to look at each other with that typical “did we really just do it?” expression – and the final seconds were already ticking away on the timer.
This is exactly the kind of ending that makes people visit escape rooms. Your heart keeps pounding long after you leave the room, and in the car on the way home, you repeatedly go over what happened in each part of the game and who figured out what and where. An hour and a half, but enough adrenaline for half a day.
Who Bunker 13 is suitable for (and who it isn’t)
Honestly – this is not an escape room for young children. For one thing, the recommended minimum age is 14; there is also low lighting, some areas may feel cramped, and the game includes stairs and a ladder (so it is not wheelchair accessible). Most importantly, the tasks require a lot of thought and would probably be more frustrating than fun for younger children.
On the other hand, it’s perfect for a group of friends, a corporate team-building event, a (belated) birthday celebration (as in our case), or a couple who enjoy puzzles. The capacity is 3 to 8 players, which is a pleasantly broad range. There were four of us, and in my opinion, that was the ideal number.
Basic details and price
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Difficulty: hard (only about 15% of teams complete the game without hints)
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Number of players: 3–8
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Game length: 75 minutes
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Recommended minimum age: 14
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Price (may vary): CZK 1,690 for a team of 3–5 players, CZK 1,990 for a team of 6–8 players
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Payment: cash or card on site
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Note: the game is not wheelchair accessible and includes stairs and a ladder
Conclusion – is Bunker 13 worth it?
Definitely. If you’re in Brno and want to experience a high-quality, thrilling, and truly elaborate escape room, I highly recommend Bunker 13 by Atomiq Games. In my opinion, it’s one of the best escape rooms I’ve visited in Brno.
I particularly appreciate the excellent approach of the operators – everything went smoothly, everything was clearly arranged, and everything worked exactly as it should. The game is technically flawless, the story holds together, and the challenges are creative. You’ll work up a sweat, and at times it will really put you through your paces – which is exactly what you want from a good escape room.
If you’re an escape room fan like me, don’t miss Bunker 13. And if you’re a complete newcomer to escape rooms – well, it will set the bar pretty high, but it’s still perfectly manageable. 😄
