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Background
BIOHAZARD THE ESCAPE 2 is an event to be held at Universal Studios Japan between January 15 and May 29, 2016. The Escape 2 is a sequel to 2015’s The Escape, with a new stage, story and puzzles. The purpose of the attraction is to provide an escape room experience set in the Bio-verse. Once again SCRAP Inc. Collaborated with Capcom to produce the follow up after the success of the previous year. Feedback received from the previous attraction was 98% positive so the sequel had a lot to live up to. The experience is 90 minutes long with an opening and closing performance and then an hour to solve the puzzles.
Story
On September 21st 1998 in a research building belonging to Umbrella a biological outbreak occurs during a presentation. Biological weapons pour into the facility with more appearing as time progresses!
Escape from this despair by confronting fear traps, new missions, and mysteries with your friends!
Escape from this despair by confronting fear traps, new missions, and mysteries with your friends!
Map and pamphlet
Official Website
Completely new experience, new puzzles. Escape from the horrifying giant pharmaceutical lab.
The collaboration of "Biohazard" x "Real Escape Game", which recorded a satisfaction level of 98% for the previous work, has evolved into a completely new work. In the research building of a huge pharmaceutical company, you will be cornered by a large number of zombies and biological weapons that are increasing over time!
Escape from this despair by confronting fearful traps, new missions, and mysteries with your friends!
Escape from this despair by confronting fearful traps, new missions, and mysteries with your friends!
A large number of zombies and biological weapons that are released one after another over time will hunt you down!
On the verge of panic with the ever-approaching time limit and growing fear!
On the verge of panic with the ever-approaching time limit and growing fear!
Numerous missions that appear unpredictably in traps that attack one after another.
Face the more advanced mystery with your friends!
Face the more advanced mystery with your friends!
A thorough reproduction of the research building of a pharmaceutical company. You can immerse yourself in the escape game where you bet on survival! Introducing a completely new world view, a huge maze with elaborate details.
The Real Escape Game is a premium event that requires a reservation, so you need to purchase a ticket separately from the Studio Pass (admission ticket).
• Please enter at least 30-45 minutes before the show start time. If you are late, you may not be able to enter.
• Some of the attractions have steps such as stairs. Please wear comfortable shoes for your safety. Please refrain from experiencing shoes with a lot of exposed skin (sandals, mules, etc.) and shoes with high heels.
• There are some violent scenes and grotesque expressions. Please be careful.
* A separate studio pass (admission ticket such as "1 Day Studio Pass") is required to enter the park. If you have a "Universal Annual Pass" and use the Express Pass on the exclusion date, you will need a separate Studio Pass to enter the park.
What is "Real Escape Game"?
Real experience entertainment that solves the mystery within the time limit and challenges you to escape from the closed room. Invented by SCRAP Inc. in 2007, it has mobilized more than 2 million people by 2015. Engage participants of all ages, regardless of gender, in a whirlpool of enthusiasm not only in Japan but throughout the world.
Real escape game produced by SCRAP
• Please enter at least 30-45 minutes before the show start time. If you are late, you may not be able to enter.
• Some of the attractions have steps such as stairs. Please wear comfortable shoes for your safety. Please refrain from experiencing shoes with a lot of exposed skin (sandals, mules, etc.) and shoes with high heels.
• There are some violent scenes and grotesque expressions. Please be careful.
* A separate studio pass (admission ticket such as "1 Day Studio Pass") is required to enter the park. If you have a "Universal Annual Pass" and use the Express Pass on the exclusion date, you will need a separate Studio Pass to enter the park.
What is "Real Escape Game"?
Real experience entertainment that solves the mystery within the time limit and challenges you to escape from the closed room. Invented by SCRAP Inc. in 2007, it has mobilized more than 2 million people by 2015. Engage participants of all ages, regardless of gender, in a whirlpool of enthusiasm not only in Japan but throughout the world.
Real escape game produced by SCRAP
Foods and Goods
Biohazard-related foods are sold at Finnegan's Bar & Grill.
- Umbrella Corps Mission Plate
- t-Virus Lab Cocktail - a non-alcoholic beverage
- Plant 42α - an alcoholic beverage
Notebook with whiteboard
[1] A notebook with a whiteboard that is convenient for writing and erasing and solving mysteries.
Mystery-solving binder
[2] A pre-mystery solving problem is included in the binder with the umbrella core logo. Get ready for the show before you join the attraction!
Ballpoint pen with light
[3] A ballpoint pen with a light that allows you to enjoy the real escape game even more is also useful for solving mysteries in the dark.
[1] A notebook with a whiteboard that is convenient for writing and erasing and solving mysteries.
Mystery-solving binder
[2] A pre-mystery solving problem is included in the binder with the umbrella core logo. Get ready for the show before you join the attraction!
Ballpoint pen with light
[3] A ballpoint pen with a light that allows you to enjoy the real escape game even more is also useful for solving mysteries in the dark.
Walkthrough
For the previous Escape you would enter the building down a dark alley giving of a Bio-esque experience however for Escape 2 you enter through the front of the building. When the attraction begins you make your way inside a four story office building. The rooms have been redesigned to match the style of a laboratory blood stains research labs, medical rooms are all part of SCRAP’s extremely well detailed recreation to match the world of Biohazard.
The idea of The Escape 2 is that you are invited on a tour of the Umbrella Research Laboratory. When entering inside you are separated into small groups and for the next two hours you must stay and work together to escape. Afterwards you receive a tablet with a variety of languages accessible such as English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other languages. First you must register the fingerprints of the team members on the tablet terminal.
The idea of The Escape 2 is that you are invited on a tour of the Umbrella Research Laboratory. When entering inside you are separated into small groups and for the next two hours you must stay and work together to escape. Afterwards you receive a tablet with a variety of languages accessible such as English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other languages. First you must register the fingerprints of the team members on the tablet terminal.
Then you receive a map that you must use to navigate the attraction.
After receiving your equipment you are ushered into a large room with a stage and monitor behind it.
After receiving your equipment you are ushered into a large room with a stage and monitor behind it.
Here like the previous Escape begins a staged performance by actors playing the role of researchers and Umbrella Special Forces members. First an Umbrella researcher enters and begins explaining the facilities purpose to you, it is at this point if you want the best chance of completing the experience you should be taking notes as clues are involved in the presentation. During the presentation something goes horribly wrong when shockingly one of the researchers is shot with a viral agent in the midst of speaking.
Suddenly a unit of Anti-Umbrella Special Forces breach into the room and take control of the situation. They inform the players that the T- Virus has leaked and they are there to help.
Suddenly a unit of Anti-Umbrella Special Forces breach into the room and take control of the situation. They inform the players that the T- Virus has leaked and they are there to help.
Once the infected researcher dies the virus begins to spread. The U.B.C.S. enter the room and begin pointing their guns around the room toward the Anti-Umbrella unit, researchers and players.
The man on the right is the squad leader.
Zombies begin to filter into the large room and the U.B.C.S. engage in combat with them pushing them back through a set of doors and locking them inside.
Zombies begin to filter into the large room and the U.B.C.S. engage in combat with them pushing them back through a set of doors and locking them inside.
Suddenly a Tyrant enters through the door and engages in combat with the U.B.C.S. unit, the U.B.C.S. members struggle to push back the Tyrant but eventually by shooting an electrical box it stands near the unit is able to force the Tyrant out of the room with shotgun blasts.
However now that an outbreak has occurred the automatic security system informs the room that in one hour the building will be destroyed and they should evacuate immediately.
However now that an outbreak has occurred the automatic security system informs the room that in one hour the building will be destroyed and they should evacuate immediately.
This part is the same as The Escape (2015) in that you now have one hour to find an anti-virus and escape the building by solving puzzles.
After receiving this information you are forced to enter the rest of the building and begin exploring. Much like the previous The Escape in 2015 this sequel also is set in a large building allowing you to traverse 4 stories with props and corridors blocked. Once again players found themselves in a maze like experience so the map given in the introduction was a vital necessity.
Between the four floors you can eventually visit the second and fourth floor have to be unlocked but you are free to choose between the first and third floor as to where you begin. While traversing the rooms you must be aware of your surroundings as attention to detail will help solve many puzzles. The puzzles are similar to the previous year in that you have the tablet to help solve some, others it is necessary to use and there is also ones that must be solved by hand. The puzzles begin somewhat easy however once you make it to around the fifth puzzle the difficulty curve vastly increases.
Of course it would not be Biohazard just solving puzzles so whilst doing so you will interact with zombies trying to scare you, to put you off and slow down your progress. The amount of zombies in the areas also increases over time.
One experience given by a player who left a review sums up this whole experience.
“The theme of the experience is “teamwork” so even when working with two strangers we still made sure to work together, however when we were running up the stairs one of the strangers was a man out of breath. I looked back to him and said “Please, go first!”, suddenly we heard screaming below us. The man replied “Go ahead! Good Luck!”. I turned around and left (laughs).”
One experience given by a player who left a review sums up this whole experience.
“The theme of the experience is “teamwork” so even when working with two strangers we still made sure to work together, however when we were running up the stairs one of the strangers was a man out of breath. I looked back to him and said “Please, go first!”, suddenly we heard screaming below us. The man replied “Go ahead! Good Luck!”. I turned around and left (laughs).”
Due to the extreme difficulty in the latter stages as per usual most players did not make it all the way through the attraction. At the end if you fail you are shown all of the correct solutions which were “ridiculously complex”. The puzzle explanations alone is said to take 20 minutes. Usually one out of 25 teams made it through at which point they were allowed to escape through the exit. It remains unknown what the winners receive because they leave before those who failed get an ending performance with the Nemesis, Tyrant T-002 and Tyrant T-103 battling the U.B.C.S. and counter Umbrella unit and dispatching of them the attraction ends with “You are dead” appearing on the screen.
In the space after the attraction, there were introduction corners such as "Biohazard 0 HD Remaster" and "Biohazard Umbrella Corps".
Food and Drinks
Finnegan’s Bar & Grill was the restaurant that served Biohazard themed food and drinks. This is the same bar used for Biohazard The Real. The food and drinks seems to have not been updated since the previous year, t- virus cocktail, Umbrella Platte, and Plant 42a cocktail all featured for The Escape.
Masachika Kawata Interview
This time, the point is "bonds" with the squad leader! Mini interview with Mr. Kawata
"Biohazard" series producer Masachika Kawata
――Please give us your thoughts and expectations for the second year.
Kawata: While making various gimmicks, I was able to put in something that makes us rely on "bonds". Besides being scared of zombies, new experiences with friends are waiting for you.
――What are your impressions of the attraction and what do you like?
Kawata: The squad leader. In this "Escape", there's a performance at the opening and ending, but in the production, masculinity and feelings of compassion are generously put in, and I think that's the most exciting point.
--What is the outlook for "Biohazard" in the future?
Kawata: Since the "Biohazard" series is in its 20th anniversary, I'd like to deliver something fans will be surprised by.
――Are there any attractions that'll make your fans grin again?
Kawata: The BGM has a feeling like "I remember this...", and creates a "BIO"-like excitement that makes you hear the moans of a zombie from a distance.
――This time, you emphasized on the “bond”. Can you tell us a little more?
Kawata: The attraction's a group experience, but in order to clear certain puzzles, the point's "how can we respond as a companion". As you can see when you actually experience it, I hope you enjoy the ending.
――Can you enjoy it without knowing "Biohazard"?
Kawata: There are zombies around us, and battles take place there, making it an interesting attraction. The puzzles seem to have been adjusted for the difficulty level considerably this time, because players was able to proceed quickly. I hope people who have never experienced "Biohazard" will enjoy it.
--Thank you very much.
"Biohazard" series producer Masachika Kawata
――Please give us your thoughts and expectations for the second year.
Kawata: While making various gimmicks, I was able to put in something that makes us rely on "bonds". Besides being scared of zombies, new experiences with friends are waiting for you.
――What are your impressions of the attraction and what do you like?
Kawata: The squad leader. In this "Escape", there's a performance at the opening and ending, but in the production, masculinity and feelings of compassion are generously put in, and I think that's the most exciting point.
--What is the outlook for "Biohazard" in the future?
Kawata: Since the "Biohazard" series is in its 20th anniversary, I'd like to deliver something fans will be surprised by.
――Are there any attractions that'll make your fans grin again?
Kawata: The BGM has a feeling like "I remember this...", and creates a "BIO"-like excitement that makes you hear the moans of a zombie from a distance.
――This time, you emphasized on the “bond”. Can you tell us a little more?
Kawata: The attraction's a group experience, but in order to clear certain puzzles, the point's "how can we respond as a companion". As you can see when you actually experience it, I hope you enjoy the ending.
――Can you enjoy it without knowing "Biohazard"?
Kawata: There are zombies around us, and battles take place there, making it an interesting attraction. The puzzles seem to have been adjusted for the difficulty level considerably this time, because players was able to proceed quickly. I hope people who have never experienced "Biohazard" will enjoy it.
--Thank you very much.
Videos
Promo Trailer
Opening Performance
Translated into a summary by ReenHearst.
The woman begins her presentation with the date 21st September, 1998 (Date translated by Nora). Afterwards she begins discussing the tablet given to the players that have been updated with a new “security system” that requires a fingerprint to access the tablet. The woman leaves the stage as a male researcher enters and states “Welcome to Umbrella”.
Review of Escape 2 starts at 9.49
Video of the Exit area