This experience will be different from all previous escape rooms.
We were aware of that right from the start.
We didn’t know exactly what to expect until then.
And in hindsight, that was a good thing.
Because that also contributed to the great experience we were able to have.
There are a few legends and rumors about Lethal Decision from Escape Clue Athens.
We’ve heard about bruises, torn clothes and much more.
Our tension was correspondingly high when we found ourselves in front of the entrance door.

As is almost always the case with immersive adventures in Athens, there is no lobby here either.
We were given a story-appropriate welcome and the atmosphere clearly showed us what to expect over the next two hours.
We were able to go to the toilet, even if the way was not always effortless.
All in all, the entire start fitted in very well with the later experience.
Instead of being greeted by a game master, we were greeted in character. A small note here: anyone who has problems with offensive or obscene language should consider whether the room is right for them.
Overall, the atmosphere and the welcome helped our tension to grow, if that was even possible.
What followed was the most intense 20 minutes I have ever experienced in an escape room.
Lethal Decision takes you to your own psychological limits.
A psychological masterpiece that you won’t forget in a hurry.
It’s not without reason that we were told after the experience that many players wanted to abandon it.
At this point, I would like to make a clear statement: Despite the intensity and the fear that many will feel, no one will be harmed.
No one will be physically harmed.
If anyone reports injuries, they will be due to stupid accidents.
The actors are absolute professionals and know how to “get” you.

Anyone expecting a high-quality backdrop will unfortunately be disappointed.
But you won’t be visiting Lethal Decision for that.
The whole setting is rather sparse and worn.
However, this also makes the atmosphere realistic, as you are in an old, long-abandoned house.
The setting – except for one room, which we didn’t really like – and the actors’ performance create an almost perfect immersion.
You are under so much stress that you sometimes forget that it’s just a game.

It is difficult to determine the scare factor in such an experience. If you were only to measure how scared the average player is during the game, then there is no way around the highest scare factor. As you can read here, however, I don’t define the scare factor solely by the degree of fear. For this reason, I would say that there is a high scare factor here, but Lethal Decision largely dispenses with jumpscares and doesn’t create a creepy or eerie atmosphere. For this reason, I see the pure scare factor at 80%. I have already said enough about intensity. Definitely the highest intensity I have ever experienced. I can’t imagine that much more is possible without overstepping boundaries or having enough players.

The greatest strength of Lethal Decision is clearly the use of the actors. It’s not just about an actor. I won’t reveal exactly how many and in which roles at this point. Each of them played their character perfectly and contributed to making this experience something special. There were some interactions with actors that were discussed emotionally in our group. This already shows how credible the whole setting is to play in. Overall, it was an outstanding performance from the first minute to the final.

As always with the majority of horror adventures, the puzzles are somewhat easier than in rooms that are not as intense. Nevertheless, we found the level of the puzzles in Lethal Decision to be high. I can imagine that there are foreign groups in particular who are at a loss at one point or another due to the scare factor and the intensity. We had the same problem with a sliding puzzle, but we were quickly helped. Overall, there are some creative puzzles and they all fit in with the flow of the game. In summary, the puzzles were fine for the type of room.

There is a background story that plays a bigger role in Lethal Decision 2 and is taken up. Interestingly, there are a few Easter Eggs that you won’t understand until you get to Lethal Decision 2. However, the story itself hardly plays a role in the first part. Due to the release of adrenaline and the permanent tension, it’s all about “survival”. I paid little attention to the whole story and I can imagine that almost all other players feel the same way.

After our experience, we had time to talk to the game masters and operators and discuss scenes. This once again confirmed to us how professionally and psychologically skillful the work here is. They all took a lot of time for us and also responded to the playing style and special features of our group during the game. Overall, I don’t think you can do much better.

Lethal Decision is a very physical space. I’m not so much talking about physical contact through actors, which is also present, but rather the physical effort. The experience is therefore not barrier-free and should not be played by people who can move. Because that is exactly what is always required: Movement. You don’t have to crawl or climb much, but you do have to run a lot. As I said before, the language is harsh and quite obscene, which you should be aware of. But if you enjoy it, you can let off a little steam yourself. The English translation was very good and we never had any problems understanding anything. Unfortunately, the translation was missing for one puzzle, but it didn’t detract from the flow of the game, as we were given direct help that fitted in with the story. Team play is definitely required. You are in this situation together and should try to overcome it together. I would recommend playing the room with 3 to 4 players. It is possible to play with up to 6 people, but then you might get in each other’s way more often. Be sure to plan a break after the experience, you will certainly need it.

Lethal Decision is different from other experiences. Our tension before the start was definitely justified. The intelligent play, the build-up of tension and the intensity are outstanding. Despite all the rumors, the room can not only be recommended without reservation, but for me it is one of the truly great experiences in Athens.