Building a Spy-Themed Electronic Escape Case — Looking for Feedback on Gameplay, Storyline & 60-Minute Playtime
Hey everyone,
I’m currently building a fully physical/electronic spy-themed escape case for 2–3 players and I’d love some feedback from people who enjoy escape rooms, puzzle design, Arduino projects, or immersive game experiences.
The idea is that players discover a hostile spy briefcase containing unstable material. They have 60 minutes to activate, stabilize, and eventually deactivate the case before it “explodes.”
What I’d love feedback on:
Gameplay / Puzzle design
- Does the puzzle progression make sense?
- Are there puzzles that feel too disconnected from the theme?
- Are there puzzles that sound frustrating or unclear?
- Is there enough variety between logic, observation, audio, and physical interaction?
Difficulty / Timing
- Does this sound like enough content for 60 minutes for 2–3 players?
- Does anything sound too easy or too difficult?
- Are there sections where players could bottleneck badly?
Story / Immersion
- Does the spy/bomb-defusal theme come across well?
- Any ideas for making the story feel more cinematic or emotionally engaging?
- Any opportunities for stronger tension or pacing?
Tech / Interaction
- Which puzzle sounds the coolest?
- Which one sounds weakest?
- Any ideas for more satisfying physical interactions or “wow moments”?
Would love any honest feedback or suggestions before I start final assembly and programming 🙂
My script:
Spy Escape Case
3 levels: activation – stabilization – deactivation
Games are played and activated one by one; previous or later games are not active during a specific part of the storyline.
Text that appears on the OLED display is always accompanied by a typewriter sound, and for a voice memo the text only appears on the screen afterward.
Hints are always shown on the display with a short “pling-pling” sound.
After completing a level, a “ka-chung” sound always plays, possibly accompanied by a compartment opening.
Storyline – Technology / Hints
Activation chapter
Level A-1
Voicememo
“You are spies on an important mission. You have found an enemy spy case containing unstable material. You must gain access to the case of spy A6074 and neutralize it within 60 minutes before it explodes.”
OLED Display
“Press the button to replay the message.”
Explanation
After powering on, an MP3 voice memo plays. Once finished, text appears on the display with a typewriter sound and a countdown (60 min) starts on the seven-segment display. The countdown has a ticking bomb sound. Multiple badges of the same person with alter egos are hidden. The badges work via NFC and must be held near a reader. Only the badge of A6074 works.
Hint +2 min
“Is there a badge somewhere?”
Hint +4 min
“An ID belongs with a reader.”
Reaction
Flashing red LED changes to flashing orange. Compartment A opens with a “ka-chung” sound containing a UV lamp + Operator Log A (showing numbers 1–8 with corresponding Morse code and written in UV pen: ▲ = 2×●, ■ = ▲ + 10g), 4 patch cables, and a metal cooling plate.
Level A-2
OLED Display
“Warning: access circuit not synchronized. Position indexes deviate from protocol. Manual reconfiguration required.”
Explanation
5 rotary switches (7-segment) must be set to the correct combination based on the hint on the outside of the case (2-3-6-3-4).
Hint +2 min
“Check the outside of the case.”
Hint +4 min
“Use the rotary knobs.”
Stabilization level
Level B-3
Voicememo
“The case is activated, but the contents are unstable. Proceed carefully to stabilize the contents.”
OLED Display
“Temperature offset detected. Stabilize the core.”
Explanation
The thermistor sensor must be within the safe zone for 10 seconds. A neopixel ring shows: green = good, blue = too cold, red = too hot.
Hint +2 min
“Stabilize: within the green range for 10s.”
Hint +4 min
“Heat and cooling affect drift. Use hands/breath or the metal plate.”
Reaction
Compartment B opens with 9 (3×3) tokens with three symbols (▲ ● ■), each with different weights (20g, 40g, 50g), a keycard (with a # and diagonal X, I), and letter tiles (K L R N S F U I A E).
Level B-4
OLED Display
“Static balance not achieved. Select the correct elements until proper pressure is applied.”
Explanation
Operator Log A states: ▲ = 2×●, ■ = ▲ + 10g. Above the load cell, “150g” is written in UV ink. Players must place 1 triangle, 2 circles, and 1 square on the sensor. The LED bar gives feedback.
Hint +2 min
“Ratios are in Operator Log A.”
Hint +4 min
“Use UV light.”
Level B-5
Voicememo
Morse code beeps (1 sec between digits, 3 sec after every 2nd digit):
“…--” “-….” “.----” “....-” “..---” “…..” “--…” “---..”
OLED Display
“Warning! Power routes are broken, ensure no energy leakage.”
Explanation
There are 8 banana jacks numbered 1–8. Operator Log A shows numbers with Morse code. Players must decode the sequence and connect the jacks chronologically: 3-6, 1-4, 2-5, 7-8.
Hint +2 min
“Use the cables to connect the correct numbers.”
Hint +4 min
“Decode the Morse code and connect in the order you hear.”
Level B-6
Voicememo
“Set the correct frequency to reroute communication.”
OLED Display
Example sine wave on a grid.
Explanation
On a second OLED screen, players must recreate the sine wave using 3 potentiometers (frequency, amplitude, offset).
Hint +2 min
“Use the knobs and observe what happens.”
Hint +4 min
“Match frequency, amplitude, and offset to the example.”
Deactivation level
Level C-7
Voicememo
“The case is stabilized and connected. Act quickly to decode it before time runs out!”
OLED Display
BDQ*RIOTQOM%]NJXE%CR%Y@CO
Explanation
The keycard shows Roman numerals X, I, V (10, 1, 5) in a # format. On the keypad, players must enter: 10 # 1 # 5 # (XOR key) to decode the message. The text changes to: “The keyword is safe.”
Hint +2 min
“Check the keycard.”
Hint +4 min
“Enter the Roman numerals separated by #.”
Level C-8
Voicememo
“Failsafe active. Authorize with the decrypted word. Incorrect order triggers delay.”
OLED Display
“Place 5 letters in order. Incorrect = -30s.”
Explanation
Letter tiles K L U I S each contain a magnet with unique position/strength:
K = magnet bottom left
L = magnet top right
U = stronger magnet top right
I = stronger magnet bottom left
S = magnet top left
Other letters have no magnet. Using analog hall sensors, the system checks if the correct letters are placed correctly.
Hint +2 min
“What is a SAFE?”
Hint +4 min
“Translate it to Dutch.”
When correct the clock stops and victory sound will be played and players will be thanked for their help. When time runs out, the bomb will go off.