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(F)requently (A)sked (Q)uestions

for The Man From Beyond

The Basics | Booking | The Experience | Pricing

The Basics

How long is the performance?

Plan on staying with us for up to 120 minutes from the start of your showtime, inclusive of all phases of the experience. The game clock is 60 minutes, but there's much more than that in store for you.

When should I arrive?

Madame Daphne's door opens precisely at your scheduled time. Guests who arrive at that time will participate in the full experience. Consider arriving a little early, as you may need extra time to find our location, to use the restroom, or to explore our lobby.

I'm early and the door is locked. What should I do?

Wait. Our front door will open at least 20 minutes before your appointment, and Madame Daphne's door will open precisely on time. While you wait, you may perhaps find the Strange Bird lobby interesting.

I'm late for my time. What should I do?

We can wait for late arrivals up to 15 minutes. Call us at 832-413-2853 if you anticipate being late. Late arrivals may have time deducted from their game clock. The Man From Beyond is a ticketed, live event. Please plan your visit with sufficient leeway for contingencies. No refunds will be given for late arrival or no-shows.

Do you have an age limit?

We recommend The Man From Beyond for ages 16 and up. We require one adult per guest under 16.
Due to the intense nature of the experience, it may be inappropriate for guests younger than 13. Please contact us to consult.

Is your game wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the experience is fully accessible. Though not all puzzles in the game are accessible by wheelchair, many of them are.

Where are you?

In the Houston Design Center on Old Katy Rd near the intersection of I-10/Katy Fwy and 610/West Loop. See Location for more.

Booking

How do I book?

All bookings must be reserved in advance through our website. All in-person games are private: you will not play with any other group. A party of 6-8 is recommended. Contact us if you wish to add aditional participants or make separate bookings.

I don't want to play with strangers. Can I book a private performance?

All times are offered to one group only. You will only play with your group.

Can I add to our group once booked?

We can easily add to your reservation. Simply call us or email us the names of the additional guests. If you don't know your full guest list, feel free to book for the minimum to reserve your time; you can add people later. We can add guests up to an hour before your start time.

Our team is small. Can you open to other members of the public?

We are considering ways to do this, but cannot yet. We recommend you ask around on Houston- and/or escape room-focused social media channels (Facebook groups, Reddit, Discord) to find additional players. Feel free to contact us for suggestions.

I'd like to book a performance at a time that's not listed.

We can often accommodate custom times, daytime and evening. Contact Adrian Rook at [email protected].

I can't make my showtime. Can I cancel and get a refund?

All sales are final, we can offer no refunds for cancellations. You may reschedule your game time if you contact us at least a week in advance. Individual participants may be swapped or added at any time. Contact Adrian Rook at [email protected] to do so.
Any persons feeling or appearing ill are asked to stay home; we will provide no-change-fee rain checks.

Can I book for 9 or 10 people?

We recommend no more than 8 players, but we can accommodate 9 to 10 people by request—you'll need to purchase the additional tickets. Contact Adrian Rook at [email protected] for reservations over our maximum of 8.

Can I book for 11 or more people?

Unfortunately our séance table is limited in circumference and cannot fit 11 players.

Can I play with only 2 or 3 players?

You may buy empty seats to meet the minimum of 4, but we recommend only experienced escape room players opt to play in small teams. Please contact us if you wish to do so. We regret the inconvenience this may cause for small groups.

I'm visiting Houston from out-of-town on on a Monday afternoon. Can you guarantee that I'll get to play?

Strange Bird loves travelers. Contact us for custom showtimes; only the usual minimum booking is required for a custom time. We do not regularly schedule low-volume times, but can usually host you on a Monday afternoon or any other random hour you're in town, provided our personnel are available.

Can I play again?

Yes; you undoubtedly did not participate in everything and want to see more. Bring a new group of friends and notice details you didn't see the first time around. But be sure to avoid spoiling the solutions you do remember for new players.

I don't have the names of everyone in my party just yet. Can I go ahead and book?

Please book with haste. Enter what information you do know, with "TBD" for unknown guests. When you confirm your guest list, send an update to Adrian Rook at [email protected]. We request guest names as part of our special greeting upon your arrival. We can add guests up to an hour before your start time.

The Experience

Is it scary?

The Man from Beyond is atmospheric and offers surprises and suspense, but no horror or gore.

Is the room really locked?

No. We never lock our doors. If you experience an emergency, you will be able to exit easily.

Is it claustrophobic?

Our parlor is several hundred square feet and quite comfortable.

Is there math?

You will search and discover and interpret and investigate and connect. You will not do math.

I've never played an escape room before. Should I start with yours?

Please do. You'll be ready for anything, and that's what you'll need.

What are your puzzles like?

Our puzzle approach takes inspiration from video games like Myst and The Room. We give you objects to explore and secrets to discover in our immersive storyline. There are no dubious ciphers and no random homework puzzles.

I'm just not that into puzzles. Should I attend?

Absolutely. The Man From Beyond delivers an entertainment experience that is much more than a series of puzzles. Your team will need to make discoveries, and find your way forward, but I assume you're not opposed to adventure, are you?

What's your escape rate, and where's your leaderboard?

That's not what we're about.

How long do we have to escape?

The game portion of the experience will last up to 60 minutes, like most escape games.

I've never done immersive theatre before. What's it like?

Don't worry—there's no embarassing role-play. You get to be yourself but inside a realistic imaginary world. Prepare to do amazing things you wouldn't normally do.

I have a personal religious objection to séances. Should I attend?

Our Houdini Séance, while fictional, looks and feels like the real deal, and we ask for your participation. If you find that problematic The Man From Beyond may not be for you.

Do I need to speak English to participate?

Our puzzles are in English, as are our actor interactions. Fluency in English is important for success and to get the most out of the experience.

Can I lose?

Yes. But we believe in you.

Is there a chair in the room in case I need to sit down?

Madame Daphne performs a seated séance. There are chairs for all.

Should I wear my stilettos?

We recommend comfortable footwear. You will not be in a seat for long.

Should I bring my reading glasses?

Yes. There may be some light but important reading to do.

What else should I wear?

Madame Daphne may show preference to those in snazzy attire, but she won't refuse you as long as you're sporting a shirt and shoes. As it is the 2020s and not the 1920s, men are not required to wear hats.

Pricing

All in-person games are currently private.
Prices scale based on the number of guests to allow us to cover the high costs of running The Man From Beyond.

Guests Each Ticket Total
4* $58 $232
5 $55 $275
6 $50 $300
7 $47 $329
8 $47 $376

+ applicable sales tax

*teams under 4 may book empty seats, but this is recommended for experienced players only