Join an After-Dark Mystery Hunt on Foot or by Bike in Intramuros This Month

(SPOT.ph) Halloween always brings its share of spine-chilling adventures in the Metro, and this year is no exception. Mystery Manila is bringing back its signature after-dark event, Intramuros Investigation, for its fifth year of chills and thrills. This time, the nighttime mystery hunt invites brave sleuths into the Walled City to solve two eerie cases: a possessed priest haunting Fort Santiago and a grieving widow in black wandering the streets.

If you like your horror with a side of dark mystery, here’s everything you need to know about Intramuros Investigation: An After-Dark Mystery Hunt.

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Taking place on October 24, 25, 30, and 31, and November 6, 7, and 8, this mystery hunt offers two completely different stories, routes, and sets of clues. Games run from 6 to 9 p.m., so you can wander around Intramuros after dark—and maybe think twice about bringing your friend who’s far too easily spooked.

First up is The Possessed Priest, a walking mystery rated hard. Registration is at Teatro inside Fort Santiago, so that's where your investigation begins. Set in 1939, the story sends your group on the trail of Fr. Augusto Gomez, a priest who left behind a ritual he couldn't complete. For this hunt, your mission is to retrace his steps through the stone walls and finish what he started. As the story goes, phantom footsteps and whispered prayers supposedly echo through Fort Santiago after dark.

Prefer two wheels? The Lost Lady is an easy biking mystery that starts at Bambike Ecotours in Intramuros. Set in 1945, it follows Isabel, a widow dressed in black who roamed the streets looking for a husband who never returned from the war. You'll retrace her route, piece together her story, and help her find peace. It's the less challenging option of the two, but that doesn't mean there aren't secrets to uncover along the way.

If you’re not confident about navigating on a bicycle, Bambike can arrange a special pedicab accommodating up to two passengers for an additional cost. Slots are first-come, first-served, so be sure to reserve one with Bambike ahead of time.

Each game lasts 90 minutes from your assigned start time. If you get stuck on a puzzle, don't panic: you can access up to three free hints per puzzle through the in-game dashboard. The first hint is available right away, while the next ones unlock two minutes apart. And if your group doesn't crack the case within the time limit, discounted retries may be available, depending on the remaining slots.

The Intramuros Investigation is definitely more fun with the gang, but there are a few group rules to keep in mind before booking. The game is designed for two to seven players, so if your group has more than seven people, you'll have to split up into smaller teams.

Younger sleuths are welcome, too, but players under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult. So if you're planning to make this a group adventure, make sure an adult is part of the crew.

Ready to put your detective skills to the test? Tickets are priced at P899 per person for The Possessed Priest and P999 per person for The Lost Lady. Walking mystery slots start every 30 minutes, with 20 spots available per slot, while biking mystery slots start every hour, with 40 spots available per slot.

Slots are extremely limited, and some dates and times are already sold out, so don't leave your booking until the last minute. You can reserve your preferred mystery slot online through Mystery Manila’s booking site.

For more information, visit Mystery Manila’s Facebook page.

Also read: Spend a Spook-tacular Night at Masungi Georeserve with their Halloween Tours Starting This Month