Discover Dinant while playing! Escape game – The alchemist

Dinant turns sightseeing into a mystery in this smartphone-led urban escape game. You play an alchemist investigating why a villager named Josyne has been accused of witchcraft, solving clues from witnesses as you move through the city. I like the story-driven format and the chance to see Dinant without joining a fixed group.

I also like the flexible timing: you can start any time between midnight and 11:30 p.m., then work at your own pace. The main drawback is simple: you must bring your own charged smartphone, and the game may offer less historical detail at some stops than a traditional guided tour.

Key points to know before you play

• More than 30 missions: Puzzles lead you from one Dinant sight to the next.
• A witchcraft mystery: You decide whether to defend Josyne or support the accusation.
• Private and self-paced: Only your group plays, with no guide or rival team pushing you along.
• City tour with a game layer: You receive information about important buildings and places while solving clues.
• Help at any hour: Online support is available 24 hours a day if a puzzle stops you.
• Flexible validity: The game remains valid for up to three years after purchase.

Starting at Place Albert Ier in Dinant

The game begins at Place Albert Ier, in the center of Dinant. The activity description gives Liège as the general location, but the actual starting point is in Dinant at Pl. Albert Ier, 5500 Dinant, Belgium. Check that distinction carefully when planning your day, since Dinant is the town where the game takes place.

From the meeting point, your smartphone becomes the guide. There is no need to wait for a guide, gather with other groups, or arrive at one fixed departure time. You access the game during the stated operating window, from midnight to 11:30 p.m., and the two-hour clock begins when you start playing.

That flexibility is useful if you are fitting Dinant into a larger day in Belgium. You can play before dinner, after other sightseeing, or at a time that works around transport. The very late hours are unusually broad, though most people will probably prefer daylight for seeing the town properly and finding the start point with ease.

Bring a phone with enough battery for two hours of outdoor use. The smartphone and battery are not supplied, and no food or drink is included. A portable charger is a sensible extra, especially if your phone also contains train tickets, maps, or other travel information.

The alchemist’s investigation and Josyne’s accusation

The plot gives the walk a clear purpose. You are cast as an alchemist investigating a strange accusation of witchcraft against Josyne, a villager. Witnesses hold pieces of the story, and each encounter presents puzzles that move the investigation forward.

The central choice is part of the appeal. You can choose to defend Josyne or support the accusation of witchcraft. That gives your group something to discuss as you go, rather than turning the game into a simple list of right answers.

The story also draws on historical elements. That does not mean you should expect a full lesson in medieval law, religion, or local politics. Instead, the game uses the accusation as a way to connect the streets and buildings of Dinant with a mystery. The historical flavor adds purpose to the route without asking you to sit through a formal lecture.

I find this format works best when everyone in the group takes part. One person may read the instructions, another may search for clues, and someone else may keep track of the story. With a maximum of six people, the group is small enough for everyone to contribute, though a larger group may need to split into smaller teams if people struggle to hear or see the same phone.

More than 30 missions through the city

The game includes over 30 missions. You should expect a sequence of tasks rather than one long puzzle at a single location. The missions are tied to the sights you encounter, so the walking and the puzzle solving are meant to happen together.

The exact names and order of every stop are not provided, so I would not book this expecting a published stop-by-stop route. What you can count on is a city walk that points you toward important buildings and places in Dinant, with information about those sights worked into the game.

That combination is one of the experience’s strongest features. A standard sightseeing walk can leave younger players or puzzle fans drifting behind. Here, each location has a job in the investigation. You are not simply told to look at a building. You are given a reason to pay attention to it.

The tradeoff is depth. The game provides clear information about major places, but it may not explain every location in great detail. One useful improvement would be more information at additional stops. If your main goal is a detailed history of Dinant, pair the game with a conventional guidebook, museum visit, or separate guided tour.

For a first look at the town, though, the balance makes sense. You receive enough context to understand why the sights matter, while the puzzles keep the walk active. The game’s historical details are based on real elements, but the alchemist story itself is presented as a playful investigation.

Sightseeing without a fixed guide

This is not a guided tour in the usual sense. Coddy provides the game through a smartphone guide, and you follow the instructions independently. That means you will not have a live guide pointing out details, answering every question, or adjusting the pace for your group.

Some people will see that as a weakness. If you like local conversation and spontaneous stories, a human guide offers more. You cannot ask the app to explain a detail from a different angle, and the historical information is limited to what the game provides.

I see the self-guided design as a good fit for groups that want privacy. You can stop to take photos, discuss a clue, or pause for a break without holding up another group. There is no pressure to keep moving because someone else has a reservation at the next stop.

The private format also helps families and friends set their own rhythm. A group that solves clues quickly can continue. A group that needs more time can slow down. The activity is designed for most people to participate, and service animals are allowed.

Playing in English with 24-hour help

The game is offered in English, which makes it practical for English-speaking groups visiting Dinant. The smartphone format keeps the instructions in front of you, so you can reread a clue instead of trying to remember directions from a spoken briefing.

If you get stuck, online support is available around the clock. That is important in an escape game, since one difficult puzzle can stop the whole route. Support does not replace a guide, but it gives you a way forward without abandoning the game or searching the internet for an answer.

You should still expect to do the work yourself. The pleasure comes from comparing ideas, spotting patterns, and deciding which interpretation fits the story. If your group prefers a relaxed city stroll with occasional puzzles, take your time and use support only when necessary. If you want a demanding escape-room experience, remember that this game also has a sightseeing function, so the pace and puzzle style may feel gentler than a dedicated indoor escape room.

A two-hour walk that does not feel rushed

The stated duration is about two hours. That is enough time for a substantial introduction to Dinant, but you should allow extra time if you plan to stop for photos, eat, or explore nearby attractions before or after the game.

The flexible access window is one of the best practical details. You are not tied to a single start time, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. That makes the route easier to fit into a day plan and removes the worry of arriving late for a departure.

The midnight to 11:30 p.m. access period deserves a small note. Although the game can be accessed very late, the sightseeing side will be more useful when the city’s main features are visible. Daylight also makes it easier to appreciate the buildings and locations connected to the missions.

Because you return to Place Albert Ier, you can finish where you began rather than arranging a separate pickup. The supplied information does not specify the walking distance or exact route length, so wear shoes you are comfortable using for a two-hour city walk.

What the price means for your group

The listed price is $24.07 per group of up to six people, not per person. That changes the value calculation. A full group of six pays only a few dollars per person, making the activity a strong budget choice for friends or a family that wants an organized way to see Dinant.

A smaller group pays more per person, but the private format still has value. You are paying for a two-hour activity, a city tour, the game content, 24/7 online support, and a summary of your adventure with photos at the end.

The summary is a pleasant extra because it gives your group a record of the game rather than leaving you with only phone pictures. The supplied details do not explain how many photos are included or how they are delivered, so treat it as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.

The three-year validity period also reduces the risk of buying too early. If plans change, you have a long window in which to use the game. Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that final 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on local time.

Who will enjoy the alchemist game most

I would recommend this for friends, families, and couples who like to combine sightseeing with a light challenge. It is particularly suited to people who do not want a formal tour schedule and enjoy making decisions together.

It also works well for mixed-age groups. The puzzles give younger players a clear role, while the city information gives adults something to consider. The game is described as suitable for most people, but individual puzzle ability will naturally vary. If one person controls the phone and solves every clue, others may lose interest, so share the reading and decision-making.

You may want a different activity if your priority is detailed local history, a live guide, or a tightly controlled escape-room challenge. The game gives useful information about key places, but it does not promise long explanations at every stop. Its purpose is to keep you moving through Dinant while the mystery unfolds.

Practical advice for a smoother game

Before starting, make sure everyone understands the basic story and agrees to take part. The choice between defending Josyne and supporting the accusation gives the group a useful role-playing angle, but it works best when you discuss the clues instead of letting one person rush ahead.

Charge your phone fully and consider bringing a portable battery. Since the phone is not included, this small preparation matters. The game lasts about two hours, and your phone may also be needed for directions, transport, or other plans in Dinant.

Keep the support option in reserve. If a mission is unclear, first reread the instructions and compare answers with your group. If you still cannot progress, 24-hour online assistance means you are not left stranded by one puzzle.

Finally, leave room around the activity. The game ends at the starting point, but you may want time afterward for food, drinks, photos, or additional sightseeing. None of those are included in the price.

Should you book Discover Dinant while playing?

Book it if you want a private, flexible city activity that adds a story and puzzles to your first look at Dinant. The low group price is especially appealing for up to six people, and the 30-plus missions give the walk more structure than simply following a map.

Skip it if you want a personal guide or a detailed explanation of every historic place. The game is a clever sightseeing framework, not a replacement for a full history tour. For most groups, the best plan is to use it as an entertaining introduction to Dinant, then explore further at your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the game start?

It starts at Place Albert Ier, Pl. Albert Ier, 5500 Dinant, Belgium.

Where does the activity end?

The game ends back at the starting meeting point.

How long does the experience take?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

What time can I play?

You can access the game at any time between midnight and 11:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday, during the stated operating period.

How many people can join one group?

The private activity is for groups of up to six people.

Is the game available in English?

Yes. The game is offered in English.

Do I need to bring a smartphone?

Yes. A smartphone and battery are not included, so you need to bring your own charged device.

Is help available if I cannot solve a mission?

Yes. Online support is available 24 hours a day.

Is food included?

No. Lunch, food, and drinks are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.