[Trial By Taste

An escape room challenge featured in the Winter Term of Escape Academy, taking place before The Tea Kettle.

Verification: Human verified

Trial By Taste is a Winter Term escape room in Escape Academy, set in the cafeteria and played before The Tea Kettle. The challenge unfolds in two halves: first you assemble the right keys to unlock a milkshake, then — after a nasty twist — you must find an antidote to cure yourself. Completing the escape unlocks the "Don't Cry Over Spilled Milkshake" achievement [src-f825a4961b].

How to Complete

The room's puzzles revolve around collecting three forks and matching them to the three chained locks on the milkshake sitting on the glass countertop. You cannot brute-force the locks — each fork must match the shape shown on its lock, so inspect each key before using it [src-cc415a0c9f]. Once all three locks are open, drink the milkshake to finish the first half — which immediately triggers the second half, where you've been poisoned and must locate the antidote [src-cc415a0c9f].

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Part 1: Opening the Milkshake

1. Skip the dialogue and turn around to face the conveyor belt behind you [src-cc415a0c9f].
2. Watch the conveyor belt. A burger comes first, then a fish, and on the third plate a fork appears. The sequence repeats, so wait for the fork and pick it up — you'll need multiple forks for the locks [src-cc415a0c9f].
3. Head left toward the door and pick up the fire extinguisher along the way [src-cc415a0c9f].
4. Search the dirty dishes next to the door — look inside them to find another fork and pick it up [src-cc415a0c9f].
5. Use the microwave. Interact with it and enter the code 335. This starts the microwave and cooks a steak inside — which conveniently sets a fork on fire [src-cc415a0c9f].
6. Extinguish the fire with the fire extinguisher, then pick up the now-retrieved fork [src-cc415a0c9f].
7. Unlock the milkshake. With three forks in hand, match each fork to the correct lock by shape and use all three keys on all three locks [src-cc415a0c9f].
8. Drink the milkshake to complete the first half of the level [src-cc415a0c9f].

Part 2: Finding the Antidote

1. Turn around to find the freezer door behind you [src-cc415a0c9f].
2. Enter the freezer combination: square, ring, horseshoe, square [src-cc415a0c9f].
3. Open the door — this grants access to the next area where the antidote is found [src-cc415a0c9f].

Collectibles

Trial By Taste contains one of the editions of "The Escapist Times" needed for the Extra, Extra! achievement (read 10 different editions). The newspaper for this escape is located on a long table directly next to a pair of steps [src-f825a4961b]. Grab it while working through the room so you don't have to replay the escape.

Tips

• Don't rush the conveyor belt. The fork only appears as the third item in the repeating sequence, so watch a full cycle if you miss it the first time [src-cc415a0c9f].
• Grab the fire extinguisher before the dishes. It sits on the route to the left, and you'll need it for the microwave step, so pick it up on the way rather than doubling back [src-cc415a0c9f].
• Inspect your keys. The three locks are shape-matched, so check each fork's shape against the lock rather than trying them at random [src-cc415a0c9f].
• Remember the freezer code. Square, ring, horseshoe, square — the second half begins immediately after you drink the milkshake, so be ready [src-cc415a0c9f].

Rewards

Escaping Trial By Taste awards the "Don't Cry Over Spilled Milkshake" achievement/trophy [src-f825a4961b]. As with other escapes, finishing within the time limit without using hints contributes toward the A+ rank achievements (Honor Roll and Overachiever) [src-f825a4961b].

Details

term

Winter Term

Sources

• Escape Academy Complete Walkthrough
• Escape Academy - All Achievements/Trophies Walkthrough - 100% Puzzle Solution Guide (Xbox Game Pass)
• 100% Achievement Guide - Escape Academy