Last night Leeds was the post-apocalyptic setting for 2.8 Hours Later, a ‘zombie reality game’. It was basically a terrifying version of orienteering, with a storyline, gruesome props and actors providing the allies and enemies. The result was an adrenaline fueled experience that genuinely felt like fighting for your life in a horror film.

As the game began we were divided into teams of 6, given a map with grid references and released at 5 minute intervals. All we knew initially was that there had been a zombie apocalypse, we must find the resistance and avoid the zombies. If caught by a zombie we would either be ‘infected’ (marked with a UV pen) or if we were lucky we’d stay virus free. When HQ was reached at the end of the game the resistance would check us for infection.

When we found our first ‘survivor’ she tearfully told us (with genuine acting ability) that there were not many survivors left and to get to a house on Woodhouse Lane. We set off towards the address and on the way found ourselves in an underground car park. In the distance we heard screaming. Suddenly 6 grown adults became very tense as we saw the unmistakable leg dragging gait of the undead. Dressed in surgical scrubs and covered in blood they came towards us. We sprinted off, thankfully making it to the main road. It gave us a huge adrenaline rush and prepared us for what was to come.

We arrived at the address on Woodhouse Lane to find an old man with a walking stick shouting next to a pool of blood, with chunks in it. He told us that his granddaughter had been infected and he had to keep her locked in the house. We turned around, and saw a girl in the house burst toward the window and vomit blood over the glass. It was so well executed that the ‘normal’ people at the bus stop looked pretty disturbed by proceedings. We were told to find an abandoned car on Calverley Street that was broadcasting a resistance radio message.

We got to the blood covered car to find a girl collapsed, surrounded by people. Confusion ensued. Everyone thought it was part of the game, but it turned out she had genuinely fainted. The medics arrived, so we got the next location and pressed on.

On route we crossed Millennium Square. Suddenly 3 zombies appeared and ran towards us, splitting the group. They were fast and I had to move flat out to get away. You haven’t ever sprinted until it’s from a screaming, blood thirsty zombie.

Next we entered a deserted shopping centre. The ground floor was crawling with zombies. We had been told to get to the first floor to find the resistance. It seemed impossible because every time we got near to the escalator they came for us. After 10 intense minutes of trying to get past we found the back steps. Upstairs we found a survivor clutching a severed leg, crying. She refused to believe we were not infected and would only help us if we brought her food. The food was back downstairs, near the zombies. We sprinted down the escalator, grabbed a handful of sweets as 3 zombies ran at us. We just made it back unscathed.

The survivor took the food and gave us details of the next location. A resistance cell in Kirkgate Market.

As we headed out 2 zombies pounced, forcing us to head out of the fire doors. Once outside it was apparent that we’d been ambushed. We were surrounded by 5 zombies. A long chase ensued but we all made it.

Our team headed to the market, but the non-stop sprinting had taken its toll. We were seriously shattered. As we walked into Leeds’ deserted and dark Victorian market things felt very eerie. A zombie immediately jumped out on us from the shadows and we pegged it away. But Helen took a huge tumble, falling at full sprint and injuring her hand. She was in serious pain. As we waited for the medics to arrive the zombie came over to us and said “Bloody hell I’m sorry love. I was just meant to make you run down there towards the butchers”. Helen was out of the game and had to go with Andy to A&E for an xray. It was gutting that she had to quit, but how many people can say that a zombie has apologised to them?

Our depleted team carried on. We were summoned into the butchers by a crazy axe wielding maniac. There were human body parts hanging on meathooks all around us. It was like being in the Texas Chainsaw Masacre. He told us about the resistance whilst chomping on chunks of raw meat. Once he’d given us the next location came the threat of decapitation and mutilation. He chased us out with a power drill. As we left the market more zombies appeared. People all around us were being infected. But some how we got away.

We headed for Holy Trinity Church and once inside found a priest chained to the wall. Although behaving oddly, he initially seemed OK. Then he called us in closer and suddenly leapt towards us, screaming with infected rage. He grabbed Becky and pinning her to the wall. She did well not to completely lose it. The priest had been infected, but was not yet fully turned. He eventually released Becky and we got him to tell us the next location: The Dark Arches.

At the Dark Arches we found another survivor who traded us information for cigarettes (good job one of our team was a smoker). He told us where HQ was, but also said it was surrounded by a terrifying ‘zombie horde’. Things were building to the climax.

We made our way to resistance HQ on Marshall Street. It was an abandoned warehouse, teeming with the undead. No matter what angle of approach we tried zombies cut us off. There were 40 or 50, on all sides of the building. It became chaotic, the team got separated and I saw Becky get captured and infected. I made a desperate run for it, side stepping 6 or 7 zombies. But I was eventually overwhelmed.

We stumbled into HQ, beyond exhausted. We were sent to decontamination. A team of survivors in radiation suits and gas masks ushered us through airport security style detectors. There were UV lights that showed up if we were infected or not. Becky set the alarm off and was taken away. I was deemed clean, congratulated and sent down to the warehouse party. I had got away with it! Becky emerged 15 minutes later made up as a zombie. As the party filled up it became clear who were survivors and who were infected.

What a night. It would have been so easy for the game to have been a bit rubbish, but I can’t speak highly enough of the quality of execution. The actors, plot, props and organisation were all amazing. We spent 2.8 hours lost in the story. Exhausted, exhilarated and terrified.

The game was sold out for all 3 nights in Leeds. It has already taken place in Bristol and is soon coming to London. I can’t recommend it highly enough. For £25 you get an epic workout (I’m struggling to walk today) and a superb evening’s entertainment.

For more information see www.2.8hourslater.com or check out the trailer for the event below.