Pingfang — The Broken Oath
Uncover the broken oath of Unit 731's commander in Pingfang. Decode clues from ruins, labs, and prisons to expose the hidden archives of Japan's secret germ warfare atrocities before they vanish forever.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In the frozen shadows of Pingfang District, Harbin, during the Japanese occupation of Manchuria, Unit 731's commander swore a blood oath of secrecy to his superiors: the horrors of biological warfare—
Pingfang — The Broken Oath
You are a war crimes investigator, operating covertly in Harbin, China, in the immediate aftermath of Japan's surrender in August 1945.
Your mission: uncover the truth behind Unit
Harbin's Black Dossier — Reveal the hidden truth
« The scars of history only heal when the truth comes to light. »— Anonymous, occupation survivor, 1980
The Shadow of Unit 731 over Manchukuo
Between 1931 and 1945, Harbin, the heart of Manchuria, was the scene of the Japanese occupation and the establishment of the puppet state of Manchukuo. During this dark period, the city was a nerve center for Japanese operations, including those of Unit 731, an infamous biological and chemical research unit based in Pingfang, on the outskirts of Harbin. Under the command of Lieutenant General Shirō Ishii, this unit conducted inhumane experiments on thousands of human guinea pigs, referred to as 'maruta' (logs), in utmost secrecy.
The crimes of Unit 731, revealed after the war, shocked the world. However, many perpetrators escaped justice thanks to a secret agreement with the United States, which obtained their research data in exchange. The lack of trials and convictions for these atrocities left a deep scar in collective memory, and the quest for truth and recognition for the victims remains an ongoing battle for subsequent generations. Harbin, with its monuments and streets, silently bears the traces of this era.
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
5-10 curated sites across the territory
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 14,90€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
Deep Historical Investigation
Uncover the mysteries of a painful past and unearth long-hidden truths.
Fragments of a Secret Dossier
Gather the clues to reconstruct a vital document that exposes unpunished crimes.
Memory and Reconciliation
Contribute to collective memory and honor those whose stories have been silenced.
Truth, however painful, is the first step towards peace.
Unveil the missing pages of history.
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
Avis des aventuriers
Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience.
Did you play le serment brise pingfang? Check the email you received after your game to leave a verified review.
Your turn to play
Join this crucial quest for justice and memory. The 'Black Dossier' awaits revelation. Will you rise to the challenge to break the silence?
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
Other escape games in Historic Center of Harbin
See all games in Historic Center of Harbin→More ideas for self-guided walking tours, scavenger hunts & city quests in the same city
Harbin — The Archives of Silence
Uncover the hidden Archives of Silence in Harbin's frozen streets. Decipher clues from Unit 731's atrocities, expose the buried secrets before they vanish forever.
Harbin — Echoes of the Forgotten
Uncover the silenced voices of Unit 731 victims. Decipher clues hidden across forgotten sites to expose the atrocities and recover lost testimonies before they vanish forever.
Pingfang — Forgotten Register of Unit 731
Uncover the Forgotten Register of Unit 731, hidden amid the ruins. Decipher clues from labs, prisons, and incineration pits to expose the lost names of victims and unravel the darkest WWII biological conspiracy.
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