The StorykeeperLocurioEscape roomIRLI rate this room a 5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). The set/theme including the live actor was 2 pts for me. I especially enjoyed the unique way they administered hints in the room. I felt like I was immersed in a fantastical storybook (an unexpected twist)! The puzzles were fun with a few novel ones I hadn't yet seen. They incorporated the theme well and the room was pretty linear which I prefer. A good variety of puzzles including locks, mechanical and technical types. I give the puzzles 2 pts as well. I rate my enjoyment 2 pts which brings the score to a 5 (well, technically a 6 but my rating system only goes to 5 so back off! 😝). I really enjoyed this room. It was fun, whimsical and unexpected!
Chapter 1: Occam's ApartmentOff The Couch GamesEscape roomIRLI rate this room a 4/5 (check out my bio for rating system). This escape room has a unique setup in that it is composed of multiple chapters. Three chapters are currently in play and I believe they are planning a total of 12. Because there is an overarching storyline, it's probably best to do the chapters in order, however, it seems that they have alternate scenarios for those who don't so that you don't miss anything, much like a catered experience. It is also unique in how you can earn credit for other chapters if you finish earlier than the allotted time. This particular room - Chapter 1 - had unexpected twists and turns and adequately introduces the story line. I didn't give it a 5/5 because of a certain 'time-sucker' which I initially liked (video game) but since it was required for a lot of the clues, it ended up taking a lot of time to plow through. We are also introduced to a scary (or is he actually a BFF??) character that will continue to make cameos through the next 2 chapters, at least. This is a high-quality escape room with some unique and fun clues. I look forward to the chapters to come!
UndercookedOmescape - SunnyvaleEscape roomIRLI easily give this experience a 5/5 (check out my bio for my rating system). This is a stupendous escape room! However, it's technically not an escape room per se, but more like a room to accomplish as much as you can within the given time limit. For this reason, you can do it more than once in an attempt to get a higher recipe load. And you might think you'll do better the second time because now you know more but it's harder than you'd think, especially with only 2 people. We increased our recipe number by only 7 the second time ending with 19/26 recipes in 75 minutes. More than 2 people would ease the burden of getting all the recipes but we'd probably do it a third time if we were in the area! 😂 Such a cool concept implemented in a truly unique and fun way. The set design was amazing as well - I felt like I was in a real-life chef's kitchen - and there were many novel puzzles, which revealed many delightful surprises. This is a master class in escape rooms!
Chapter 3: The MorgueOff The Couch GamesEscape roomIRLI rate this room a 4/5 (check out my review system in my bio). This is the third chapter in the planned 12-chapter series. Based on what our GM stated, each chapter will follow an overarching storyline. This is such a fun concept - makes me excited for what's to come. It doesn't seem like the chapters have to be done in order as they seem to cater the rooms to each player's experience with the story, but it's probably better to do them in order. Another smart and novel concept is that they will give you credit towards future rooms if you finish earlier than the allotted time. This particular chapter was very cool! Many new concepts such as a game show type segment where you can choose to do additional puzzles (an escape room within an escape room... What?!?). There were some novel puzzles I hadn't experience before and a very detailed and immersive set. There was what I like to call a 'time-sucker' puzzle that I didn't really like and even made me a little sick to my stomach (too much gatorade!) which caused me to knock off a point. And our fun friend (or scary foe?) was very much present in this chapter which wasn't my skittish partner's favorite, but I thoroughly enjoyed! So probably not fun for those who don't appreciate jump scares.🤭 Overall, my favorite of the first three chapters. These are master class escape experiences, and I look forward to what they will come up with next.
Treasure IslandBrain Games Escape RoomEscape roomIRLEasy 5/5 room (ck out my bio for rating system). This was, by far, my favorite escape room I've done to date. Each category I rank on got more than 1 point in this surprise filled room. From the fantastic and intricately designed set along with it's charming theme to all the IYKYN additions (we hear you Christopher Walken), it did not disappoint in the least. There were quite a few novel puzzles and they were pretty intuitive so hints were never needed but the GM knew when to give a gentle nudge. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to doing more of their rooms.
The Last SupperQuest TavernEscape roomIRLI rate this room a 5/5 (ck out my bio page for rating system). I absolutely LOVED this experience. The set design which includes the theme and live actor (which could very well have been the real deal!), I easily gave 2 points. It was quite entertaining and packed full of surprises and pressure-inducing challenges! A few pretty intense jump scares so if you're not one who likes this, it may not be the room for you. The puzzles were fun but average. I'd seen most of them before but the way they were incorporated in the room and theme was on point! The experience was an easy 2 points. I laughed and screamed and danced and sang all the way outta there. It was so fun and truly a memorable experience.
The TreehouseConfusion EscapesEscape roomIRLI rate this room a 5/5 (ck out my bio for my rating system). This room was UH-mazing!!! Apparently, the husband and wife duo that run the place built and designed all the rooms and it was very clear, they excel at their job! The set/theme was one of those where you just want to stop the game and truly appreciate all that surrounds you. It was so well-designed and had a lovely fairy theme. The puzzles were mostly seen before but the way they presented them was novel and at times, quite unexpected! There were 3 in our party and the GM made it clear at one point that we'd need to all work separately on different puzzles in order to escape. This was very helpful. I truly enjoyed experiencing this room and look forward to coming back to try their other rooms.
Flynn's ArcadeBrain Games Escape RoomEscape roomIRLI rate this experience an EASY 5/5 (ck out my bio page for rating system). I can't say enough good things about this room and how fun it is! It is quite the 'digitizing' experience. One of those kinda rooms that you can't wait for enough years to pass so you can try to forget the puzzles in order to experience it again. The set design, theme (including the amazing tech) earned 2 points, the puzzles 2 points, and my enjoyment rating was through the roof! The GM, who was amazing, said afterwards that she liked the retro vibe, which made me a feel a tad bit old since I grew up with this stuff but there's definitely an audience who will enjoy this much more than some! 🙋♀️👵 The only caveat is the last part where you do have to spend quite a bit of time 'playing' but it's still so much fun, that the time flies by! Really, it went by so fast! It made it's first imPRINT on me in the lobby and didn't stop until the grand FLYNNale! Ok I'll stop but this room is my current fave out of the 88 rooms I've done by far! 😀
The Bridge BetweenQuest TavernEscape roomIRLI rate this room a 4/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). The set and theme got 2 points. The first part of the room wasn't particularly exciting but the second half really ramps up the wow factor of the room. I like the unique hint system as well. The puzzles were pretty standard, i.e. nothing particularly novel or unique but did flow with the theme nicely. Not always intuitive although mostly linear. Good combo of mechanical and lock type puzzles. Solid one point in the puzzle category. I did enjoy the room - especially the surprise ending - so this category also gets one point. This wasn't my favorite of their rooms (Through the Sugar Glass is tops, IMO) but definitely worth doing.
Through The Sugar GlassQuest TavernEscape roomIRLI rate this experience a 5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). Wowza, what a sweet escape - literally! For a candyholic, this room is a dream! It got max points in all my categories. The set and theme were total adorbs with a cute (?) little gingerbread man seemingly running the show. Good use of space and many surprises await in this room. The puzzles were intuitive, flowed well and integrated with the theme beautifully. There were a lot of them so we were a few minutes over time as a group of 2. The GM was kind enough to let us finish it out though. You definitely want to get to the exciting ending! I had a great time in this room. It really filled my sweet tooth - literally and figuratively!
