Servants of SleightThe Exit Games FLEscape roomIRLRating: 5/5 - So magical, I get why this room is hyped! Here's why it's so great: âMagic! I've played other magician themed rooms but no other room captured the theme so well, many of the magic related things made me so happy. âLarge, detailed set with multiple areas to explore and hidden surprises. It was immersive enough and everything felt appropriate. âSatisfying puzzles and flow, puzzles fit the theme âFun interactions with the GM made it so much better âLots of easter eggs for people who love magic tricks and magicians âMany tactile/physical props/puzzles âSatisfying ending âThe GM was great Minor nitpicks: âFor a TERPECA winner, I expected more tech, the puzzles were heavily padlock/key based. âI'm not a fan of the text only hint system which involved sending messages on a provided phone. We played as a team of 3 and it felt about right, it's playable as 2 but I think its better as 3-4. I prefer this room to Pins & Needles, but both are fantastic. If you play both, start with Servants before Pins.
Pins & Needles Tattoo ParlorThe Exit Games FLEscape roomIRLRating: 5/5 - Thrilling game that completely nailed the theme Here's why it's so great: âThey nailed the theming, I'm not into tattoos but everything feels and looks exactly as I would imagine a tattoo parlor would. All the props were appropriate. âThe on-boarding was thematic and felt in-universe âThe GM/actor did a great job and elevated the game âPuzzles were good and flowed well, we did things that I did not expect but fit the tattoo theme precisely. âLarge, detailed set with multiple areas to explore and hidden surprises, it was immersive enough. âFun easter eggs for their other rooms âMany physical props/puzzles âSatisfying ending Mixed feelings: Pay attention to the warnings on their website, there is a vibe shift in the game and I'm not sure if I enjoyed the last part more than the beginning or middle. Some players would love it much more than I did though. Minor nitpicks: âFor a TERPECA winner and a recently created room, I expected more tech, the puzzles were heavily padlock/key based. âI'm not a fan of the text only hint system which involved sending messages on a provided phone. We played as a team of 3 and I feel like it would be better with 1 more as there is a lot to do. I prefer Servants over this room but both are fantastic. If you play both, start with Servants before Pins.
Ghost PatrolTrivium GamesEscape roomIRLRating: 4.5/5 I get why this room is so highly rated, if you love puzzles, you'll love this room. This is a great example of a room that does everything well: -Great looking set with great audio and lighting -Puzzles were particularly well designed, they were fun, varied, and fit the theme -Fun, unique use of a prop to solve puzzles -No padlocks or number puzzles -Seamless use of technology -Not too easy or too hard, puzzles took a bit to understand but once you did they were very satisfying -Fun narrative/story with cute elements -Good immersion -Great flow -It was clear when items were needed so you didn't waste time solving things that weren't ready yet -Intro and ending videos were cute and done well There really aren't any significant cons but after doing nearly 100 rooms, there aren't specific things that wowed me nor is there anything particularly unique. For me, it would be even better if there was more teamwork required, cooler reveals, and more exploration and things to discover. The set was high quality but the layout was a bit uninteresting to me since they were just regular rectangular rooms with nice decorations, I prefer the transformative sets at other rooms like The Attraction or Robotopia. We played with 3 experienced enthusiasts (paid for 4) and did not have any problems. I would recommend playing the minimum of 4 as there aren't a ton of things to do at the same time.
The Starlight MotelEscape Artist Greenville - DowntownEscape roomIRLRating: 5/5 Wow, I've never had so much fun in room. The live actor was there almost the entire time and was awesome, she was the highlight of the entire experience. It was overall so immersive and I love that we had to do some role-playing. It was just the right amount of scariness for me, we weren't so paralyzed with fear that we couldn't solve puzzles, it was less scary than a haunted house. We played as team of 2 which was fine but maybe 1 more person would've been better. We also played their Help Wanted and Dark Lullaby rooms at their other location. Starlight and Dark Lullaby were our favorites, but it's hard to pick which one is better because they have different strengths. Starlight is more classic horror and the interactions with the actor were more fun. Dark Lullaby is more psychological horror and the set felt more high tech.
Dark LullabyEscape Artist Greenville - Hampton StationEscape roomIRLRating: 5/5 LOVED the immersion and the detailed set with tons of tech, special effects, and surprises. The experience starts from the lobby and even explanation of the rules does not take away from the immersion. The transition to the dream world was interesting and unique. We played as a team of 2 and definitely could've used 1 or 2 more people though we still made it with time to spare. The actors were so much fun and added to the immersion with lots of scary moments, they were the highlight of the room but were not in there the whole time. I love that the room felt much like an interactive haunted house. Between this room, Help Wanted, and Starlight Motel, Starlight and Dark Lullaby were our favorites, but it's hard to pick which one is better because they have different strengths. Starlight is more classic horror and the interactions with the actor were more fun. Dark Lullaby is more psychological horror and the set felt more high tech.
RobotopiaOmescape - SunnyvaleEscape roomIRLRating: 5/5 This room is now my favorite out of around 100 rooms, I absolutely loved it! It's exactly what I want out of an escape room: -Quirky sci-fi theme -Great quality set and props with fun easter eggs and foreshadowing -Highly immersive -The set was transformative with great re-use of space -Some crawling and climbing -An actor used in a really fun way, our entire team was laughing -Very high tech with only a single padlock, but the way the key was found was cool -Lots of opportunities for teamwork -Varied puzzles that fit the theme well, the right amount of difficulty -Fun narrative with a 3 act structure -Fairly climactic ending -Some cool reveals -Game was almost 2 hours but I was having so much fun the time went by so fast Minor nitpicks: -Too many memory puzzles but they weren't too difficult if you worked together -My team got stuck on a puzzle at the end and lost our momentum, it wasn't well clued and the layout of the room made one part hidden. The GM told us this puzzle was optional and we only received it because we were doing well on time. -Walkie talkie required to ask for hints I'd recommend going with 4-5, 6 might feel a bit crowded. The room is probably playable with 2 if necessary but it might be difficult.
Neighborhood WatcherThe Escape Ventures - OrlandoEscape roomIRLRating: 4.5/5 - Thrilling and engaging actor interaction, but less impressive set and puzzles Pros: âThe interaction with the actor is what makes this room so good, they did a fantastic job playing multiple roles. Without the actor, the room would feel a lot more average. âCreative and fun hint system âThrilling narrative and role playing âScare level is adjustable, we played it toned down since my partner doesn't like to be scared, but the GM was able to target me (as requested) for a couple of jump scares. âSet and props looked appropriate to the theme with multiple areas to explore âChildhood nostalgia Minor things that could've been better: âSet was nicely done but was a bit plain compared to TEV's other themes âMany puzzles were uninteresting and forgettable. Overall I'm not a fan of TEV's puzzle design since they are too reliant on counting things, putting items in order, and figuring out letters/numbers/patterns. It gets a bit repetitive and feels like it's from and older era of escape rooms despite these being recent rooms. âNot enough tech or physical puzzles, it's too heavily padlock/key based for my tastes We played as a team of two and did just fine, ideal is 2-4 since there are some tighter spaces. It's a thrilling game with some darker themes, it's on the scarier side but it's not gory. My ranking of TEV rooms starting with my favorite: 1. Phantom Files: The Investigation of Lockturne Manor 2. Click 'N Glitch Arcade Palace 3. Nightfall: Creature at Camp Deadwood 4. Operation Arctic Storm: The Final Meltdown 5. Neighborhood Watcher
The Forest of FablesCU Adventures in Time and SpaceEscape roomIRLRating: 5/5 - Peak narrative gameplay, one of my all time favorites Here's why this room is fantastic: âBeautiful and fully immersive set, everything you see or touch adds to the experience (no timer screens or anything that doesn't fit the theme). âMultiple rooms to explore, set feels expansive and larger than it actually is. âNarrative driven gameplay, moreso than 95% of the games out there. The story goes to unexpected places and is incredibly unique. âThe actor/GM was friendly, talented, and added so much depth. âTons of tech, it was seamlessly integrated, only 1-2 padlocks. âVery tactile with many custom props to interact with. âMany fun little surprises, details, and magical moments that made me smile. âPuzzles were fun, promoted teamwork and communication, and all fit the theme.. âLighting and sound all add so much to the experience. âSuper satisfying ending âIt excels at all aspects with no weaknesses, I could not nitpick even if I wanted to. I played this as my 200th room and it's easily in my top 5, this room is absolutely special. We played as a team of 6 and it was a bit crowded as there are some tighter spaces, I'd recommend 4 enthusiasts. I love all of CU Adventure's rooms, my ranking starting with my favorite: 1. Forest of Fables 5/5 2. Game Night 5/5 3. Rise of Icarus 5/5 4. Revenge of the Cabin 4.5/5 5. Wizard's Curse 4.5/5 6. Calling All Villains 4/5 7. Scrooge's Christmas Trap 4/5
The StorykeeperLocurioEscape roomIRLRating 4.5/5 Wonderful room, loved the storyline and flow. Puzzles were interesting and not too easy, it was a bit challenging as a team of 2.There is high immersion and good interactions with the actor. I understand why this room gets so much praise. However, if you're looking for place with huge expansive sets, crazy reveals, and futuristic tech, this is not that type of room.
Phantom Files: The Investigation Of Lockturne ManorThe Escape Ventures - Port CharlotteEscape roomIRLRating: 4.5/5 - My favorite at TEV with a fun actor and great production value! Pros: âThe mansion looked fantastic, it was very convincing and immersive âGreat lighting effects and atmosphere âThe actor/GM was hilarious, quirky, and played their role so well âAppropriately spooky with strong theming, as others have said, it feels like a mix of Scooby Doo and Ghostbusters âMultiple rooms to explore âGreat use of tech with some fun gadgets, made us feel like we were actually catching ghosts âSatisfying ending âLoved the catchy theme song âFun story with some comedic moments Minor things that could've been better: âOver use of padlocks and a specific type of lockbox. There is one room that had no puzzles, just keys and padlocks, it felt out of place. âMany puzzles were uninteresting and forgettable. Overall I'm not a fan of TEV's puzzle design since they are too reliant on counting things, putting items in order, and figuring out letters/numbers/patterns. It gets a bit repetitive and feels like it's from and older era of escape rooms despite these being recent rooms. It was fine as a team of 3, I'd recommend no more than 4. It was mostly spooky with maybe a couple of jump scares. My ranking of TEV rooms starting with my favorite: 1. Phantom Files: The Investigation of Lockturne Manor 2. Click 'N Glitch Arcade Palace 3. Nightfall: Creature at Camp Deadwood 4. Operation Arctic Storm: The Final Meltdown 5. Neighborhood Watcher
