Hope EndThe Ministry Of PeculiaritiesEscape roomIRLAbsolutely amazing room, can see why it's at the top of lists. Story and immersion happens from the moment you step inside the building. Our live talent were fantastic, although me being a bit of the shy type probably didn't help, but they played along fantastically with the group and I. Puzzles were fantastic, everything is so well integrated with the room and the story. It really feels so much better than just a good story and good puzzles. A few elements to puzzles I have never seen before, and some very clever things that take a keen eye. There was even one twist I'd never seen before and was so excited about. Every escape room fan needs to do this room.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz13th Hour Escape Room - WhartonEscape roomIRLGREAT room. Fantastic set design, totally fits the theme. The effects are great, and while I've seen some of them done before, they all fit the theme and are used great. Puzzles are fantastic, and all make sense. One of the best rooms we've done.
40 ThievesMindTrap Escape Room - TemeculaEscape roomIRLExtremely high tech, non linear room. Gives everyone something to do, but also adds to the difficulty fairly significantly. Puzzles themselves weren't terribly hard but the combination sorta was. Overall pretty fun though and very well integrated. Atmosphere is amazing, and pretty perfectly done. Story integrated well to it.
Time MachineNot Another Escape RoomEscape roomIRLUnfortunately this room is now closed, the addition of Morty web/android reviews coming too late, but might be one of the more surprisingly amazing rooms I've done. Atmosphere in some parts felt a little "low budget" but the overall puzzle and a few tricks for the flow of the room made it an amazing room to do. Story was well integrated with the puzzles, and a few surprise elements that made it fun. Hope they replace it with something just as good!
Treasure IslandBrain Games Escape RoomEscape roomIRLVery well done tribute to your favorite never say die group. Puzzles are all high tech, and a few are very fun, almost game-like, making it a very unique experience. A few do require an eagle eye to spot, which borderlines on always needing a hint imo, but who knows. Atmosphere is absolutely great, especially the final room. Might be one of my favorite rooms over all to have done.
The Last SupperQuest TavernEscape roomIRLHighly interactive, live acting room. Makes the room very immersive. The puzzles are solid, and the live acting adds a sense of pressure, but not in a fully scare room tactic, at least till the end. It's sort of a build till the end. Puzzles are great, all seem appropriate, given the story. Room is decently full of effects and atmosphere is fantastic.
Irvine School of Wizardry and the Goblin's SecretsHidden DonkeyEscape roomIRLVery whimsical, very atmospheric room. The immersion level is top notch, although since they're incorporating another room using some common areas, slight break with puzzle markers on them. Puzzles are very spot on to the environment, use of spells and tech supports it quite well. All make sense and are pertinent to the room. Slight small hiccup we got caught on due to a missed key being noticed, but the way it was hidden was almost obscure. Not sure I would call it anyone's fault really, but a bit of an oof either way.
The Weeping WitchCross Roads Escape GamesEscape roomIRLPuzzles were all over this room, pretty much everywhere you'd find elements of a puzzle somewhere. Room felt fairly non linear, and felt like everyone was working on something at some point. Story is also very well integrated and requires story points to be done as part of the room. Live actor was fantastic and will get those that are jumpy. Puzzles are pretty challenging, but also make sense, so no obscurity. If you like Halloween haunts and such, this room will be great.
Stash HouseStash HouseEscape roomIRLGreat experience. There's so much to do inside the house. Pretty much every piece of space is used in some form of puzzle. Quite a bit to do, so there's stuff for everyone to do. We had quite a large group, and everyone was busy. Puzzles are pretty good, I don't think there was anything that was particularly out of place or didn't fit.
Lab RatHatch EscapesEscape roomIRLRoom with a great design. Puzzles are fun, perhaps not wholey unique, however, the design integration to the atmosphere make them so. Definitely makes you feel like you're part of the story. Puzzles are non linear, but do lead you to certain key points. There are plenty of things to do with a semi larger group, i.e. 5 people. Automatic nudge hints and/or hints that are designed into the game might be a tiny bit overboard in that they somewhat easily set a pathway to execute something, but that might be my only complaint.
