Storyteller's SecretBoxarooEscape roomIRLAn amazing room. Truly one of the top 3 I’ve done thus far. Though the “writer’s study” trope has been done time and time again, this version was a breath of fresh air. Not only were the puzzles intriguing and difficult, they were vibrant and full of life. The ideas were separate but cohesive and the final puzzle had such a smart twist I still remember it some 6 months later.
Lab RatHatch EscapesEscape roomIRLPhenomenal. One of the best times I’ve had in an escape room. Hatch’s reputation precedes itself and I was blown away by not only the set design but the sheer amount of puzzles and quality of them as well. I did it with a larger group than usual but that heightened the stakes and made solving things even more exciting. With a theme that I’ve never seen replicated and a room that spans surprisingly far into the building, Lab Rat is a must-experience room for any fan of escaping.
The Hex RoomCross Roads Escape GamesEscape roomIRLHex Room’s concept for a classic horror movie is incredibly executed. The separation of all the character tropes is a novel way to start and the different rooms make it replayable. Puzzles were mostly different ways to find numbers and words and finding the right places to put them, not much in the way of dexterity puzzles. The ambiance and build of the room are astounding and with the right group of people it’s a wonderful game.
PlaygroundThe Escape Game - NYC MidtownEscape roomIRLMe and my friend did this room after we tackled this same location’s Prison Break which is one of my favorite rooms I’ve done. We were told there were more puzzles though they were easier. And for two seasoned players like ourselves that’s exactly what we got. Playground was simple but exciting. The puzzles were easy to understand and creatively distributed through the room. Certain puzzles were surprising to unlock and the colorful set design kept us guessing where the next puzzle laid. Starting in a classroom and extending to the schoolyard made the adventure a truly memorable one.
13th BasementExit Game OC - AnaheimEscape roomIRLA parody of classic escape rooms, 13th Basement is a great idea with a beautiful design and classic feel. Harkening back to the escape rooms of yore, this one uses locks, blacklight, and fake outs to poke fun at their absurd, sometimes convoluted nature. The Saw references and gore are perfect for any horror enthusiasts and it feels perfect for a group of beginners and experts alike.
InksidiousEscape Room 66 - Los AngelesEscape roomIRLInksidious’ storyline is the weakest part of the game but that being said the whole game is still incredibly fun. Though it’s very lock based, the puzzles you solve to get the codes are creative and different. The style and aesthetic are well-integrated with the theming of the room and it makes use of the space inside the room, making it feel larger than expected. The second room is worth the price of admission.
Meow! I'm a Cat.Exit Game OC - AnaheimEscape roomIRLRECORD HOLDERS BABYYYY! No but seriously, what a fun room. You are kittens in a room of big cat toys trying to get adopted. Though the puzzles are easy, I’m fully aware this room is more for kids and our group has played a LOT of rooms. It’s all on purpose and it’s a purrfect way to get kids involved in escape rooms. Jeremiah who saw us in and talked to us after is knowledgeable about the business and this room shows his passion paid off.
Whatever Happened To The Garretts?Maze Rooms - West LAEscape roomIRLThe set design for this one is beyond cool. The use of household appliances of yesteryear immediately immerses you in the 80’s as they intended. It felt like neither the puzzles nor setting took precedent over the other because they melded so well together. The last puzzle, as usual, gave me and my friend a run for our money but we pulled through in the end with no clues. Though the ending wasn’t a great “surprise” for me, it was satisfactory for the room as a whole.
Conundrum MuseumBoxarooEscape roomIRLThough not the BEST art museum escape room I’ve done, this is FAR from the worst. The room is relatively small but that’s not to its detriment. The pieces of art around the room had a variety of working parts and ideas they excelled in. Teamwork is a main tent pole of this room and getting the final pieces in place together is satisfying.
Something's Out There!Maze Rooms - West LAEscape roomIRLGREAT set design all around in this room. Right off the bat the room has you “outside” and no matter how much you still try yourself you’re indoors, it keeps you immersed. The jump-scares were fun and surprising - used sparingly but in the right places. Once again the last puzzle was the main one that stumped me and my partner and the only one we needed a hint for which is always frustrating, especially when going at a clip for the first 3/4’s of a room. Can’t blame the room though, Maze Rooms is good at keeping their theming fresh on what seems like a stale idea.
