Special Ops: Mysterious MarketThe Escape Game - Los AngelesEscape roomIRLReally loved the flow and ambiance of this room and experience. I was surprised at how we actually were guided through the space and thought the puzzles were great for our team of 4. It might be difficult for absolute beginners but everything about the room just felt right and made for a really fun experience.
Hide & Seek - A Silent DeathEscape Hotel HollywoodEscape roomIRLSpecial event during Halloween season. Like a scavenger/puzzle hunt through the Escape Hotel's large, two-story space with spooky monsters roaming the halls. Yes, they did use tasers in the 2023 experience, but honestly it just made it more fun with the raised stakes and all the staff managed to find a great balance of staying in-character while still being respectful of us as players, and I never felt like I saw anything which felt like it was being pushed too far. Staff did a great job of briefing everyone at the beginning of what they could and could not expect (since it was technically a full-contact experience). I can't get into more specifics without spoilers so I'll end it there, but I do highly recommend this for haunt-lovers looking for something different and don't mind a brief taser-sting once in a while!
Prison BreakThe Escape Game - Los AngelesEscape roomIRLFun for a split-start room, but like other rooms done here, having a large group made things difficult just by being cramped up together. Otherwise it was fun with some good puzzles for an overall enjoyable experience. Recommended for folks who have some experienced players in their group.
The HeistThe Escape Game - Los AngelesEscape roomIRLFun room that I'd recommend for anyone, though beginners may struggle a bit. The sets were well done and puzzles felt fair. Ideal for a group of no more than 4-5 just due to space, but this company allows for strangers to join and it felt very cramped with a full 8 people. Very linear too so larger groups will be left standing around - keep that in mind when planning!
World of IllusionsMaze Rooms - HollywoodEscape roomIRLTheming was great and puzzles were fun! General tip: take it slow because things can take longer than you think to register "correct" and trigger the puzzle solution.
Truth or DareSix Flags Fright Fest - Magic MountainHauntHaunted houseI first went through their 2022 experience, and this was a delight compared to last year. A very respectable haunt maze for the Six Flags Fright Fest catalogue. The story seemed similar to last year, where you were a contestant for the game show Truth or Dare that goes horribly wrong and it takes you through the sets and back stage areas. If you were disappointed by the 2022 offering, give it another shot and see the improvements!
Star Trek Discovery: Damage Control [prev. Star Trek: Quantum Filament]Escapology - NorthridgeEscape roomIRLOverall a fun room that I think is appropriate for escape room beginners. I've only done ~30 rooms myself with my group, and we didn't find anything particularly challenging. But it was still a fun room that I feel like I can recommend to newbies or more experienced folks looking for a solid experience. The Star Trek IP felt a little underutilized to me, but otherwise it was a good experience.
![Star Trek Discovery: Damage Control [prev. Star Trek: Quantum Filament]](https://res.cloudinary.com/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/star_trek_discovery_damage_control_prev_star_trek_quantum_filament-1.jpg)