Hope EndThe Ministry Of PeculiaritiesEscape roomIRLThe most perfect blend of immersive theatre and escape room games, Hope End at The Ministry of Peculiarities is one of the most unique, well-crafted, and fun games I’ve ever played. The staff and actors were fantastic, and my entire group enjoyed the experience, comparing notes for 10 minutes after the game ended. I can’t wait to see what they build next!
40 ThievesMindTrap Escape Room - TemeculaEscape roomIRLRight from the beautiful intro that mixed projection video with real-life environments, I could tell this was a special game. 40 Thieves was so much fun. For our group of three experienced players, we just barely made it out. There is so much to do in this room so larger groups are encouraged.
The AlchemistSherlockedEscape roomIRLWow, wow, wow. The Alchemist is one of the world’s most creatively breathtaking escape rooms. Take my word for it: I’ve played over 200 games. If you are in Amsterdam and enjoy a challenge, beautiful sets, and immersive experience, The Alchemist is a must play. I would love to experience it again just to see the finale scene (which I won’t spoil for you here). The team at Sherlock has outdone themselves. I played all of their games while I was in town and The Alchemist stands far above the other two games, though I hear they are refurbishing the other two games soon.
Mogollon Monster: Scouting for Arizona's BigfootThe Nemesis ClubEscape roomIRLIt’s hard to put into words just how special The Nemesis Club is. Plucked straight out of something you’d find at Disney World, The Nemesis Club is a top-tier escape room that is a must visit for anyone in Phoenix. I can say with confidence that this is one of the best escape room companies in the world. We played all 3 games but the clear standout favorite was the Mogollon Monster Bigfoot game. It might even be in my top 10 of all time. The owners put such whimsy into all their games and even the lobby was perfectly designed. I felt like we’d entered a supervillain speakeasy behind an ice cream shop and I wanted to spend my entire day there. The game itself is fantastic from top to bottom. I even want to replay it because it was truly that good.
Sal's CyberneticsThe Immersive MachineEscape roomIRLSal’s Cybernetics was such a fun game. The cyberpunk theme was beautifully done and I left with a new best friend in Crumbz. The puzzles were unique and Kay was such a welcoming host. A fun little secret: if you visit the immersive Century Grand Bar in town and enter the phone booth and dial CRUMB9, you can get a special message.
The Weeping WitchCross Roads Escape GamesEscape roomIRLThe Weeping Witch is one of the best new escape rooms in Los Angeles. The level of craftsmanship that went into building the special effects is on the same level as something Disney Imagineering would produce. Despite being in a very small space, the game kept us on our toes and busy the entire time. I would not recommend playing with more than 4 players as you would not get to take part in all the puzzles. The scare effects were flawlessly executed and delivered just at the right moments. The room was the perfect level of scary, meaning we were not paralyzed in fear, but rather knew when the scary moments were coming and could brace ourselves for them. Special shout out to the clever use of a prop to deliver hints to players. It was incredibly inventive and very memorable.
Distrito 111 [District 111]Unreal Room Escape Sant Martí – BarcelonaEscape roomIRLDistrict 111 is a very large and mechanical escape room just outside of Barcelona. The set is probably the greatest element of the game as it is feels incredibly realistic and is full of surprises. Our game master gave us just the right amount of hints so that we could still have a challenge but complete the game before time ran out. This is a must play if you’re in Barcelona!
Election DayAppleseed AvenueEscape roomOther Election Day by Appleseed Avenue is a bold and refreshing take on escape rooms, blending crime-solving and even an autopsy into a whimsical puppet-filled world. It felt like stepping into an old-school CSI video game, scouring evidence, evaluating crime scenes, and piecing together clues to crack the case. With a generous 100-minute runtime, the game gave us plenty of time to immerse ourselves in the beautifully designed sets, which were so charming and full of personality that I didn’t want to leave. The humour was adorable, the characters were delightful, and we found ourselves laughing throughout the experience. That said, I did wish there were more spaces to unlock as we progressed, as this could have created additional moments of surprise and adrenaline. Some of the gameplay leaned heavily on screen-based tasks, which, while appealing to some, made the pacing feel slower for me at times. There’s also an intriguing detective-room cabinet with numerous compartments that only opened a few times. This felt like a bit of a tease and is a missed opportunity for more interactive reveals. Still, these are small critiques of what is ultimately a creative and highly enjoyable escape room experience. Election Day is an impressive debut and one I expect will quickly become a must-play for escape room fans visiting or living in Los Angeles.
Flynn's ArcadeBrain Games Escape RoomEscape roomIRLA fantastic new game at brain games. I felt like I was sucked right into the TRON movie.
The Steampunk ExpressThe Imaginarium: Playground for the Creative MindEscape roomIRLOne of the top best rooms I’ve played in Toronto. The set design, story, and difficulty level of the puzzles felt perfect. Our group divided and conquered and enjoyed the mix of tactile and electronic puzzles. The train is beautifully designed and immersive. I wish I could play it again for the first time. My group loved it.
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