Ghost PatrolTrivium GamesEscape roomIRLIf I could describe Ghost Patrol in one word, it would be “whimsical.” There is an emphasis on detail and mental stimulation that makes their puzzles different from others. The room works to highlight the puzzles and I can’t wait for Trivium Games to come out with another room. I would recommend this room for puzzle-lovers with a moderate amount of escape room experience.
The Man From BeyondStrange Bird ImmersiveEscape roomIRLI don’t even know how to describe this experience but if I had to try, transcendental is the word I would choose. Escape rooms are designed to entertain. But this experience was designed to transcend, to reflect, to heal. This is probably the first room that I cried in. Deeply moving story and the puzzles were on point. Although, by the end of it, you’ll realize that the puzzles were the story all along. Strange Bird Immersive, thank you for this special moment. I will cherish these 90 minutes with the people in that room forever.
RobotopiaOmescape - SunnyvaleEscape roomIRLYou know you’re having a good time when the escape room is designed for two hours and the first hour flies by! The production value is insane - doors move and change the room completely. It literally transforms and the way that it does is completely out of this world. We did this with a group of 6 and it was so much fun - the room is hard but not impossible! There is also a live actor component that blends well with the theme and is not scary at all. Highly recommend and our game master was nice and answered all our questions after the experience!
Hope EndThe Ministry Of PeculiaritiesEscape roomIRLHope's End is a masterclass in immersive storytelling. Your experience starts the minute you walk in the door. Every nook and cranny of the lobby tells a story. You will leave with memories that will linger for a lifetime. We had a group of 12, and everyone walked away with a personalized memory that they will remember forever. Without revealing too much, they split us up into two groups and from there, we were transported into a world that is part theater and part escape room. The narrative that they share with you will tug at your heart strings, and it truly is nothing like I've experienced before. Parking is super easy. Finding the entrance of the building may be difficult, but don't be deterred if you see what looks like an abandoned door. You're probably in the right place.
Crane ManorClue IQEscape roomIRLMy partner and I were looking for an escape room and this location won awards so we took the chance. We drove out from Baltimore and we were not disappointed. We escaped the Crane Manor for two people at the 57 minute mark, so it is definitely doable with a duo but could also be enjoyable with a group of three to four. The puzzles were intuitive and stayed true to the story. The production is also of the highest quality. I could see why this location has the reviews and is very well-liked by enthusiasts!
40 ThievesMindTrap Escape Room - TemeculaEscape roomIRL40 Thieves is a masterclass in escape room design. From the minute I walked in, I felt like I was about to experience something incredible. And I did. From the intro “cut scene” to the interactions with the shopkeepers to the collaborative puzzles that get your party to look around the premises and communicate, they did such a good job with everything. I could see why this room earned its spot in the TERPECA awards. This is worth the drive if you’re coming from LA like we were. I would also recommend getting a bigger group because there are so many puzzles to do!
UndercookedOmescape - SunnyvaleEscape roomIRLI’m a big fan of the game Overcooked, so Undercooked easily made it to the top of my escape rooms list. This is a room that I wish I could forget, just so I can experience it all over again! I may actually go back and do this again once enough time has passed. As for the room itself , there is a lot to do so the recommendation is 4-6 players! With our group of 6, we managed to complete 24 out of the 26 recipes. The set design is unique, the storyline really does live up to its hype, and I would definitely set the expectation that instead of escaping the room, think of doing as many puzzles as possible within the time allotted. The finish took me a while to wrap my head around, but that may be because I was still recovering from the chaos of the kitchen. Thank you for having us Chef Ramses II! :) The use of the space here is top notch.
Operation GryaznayavodaIn Search Of An ExitEscape roomIRLOperation Gryaznayavoda or OG is a memorable eclectic room in Portland. The storyline is unique, our game master is hilarious, and the puzzles feel rewarding to solve. There are only 2 rooms in this location so if you have to choose one, choose this one! Highly recommend getting a group of 3-4 for this room. We did it with a group of 3 and it took all of us. Parking is limited so get there early. The location may be tricky to find too but it’s all part of the experience.
Mogollon Monster: Scouting for Arizona's BigfootThe Nemesis ClubEscape roomIRLBigfoot is known by many names but after going through this experience, you’ll remember him as The Mogollom Monster. The introduction to this room was terrific and I loved the theme of going camping and being in the outdoors. The puzzles were varied and challenging. We learned that this was the first room that they created and it was already at such a high bar. The Nemesis Club deserves all the awards for continuing to raise the bar. I wish our group of five had more time to decompress between the rooms because we ended up doing all three of their rooms in one day! They’ve done such a phenomenal job with this room, as well as their lounge and waiting area. A worthy stop in Arizona and it’s only 30 minutes away from the airport
Cutthroat Cavern13th Gate EscapeEscape roomIRLWowowow. This is the room that you will tell people about simply because of the wow factor. I’ve seen some impressive set designs for escape rooms but this is the most impressive yet. I felt like I was in a cross over between Treasure Island and Indiana Jones. You just wish that you could stop and appreciate the immersion but you can’t, because time is running! The puzzles were not satisfying to solve for me. It started off great, but then when we asked for a hint, our game master was inattentive. When we asked for a clue, her clues were things that we already knew, which she would have known if she was watching us. She also did not make conversation with us as we walked down the long hallway and after our hour, she was short with us when we asked about certain puzzles in the room. I personally don’t like how I can identify the puzzles that annoyed me because there was assumed knowledge. A good design would not have made those assumptions. I don’t think my dislike would actually affect the rating of this room but I think they need to decide what storyline they want to go with, or make the storyline a little more cohesive. Also, one of the puzzles made our teammate nauseous and that would have been good to know beforehand.
