Ghost PatrolTrivium GamesEscape roomIRLPractically perfect. Immersive, humorous and incredibly creative. Playing Ghost Patrol feels like you've stumbled into a lesser known room the Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.
The DomeMama BazookaEscape roomIRLWow. The Dome is kind of batshit and intense and amazing, but also kind of incoherent. Amazing sets - apparently there was a plot, I didn't really get that at all. Every interaction was super well designed and really really fun to do. Each room was very well put together, just that... often times I felt like I had wandered into an entirely different escape room when going through a door. So that was a bit odd, but The Dome is incredibly ambitious and generally pulls it off. We did it with a team of six, which is probably one person more than I would recommend. It would be extremely challenging (I'm not actually sure it could be done) with a team of two. High intensity from start to finish. The post-game video review was a very nice touch, fun to see ourselves navigate the challenges!
Molly's GameUntold Stories Experiences [prev. Down the Hatch]Escape roomIRLI play Molly's Game the day after I played The Dome and the two rooms form a fascinating juxtaposition when played back to back. I never had to worry about following the plot in Molly's Game - it really hit you over the head with the plot (which was, honestly, fairly guessable by the second room). The build is extensive, atmospheric and very detailed (although it got a little campy at points). Every aspect of the experience has been thought through and while not everything works, the highs are very ambitious and are incredibly impressive. Overall, I thought the puzzles were somewhat uneven, with some being somewhat prosaic and others very unique. The experience worked well with four players, I think more would be a crowd and two would feel a little lonely. Our GM was great, although the plot exposition ran a little long - but I appreciated understanding how different elements were integrated into the various puzzles.
UndercookedOmescape - SunnyvaleEscape roomIRLThis is one of my all-time favorite rooms - it's very different from a classic escape room. It's much less of a linear experience and more like a series of high pressure mini-puzzles but I am a huge fan of the video game Overcooked and this room definitely manages to tap into the same spirit of joyful chaos that Overcooked brings. What a fantastic theme.
Operation GryaznayavodaIn Search Of An ExitEscape roomIRLWhat a fantastically wonderful and daffy experience from start to finish. So many games have generic themes, Operation Gryaznayavoda has such an original story brought to life so effectively. Great puzzles, love how it highlights Portland (a big plus for a visitor to the city, like me) - amazing set. YOU MUST PLAY THIS GAME!
The Edison Escape RoomPalace GamesEscape roomIRLEdison Room might be my favorite escape room in the world. So thoughtfully designed in terms of interactions and encouraging collaboration within large groups, such variety in experiences. There's so much to do and there are these moments that are so breathtakingly delightful no matter what age or what level of escape room experience you have.
The Battle for BritainEscape PlanEscape roomIRLBattle for Britain is my favorite escape room in London and I like it so much, I've actually done it twice, albeit over six years apart (once at the old location and once with an escape-room loving friend in the current location). None of the puzzles use technology that wasn't available during the time period the room is set in. The puzzles are lovely, very well done and the fact that you are trying to stop as many aerial attacks as possible (as opposed to linearly advancing through a room) gives the room a very different feel.
The Murder of Max Sinclair [prev. Case Closed]Case Closed EdinburghEscape roomIRLI adore Case Closed's Max Sinclair room. It's not the most high tech room. It was clearly put together on a pretty shoe string budget, but there so much loveliness and creativity in each part of this room! The focus is less on escaping and more piecing together the case (if you like The Return of the Obra Dinn, this game is for you). One of my favorites in the UK!
Full Experience: The Magician of Paris & The FunhouseDeep InsideEscape roomIRLThe sets, the sound effects and the acting are absolutely top notch. I can't say that the two rooms really integrate all that well as a story - I mean, they connect them, but it still kind of feels like "oh, look, two places we found in the Cité des Martyrs, go explore them". Le palais de l'horreur was my first legitimately scary escape room, one with a live actor. I absolutely loved the first part of le palais de l'horreur, such a creepy setting used to such great effect. The room overall had so many clever details that add to the effect throughout. I would say the puzzles are less of the main draw for either room (understandably so in le palais de l'horreur), but I really enjoyed my experience. I did this as a team of two, which I cannot say I recommend for your first horror room, but fortunately my cousin is far braver than I am. Also learned that "scaredy cat" does not translate into to french and instead you need to tell them that you are a "poule mouillée" to convey the same concept.
Lost and FoundHotel Veloria [prev. Kamer 237]Escape roomIRLI did a lot of top notch rooms while visiting the Netherlands, but Lost and Found remains my favorite of the trip. Such a lovely story, integrated so well with the sets and the creative use of space (also quite like the callbacks to the other rooms in the setting). Disney-level set design with some very lovely puzzles that, for the most part, felt quite natural with themes. Extremely kind staff, who transitioned in and out of his role seamlessly and very much added to the experience.
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