Escape from the Red Room

A very cool room that you’ll probably not find elsewhere. We went there as a group of 2 and got paired up with another Japanese player (non-English speaker), and sadly we did not escape. I really love the fact that they tried to make the room language barrier free with no words at all. However, I still think language barrier creates communication difficulties within our group and we do not understand each other’s ideas very well. Aside from that, the main concept of the room is super cool and unique. Puzzles are okay with no story and music at all during the experience. We are treated really nicely by the GMs and they are super friendly. GMs will stay in the room with you during the experience but in my opinion, their hint system is not extremely useful (they use very subtle languages to try not to spoil the room). Overall, it will be a cool experience if you do it with players speaking the same language. I love their effort in making their escape room more accessible for mixed language group and language barrier free. But if you ask me, I’ll probably still want to do it with people speaking the same language as me.

The language barrier is what killed us. The room was amazingly designed, it was such a fun room to do, just kills me that I didn't escape!

Tokyo’s ‘Escape from the Red Room’ is a long-running, interesting experience and likely to be SCRAP’s best English-friendly escape room in Tokyo. ‘Red Room’ is first and foremost a puzzle room with some rarely seen mechanics that will impress most escape room enthusiasts. There is no narrative to speak of, so the language-agnostic puzzles feel more random than thematic or diegetic but some are fun nonetheless. It is worth noting that this is a public booking experience — you will be paired with other groups to fill the room. We loved our experience with this group of teachers, but can see very easily how this could impede, rather than bolster, the experience.

An interesting concept in this room that I haven’t seen done anywhere else. The aha realisations were fun, especially the initial “no way” moment we had. Beyond this however, no story, the puzzles were just okay and the hint system left a bit to be desired. Despite being advertised as a language barrier free game I definitely was glad I played with two other English speaking players. There was communication necessitated between players in different rooms that I can’t see being easy without understanding each other. The hints system also left a lot to be desired, the staff member is in the room with you the entire time and often we found the hints to be unhelpful due to the employee not speaking very much English. Overall a cool idea in a cool space, maybe better if you’re a local.

Rating: 4/5 Love the concept, haven't done a room like this even after doing 100+ Puzzles are definitely tricky but not unfair, I just wish the room was longer with more puzzles. Story is non-existent but that's fine for this type of room. My partner and I played a public game which is risky in a country where we don't speak the native language. However, the group we played with spoke just enough English to communicate basic concepts and the company also provides small voice translator devices. The game itself does not require a specific language. For us, the experience of communicating mostly non-verbally actually made the room more fun. Note that the GM stays with you (she barely spoke English but used the translator) in the room which can help with the language barrier but it's also a bit awkward. I'd recommend 3-4 players.

Very very interesting room, though not too many puzzles. Even with my experience I was very confused and couldn't figure out what to do many times. A very unique room!

2nd out of country escape room. This is straight up puzzles - no story at all. Super unique problems solving and usage of concepts that I think make this room a must do, even if not all of the puzzles are intuitive. Read the other reviews to see how great this room was :)

Puzzles were really creative and the room was more about the puzzles than a backstory. Just wished there were more puzzles, because all of the puzzles were so fun to do. I would strongly recommend the room who especially enjoy the puzzle aspects of escape rooms!

Incredibly creative room. Well worth it to do this room if you’re in Tokyo. Never seen this concept done anywhere else. Can’t say much more without spoilers. There were a few puzzles that felt a bit lacklustre but as whole it was so much fun. Just wish it was longer!

very different room than what we have in the u.s. once you get used to the different rules it fun! definitely a must do if you are in japan or visiting!!