The Mad Scientist [prev. The Laboratory]

Puzzles are the star of the show here. You’re initially given a few puzzle tracks you can work on simultaneously, but if you’re moving at a faster pace, your GM can add additional puzzle tracks mid-game to keep you busy the entire time! A wide variety of puzzles, many of which fit the scientist theme, and each puzzle track revolved around its own theme and iterated on its mechanic in interesting ways.

The environment is rather plain, but many of the props you use for the puzzles are unique, fun to interact with, and many fit the theme.

Jon was fantastic, helping us in just the right way when we asked for hints, and chatting with us after the experience.

The puzzle flow is not something you see in most other escape rooms

Diffuse bomb

Finishing the base game is average difficulty, but if you’re trying to finish every single puzzle track within the time, it’s rather difficult. If that’s something you’re after, a slightly larger group that’s willing to split up might make it easier.

Some cool tech used throughout, but more reliant on locks and keys/combos.

One puzzle wouldn’t complete the end action even though we had it correct, but our GM quickly moved us along, and it was a tiny blip in the experience.

Completely flat and level to get from the parking lot to the game. No steps, climbing, ducking, or crawling. Most puzzles are easy to reach, but a couple of items are higher up. Clues are given via audio on a phone or visually on a screen. Not much reliance on color to solve puzzles.

They have their own parking lot

The front door was always unlocked and easily accessible. One prop requires some common sense practices to avoid injury, but instructions are clearly posted.

There are tests involving each of the five senses so make sure to have people in the group who together comfortably cover each of the five senses.

Our GM Jon was very helpful, funny, and convincing in his role as a German assistant professor. His frequent use of the word "and" was a great touch.

Flowed very well, and you get to do more if you go fast!

Basic setup with just a bunch of things to do

Classic style of puzzles, but a lot of clever ones

We did it with just 2 and got through 5 of the 6 tracks.

One slight hiccup but they handled it well

The puzzles flowed well and there were several puzzles that were novel and fun!

The decorations and puzzles were in tip-top condition and fit the theme perfectly.

Our GM (sorry, I forgot his name...) was funny and respected our teams request for no hints.... although we eventually asked for one.

I really liked the theme and the science-related tasks.

TBH, I don't really listen to the story, but the story was consistent with the room theme.

We played as a group of five adults who have played 53 rooms (47W - 6L). Don't let our quick escape time fool you into thinking it is an easy room; it was a challenging room with great puzzles.

I love lock & key rooms, so this was right up my alley.

We played as a group of five adults, which was great, but you could play with fewer, or more.

We won't play scary rooms.

I put ten years old only based on a typical ten year old attention span. But if you have a younger enthusiast, by all means, include them.

Everything was in top condition.

We won't play rooms with live actors.

There is the usual scurrying around, but nothing strenuous.

This would be a difficult room to play if you have any of the above listed disabilities. But I think the room is wheelchair-friendly.

There is a dedicated parking lot. We even brought our dog and checked on her in the car between rooms (we solved three of their rooms today). Fortunately, it was overcast and cold.

Individual puzzles were pretty novel but overall theme was pretty lackluster. However solid flow and good puzzles

Lab theme is not one I love but was still good overall

Lab with dozens of unconnected puzzles. But would still recommend tbh

Just as many puzzles as they could put in one room. But good if that's what you want

They will redact puzzles as optional for small groups, so number ranges well

Some reaching and manipulating