Tomb Raider Experience Seattle: Enter the Temple of Fire [Immersive Experience not an Escape Room]

We were extremely disappointed with the Tomb Raiders experience in Seattle. Despite being marketed as an immersive, story-driven adventure, this was absolutely not an escape room — nor was it immersive. The entire experience was timed, and you’re moved from room to room whether you finish the puzzles or not. We breezed through the first room in minutes and then stood around doing nothing while our guide, Brian — the only actor we encountered — awkwardly tried to stall us until a pre-programmed sunbeam effect allowed us to progress. His performance was stiff and unconvincing, and no other characters or storyline interactions ever appeared, despite the promise of a cinematic, character-driven journey. The “puzzles” consisted entirely of pressing buttons or pulling levers — no keys, no combinations, no physical clues. The whole thing reset automatically. Of the six rooms they advertise, two were just motion simulator rooms (a helicopter ride in and out), and the remaining four were very small and basic mini-puzzles. You only spend about an hour actually solving anything, and even that feels shallow. To top it off, we paid nearly $500 for six people, and they had the nerve to charge another $15 for watermarked photos at the end. We’ve done numerous escape rooms that were infinitely more fun, challenging, and immersive — for a fraction of the cost. Save your money. This experience was a total misrepresentation of what was promised — not an escape room, not immersive, and definitely not worth the price.

We went in knowing it wasn’t an escape room. Also knowing we could have the public join us, but we weren’t willing to shell out private game prices…or even regular prices because of the bad reviews so we got on the Fourth of July discount. We lucked out and it was just my wife and myself. We made quick work of the first room and twiddled our thumbs a bit, but after that they just let us push through as there was no one in front of us. All in all a cool experience with the theatrics and the comic they provide with photos after was great. Not sure if it was complimentary this time or all the time, but I wouldn’t pay extra for it. As Tomb Raider game lovers, it was fun. If you’re not into that I could see it being mid. But we enjoyed ourselves.

My team had a great time! We had a combo of noobs to experienced players. The immersive experience with escape elements is very low barrier and was a super team building activity for us. The puzzles are fun and original and take coordinated efforts to complete. Don't go in expecting a full-on escape room; this is a guided immersive attraction with escape elements. Just relax and enjoy the amazing scenery, sound, lighting and the original adventure. I look forward to taking another team in for some workplace bonding.

Very fun

Yes, it is an experience. I wouldn’t tag it as an escape room. Almost every “puzzle” is sequencing. Some puzzles have you do the same thing over and over till the group in front of you moves to the next room. Because of this, there is not much reasoning behind your actions. In one room, we literally just stood there waiting after solving all the puzzles. Two of the rooms don’t even have puzzles in them. Also, it’s hard to follow the narrative. To top it, it’s $24 for an end of room picture.

It was certainly more of an experience than an escape room, but it was still fun. The puzzles weren't hard and a couple rooms we had to wait for the people in front of us to finish before we could move on.

If you come in with the mindset of an immersive experience over an escape room, then you will probably enjoy it. If you are expecting a full-blown escape room (which it is not marketed as one), you may be left disappointed. Cool sets and an exciting finale make it worth the visit!

Much like what everyone else is saying, it's more of an experience than an escape room. We went with 7 and had no additional people. I think 6 would be perfect, but then you run the risk of randos joining. There were a number of teamwork puzzles, mainly in the last room that were neat that that was the case. We got stuck on a gem puzzle and they just opened the door to the next room when the time was up. No hints, they just skipped a puzzle and opened the door. I'd rather lose (or get hints) than skip the puzzle; why is it even there if you don't have to solve it? Our "Alex" had a tablet and was in charge of things (employee), so solving the actual puzzles didn't create a chain reaction to open the door, he was the one doing it. 7/7 didn't think this escape room was something to recommend. Production value high. Other Hourglass Escape rooms are great.

I enjoyed the puzzles, but not so much the format. It really is more of an “experience” than an escape room. There are many moments where it feels like you’re in an unskippable cutscene, just listening to recordings and watching screens. The rooms force you through at a set pace regardless of how fast you solve the puzzles (and even if you don’t solve the puzzle) so there’s no way to not escape. I agree with other reviewers that some of the puzzles didn’t have enough feedback to tell if they’d been completed. Regardless, it’s a fun experience (especially for this with no or minimal escape room experience experience)… just don’t expect a traditional escape room. And do expect to be paired with strangers unless you want to pay for all 10 ticket slots.

This is an experience with escape room type puzzles. Similar to the Vegas Saw, Blair Witch and IT attractions. They push you from room to room whether you’re done or not. There is a guide with you the entire experience.