America's Escape Game (Tampa) - "The Shack"
- Cici Cao
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
LOCATION: Tampa, Florida, USA
Photo above is property of America's Escape Game
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
📝 ETR DECODER
🔑 GAME: The Shack
📅 DATE PLAYED: July 1, 2025
🎬 GENRE: Mystery
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 8 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: $37.00/ pp
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes
📖 THE STORY
John's relationship with Jonathan and his mother, Mary, has always been unusual. After Mary's death, John moved into their house, turning the Shack into a storage area. Jonathan has always been curious about John's life before the war and seeks to discover the secret hidden deep within the Shack...
Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE
As enthusiasts, we were thrilled by the abundance and variety of puzzles we encountered throughout the game.
We thoroughly enjoyed the innovative method of discovering the light source in this game.
One of the more challenging puzzles was a fun multi-step one that we solved, as the prop itself was uniquely intriguing, and assembling and disassembling it was a puzzle in its own.
The "secrets" hidden deep within this room were expertly concealed by the numerous puzzles the storyteller crafted, perfectly complementing the storyline.
🧩 MISSED THE MARK
Adding more storyline at the beginning will clarify why we need to "escape" at the end. Currently, it's unclear if we're "locked in" and the reason for the "escape".
The wording of an early puzzle was confusing. We were uncertain about how to "activate" the puzzle. We recommend rewording the clue for clarity.
A photo clue was confusing because it's associated with another clue later in the game. Using a different image will prevent any confusion.
🏹 TAKE A SHOT?
We played two games at this company, and this one offers a distinctly different vibe from "The Caretaker". Upon entering, you're greeted by a bright passageway, contrasting the darker atmosphere of the previous game. Initially, everything seems normal, but the storyline quickly reveals twists that keep you engaged and challenge your perceptions. As you progress, the plot thickens, and connections emerge...The game is filled with puzzles that require observation and critical thinking, which can be challenging yet rewarding. It would definitely help to divide and conquer especially if you have two players. Ready to figure out the mystery hidden inside the shack?
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO
Free parking outside the facility
Lobby with seating area
Merchandise for sale
Lockers available
"Active Feat" experience available
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
(If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!)
Disclosure: We thank America's Escape Game (Tampa) for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.
Comments