CU Adventures in Time & Space - "Calling All Villains"
- Krista Jones
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
LOCATION: Urbana, Illinois, USA
Photo above is property of CU Adventures in Time & Space
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
📝 ETR DECODER
🔑 GAME: Calling All Villains
📅 DATE PLAYED: May 14, 2026
🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-10 ppl (Ages 13+)
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins.
💰 PRICE: $42.00/ pp (4 ppl), $27.00/ pp (5+ ppl)
☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes
📖 THE STORY
You’ve been looking to start a new career as a henchperson, and you just might have found your in! A local supervillain is hiring, and your “working interview” involves breaking into Dr. Radiation’s lab to steal some highly questionable technology and sinister plans. Just don’t get caught…or mess this up! Your future depends on it.
🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE
A delightfully villainous premise: We loved getting to play from the “bad guy” side for once. In most escape rooms, we’re the heroes and that’s how we typically lean. But it was novel to lean into our role as aspiring henchpeople, particularly when done in such a silly kind of way.
Playful GM interactions: The live interactions here are not as extensive as in some other games (and we had more than usual…as a duo, we required some extra hands a few times in this game intended for 4+ players), but they add huge amount of charm. Our GM fully committed to the bit as our prospective supervillain boss with a silly, tongue-in-cheek approach and the “Yes, and...” improv vibe.
Good use of space to foster teamwork: The room expands nicely as you progress, and continues to encourage players to move back and forth between areas, share information, and coordinate tasks. (Though it would have been great to have a workaround for one crawl tunnel between two sections.)
Creative puzzles: There were several fresh puzzle ideas we haven’t seen before, and it does a good job epitomizing the comic-book mad scientist theme in many of its challenges.
🧩 MISSED THE MARK
Uneven environmental design: The opening space in this game is impressive, but overall the set design doesn’t quite reach the same level as some of the venue’s other rooms. It’s still fun and functional, just a little less visually super-powered by comparison.
Some more random puzzles tossed in: While many puzzles fit the comic-book world and storyline well, a handful felt less fully integrated into the narrative and setting.
🏹 TAKE A SHOT?
"Calling All Villains" has a slightly more classic escape room feel than some of the venue’s more epic experiences. It captures the energy of a goofy comic-book caper and is a great conceptual twist on classic (super)hero games. It’s a particularly good fit for larger groups since the room gives players opportunities to take on different roles and spread out across various areas.
The finale includes a twist that may divide opinions depending on what kind of narrative payoff you prefer. One of us enjoyed it, while the other wished for a little more player agency in how things concluded...a branching choice at the end would have been great.
Still, if you’ve ever wanted to commit questionable crimes for a fabulous supervillain, this is your chance to embrace your inner hench-person. Tip-toeing and maniacal laughter encouraged.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO
Private lot with a good amount of parking.
The generous lobby/waiting area where you check in has both shirts for sale and a creative, co-operative version of tetris you can play.
There are bathrooms and a water cooler available.
There are no lockers, but you can leave your things in the rooms themselves.
On the other side of the building, you’ll find Parcadia – a very cool mini-golf experience with a tavern, a mini puzzle-hunt, and lots more in the works!
Across the street there is also a food hall with a variety of options.
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 CU Adventures in Time & Space for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.
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