LOCATION: Portland, Maine, USA
Photo above is property of Maine Escape Games
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
📝 ETR DECODER
🔑 GAME: Escape Your Fears
📅 DATE PLAYED: August 18, 2023
🎬 GENRE: Horror
🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 9/10
👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl
🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins
💰 PRICE: $35/PP (more on weekends)
☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Private
🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (54:22)
📖 THE STORY
You and your team have been kidnapped by a madman who loves two things: puzzles, and killing people who aren’t good at solving puzzles. Fortunately, you’ve got a chance to escape, but your wits will have to be very quick. You’ve got one hour to solve the madman’s puzzles and earn your freedom… or else.
🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE
If you like jumpscares and live-actor interaction, this room does a great job of using these elements to ramp up tension, and even incorporates them into the puzzle design in some clever ways.
Puzzle elements are tactile and fun to interact with. Lots of attention is placed on objects that can be manipulated in interesting ways, rather than on simple riddles and paper problems.
The room presents a high level of challenge, but virtually everything feels fair, which isn’t always the case for rooms with a low escape rate.
🧩 MISSED THE MARK
One or two props feature wear that slightly affects their functionality, and some puzzles aren’t quite as intuitive as those in the other rooms at Maine Escape Games.
Live actor interaction probably should have been advertised on the website.
🏹 TAKE A SHOT?
"Escape Your Fears" is sure to be a memorable room for me, in large part because it was the first room I have been in that used a live actor. While I wish this had been advertised on the website for the benefit of those who aren’t fond of jumpscares, the presence of a masked killer lurking in dark recesses just outside the room and harassing us when we least expected it gave this room a tension I’m not used to. I’ve been hesitant to try such experiences before, but this one struck a nice balance of keeping the killer menacing without interrupting the flow of the puzzles.
This is the oldest room currently in operation at Maine Escape Games, and the age shows in some minor aspects of wear and puzzle design. Technology is less present than in its more recent peers, but it remains an excellent experience that wows with other aspects of its design. The puzzles here incorporate custom props with a high degree of tactility, from hefty boards to creepy baby carriages to ash-covered bones from previous victims of the killer’s rampage. The puzzles and the space itself are also designed in a way that makes it feel as though the killer is egging you on, deliberately toying with you as he challenges your group to solve his puzzles in time. He’s a killer with personality, and that shows in the journey you take to escape his clutches.
"Escape Your Fears" is a strong escape room definitely worthy of a look, though the difficulty level here is noticeably higher than the other rooms at Main Escape Games. Their website even features a warning that the room is particularly challenging, along with a recommendation that groups have at least four members. We managed to finish it with two, but given that it was with three hints and just over five minutes on the clock, I think the website’s recommendation of four or more experienced players is warranted. If that’s you (and you don’t mind some jumpscares from a really creepy clown) you’ll have a great time here!
Photos above re property of Maine Escape Games
ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO
Plenty of parking available just outside the front door.
Merchandise available for purchase in the lobby.
The building itself is handicap accessible, but the final area of this room is not owing to a narrow entranceway.
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 Maine Escape Games for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever.
