LOCATION: Salem, Massachusetts, USA Photo above provided by Escape Room Salem 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Outbreak II: High Voltage 📅 DATE PLAYED: February 9, 2020 🎬 GENRE: Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 10PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $24/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Dr. Conundrum was blown up into pieces during an experiment he was doing to find the cure for virus “Z”. We have an hour to “reassemble” and revive him so we can get the code for the antidote! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE With the owner’s “haunted house” background, it was no surprise that the room provided us with chills right from the beginning (Full Disclosure: due to a power outage the previous day, we were not able to experience the full effect of the game with the lighting and sound but from what the game master described to us, it should be eerier than what we’ve experienced). This room was not linear at all and with just the two of us, there was a lot to do around the room. We liked the implementation of a device that gave us the “heart pounding” moment. This made the game felt like a real-life situation. The final puzzle really put all the “pieces” together. We enjoyed the originality. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Some props felt like they needed an upkeep. There were no clues as to why we had to utilize something at the beginning which just felt like a “search and find” mission. We were unsure how that related to the story. A puzzle had pieces that had been improperly placed which messed up the clues and confused us for a long time. This could be resolved if they can glue down the pieces or just not have the confusing numbering system that could potentially be misplaced during reset again. We were able to get a key for a lock too early on in the game. For some reason the same key was able to open two locks. This really confused us for the latter puzzles as we found clues that didn’t make sense at the time. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Love Frankenstein? Enjoy putting things back together? This should be on your list of to-dos when visiting the town of Salem, MA. We hope Escape Room Salem can fix the minor things mentioned above as this game has a lot of potential. Our recommended group size is 4 but it can easily fit more. The town is also very big on doing street fairs and haunts during the Halloween time frame. So, if you are a horror fan, this is where you want to be in October. 🔎 HINT Lower your perspective... Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ** UPDATE - We regret to inform you that "Escape Room Salem" has closed its doors. Disclosure: We thank Escape Room Salem for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #escapetheroomers #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #escaperoomsalem #outbreakiihighvoltage #outbreakii #highvoltage #salem #massachusetts #ma #usa

LOCATION: Arlington, Massachusetts, USA Photo above provided by Amaze Escape 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Art of the Heist 📅 DATE PLAYED: February 10, 2020 🎬 GENRE: Adventure, Mission 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-10PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $30/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY We are a group of professional thieves hired by an international crime syndicate to recover a priceless suitcase inside of a police station. Can we break out before the police returns in 60 minutes? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Being that the building used to be a prison, it already added a few elements of surprises to the room and the surrounding areas of the escape room. Some props really resembled the era the story was set in. One prop in particular reminded us of our high school days. We probably got an upper hand on knowing what it is whereas the millennials would probably need to read the operation manual. The game flow as well as a few unexpected moments kept the momentum of the game going. The ending puzzle provided us with some “heart pounding” moments. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We didn’t notice that we already solved a puzzle right at the beginning. Perhaps some kind of signal could assist as an indicator. Some clues may be a bit hard to reach for shorter people (I’m 5 ft tall) but I would assume most groups may have a mixture of different heights. It would help to position it lower perhaps for groups with shorter players. Some props needed a bit of updating. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This building used to be a prison. The owner was great at utilizing the history of the building to build the two background stories of the rooms they have available. Their other room “Escape from Death Row” is set in real jail cells! The room we played used to be a “shooting range”. See if you can find any reminiscence of the past in there! 🔎 HINT Precision is a must. Additional Info Street Parking (some free 4 hour parking, some metered) Two lobbies with waiting area Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers We don't want to go into detail and ruin any surprises for you, but if you'd like more information on the room, feel free to email us. (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 Amaze Escape for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #escapetheroomers #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #amazeescape #artoftheheist #arlington #massachusetts #ma #usa

LOCATION: New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA Photo + Video property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Eckstein Experiment 📅 DATE PLAYED: February 11, 2020 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 7.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 10PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $22-29/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY No one knows what goes on inside Dr. Eckstein's Lab located in the mysterious brick building at the edge of town. Strange noises can be heard all throughout the night with massive power surges running through the building. You decide to respond to an ad in the local paper regarding clinical trials being held at the facility. Let's see what you can find out... 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This room was quite challenging and a lot of "tricks" up its sleeve. We started off inside of a cage as one of the patients that has enrolled for the clinical trials. The GM was great at playing his character. It felt like we're in the hands of a complete lunatic. The set design felt like a mad scientist's laboratory. The props looked and felt so real. There was a "special" discovery that definitely had us by surprise. It's not something you'll see in a typical escape room yet the creators were able to make it as a part of a puzzle. Each obstacle and puzzle challenge entangled with each other allowing for players to divide and conquer yet also communicate with each other at the same time. There was so many unexpected wow moments in this room. From beginning to end, we felt the need to uncover the truth no matter how "shocking" (literally) the discovery. Our favorite moment was definitely towards the end of the game. The set design along with the nerve-wracking count down gave the game a phenomenal ending. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK At one point, we were required to communicate with each other through a speaker but had difficulty hearing the conversation clearly. A sensor needed to be re-positioned for a prop towards the end as it wasn't triggering properly. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you love that supernatural Dr. Frankenstein type of vibe, this is the room for you! This room is not linear at all and allows you to spread out yet still requires you to come together as a team. Communication is very important in this room and it will challenge your all of your senses. The authenticity of the set design and decor really transports you to that fantasy world. 🔎 HINT Don't be afraid to reach in there... Additional Info Street parking available (meter free after 5PM) Elevator or stairs to 2nd and 3rd floor (pending on the game) Lobby with seating area ** We don't want to go into detail and ruin any surprises for you, but if you'd like more information on the room, feel free to email us. (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 Mass Escape for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #escapetheroomers #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #massescape #theecksteinexperiment #bedford #massachusetts #ma #usa

LOCATION: New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA Photo + Video property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: 44 Winterwood Lane 📅 DATE PLAYED: February 11, 2020 🎬 GENRE: Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 8PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $22-29/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Your relative has suddenly died and you've been named the sole heir to a relative's house and all of its possessions. You must visit the house to claim your inheritance from the caretaker. Something eerie about this place leaves you to wonder what exactly happened to your relative and what's been left behind? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE "44 Winterwood Lane" is storytelling at its finest! During our game play, we kept getting chills down our spine every time we unraveled a mystery and a piece of the backstory. The set design was spot-on with simple little details to really create that eerie atmosphere. The usage of props and dolls and the positioning of them was well thought out. The puzzles were implemented creatively with the story line and the misdirection was well executed. GM was in character even before the game even started. This really bought the immersion to another level. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK If I were to suggest anything to make the room better, it would be the use of lighting effects. Although the room already has a haunting atmosphere, it would've been great to have blackout moments which would require the use of lanterns/ flashlights to enhance the spooky vibe. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you love films like "Annabelle" or "The Boy", then you'll enjoy "44 Winterwood Lane"! Haunting mysteries that reveal their backstories are great and even better when utilized in an escape room because you actually feel like you're apart of it. There's also a couple of jump-scares in this room to satisfy the haunt fans. Our favorite moment was when we had to vote on who gets to open that door! 🔎 HINT Search high and low... Additional Info Street parking available (meter free after 5PM) Elevator or stairs to 2nd and 3rd floor (pending on the game) Lobby with seating area ** We don't want to go into detail and ruin any surprises for you, but if you'd like more information on the room, feel free to email us. (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 Mass Escape for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #escapetheroomers #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #massescape #44WinterwoodLane #bedford #massachusetts #ma #usa

LOCATION: Boston, Massachusetts, USA Photo above is property of Boxaroo 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Storyteller's Secret 📅 DATE PLAYED: February 10, 2020 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 75 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $40-47/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY We are visitors of Emily Carter’s cabin. She’s a young writer whose bestseller adventure novels are known by fans from all over the world. What’s her secret? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE From the moment that we stepped foot inside the cabin, our world changed. Reality disappeared and we were now inside of a story book. It was almost poetic the way the transition happened. There’s probably just one word to describe the scene that we saw... "BEAUTIFUL". The colorful set design felt like a large canvas. As we were going through the room and solving the puzzles, every “brush stroke” made the room become more “alive”. The more we divulged ourselves into the room, the deeper we felt connected with it. The music and lighting also went perfectly with each chapter. Set design and puzzle was fully absorbed as the story literally wrote itself. We’ve never seen this done by any other escape room that we’ve played till date. Even though the physical space of the room was not the largest we’ve seen, the amount of content was surprisingly satisfying. Especially for a 75-minute room. There were so many “wow” moments we didn’t even have time to think about it until the game finished. But this only left us wanting more. The ending puzzle was another big “wow” moment for us. We loved the creativity behind it and how the developers even thought of it is beyond us. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK If there’s one thing we can say to make this a perfect game for us (this is probably us nitpicking since we already love it so much), it would be to start the immersion from the door. It would be great if an “intriguing small puzzle” could be added to lure us into the storyline with some more interactive storytelling from the game master. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room easily made it to our top-rated room list for 2020. It’s one of our favorite games for sure. We actually felt the emotion of the storyteller and still think about it until this day. If you are in Massachusetts, Boxaroo is a "must-do"! If you love adventure, a beautiful set design, and tons of intriguing puzzles, you’ll love this room for sure! We can’t wait to return to play their other games. ** Fun fact: It’s ingenious the way this room was making you reset the room for them as you complete your journey. You might want to rethink though the game after you played it on how they are able to do that. 🔎 HINT “Revisiting” may not be a bad idea. Photos above are property of Boxaroo (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 Boxaroo for providing us with a media discount for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. Update: Our reviewers Krista & Dave also visited Boxaroo to play "Storyteller's Secret" in December '21!! #CiciCao #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #boxaroo #storytellerssecret #boston #massachusetts #ma #usa

LOCATION: Boston, Massachusetts, USA Photo above is property of Boxaroo 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Mystery of the Magician's Study 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 28, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Magic 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-10PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $20-40/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You and your team have been invited to investigate Viltore Madom's study. It has been said that the study of this once-legendary magician is a mystical place and your mission is to discover the secret of it! But you must act fast before it's too late... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE When it comes to the storylines, Boxaroo always delivers something extremely unique and poetic. As soon as we started "Mystery of the Magician's Study", it felt like a show had just begun, literally. The secret behind the magician's study already builds the curiosity within the player. But, it's the "not knowing" of how or when this secret will be revealed that really keeps the game going! One thing we haven't noticed other escape room done before as their intro is that they have a voice reading over the intro story so you don't need to designate one person to read the letter and the entire team can hear at the same time. The set design was impressive and not to mention spacious! The puzzles are pretty linear in this game but due to the space, your team can still split up and "search and find" items you might need to piece together in later parts of the game. Boxaroo is great at incorporating theatrical moments within the room whether it's technical or not. The obstacles in this room were so cleverly constructed! After playing a good amount of escape rooms, certain puzzles can start to become repetitive as they are presented in the same ways. In the "Mystery of the Magician's Study", we saw familiar puzzles but designed in a way that it gave us an entirely different solving experience! Every thing that we accomplished in order to proceed felt like we were slowly unlocking the secret of the study. The sound and special effects accompanied each of the magical reveals quite nicely. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There's not really to pinpoint out here other than that there are some props that could use a bit of refreshing but other than that this is a solid room! 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is the 2nd time visiting Boxaroo and after playing "The Storyteller's Secret", we knew what we were in for. Their games not only provide you with an escape room experience, but they also make you feel something, like a theater performance! We were pleasantly surprised about this room as it is their oldest room designed back in 2016. They were definitely way ahead of a lot of escape rooms back then and even now with their set design, tech and storytelling. We definitely look to complete the list when we return to Boston next time with their third game "Conundrum Museum". Additional Info Parking lot nearby Lobby area with seating Handicap accessible 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 Boxaroo for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. Update: Our reviewers Krista & Dave also visited Boxaroo to play "Mystery of the Magician's Study" in December '21!! #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Magic #Magician #Mystery #Boxaroo #USA #Massachusetts

LOCATION: Fitchburg, Massachusetts, USA Photos above are property of Curious Escape Rooms Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Dollhouse 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 29, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Mystery, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 1-10PPL (Recommend 4-6PPL) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $84/Team ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY There's a woman who has come into possession of something extremely valuable, yet dangerous. Instead of discarding it, she decided to hide it where no one would ever think to look... inside a child's dollhouse. The only way to step inside the child's dollhouse is through a portal. Once inside, you only have 60 minutes to find the item and make it back before the portal closes. If you don't, you'll remain in the dollhouse... forever!! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The storyline for "The Dollhouse" is so creative and unique that it becomes not just an escape room, but an experience. Stepping inside a life-size dollhouse in search for a dark secret is enough to peak the interest of any escape room player. We normally don't get to see the room before actually entering it but this set design provided an "outside looking in" feeling. Even when we're playing the game we had to look over a few times to make sure no one was "watching" us. As we progressed throughout the game, there were other surprises that reminded us of our stature of being inside a dollhouse. Although there were no sound/drop down type of jump scares, certain things in the dollhouse definitely gave us the creeps. Most players would probably remember the ending as it's quite memorable and iconic. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There was a way where the game could be made for "challenging" for more players. We thought that it would be more interesting to add various types of puzzles rather than just repeating the same one. There's a good amount of "search and find" in the room. We are just really bad at this category and spend a good amount of time looking for things and had to even ask for hints for a few. There was a repetitive puzzle in the room that was fun to solve the first time. However, it did become a bit repetitive when we had to use the same decoder to solve it a couple of more times. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room was created 5 years ago. Being that they had this type of idea and puzzle creativity is quite impressive as they were considered the early pioneers in the MA area. The room doesn't have a lot of high tech but it does fit the theme and the storyline. I'm sure everyone has wondered at some point what it would be like to shrink down to size and step inside a miniature house. In "The Dollhouse" you get to fulfill that curiosity and investigate the premises. We wouldn't classify this game as scary but it does have an eerie vibe to it. Especially since there are dolls throughout the game that always seem to be staring at us! At one point, Cici put one on a "time-out" and made him face the corner! As enthusiasts that played hundreds of escape room, we also start to assume a lot of things. There was something visible to us right at the beginning that we had access to the entire time but because most of the other rooms we've seen needed it to be triggered, we didn't even both to check! So don't assume anything when playing this room! And if you still can't be satisfied after coming back to your real size from "The Dollhouse", lock yourself up in their 10-minute escape game - "The Hero's Phonebooth"!! Additional Info Free parking across the street Lobby area with seats "We The Enthusiast" Passport available for purchase Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ** Also they are the creators of "We the Enthusiasts Escape Room Passport". Make sure you pick one up and stamp all your victories! Photos above are property of We The Enthusiasts (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 Curious Escape Rooms for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Mystery #CuriousEscapeRooms #WeTheEnthusiasts #USA #Massachusetts

LOCATION: Ashland, Massachusetts, USA Photos above are property of Puzzle Escape Ashland Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Running Into The Roaring Twenties 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 2, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 3.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 45 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $42.50-$95.20/Team (pending on size of team) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY The year is between 1897-1923, you are two blocks away from the original starting line in a parlor where the runners meet and hang out. It is time for the runners to start and after the marathon, the star runner got his trophy stolen. Can you help him find the trophy in the parlor? He is quite sure that one of the other runners stole it for themselves. Figure out who stole first prize and get it back to its rightful owner. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Learning about the historical context of this event is quite interesting. This story is all based on true events that happened in the town of Ashland. This is a side gig the owner is doing mainly to provide some entertainment to local Veterans of Foreign Wars. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Due to budget and this more as a passion project rather than a true escape room business, there's not much of set design (a few furniture pieces) involved. You're greeted by the game master as soon as you enter lobby of the escape room but also the game itself. The props were mainly just simple locks and keys and some homemade paper clues. Most of the puzzles were all reading based. There were no surprises on what you'll need to do next. Once you figure out the clue, you'll need to find a box that you can input an answer to then get to the next clue. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Having this room run by the VFW and using it as a fundraising opportunity for them is a commendable idea; however, the room that was played was sub-par. The puzzles were quite simple (the owner has informed that there's many family with kids that come and attempt this room so they can't make it too difficult due to their audience) and there is no immersion to make you or your team feel like you are in the years 1897-1923 (there was never a specific year picked that the story took place in). The best part of the whole experience was learning about the true event of when the trophy got stolen but having to read about it throughout the game. It felt more like a history assignment. If you are looking to support a local non-profit organization and want to learn some history along the way, check out PuzzleEscape-Ashland. Unfortunately for enthusiasts, I would recommend searching for other games to play. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers *** We regret to inform this company has closed its doors *** (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 Puzzle Escape Ashland for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Mystery #History #PuzzleEscapeAshland #USA #Massachusetts

LOCATION: Boston, Massachusetts, USA Photo above is property of Trapology Boston Photos above are property of Trapology Boston 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Crush Depth 📅 DATE PLAYED: December 29, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Submarine 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 PPL (Recommend 2-6PPL) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $38-45/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You are touring an old submarine that is rumored to be haunted by its former captain, who was murdered by the crew, when the lights go out…the captain’s ghost is convinced you are the ones who murdered him and is attempting to sink the ship and you with it! You have to figure out how to escape the ghost’s wrath and make it back to the surface alive! Video above is property of Trapology Boston 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Trapology really sold the scene with an immersive set and props! It was every bit as weathered and militaristic as you might expect a decommissioned sub to be. The set dressing was extensive and riddled with puzzle components which were quickly distinguishable from non-functional set dressing. This created a detailed scene without adding any frustration. Overall, the set and props were extremely cohesive and well executed. The puzzles themselves were also highly thematic, with the exception of one cryptex (and who doesn’t love a cryptex?). There was a really nice flow to the game, with a good variety of puzzles and satisfying solves. We liked that there were some things you discover early on that don’t actually come into play until the end of the game. For the most part, everything just worked as it should, and it felt like a very clean design that was just fun to play. There is an unforgettable highlight to this room. When we first saw the possibility, we both initially thought, “Surely, we won’t actually get to do that?” But we did! Trapology staff were fantastic all around. Initially, Crush Depth was not listed as available to play, but with a quick call they were happy to switch out a booking slot for a different game so that we could play this one. They are also accommodating in allowing 2 players to book this game. There is technically one puzzle that requires three, but they allow you to simply tell them what the other person would do and manually trigger the result. During the game itself, our GM, Mike, was great as well! He didn’t even make fun of us for one really dumb mistake…You can tell that they have a real passion for their rooms and the industry, and put a lot of love and fun into their work. They even give you the option of a printed copy of your victory photo (in addition to a digital version), which makes for a fun memento. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There is very little that is sub-par in this game. We had a minor issue where we lost a few minutes towards the end with one puzzle that was a bit fiddly; we had completed it correctly but needed to go back and wiggle things a bit to trigger the outcome. After all of the excitement, anticipation, and build-up to an incredible moment, the actual ending felt slightly anticlimactic. There could have been a little more drama after the final puzzle to round things out. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you’re in Boston, there’s no excuse not to play this game. The clean design, immersion, and one extremely memorable moment really made this a stand-out game for us. The satisfying mix of well-crafted puzzles (which should pose a challenge even for seasoned players) makes it easy to stay focused and soak in the atmosphere of Crush Depth. While this might not be the best room for really small kids, it is fairly family-friendly and could be great for kids 10+ that are into puzzles. The availability of unlimited hints makes it accessible for groups of beginners looking to have an unforgettable experience. Based on this first game experience and the awesome staff, we can’t wait to check out some of Trapology’s other offerings next time we’re in town! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is a bathroom available and a lobby on each of their floors with some games, seating, and things to look at. They are accessed by either a very small elevator or stairs. Trapology’s closest train stations are: Boylston on Green Line, Downtown Crossing on Red Line, or Chinatown on Orange Line. 🔎 HINT Everyone gets their numbers and letters mixed up sometimes… Photos above are property of Trapology Boston (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"!) #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Submarine #Fun #Adventure #TrapologyBoston #USA #Massachusetts

LOCATION: Leominster, Massachusetts, USA Photos above are property of The Gate Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Assistant 2.0 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 29, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 6PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $84/Team ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Something terrible has happened! In "The Assistant", Dr. E.R. Bridge discovered a way to open a wormhole allowing people to travel to the other side! As his newly hired assistants at the time, we were certain that this was a huge leap for mankind! We were wrong... In this sequel - "The Assistant 2.0", we are the ones challenged with the mission to rescue Dr. E.R. Bridge. He has been kidnapped by his arch-nemesis D.I. Herculis!! In order to save him, Dr. Herculis demands that you retrieve the Dr. Bridge's research (which is on his thumb drive) and bring it to him! As Dr. Bridge's new assistants, you must to travel through the wormhole and make it back within in 60 minutes in order to save him! Hurry... time is running out!! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We had to solve a little puzzle before we can head into the room. It's always fun to have a different type of entrance than just opening a door to enter the escape room. One thing we love about The Gate Escape is this world that they've created with their reoccurring characters - Dr. E.R. Bridge as the protagonist and his nemesis Dr. D.I. Herculis as the antagonist. Currently, both their games "The Observatory" and "The Assistant 2.0" are based on these 2 characters. Because it's primarily a sci-fi theme with a strong storyline, the possibilities are endless! As Dr. Bridge's assistants, we are searching through his lab to find a way to travel through the wormhole. The set design definitely us feel like we just stepped inside a futuristic yet complex lab. The room consisted of silver metallic furniture, intelligent lighting, and crazy chalk-written formulas all over the walls!! Truly the works of a mad scientist... The puzzles were quite different from the ones we've seen in other escape rooms. They utilized various props that we found in the room but only when you placed the right fit will the secrets reveal. We were amazed by what the designer was able to do with recycled computer parts. There's a little fun personalization segment in this game that Cici really enjoyed (you'll know why when you see the photo below). 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This room uses a good amount of colors. Certain puzzles will be really difficult for people with vision impair. Two puzzles was a bit repetitive and the length felt a bit long in order for us to achieve the final answer. Perhaps it's because we're just two people. With more people splitting the work, it could be completed quicker. However we did enjoy the actual process. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? After playing "The Assistant 2.0", we literally felt like we traveled through a wormhole and made it back in one piece! The journey was so much fun and the results were gratifying. Stepping into the world of Dr. E.R. Bridge and playing the game as one of his assistants was such a unique experience. Like the other games, "The Assistant 2.0" had a variety of physical, logical, and intellectual puzzles for you to solve so there's something for everyone! If you played the original assistant, you'll need to come back and play this sequel. If you haven't, no prior knowledge is needed. And the best part is, you definitely do not need any knowledge of astrophysics! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot right in front of the location Lobby area with seating Party room 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 The Gate Escape for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Mystery #Science #SciFi #TheGateEscape #USA #Massachusetts

LOCATION: Leominster, Massachusetts, USA Photos above are property of The Gate Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: D.J. Death 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 29, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Adventure, Fun 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 6PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 45 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $75/Team ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Looking to party? How about with the coolest ghouls alive... well not physically alive. Well, if you want an invite, you're gonna have to meet some requirements first! In order to get in, the VIP guest have left some puzzles that D.J. Death wants you to solve! For every answer that you bring him, he'll reward you with songs from a playlist. Once you've collected all of the songs, you'll need to put them in the correct order if you wanna make it to the dance floor... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Our GM was in character right away. We were determined to get on the VIP list as we wanted to sit in those "boss" seats at the end. The storyline for "D.J. Death" is so creative but it's the interaction with D.J. Death in the room that made the game so fun! Between the colorful neon light up room and music, we were literally grooving through the room. We were probably solving puzzles only half of the time and the rest, karaoking with the DJ of course! The set design was primarily in the dark w/ neon colors and black lights. This definitely gave the room an "underworld" appeal to it. As mentioned, throughout the room you'll find different puzzle stations each having an eerie, yet whimsical vibe to it. This is a great game for a group of friends as the puzzles are not linear. It's meant to be played in a "divide and conquer" way. There was a variety of physical and logical puzzles in the room. What's great about it is, if you're stuck on something, you can easily move onto the next challenge and let one of your teammates take a crack at it. There's a puzzle for everyone! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Not much to say about this room. We had so much fun and time passed by so quickly as it's only a 45 minute room. We finished fairly quickly and made it to the VIP list. As enthusiasts we would love to see an extended version of this game with more challenging puzzles. Perhaps another 2.0 in the future? 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is our 2nd time visiting The Gate Escape. However, the 1st time was at their older location. In this new location, it's triple the size and they have A LOT to offer! We had already heard what a great room "D.J. Death" was and how much fun we'll have playing it. But you know we had to experience it for ourselves. We can definitely confirm and agree with the rest that we had a blast! From beginning to end, we were solving puzzles, singing along, and shakin' it like nobody's business! Whether you're an enthusiast or have never played before, "D.J. Death" is a great game and a fantastic way to introduce you to the world of escape rooms! So act like it's the party of the year and book your tickets before they sell out! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot right in front of the location Lobby area with seating Party room 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 The Gate Escape for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Fantasy #Fun #TheGateEscape #USA #Massachusetts

LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Photo above is property of Red Fox Escapes 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Heist 📅 DATE PLAYED: February 11, 2020 🎬 GENRE: Adventure, Mission 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 10PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $32/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Today is the day. Our team had been planning for a long time to infiltrate a private art gallery in Back Bay, home to the world's largest diamond. If we succeed, we'll be set for the rest of our lives. This next 60 minutes will determine our fate. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Red Fox Escapes concept of designing an escape room always consist of a beginning and an end. In some of the other heist themed rooms we've played, we didn't feel that we were thieves trying to break in to a place nor was there an escape plan for the ending. The physical puzzles were the highlights for us with this game. From how we planned the break in to the sudden "surprises" in the process to the big finale, it was was all carefully planned out. We've played another heist themed game at Clue Chase that had a similar idea in terms of placing prized possessions in display cases. Once you solved a puzzle, you would be awarded with a prize. We really liked this type of concept as it deviated from the normal ideas of a door opening or clue revealing. As a player, it felt like constant "pat on the backs" instead of having to wait till the end for that final win. Red Fox Escape's signature was always giving us that "wow" moment during the game and this time it was the finale. It made us feel the urgency of the situation and we even felt a bit of sweat as the time was counting down. If we got caught this would've been for nothing. In the end, we completed the game with the three of us but once again it was not an easy task. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There was one puzzle that we had to take a hint on. It was quite difficult as is for some people but they also added a visual aspect to it that made it even harder. One other puzzle also took a lot of time to solve due to visualization. It felt like there were a few repetitive puzzle designs that focused on the visual elements. It would be great to see more variations. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We've been a fan of Red Fox Escapes since we played their "The UBoat". This room was no exception. These rooms are great for beginners to tackle with a big team or enthusiasts to come take on the challenge with a smaller group. If you want to experience the life of a thief and take a stab at stealing the world's largest diamond, take a trip to MA now! Don't forget to take advantage of the current situation where all of their games are private. 🔎 HINT Step back and take another look. (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 Red Fox Escapes for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. Update: Our reviewers Krista & Dave also visited Red Fox Escapes to play "The UBoat" in December '21!! #CiciCao #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #toprated #rooms #games #redfoxescapes #theuboat #cambridge #massachusetts #ma #usa

LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Photo above is property of Red Fox Escapes 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The UBoat 📅 DATE PLAYED: February 11, 2020 🎬 GENRE: Mission, War, Espionage 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl):8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 10PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $32/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY It's the year 1941. We discovered an enigma machine but needed to crack the code to send it back to our headquarters. It's crucial for us to do this quickly since our intel had informed us that the U-Boat will be destroyed in exactly 1 hour. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE "Wow", what a beautiful set design! We've only been on a few museum tours where we saw parts from a submarine but this room fulfilled our desire of wanting to be on one. The bolts on the doors, the washed paint colors and the props from WWII era were just a few of the items that made us fell right into the story. They even build a periscope!!! The puzzles were very clever. You can tell the owners are enthusiasts themselves. The logic behind each puzzle was very clear and every time we solved one it'll open another chapter. The puzzles also felt like they were molding us into a character in the story. For instance, I felt like I was a mechanical engineer working on the UBoat. Although the high-tech activated puzzles were excellent, our favorite was a little non mechanical prop. It made the experience felt closer to the time period we were in. There was a moment in the room that we have not seen any escape room implement in their set before. It was so pleasing to our eyes that we felt like time froze and all we wanted to do was to stand there and watch the effect. That probably took 5 minutes away from our final time but totally worth it. The room started out in a smaller space but as you ventured in, you'll be thankful you had a large team with you. There was a lot to do and "divide and conquer" method is a must! We got out with 3 people but it was definitely challenging. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK One physical puzzle was hard to maneuver given the area we had to work with. Some parts of the prop didn't feel easily detectable. We would imagine it to be more difficult with a larger group to solve together. Our suggest would be to simplify the puzzle a bit or to modify the prop for a better "connection". 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We have tried many submarine themed rooms before and this was by far our favorite. It had the complete package from set design to puzzle ingenuity to immersive story line. Congratulations to Red Fox Escapes for making it to our top-rated room list for 2020. Well deserved! With the current situation, Red Fox had made all their booking private. If you want to take this huge discount opportunity and play with your friends and family, this is the time to book their games now! 🔎 HINT Look from another angle? (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 Red Fox Escapes for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. Update: Our reviewers Krista & Dave also visited Red Fox Escapes to play "The UBoat" in December '21!! #CiciCao #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #toprated #rooms #games #redfoxescapes #theuboat #cambridge #massachusetts #ma #usa

LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Photo above is property of Red Fox Escapes Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, interview with the owner, the room(s) (no puzzle spoilers) and more: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Body Shop 📅 DATE PLAYED: July 3, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-7PPL (Ages 13+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $40-47/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Word on the street is, that there's a secret organization masquerading itself as a girl scout troop in the Boston and Cambridge area. Currently, you have been earning your Automotive Engineering badges at a neighborhood body shop. Unbeknownst to you, the auto garage is owned by one of the leaders of the organization and they have been secretly watching you! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We love ingenuity in escape room themes and this room definitely hits the mark on the storyline. What secrets could be hidden in a body shop? Also, rather than sending secret agents in, we were disguised as girl scouts (yes, Brandon became Branda in this world). The set design was remarkable and everything felt authentic. That rustic feel of a garage along with various tools pulled us into the experience right away. The real centerpiece of the room was the motorcycle. We loved that nothing went to waste and everything was utilized in some ways in this room. One particular item in the room made us laugh (you'll know exactly what it is if you play the game). It's definitely a moment you can talk about after the game for a long time. The puzzles were also cleverly created to progress the storyline. You'll get small glimpses as you solve them and it'll all connect together as that final reveal concludes the story. We love the mixture of difficulty levels for the puzzles in this room. There were simple visual ones and others that required a bit more thinking. Essentially, there's something for every type of player in "The Body Shop". 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This is a pretty solid game. One minor thing that we noticed was cluing for one of the puzzles was a bit confusing to what we had to look for. Perhaps removing that sentence would be better for the players. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you haven't been to Red Fox Escapes yet, it's a must-do destination when visiting the Boston/ Cambridge area. We've played all of their games so far and each one of them is quite different yet special in their own ways (check out our reviews for "The Heist" and "The UBoat"). The owners are enthusiasts as well and they constantly try to push their boundaries with new ideas and creations (can't wait for their new game!). "The Body Shop" is great for small groups of advanced players or larger groups of beginners as there's a lot of puzzles you'll be able to divide and conquer to solve. One useful hint that we like to give is definitely be organized and remember what you haven't used during the game. Also, if you are lucky to be a survivor, you might be awarded with a yummy girl scout cookie at the end! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Metered street parking and paid parking lots in the area Lobby area with seating available Locker available One flight downstairs (no elevator) Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this experience, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Red Fox Escapes for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Mystery #RedFoxEscapes #Massachusetts #USA

LOCATION: Hudson, Massachusetts, USA Photos above are property of Puzzlescape Hudson Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Legend of Pepe 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 2, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $28-38/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Pepe La Scuzz is loose to terrorize the world yet again! This infamous criminal transcends time and space and to this day, has never been caught. He has gotten a little too cocky though and left a trail that leads directly to him but you only have 60 minutes to find Pepe before he disappears to commit his next crime. The biggest issue, being such an ancient criminal he must have powers of some kind, how is he able to live for so long without being caught? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The puzzles in this game were well thought out and logically made sense. This is great because in order to find and capture Pepe your team will have to complete a lot of them. Some included family deductions, others required mixing solutions. Having a large variety made sure each player will have a favorite puzzle. The reveals in this room give a sense of wonder and add to the aura of mystery surrounding Pepe. PuzzlEscape utilizes the space well and hides secrets in every nook and cranny. That first reveal really surprised us in terms of what actually moved. There is a choice you had to make during the game which could lead to different endings. This is a genius concept. If you don't feel like you haven't had enough of puzzling after the game, you can easily play the other ending. Each side contained totally different sets of puzzles. We were impressed of the space utilization. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The puzzles performed in the room felt like puzzles for puzzles sake. They didn’t add much to the storyline and felt like tasks to be completed on a check-off list. This game pays homage to PuzzlEscape’s previous location and the rooms that came before Legend of Pepe. There may be some items that are red herrings due to the fact that they reference the old rooms. You do not need to have played their previous games to escape but sometimes it was a little much being shown items/things that we had no recollection to. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "The Legend of Pepe" is not an easy room. There are a lot of puzzles to solve in the sixty minutes. The dual ending paths concept was a lot of fun but during the game you wouldn't know which one to choose but if you get lucky you might choose the easier path versus the harder one. You could be struggling in the room and choose the hard path to almost guarantee a loss but thanks to the helpful game masters and unlimited cluing system, we got out in time. There were some unique puzzles included in the game, including one that used applied chemistry (don’t worry, no chemical knowledge is needed), but be warned that some puzzles in Legend of Pepe felt like time sinks (especially one particular one that involves memory). Pay attention to your time and how long you have spent per each puzzle, ask for hints when you need them. If your group is ready to take on the challenge then "Legend of Pepe" is waiting for you with open arms! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Lot Located on the 2nd floor Waiting area with seating and water available Merchandise available for purchase 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 Puzzlescape Hudson for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Scifi #Puzzlescape #USA #Massachusetts