LOCATION: Norwich, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Fairly Odd Tales 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 15, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Fairy Tale 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $24.99/ pp (Public)/ $200.00 (Private) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers MindBreak Escape took over Ultimate Escape Room in CT and reopened it last year. You can read our reviews on Ultimate Escape Room's games - "Lost In Space ( formerly "Alien Abduction")", “Secret Agent” & “Quest for the Throne” for more details on this location. They have not changed much in those rooms so if you have played them before, you probably want to check out their new games instead. The one that just opened is called “Fairly Odd Tales”. They also have a brand-new room coming soon called “Houdini’s Great Escape”. “Fairly Odd Tales” was a room inspired by the Grimm brothers. The story was that because of Grimm brother’s success, their very oddly creative siblings started to write children’s books as well. The siblings have made a big mistake with their first book, “Secrets of The Moon Howlers” as they exposed things they shouldn’t have. This made the wolf pack leader - Fang really mad. He is now taking village people hostage and we must go through the enchanted forest to save them! Since we’ve played at Ultimate Escape Room before, the layout of this room was familiar to us as it used to be the room for “Quest for The Throne”. Our recommended group size for this room is 2-3 people. It would be nice to explain in the debriefing of where we were starting off as initially, we thought we were entering the enchanted forest. The room we entered felt like a character’s home and there wasn't much space to work with in there and we saw the developer trying to create some separation for the progression of the storyline. If that’s the case, then the next area should not be visible yet so there can be a “wow” factor as we go through to the next area. This room could definitely be played by new escape room players as the puzzles were not as challenging. The fairy tale stories were cleverly written so it was nice to have a clear guidance to follow along. One puzzle in the next room did stump us as we did not know where to input a certain answer. It would be great if there were some indications of placements as initially, we thought that area was “not in play” due to the exposed wires. One surprise we found later on was that if we had found this one particular clue and solved it, we would've been able to skip the entire last room and be able to get out just by using the simple clue. We actually spent most of our time on this final puzzle and really liked how it was a three-step puzzle and had fun solving it. We feel that this wasted the developer’s hard work at creating the actual puzzles for the players and added confusion for the experienced players. We don’t think an alternative escape puzzle was necessary here. The décor and props used could have been a bit more updated and detailed since we noticed that they have utilized some of the old furniture from the previous escape room. We are all for salvaging and reusing pieces, but when the remanence of the puzzle from the other room was still on the furniture piece, it creates confusion for players (we knew it wasn’t in play mainly because we played the other room before). There was also another part of a puzzle from the old room that was not taken down from the wall. One other puzzle was explained to use later that the players would just have to get it by luck as there’s no actual direction in the game play to direct them to do that certain action to trigger a solution. We feel like with better game flow and some tweaking in the room design, this storyline could be very fun and engaging for the players. We look forward to seeing MindBreak Escape’s new creations and if you happen to be in Missouri, they do have two locations (St. Charles & Columbia) with different games that you can try out. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers * We regret to inform this company has closed its doors * Disclosure: We thank MindBreak Escape 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 #MindBreak #FairyTale #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Farmington, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Blizzard 📅 DATE PLAYED: November 3, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $28.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You and your team are sent in to search for evidences made by a ground-breaking duo years ago on an important research discovery. You had no idea that a blizzard storm is approaching your team and you need to seek shelter right away. This is the time to sharpen your survival instincts so your team would be able to live through this storm and bring back the research evidence to base! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Intriguing storyline and very different from a lot of the survival and rescue themed rooms we’ve played so far All the props used were relatable to the storyline and we felt like we were in a real igloo The lighting and ambience went well with the room design Puzzles were mostly linear but explained the story in a reasonable order to accomplish the final goal. With that said, our recommended size for this room would be a max of 3-4 people due to the size and communication factor in the room 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This is the first time we actually had to pay attention to the storyline from the game master for something we had to use in the room later. Perhaps there could be another hint in the room just in case the players missed it at the beginning, and it doesn’t have to count as a hint? One game piece might need a bit of clearer instruction of what is “on” and what is “off” from the start as it was a bit confusing to figure out on our own The hint system utilized can be heard only in one area of the room. Perhaps a speaker that can cover all areas can be installed that would make the players experience more pleasurable For a more immersive feel to the storyline, the outside area of the door could have a bit of a “blizzard” feel before entering Some added on wind or lowering the AC effect can also bring in a more immersive feel to the experience. Music would definitely help as well. The ending could use some work. Perhaps an added-on sound effect for the helicopter rescue just to signify the win as we didn’t realize we had been saved until the game master came in a few minutes later saying we’ve already completed all the tasks 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room reminded us of a “fantasy cartoonish world” like Disney’s "Frozen". We felt that kids would really enjoy this room due to the color, props used, and the set design. Some puzzle aspects might even be easier from their perspective as the dim lighting made some clues and colors harder for us to see. We feel that kids will have no issues identifying them. We really enjoyed putting our mindset to basic survival skills and working our steps to finally being successfully rescued! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers *** We regret to inform this game is no longer available for booking but check out other games on their website*** Disclosure: We thank Complexity for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLEscapeRooms #EscapeRoom #Complexity #Adventure #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Farmington, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Complexity - A Puzzling Adventure Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Pirate Ship (no titled "Hunt for the Dead Sea Souls") 📅 DATE PLAYED: February 1, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $28.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Our last stop for today is Complexity - A Puzzling Adventure located in Farmington, CT. Complexity is located on the second floor and has a parking lot available right in front. We were fortunate enough to meet w/ the owner & developer so that we could learn more about the company. Complexity was the fourth escape game company to launch in Connecticut and currently has 3 rooms available w/ 1 more on the way. They are also in the process of expanding their facility year. Today we are attempting to escape their "Pirate Ship" room. As soon as you step inside the room, you are fully immersed. The decor set the tone for the storyline and the puzzle designs were cleverly structured to complement the theme. Although the difficulty level was fairly moderate, we enjoyed ourselves and were able to escape with two people with some time to spare! We are eager to try their new room "The Blizzard" once it's complete. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ***This Room has been renamed "THE HUNT FOR THE DEAD SEA SOULS- FARMINGTON"*** (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 Complexity for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLEscapeRooms #EscapeRoom #Adventure #Pirates #Complexity #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Codeword Escape Room Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Curse of the Golden Touch 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 14, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Medieval 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 ppl (Max 12 ppl) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $28.00 - $35.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Today we are visiting Codeword Escape Room Adventures in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. They are a fairly new company that's generating a lot of buzz with their first and only room - "Curse of the Golden Touch". We were very fortunate to meet with the owners to learn more about the company and their future plans. The owners are a married couple and they are escape room enthusiasts as well. Although they only have one room available, they plan to launch four total. There is plenty of parking right in front of the entrance and as soon as you walk in, there's a large party room on the left side. The lounge/ waiting area is quite cozy and the decor is really nice. The owner also has her own jewelry store and sterling silver key earrings and necklace pendants are available for purchase. Together, they design and develop the escape rooms from concept to completion. When entering the "Curse of the Golden Touch" room, we noticed a lot of detail in the decor and the room was design very well. The puzzles were linear and correlated with the story line. It was extremely enjoyable and it kept us engaged the whole time. We can't wait until they open their 2nd room... Photos above are property of Codeword Escape Room (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 Codeword Escape Room 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 #EscapeRoom #Medieval #CodewordEscape #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Movie Theater Mayhem 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 16, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-12 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $28.00 - $35.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers This is our second time visiting Codeword Escape in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Previously, we’ve played their very first escape room game - "Curse of the Golden Touch". Be sure to read our reviews to find out more about this escape location. We have been waiting for the new room to open for a long time. We had a little sneak peak the last time that we visited and it looked amazing. Well, we are happy to report... that it did not disappoint! Without further due, here’s our awesome experience inside the “Movie Theater Mayhem”. It seems like there was a robbery last night in the theater and the police caught the intruder. The theater noticed that the golden movie award was missing but because the intruders didn’t have it on them, we believe it’s still hidden inside the theater somewhere and this is when the show began… You know the feeling of opening a new book and that fresh smell from the pages or that new car smell? This is how I feel when entering a brand-new escape room every time. Everything is still brand spanking new and the best part is we didn’t experience any technical issues! Initially when the room was being built, we saw a lot of windows and even an exit door which the owner had informed us that they can not cover since that’s an emergency exit. We thought this would ruin the immersive experience of the room, but this idea of building a lobby of a movie theater completely adapted into the storyline. The props are very authentic looking to the point where I was getting hungry looking at the candy and popcorn on the concession stand. We thought maybe if they were able to incorporate a bit of a popcorn scent in there it might enhance the immersive experience. The clues were very clearly thought out and reasonable. This makes the room a lot of fun to play even though we thought the puzzles were not extremely hard. Perhaps there could be certain elements that can be implemented for enthusiast. This is the first time we saw a specific “chain reaction” puzzle being utilized in a different way and it was awesome to see something new in an escape room for once. Everything was used in the room and we did not experience any annoying red herrings which was very refreshing. As we progressed, the “wow” moments kept getting better. We appreciated all the details that were incorporated into the set design and storyline where it felt like in a real-life situation this exact “thing” would happen. After the game, the owner told us the story about a certain prop. She said the reason why she used it was mainly because she wanted to get rid of clutter in her garage. If you do end up talking to her about it, she may even give you one for free as she still has plenty that she needs to get rid of. We can’t wait for another chapter of Codeword Escape to unfold as this was truly a golden award deserving “performance”. 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 Escape Rooms Connecticut 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 #CodewordEscape #Mystery #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Christmas Key Catastrophe 📅 DATE PLAYED: December 9, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Mystery, Comedy, Christmas 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $30.00 - $35.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY The gangster gnomes have been very naughty this year. They have placed 12 locks inside of Santa’s workshop and stolen the key to Santa’s sleigh. In the next 60 minutes, if we don’t help Santa find his keys, the kids will be out of presents this year! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Love holiday themed rooms. Although the design was quite simple, we felt the holiday spirit right when we entered. The Christmas tree and presents along with the holiday colors immediately created a fun atmosphere. The puzzles were all logical and closely tied together with Christmas. A bit of humor was added into a reading puzzle which we always appreciate especially if the reading could be a bit longer than the usual few words. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A prop was used in the room to symbolize an ending after we have found the gnomes but it would’ve been cool if it could have activated something since it was a bit confusing why it’s there as it wasn’t really part of a puzzle or opened anything. Since the gnomes are quite naughty, we thought maybe the room design could be a little more “messier” than how neat it was when you walk in. A bit of “chaos” would seem more like they just caused a catastrophe inside the room and we had to put it back together. Perhaps for a harder level, items could be placed not so much in groups already and will need to be found and coordinated together at different times. Since we’re counting down to an urgent situation, if music could be added to provide a sense of urgency as we get closer to the ending or if they can get more creative with flickers of the tree lights etc., this could be a fun add-on to an immersive feel to the room as currently it felt like one type of mood throughout. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Although the puzzles were not as difficult for enthusiasts, it was a lot of fun. We are still quite traditional and love some old fashion locks (excluding gym lockers). So, if you are a lock lover, there will be plenty of satisfaction at the end. If you like to go as a family or try an escape room as beginner escapists, you’ll fall in love with escape rooms after trying this one. You can easily divide and conquer different puzzles in the room. If you like to feel like a kid again and “read” through a Christmas story book while solving puzzles along the way to achieve a jolly ending, then this is the room for you! 🔎 HINT Things that seem relatable may help you “connect” the dots. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers *** We regret to inform this game is no longer available for booking but check out other games on their website*** Disclosure: We thank Codeword Escape Room 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 #CodewordEscape #Mystery #Comedy #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Orange, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Escape Rooms Connecticut Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Stolen Relic 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 14, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $26.00 - $38.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Usually, we are skeptical when we visit an escape room company that is located in the back of a building. In this case, we were happy that we did! Talk about pleasantly surprised! We were fortunate enough to meet w/ the owner to learn more about the company. Escape Rooms Connecticut is a fairly new company that opened in June '18 and currently offers three escape room games. The lobby area is a bit small but the rest of the facility is quite large. In addition to the three escape room games, they also have a large party room available for private events. The quality in the decor that was put into the hallway area and the rooms was top notch. From a famed graffiti artist designing a mural to the set designers that were hired to build the rooms. We were recommended to try the "The Stolen Relic" as it is their hardest room with a 29% success rate. This room did not disappoint as it offered a good amount of everything - technology, storyline, decor, logical puzzles, etc. The minute that you start, you feel like you are in an Indiana Jones film or a Tomb Raider game. After escaping with 10 minutes left to spare, we were able to take a sneak peak at one of their other rooms - "Sector X" and it looks incredible. This gives us reason to believe that they have implemented the same level of quality into all of their rooms and we look forward to returning soon to try them all! Photos above are property of Escape Rooms Connecticut (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 Escape Rooms Connecticut 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 #EscapeRoom #Adventure #EscapeRoomsConnecticut #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Orange, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Escape Rooms Connecticut Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Terminal 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 1, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 10 ppl (Ages 16+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $26.00 - $38.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers This is our third time visiting Escape Rooms Connecticut. Read our reviews on “The Stolen Relic” and "Sector X" to find out more info on their location. We’ve recently discovered that many escape rooms are doing a subway themed escape room, so we wanted to come and try Escape Rooms Connecticut's final room (for now) - "The Terminal"!! In terms of size, “The Terminal” feels the smallest of the rooms that we’ve played at Escape Rooms Connecticut. Our recommended group size for this room is 4 people. We were sent in as a maintenance crew trying to solve a power blackout issue. As we entered the room, it brought back memories of a nostalgic era of NYC subway stations. The only difference was that there were no rats, garbage, and smell. I’m also ok with NOT having these in the room for the immersive experience. There was an 80's vibe prior to entering the room with the graffiti murals on the walls and it continued throughout the room. The props used in the room were all relevant to the storyline (as usual). We liked the mixed use of mag locks and physical combo locks. There was one particular puzzle which we thought if music could've been incorporated it would've made the puzzle more pertinent to the prop. We played this room with two people and got out with ample time left on the clock. We felt like there weren't as many puzzles in this room vs the other two rooms that we’ve tried and it lacked a bit of a “wow” ending factor. We recommend new players to start with this room and progress to the others. As we’ve completed all the rooms at Escape Rooms Connecticut, we now have to patiently wait for their two new horror themed rooms which should be completed soon and according to the owner, it’ll be out of this world! Photos above are property of Escape Rooms Connecticut (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 Escape Rooms Connecticut 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 #EscapeRoomsConnecticut #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Orange, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Escape Rooms Connecticut Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Asylum 📅 DATE PLAYED: December 9, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Horror, Paranormal 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 10 ppl (Ages 16+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $26.00 - $38.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY We are a team of detectives that were being sent into The Asylum at Fairfield Hills to find out what had happened recently to the six paranormal investigators that went missing. Rumor has it, Dr. Borden might be responsible. We need to find the evidence before he gets back. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Unique story line and great flow throughout with very reasonable puzzles. They were not extremely difficult, but you would always be rewarded with a “reveal”. Love the intensity build up from the beginning to the end as the story develops. The change of scenery was well played. Props used all felt realistic and a few of them caught our teammates off guard and definitely got some “jumps” out of them. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A few special effects could be added to the beginning of the scenery to create a more mysterious “entry” as currently the space feels a bit wasteful for with the number of puzzles its used for. Might also be great to warn players no need to put hands into or touch the wooden pieces for nails or splinter injuries. One hint on the wall in the latter part of the game was a bit confusing to us as we were able to solve the puzzle without following what the hint told us to do. So we thought it was for another puzzle. It may help to not have that clue to be written on the wall. Although it’s not really a big issue, but it would be great to see more of a variation on the props used to solve a puzzle rather than using the same device again. The ending could use a bigger “wow” moment for its grand finale. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? The atmosphere of the room was eerie throughout but it’s not the horror you’ll feel at a haunted house. Since we do have readers ask us this all the time, we just wanted to inform them that there are no live actors in the room. It’s a great room to play if you like mystery solving in a horror-genre setting. It would be best if you go with a team of four at least, so all the puzzles could be played without bypassing any of the full experience. 🔎 HINT All hands on deck!. Photos above are property of Escape Rooms Connecticut (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 Escape Rooms Connecticut 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 #Horror #Paranormal #EscapeRoomsConnecticut #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Mashantucket, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Spellbound Escapes Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Temple of the Laughing God 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 14, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $36.00/ pp or $250.00/ private ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public/ Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: No Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Today, we are at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in CT! We are not here to gamble but to try out the fairly new escape room company called Spellbound Escape Rooms & Adventures. Currently they only offer one game and it’s called “The Temple of the Laughing God”. They are located on the 2nd floor of the Tanger Outlets. For parking, the closest one to Spellbound is located in the Grand Pequot Tower parking lot (self-parking is complimentary). When you see the escalator and the Zoltar - Fortune Teller Machine on the outside, you’ll know you’ve arrived. Right when we entered, the lobby décor had a magical vibe with its green marble floors (it kind of has a “Wicked” feel to it). One of the owners even dyed her hair to match the emerald green on the floor! There’s plenty of chairs for you to rest while waiting for your journey to begin! The game master who helped us sign in was in character from the beginning. Once we were all cleared with the paperwork, he led us down a dark hallway with a single lantern. On this adventure, we brought some backup with us and we had a total of four players exploring this ancient Mayan temple. Legend has it, it contains the spirit of a vengeful, unknown god. As we entered the temple, we immediately acknowledged the set design and props that were cleverly implemented for the puzzle challenges. Everything felt real and true to form. The storyline definitely kept us engaged the entire time and most importantly it all made sense! We were able to divide and conquer right away as there was a few places to start exploring individually. We liked how they incorporated the ancient characters as part of the puzzle design. We can see why this is a family friendly game as there’s features where the kids would easily be able to complete and be “wowed” by. We definitely felt like we were in an “Indiana Jones” movie during parts of the game. As escapees who’s played a good amount of games by now, it’s not very difficult from a puzzle aspect but since our friends only tried a few, we had a good time playing with them. There’s one particular puzzle at the beginning and at the end that gave us a little bit of an issue and I wonder how groups that get mixed together do on these as we find that it’s actually better to just let one person handle the puzzle. The other people may just have to stand around and watch him/her when it gets to that point. It might be more beneficial to just let one person try as we realized by having everyone crowd around that person didn’t really help speed up the process. Overall, we had a great time at Spellbound and we can’t wait until they release their two new games that they have planned for the near future. If you want to save some money and not lose it in the casino, Spellbound is definitely where you want to spend it! 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 Spellbound Escapes 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 #Adventure #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Mashantucket, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Aftermath 📅 DATE PLAYED: February 1, 2020 🎬 GENRE: Dystopian, Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 6 ppl): 8.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $36.00/ pp or $250.00/ private ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public/ Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: No 📖 THE STORY We were assigned to a Top-Secret mission in the Wastelands. We must protect ourselves from enemy factions, wasteland marauders, and other threats to avoid another apocalypse of the world. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Love it when the game master is in character when introducing the story. The outfit, lantern, and the delightful mustache started the game in the right mood. The set design had a bunker feel when we first entered. We appreciated this “starter” approach to set the tone for the room in the beginning of the story with simpler puzzles and progress into something bigger. Soundproof was great in this room. Even though we were in a noisy mall with a lot of foot traffic and really high ceilings with echoing effects, we couldn’t hear anything other than what’s happening inside the room. The first part of the room had a great flow and all the puzzles made sense. We enjoyed the detailed props that were placed in the room that revealed a story. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There seemed to be a difference in the set design making between the beginning part of the game and the latter part. It also felt like a disconnect from the storyline. We did not really feel the “threats” that was being integrated into the puzzle elements. It would’ve been great to see more of smooth assimilation throughout. One main console was repeatedly used for various puzzles and we felt like at times each divided team was waiting to use it and that wasted a good amount of time. Later, we had to be creative with figuring out a solution but not sure if that’s a normal action that could be allowed during the game play. The automated clues we received from the game master wasn’t really helpful towards the end of the game. We felt that maybe because each team was working on different puzzles, it’s hard for them to keep track of the actual hints that was given. It would be great if customized hints could be implemented especially during these harder puzzle segments. One puzzle would have been a lot of fun if it was designed more like the Operation Game. Currently, it feels more like an “eat up time” kind of puzzle. All of us gave it a try and was not able to succeed until one member probably got it by luck, but we didn’t even know what was triggered. It would be great if some sort of symbol or sound could link what was triggered to this puzzle. We wasted a good amount of time afterwards still trying to figure the puzzle out not knowing it was solved already. Some music would've added more ambience to the room along with some added special effects would be great to create as impactful “salvation from an apocalypse” ending. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room was not linear at all. We would recommend a team of 6 mainly because of the latter part of the game. It’s on the challenging end mainly because of the items mentioned above but you may find it not so difficult for you if you are great at the physical precision challenges. It was a lot of fun to feel the intensity as a team towards the end of the game but also a bit frustrating when we couldn’t receive the correct procedures to move forward. Not sure how much adjustment Spellbound can make on the puzzle at this point, but a customized hint system would greatly help the players with the latter part of the game. If you enjoy the adrenaline rush of getting out of an escape room close to seconds, this room could be what you are looking for! Are you up for the challenge? 🔎 HINT Think reverse... 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 Spellbound 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 #Dystopian #Thriller #SpellboundEscapes #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Mind Factory Escape Games Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Breathless 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 31, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 1-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $30.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY After receiving an encrypted transmission at Mind Factory, the agents were able to decode it and all they heard were two words... "Help us"!! The rest of the message was full of static and weird sounds. In a remote section of Colorado, something strange has occurred inside a high security biohazard laboratory. Across the United States, there are hundreds of labs that handle dangerous biological substances, but this location has a safety level that shouldn't even exist and apparently it contains a label classified as: "Unknown Entity". Your mission as a Mind Factory agent is to infiltrate the lab, determine what has happened and contain any threat to the outside world! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The backstory for "Breathless" is Sci-fi story-telling at it's best! The whole "unknown entity" and what's to be expected really builds the anticipation. As a Mind Factory agent, our mission was to infiltrate and investigate a high security biohazard laboratory that isn't even supposed to exist! The intro video really set the tone for what's to come next. The set design started before we even entered the room. The black door with blacked out windows and purple accent lighting will draw anyone's attention. Once inside, the atmosphere becomes intense right away as if we really entered a dangerous biohazard lab. There was a decent amount of puzzles which all correlated with the location and theme of the game. One challenge in particular was quite unique. We really had to work together in separate locations in order to save ourselves from running out of time. We've never seen this idea used in an escape room before but it suits perfectly with the narrative. Mind Factory spared no cost at making this game as immersive as possible. The voice acting you will hear during the game is done by Jeff Steitzer, voice of the Multiplayer Announcer of the Halo series. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Since Mind Factory is located on the street level, you will hear some outside noise during one part of the room which took away some immersion but they did their best at trying to incorporate that part into the set design. The intro video seem to indicate something horrible had happened in the lab but the game itself felt not scary as it should have been. I guess that's good for players who doesn't like horror or jump scares as there were none in this game. Some parts of the game needed more sound warnings or activation noise as at times we didn't know if we had done something correctly or not. Adding a stronger "wow" factor for the ending would greatly enhance the unique storyline. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? As soon as you enter the lobby of Mind Factory, it really gives off a steampunk feel like you're inside a cool garage. They have a huge waiting area, perfect for private events and corporate gatherings. If you like sci-fi thrillers films that involve unknown alien entities, "Breathless" is a great way to get into character and investigate. Mind Factory Escape Games is a new escape room company with "Breathless" being the only game that's currently available but their new room "Invasion" will be coming soon! We had the pleasure of taking a peek and it looks MASSIVE. We can't wait to check it out when it's ready! 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 Mind Factory Escape Games 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 #USA #CT #SciFi #MindFactoryEscapeGames #ExclusiveLook

LOCATION: Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Mind Factory Escape Games Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Invasion 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 17, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 12 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $30.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY New intel from Mind Factory agents tracked the location of an entity known as "Evo" to an abandoned factory. It appears that Evo isn't working alone! Jane Ryan, a former scientist of White Horse Industries has been infected with a deadly virus known as "The Spore" and together they are up to something... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Prior to staring the game, there's a little added puzzle where you will need to figure out a way into the factory. These little touches really makes the game feel more immersive to the player. Although there's no live actors in the room, the fact that all you see is a dim red light and pitch darkness down a hallway gives us chills down our spines. The set design was done perfectly with the story setting. As you go through the room, you'll get some jump scares, special lighting, sound effects and a really cool prop that easily becomes the center of attention. All of these factors makes this experience feel so REAL! Due to the sci-fi theming of this game, there was a good amount of tech and it was well implemented and there was no glitches at all throughout our experience. For those players that love to physically open locks, this game also has you covered there as well! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Some parts at the beginning felt quite easy in terms of puzzles. It almost felt like giveaway answers, but it does get progressively harder. This is also a coming from enthusiasts, the general public might feel that it still takes time to solve those puzzles. There were some "wow" moments that felt a little taken away by instructions given to prevent incidences. We gave some advise to the owner in terms of how that can still be preserved by adding in some protective elements. The ending video felt a little anti-climactic, it would be great if a twist or "a sneak peek into the next room" could be implemented. Or perhaps just a blackout?! 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you haven't played "Breathless", we suggest playing that first so you know the prequel to this story (although there's no knowledge in the previous game to help you with this one). We love the idea of making rooms into sequels, as there's always an anxious waiting period right after playing one of them to find out what the next one is all about. The owner already gave us an idea of the third room after this one and we're beyond excited for the theme that he's going to come out with. If you love Sci-Fi (games/ movies like "Resident Evil" or "Silent Hill") with a bit of creepiness, you'll want to check out this game. The storyline is also very intriguing to follow along. NOTE: This game can be adjusted in terms of difficulty level. We played the enthusiasts version, which added a puzzle element that will take some time since it involves deduction. You can request this at the time of your booking. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot on the side of the building. Lobby area with seating available (easily can be used as a corporate/team event) Photos above are properties of ESCAPETHEROOMers 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 (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 Mind Factory Escape Games 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 #SciFi #Connecticut #USA #MindFactoryEscapeGames

LOCATION: Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Sherlock Holmes and the Haunted Cemetery 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 15, 2018 🎬 GENRE: Detetive, Paranormal 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 12 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $33.00/ pp (Min. of 3 ppl), $29.00/ pp (4 ppl or more) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes This is a local owner that builds all the rooms himself. We were quite impressed as he provided us with a backstage tour which made us really appreciate the room designs even more. One puzzle that you can solve in minutes can take him months to build. The lobby area was also quite spacious with plenty of seating and puzzles to play with. Water & juice is generously offered complimentary from their mini-fridge. The owner pays attention to every detail including light fixtures to the room's design. Although we did see some areas that wasn't hidden very well, it was still pretty decent for something that he personally built. There's a few clever things he did with the tech in the room. However, one particular puzzle took a lot of time from us that we didn't particularly enjoy. Eventually, we got it but definitely with some "luck" involved. Overall, the room did flow very well and correlated with the storyline. With just the two of us, we managed to complete the room with 2 minutes to spare. The cost is quite hefty if you decide to do the room with just two people. So try to get a group to go all at once as the price does come down drastically and you'll have more fun altogether! We can't wait to try his other new rooms as he's completing a few of them as we speak! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ** UPDATE - Please advise that "AdventurEscape Rooms" has changed their company name and is now called "REACT Premium Escape Rooms". We regret to inform this game is no longer available for booking but check out other games on their website** (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"!) #CiciCao #IRLEscapeRoom #EscapeRooms #SciFi #Detective #Paranormal #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Windsor Locks, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of REACT Premium Escape Rooms 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Hungover Games 📅 DATE PLAYED: December 28, 2020 🎬 GENRE: Fun 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $79.00/ team ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Our friend Dave got roped into a drinking game competition and didn't win. This did not go over so well with the shady characters that he was playing with and took his losing very seriously. So in order to save him, we have to play the same drinking game competition and win so that we can make it through! Otherwise, things could not only be bad for Dave... but for US too!! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE If there was only one word to classify this escape room, that word would be "FUN"! In "The Hungover Games", we felt like we were trapped inside of a man-cave with a basketball hoop, air hockey table, a jukebox, a poker table, and a life-sized "Jenga" on steroids. There was so much to do that you could easily lose track of time. The set design really made it feel like happy hour at local pub. As soon as we stepped foot inside, we were ready to order some drinks! The music from the jukebox definitely set the tone and the neon lights brought the energy to life. The puzzles were creatively implemented with unique designs. Since the storyline's objective was to complete a bunch of drinking games in order to win the competition, there's no limit as to what you can do w/ the challenges. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK In regards to the storyline, we didn't feel the intensity of the competition. If we were competing to save Dave's life (and ours), we expected more of sense of urgency. The ending could also be a bit stronger to tie in with the story. It was a "fun" ending but we didn't feel that we "saved" Dave. There's a few puzzles that were heavy on color. We think the distinction should be made more clear on some of the colors. We're able to solve one of the puzzles without "completing" the set. It was confusing to us as we thought we needed to collect all of them. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Whether you are an escape room enthusiast or just being dragged along by your friends to play an escape room, "The Hungover Games" is designed for everyone! This room was pure entertainment. I would classify this game as an escape room man-cave or what I would imagine and escape room bar to be like. From shooting hoops to Jenga to a jukebox providing you with an upbeat playlist, the happy hour vibe is definitely there. Not to mention, all of this is accompanied by bright neon lights! If this wasn't enough, you can add $20 for the VIP treatment (21+ can BYOB one drink, get up to 20 minutes of additional playing time, spin their prize wheel and win some swag)! 🕵️ EASTER EGG The name of the bar "Puzzles" is a nod to an episode on the popular hit tv show - "How I Met Your Mother" where Barney Stinson suggests to Ted Mosby that if they owned a bar, they should name it "Puzzles". People would ask "Why is it called Puzzles" and they would respond "That's the puzzle!". Also, the same guy who customized the jukebox also designed the one for NPH. 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 REACT Premium 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 #SciFi #Connecticut #USA #REACTPremiumEscapeRooms