Videos/ Photos provided by NW Escape Experience Company: NW Escape Experience Game: Ronnie's House Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Horror Date Played: 4/14/2021 Difficulty (based on 5 players): 5/10 Size of Team: 4-10 players Time: 60 Minutes Price: $35/PP 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 You finally managed to escape from the basement that Ronnie kept you in. Little did you know that this crazy serial killer has planned an entire game for you to play up in his house. Hopefully you can outsmart the Vantucky Ripper? 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Our game started in Zoom with an intro video explaining to us that a reporter Katie Miller had gone missing and the Vantucky Ripper is the prime suspect. Once the video ended, Katie showed up on our screen crying for help. I would be freaking out too if I was inside a creepy house with bloody hand prints and severed body parts everywhere. As we started searching around for things that could help us escape, we would find items left by previous victims. These would then be added to our inventory system in Telescape. The set design was on point. The lightning outside the window, gory body parts and hidden passageways perfectly complimented a serial killer's lair. I was surprised by the amount of space we're able to explore. This really opened up the playground for the "cat and mouse" chase. We totally felt the heart racing moments when Katie was being chased by Ronnie in the house. 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 NW Escape Experience did a great job with translating interactive puzzles that players would be able to do in person to online. In Telescape, we're able to move items around, watch videos and combine clues. It's nice to be able to do these puzzles ourselves rather than watch and direct the GM. One of my favorite puzzles was towards the end. It's not a difficult puzzle per se but I can imagine Ronnie making it "difficult" for us. We finished the game with 10 minutes and 50 seconds left but I think if we're playing there in person, it would probably last longer since we will have to account for "hide and seek" time with Ronnie. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 It's quite difficult to translate horror rooms to online but our GMs (there are two of them) did a great job delivering us those jump scare moments. At times it felt like Ronnie was watching over her shoulders as she's inputting codes. I'm quite glad to be able to play this game at the comfort of our home. If you're a horror fan, you probably want to play this game at their physical location, I know for a fact Ronnie will really enjoy your company.... *** This game can no longer be booked as a remote game but can still be booked as an in-person experience *** (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 NW Escape Experience for comping our tickets for their games. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #ESCAPETHEROOmers #AtHomeGames #EscapeRooms #NWEscapeExperience #Ronnie'sHouse #RemoteEscapeRoom #Horror #Killer #RatedR #Basement

LOCATION: Redmond, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Conundroom Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Time Travel. Project "Ex Machine" 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 1, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi, Time Travel 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-8 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $35/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Irresponsible use of a time machine has left our future in danger and it’s up to you to fix things! Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Personally, I think time travel is a really fun theme and it was implemented well here. We definitely felt the futuristic vibe and were concerned about how our actions might affect other timelines! We got to read an entire comic book explaining the backstory before the game began! It sounds like sometimes this is just discovered during the game, which could be a challenge since it takes a while to read (I know I’m not the only one who rarely has the patience to read long story components when the clock is ticking!). However, it was a fantastic setup for the game to be able to read it at a leisurely pace before we began, and helped to really provide a more in-depth backstory than you typically get. There were no padlocks in this game, with lots of tech integration, which was definitely in line with the technologically-advanced theming. Everything worked smoothly, and some of my teammates particularly enjoyed getting to use one of the props at the end! In terms of the puzzles, there was a nice flow with options for group members to be working on several puzzles simultaneously, as well as some places where teamwork is required. There were plenty of tactile interactions and those satisfying moments when things clicked and you realized exactly what something meant! There is a great mechanism that gives you a nice "a-ha moment!" part way through the game. It is very on-theme and also provides a good opportunity for team communication/collaboration. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Although there is the really cool comic book backstory that provides a lot of context, the way the story plays out in the game admittedly has a few holes. Yet, this is something I thought about later, in contemplating this review. I definitely didn’t care about it when we were playing, as I was fully engaged and having a blast! In discussions with the owner, a change in the story (that introduces this inconsistency) was made to improve the player experience, and I can totally see why. We accidentally opened a door to the hallway, which dispelled a bit of the immersion. It would be great to find a thematic way to tell players not to open that door (except in case of emergency). 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you are looking for a well-themed game with lots of tech and that classic escape room feel, "Time Travel: Project 'Ex Machine'” will be right up your alley! While some of the puzzles are a bit tougher, there are some that would be good for more experienced kids/families and nothing too scary (though, some of their other rooms are specifically geared towards those groups)! We had a blast tackling this mission, and really appreciated some of the cool design elements. So, if you’re ready to save the future, give this one a go! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Time Travel: Project 'Ex Machine'” is at the main Conundroom Escape Rooms location in Redmond, which is particularly geared towards adult players. There is a bathroom available and several cool lobby/waiting areas with seating. They have a small lot, and street parking is also available. Photos above are property of Conundroom Escape Rooms (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 Conundroom Escape Rooms 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. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #SciFi #TimeTravel #ConundroomEscapeRooms #Washington #USA

LOCATION: Redmond, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Conundroom Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Northwest Express 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 1, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-8 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $35/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY There is a bridge out ahead, and it’s up to you to stop the train before you all go hurtling into the abyss! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This is a fun implementation and representation of a classic escape room theme and one that I think appeals to a wide variety of folks. Conundroom Escape Rooms does a fantastic job setting the scene for this one, starting right from the elaborately decorated waiting area and sweeping on into the game itself. The first room in particular I found super charming. You will definitely feel like you have been transported back in time to embark on a train journey (at a time when they were way classier than an Amtrak)! In comparison to their other room, this one had more physical locks in ways that were very on-theme, while still having quite a bit of tech. In terms of the puzzles, there were two aspects that are fairly common in escape rooms, but that they were implemented in particularly fun and interesting ways. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK For those who really value narrative, the game has a classic sort of escape room theme, but minimal backstory and story progression. While we enjoyed some of the puzzles in this game, there were some that felt less satisfying due to being left incomplete or just feeling like they had slightly more ambiguous answers. We accidentally opened a door to the hallway, which dispelled a bit of the immersion. It would be great to find a thematic way to tell players not to open that door (except in case of emergency). 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "The Northwest Express" is Conundroom Escape Rooms’ oldest and most popular room, though it was updated and re-designed in 2021. Train lovers looking for that classic escape room feel should definitely consider hopping aboard! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Time Travel: Project 'Ex Machine'” is at the main Conundroom Escape Rooms location in Redmond, which is particularly geared towards adult players. There is a bathroom available and several cool lobby/waiting areas with seating. They have a small lot, and street parking is also available. Photos above are property of Conundroom Escape Rooms (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 Conundroom Escape Rooms 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. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Adventure #ConundroomEscapeRooms #Washington #USA

LOCATION: Redmond, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Conundroom Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Alice 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 1, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-8 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $35/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Someone has stopped time in Wonderland, and it’s up to you to get it started again! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This is a fabulously whimsical room that is a feast for the eyes, as well as other senses. I absolutely loved the artwork and aesthetics, and there was engaging audio of various characters from the book. The gameplay itself reinforced the light and silly feel appropriate to the theme and the look. While it is a minor component, there is a sign stating “Be the Alice that you want to be” with a number of portraits of possible “Alices.” The individuals are of different genders and ethnicities, and one has tattoos. While, of course, they cannot cover the full spectrum of various forms of diversity, I loved this inclusion and effort to embrace and welcome all types of players (particularly in a room geared towards younger folks)! This room is truly multi-sensory! There are all kinds of puzzles, including more standard puzzles that focus on sight and touch, but also those incorporating smell and sound! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK While it was sometimes obvious, at other times it was unclear if or where something may have opened in the room. I always appreciate when I know for sure if we succeeded and, if so, what happened in response. Since this is a single room game, and you have access to most things as soon as you enter, it felt like a very non-linear game with a lot going on at once (as it turns out, it is actually more linear than we initially thought, so pay attention and think about the order to approach the puzzles)! This did give the room a slightly chaotic feel. Personally, I really enjoyed the slight mayhem and felt like it was on-theme! However, in combination with the bold and colorful set and audio components, one of my teammates did feel like it was sometimes a bit of sensory overload and a bit overstimulating (they certainly still enjoyed the room overall!). So, something to be mindful of if this is something someone in your group is sensitive to. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Whether you are an "Alice in Wonderland" fan or just want to embrace your inner kid, "Alice" is a light and fun game that is sure to bring smiles and laughs! The owner describes it as a bit more of an “arcade” style game, where there can be lots to keep groups of kids occupied at once, but they all get to stay together in the one room. This would definitely be great for teens and families, as well as adults who enjoy a little whimsy in their rooms. While enthusiasts will not find this to be the most challenging of games, it delivers a unique and playful experience that we all really appreciated. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO "Alice" is located at one of Conundroom Escape Rooms’ locations in Redmond, which is particularly geared toward teens. There is a bathroom available and a lobby area with two arcade games. Street parking is 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 Conundroom Escape Rooms 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. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #AliceInWonderalnd #Fantasy #Adventure #ConundroomEscapeRooms #Washington #USA

Videos/Photos provided by Locurio Company: Locurio Game: The Vanishing Act Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Magic, Mystery Date Played: October, 25, 2020 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 6.5/10 Size of Team: Up to 4 Players Time: 90 Minutes Price: $140.00/ team 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 There's something strange going on with The Great Noximillian. His assistance keeps going missing after every 13th act. Today is the 13th performance again and we've been called in by Sam to help his friend Casey (who's Noximilllian's latest assistance) to solve this mystery. Hopefully we'll be able to find the truth in time to save Casey from disappearing! 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 The scene opens with Casey meeting us at the theater and leading us down to the dressing room. We were intrigued by the intro right away since most of the remote games we've played started us off in the actual room. This little extra add-on definitely set Locurio apart from a lot of the companies out there. The game was played over Zoom with a live avatar and an inventory system provided by Mofang One. As we entered into the backstage area and dressing room, everything looked quite normal. The avatar gave us a quick tour of the room and we're able to start exploring thereafter. There were a lot of items to be examined, so definitely make sure you look through everything. Whenever an item needed a closer look, we would get an image in our inventory. The images were also removed immediately from the inventory after we've used it. The inventory portal made the game play quite smooth for all of us. The dresser was the centerpiece of the game. There were multiple locks on it. It immediately intrigued us to find out what's locked behind those doors. Although it screamed "Do not open me", we felt very satisfied whenever a lock came off of the dresser. The avatar was great at giving us subtle hints. It was quite useful for us to get on the right track for "team play" as this was the first time that we felt like teamwork was a requirement during a remote escape room and not an option. That was our favorite part of this experience. 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 As enthusiasts, we quite enjoyed the amount of puzzles in this game. Some were quite easy and we would get them right away but some really got us thinking for awhile. The puzzles worked well with the theme of the story line and changed it's context as the plot developed. There was one puzzle design that really "wowed" us. We have seen this type of team effort puzzle design in digital games before but never in a remote escape room. We really loved how they gave every player a chance to shine and contribute to the game play. The game is designed for 4 players and everyone should log in from their own device for the best experience. It could also be played with less than four but will definitely be challenging. Good thing you'll have 90 minutes for this game (although our team used about 60 minutes or so) and if the company doesn't have bookings after yours, they will even allow you extra time just to finish the game. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 We've played remote games before where prerecorded video elements were quite obvious and made the game play quite difficult to follow. In this game, you won't even notice what parts were prerecorded and what was live. Lucurio did a great job stitching the two together seamlessly. The puzzles were designed to work smoothly with the inventory system and that made the experience felt like we're playing there in person. Although we rather much play there in person, this was definitely gratifying for the time being. So gather a team of friends and try to solve this magical mystery (with a little twist) now! *** This game can no longer be booked as a remote game but can still be booked as an in-person experience *** (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 want to thank Locurio for providing us with a media discount our tickets for this game. Although a discounted experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #ESCAPETHEROOmers #AtHomeGames #EscapeRooms #Locurio #TheVanishingAct #RemoteEscapeRoom #Magic #Illusion #Mystery #Thriller #magician

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Locurio Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Storykeeper 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 2, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Storybook, Magical 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-6 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 70 Mins 💰 PRICE: $40-65/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY As treasure hunters extraordinaire, you have been summoned by a strange and secretive book collector to aid in the recovery of a precious missing artifact. Yet, this is no ordinary library, and you would never predict where your journey might take you… 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This game truly immerses you in the story, from the entertaining in-game actors to the incredible set design and detail. We felt like we were whisked to another (incredibly beautiful and charming) world, and I loved seeing the child-like wonder on my friends’ faces (knowing it was mirrored on my own). There was also some very cool “easter eggs” hidden in some of the set pieces that clue and foreshadow parts of the game and a clear progression of the storyline as you play. In between our oohing, awwing, there were lots of laughs (and one scream)! "The Storykeeper" is infused with whimsy, humor, and surprises. These come through not only in the character interactions and some of the puzzles, but also in the way that players are encouraged (but never required) to embody characters themselves. The puzzles in this game were fantastic, varied, and often well-designed to encourage cooperation. There was plenty to keep multiple players busy, and opportunity for some players to solve independently. While we didn’t necessarily get them all right away, they were all clear and satisfying once solved, with none of the dreaded “guess-what-I’m-thinking” type of enigmas. There was a few traditional locks in the game where thematically deemed appropriate, and some nice non-technical physical manipulations. In addition, there is a lot of underlying tech that is really well-integrated into the set design, resulting in magical effects that really heighten that sense of immersion. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK I am hard-pressed to come up with anything that missed the mark for our group (other than wishing it just kept going, of course)! However, there are a few things to be aware of that could be hindrances for some players. It is only for ages 12+ (with those under 18 needing to be accompanied by an adult). There is a small amount of crawling, so some mobility is required. There is an audio puzzle and one in dim lighting, so at least one member of the group should have decent hearing and night-vision. Finally, while I absolutely would not describe this as a scary experience, there is one mild jump scare (though I suspect there could be ways around that one if someone is particularly sensitive to them). 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? I absolutely loved "The Storykeeper"! It is no surprise to me that it was ranked by TERPECA (Top Escape Rooms Project Enthusiasts Choice Awards) as one of the top 50 escape rooms in the world, and it is one of my favorite games ever. The game play is smooth and satisfying, and the immersion is incredible. The attention to detail, dedication to creating transportive sets, unfolding of the storyline, creativity and flow of puzzles, and enhancement of the experience with entertaining in-game actors truly elevate this game. Another local escape room owner described it to me as “art,” and I have to agree! In addition to the overall caliber, the unique, whimsical theme is right up my alley. Assuming you are not limited by any of the factors discussed above, I strongly encourage you to head to Locurio and prepare to fall in love with the world that they have created!! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO In addition to the main lobby with seating where you have your initial introduction, there is also a well-themed area attached to the game space in which you can leave your personal belongings while you play. There are bathrooms available. They also sell a local enthusiast passport! There is public transport access fairly nearby, or you can look for street parking. All of the people were incredibly welcoming, enthusiastic, and helpful. You can tell they love what they do! 🔎 HINT If you don’t scare spiders far away, they will just come back. 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 Locurio for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Storybook #Magical #Locurio #Washington #USA

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Locurio Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Vanishing Act 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 2, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Magician 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 6-8 PPL (Recommend 4-6PPL) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 70 Mins 💰 PRICE: $40-55/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY The last five assistants of the acclaimed magician, the Great Noximillian, have also mysteriously disappeared after their 13th show. Fearing for their own safety, the current assistant has called you here to try to determine what has become of the missing persons and to save them from a similar fate. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE While you receive the more standard introduction (don’t destroy things, here’s how to use a directional lock, general backstory, etc.) in the main lobby, you also get an introduction from the current magician’s assistant in the game-specific waiting area. This extra touch of a character actor really adds to your investment in the story. As you enter the game, you feel like you are entering a refined magician’s room. They’ve managed to incorporate all kinds of tropes without it seeming cheesy or overdone. The set design overall is really well done and has some nice surprises that really impact the atmosphere. The puzzles in the game are very cleanly designed and challenging (particularly in the first section), but fair. Be sure to search thoroughly! The design is quite non-linear, so there are lots of puzzles that can be worked on simultaneously by larger groups. They do a nice job of utilizing many of the magic-themed items, and having one puzzle that really encourages good teamwork. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK While certainly not a major issue, our group definitely struggled more with some of the puzzles in the first part of the game (though they were totally fair). By the time we reached the second part, we were feeling a bit short on time. The puzzles in that part seemed quite a bit easier, so we finished in time. It would have been fun to have a bit more balance in difficulty and a little more time to savor the experience in the second section. However, this division did add to some of the tension as the clock was ticking down and gave us a lot of quick wins before the final victory. There are a few things to be aware of that could be hindrances for some players. This game is only for ages 12+ (with those under 18 needing to be accompanied by an adult). There is an audio puzzle and some parts in dim lighting. While I would not describe it as a scary room, there are some dark themes and occult references. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you sadly can only play one Locurio game, it should be "The Storykeeper". However, that is based purely on the absolute brilliance of that room, and no reflection on "The Vanishing Act", which is a great game in its own right, with a somewhat more classic escape room feel. With the exception of some of the limitations described above, this game would be a great choice for enthusiasts, unless you hate locks. Personally, I still find it very satisfying to click them open (in comparison to their other game, this one relies more on many varieties of traditional locks and more analog puzzles, though there is one fun piece of tech at the end)! There are some challenging parts, so this room might not be ideal for those without any puzzling experience (though you are not limited in hints). But, if you’re reading this blog, that probably isn’t you, so…definitely highly recommended! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO In addition to the main lobby with seating where you have your initial introduction, there is also a well-themed area attached to the game space in which you can leave your personal belongings while you play. There are bathrooms available. They also sell a local enthusiast passport! There is public transport access fairly nearby, or you can look for street parking. All of the people were incredibly welcoming, enthusiastic, and helpful. You can tell they love what they do! 🔎 HINT Be mindful at the rabbit hutch so as not to drop anything! 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 Locurio for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Magic #Magician #Locurio #Washington #USA

Photos provided by The Escape Artist Company: The Escape Artist Game: Spell Struck! Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Fantasy, Magic Date Played: 12/5/2020 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 6/10 Size of Team: 2-7 Players (Age 11+) Time: 70 Minutes Price: $25-$30/pp 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 A stranger just contacted you to help him/her escape a strange cabin in the woods. They woke up in it and thinks it's a witch's coven. Their fate is in your hands and there's only 60 minutes before the witches return to take their soul! 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 We played the live avatar version of this escape room over Zoom with the Telescape inventory system. The walk leading to the creepy looking cabin created a nice vibe for the game. Once the avatar was in the room, a video intro (players should all wear headphones to avoid echoes) was given for the back story. The avatar asked our team if we wanted a "passive" avatar or a more "proactive" avatar. It was the first time we've been asked that online and we appreciated that gesture as players could vary in their preferences. We chose the "proactive" avatar as she'll automatically do the searching for us instead of us telling her to open everything single item she sees. It was also nice to be able to click and collect items through the inventory system as once we picked up an item, the avatar will say something like this: "I see you have found the book. I'll place it on the table for you." It was as if we're playing there in person. The story and set design had a bit of "Blair Witch Project" type of feel. There were definitely some "magical" moments and the special effects showed surprising well on camera. One thing we had suggested to the game developer would be to get a stand for the camera as some physical puzzles that needed the avatar to use both of their hands to complete was hard to visualize by the players. The avatar was great at pinpointing the exact moment to show us a certain door had opened or an effect that happened due to our actions. We got to see everything we would've seen if we're playing there in person. 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 Don't be fooled by the easier puzzles at the beginning of the game. We thought we would finish this room in 30 minutes when we discovered there's SO MUCH MORE to do after the "first round". There was definitely a good amount of searching but Telescape's inventory and 360 view of the room definitely helped out with that. You should save more time for the latter part of the game as the difficulty level of the puzzles does go up from there. And there was at least one puzzle that will take a good amount of time. We truly enjoyed all the puzzle types and the creative aspect of puzzles in conjunction with the theme. One got us thinking for awhile until the final reveal. It deserved the "wow" moment. We finished the game with 18 minutes or so on the clock but it's definitely necessary to give beginners 70 minutes to finish this game. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 We had an amazing time playing "Spell Struck!". Even though "The Escape Artist" is a latecomer to the remote escape room industry, they've got all the bells and whistles a veteran remote escape room has. If you like a little eerie witchery vibe in a room with cool special effects and set design plus a tons of fun puzzles, take a journey in "Spell Struck!" and you won't be disappointed! Oh and if you want to play this game on your own without an avatar with your team, there is a digital option of this game available as well on their website. *** This game can no longer be booked as a remote game but can still be booked as an in-person experience *** (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 Escape Artist for comping our tickets for this game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #ESCAPETHEROOmers #AtHomeGames #EscapeRooms #TheEscapeArtist #SpellStruck #Magic #Spells #Fantasy #Magical #RemoteEscapeRoom #Avatar #witch #blairwitchproject

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of The Escape Artist Photo above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Spell Struck! 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 4, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Magic, Witches 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-7 PPL (Suggest 3-4PPL) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $36-45/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You are hiking on a familiar trail, but somehow seem to get strangely turned around and end up somewhere you don’t recognize. Now it’s getting dark, you’re not sure how to get back, and the woods are seeming none too friendly. A mysterious woman finds you and warns you of a dangerous coven of witches known to inhabit these woods! She kindly offers you the use of her cabin for the night to keep safe. But as you enter and the lock clicks behind you, you fear you’ve been tricked! Can you escape the cabin before the witches arrive and sacrifice you to fuel their dark magic? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The classic witchy vibe was a fun change from the “Harry Potter” - type rooms you often see with spell-based names! I appreciated it having a somewhat spooky story without it actually being horror/scary. The decor, particularly in one area, was quite memorable and set the scene really well, and there was some fun tech. One piece in particular also gave a great, magical “reveal” in response to solving one of the puzzles! It definitely fulfilled some of my potion-brewing dreams! There is a nice variety of puzzles, which facilitate good teamwork, as well as some creative spell-casting. One of our hints came from not searching thoroughly enough, so be sure to keep your eyes out! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There was a puzzle that we completed that resulted in a very clear response. However, we were left thinking that we had only half completed the task and there must be a second part, which was not the case. We were able to quickly confirm this with our GM via the handy walkie-talkie, but it’s possible that this could be more obvious. There was also one puzzle where we somehow discovered a piece before we should have been able to, which led to us skipping a puzzle and some future confusion. Apparently this is very unusual. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? “Spell Struck!” has fun, spooky vibe that would be perfect for Halloween (or any other day you’re looking for a bit of creepy, supernatural fun), but this is not a scary game. It would certainly be appealing for many kids ages 11+ (the minimum age to play), though they would likely need help with some of the more challenging puzzles. The game is located up a set of stairs, and there is small amount of bending/crawling required. The Escape Artist has crafted a magically engaging experience with some great surprises and memorable moments. If you are ready to cast some spells and fight the dark magic, grab your wand and prepare to be spell-struck! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is a lobby/waiting area where you check in and have your rules/intro, with lockers, seating, and a coat rack. You can get a key for the bathroom that is down the hall and up the stairs. There is a paid lot right behind the building, as well as street parking in the area. If you are not from Seattle, be aware that traffic to West Seattle is a challenge until they finish construction on the bridge, so allow plenty of time to get there! Photos above are property of The Escape Artist (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 Escape Artist for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Magic #Witches #TheEscapeArtist #Seattle #Washington #USA

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of The Escape Artist Photo above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Dive to Atlantis! 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 4, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Submarine, Explorer 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-6 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $37-45/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Your salvage crew has been hired by a rich man to journey by submarine to the lost city of Atlantis, which he has located, and bring back a treasured artifact. Can you successfully get the sub to Atlantis, find and extract the relic, and return safely? Photo above is property of The Escape Artist 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The ambience in the sub and down in Atlantis are both fantastic but totally different, and it was such a treat to get to experience them both. The ability to play one game that thematically incorporated two completely different and engaging environments was fabulous. Each of the environments also had a lot of extra little (and sometimes not so little) details to really make you feel like you were there! This is one of two games at The Escape Artist that is a full-motion experience, meaning that the sub moved under your feet! (There is a stop button available if this becomes problematic for anyone, though our motion-sickness-inclined teammate didn’t have any issues.) Rather than being purely random movements, they were also often aligned with what was going on outside of the sub, making everything feel a little more realistic. There is also a bunch of other tech in here to help you feel truly submersed. Then it’s a whole different scene in Atlantis, complete with sand on ground and mysterious ruins. In terms of gameplay, the puzzles were generally quite rewarding and varied, with appropriate thematic differences between the two areas and nice opportunities for cooperative work. There were also several memorable highlights due to both cool and unexpected happenings! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There was one particular puzzle we wasted a lot of time on. We knew exactly what to do (as confirmed after we asked for hints) but found the outcome a bit ambiguous. In the end, the answer seemed incongruous with what we were seeing. I tend to find it frustrating when you’ve figured out what you need to do for a puzzle but the implementation doesn’t seem to work. Generally speaking, we only got hints when requested, but we did receive one that was unsolicited towards the end. Normally, I don’t mind this, as I do like to see the whole room, and I tend to assume it means we are falling behind. However, we had barely started looking at the puzzle in question, so we didn’t really have an opportunity to get the satisfaction of solving it ourselves. And it was not a super tight finish, so it feels like we could have had that bit of time to work on it. But maybe we were faster than it seemed and made up some time on the last bit! 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Playing “Dive to Atlantis!” is almost like getting two escape rooms in one, each with their own unique vibe and atmosphere! They are both really fun “worlds” to explore, and The Escape Artist does an excellent job at immersing you in each environment, with some diverse puzzles throughout. We really did love the contrast of the styles in the two rooms, which kept things really fresh and novel throughout. While the full motion experience was not a huge game-changer for me, it was certainly a fun addition that enhanced the immersion for what was already a great game. The minimum allowable age is 13, but this room would definitely be great for teens and families, as well as adults like us who are still raring to have some deep sea adventurers! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is a lobby/waiting area where you check in and have your rules/intro, with lockers, seating, and a coat rack. You can get a key for the bathroom that is down the hall and up the stairs. There is a paid lot right behind the building, as well as street parking in the area. If you are not from Seattle, be aware that traffic to West Seattle is a challenge until they finish construction on the bridge, so allow plenty of time to get there! (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 Escape Artist for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Submarine #Exploration #TheEscapeArtist #Seattle #Washington #USA

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Puzzle Break Seattle Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Eventide Departure 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 5, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Occult, Seance 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $200/Team ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Your mentor, Professor Firestone, has passed away but nobody can find his will! As students of the professor who have some knowledge of the occult, his son has asked you to try to reach the professor via a seance and discover the whereabouts of the will… 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The set design for "The Eventide Departure" was really well done. There was lots to look at and many artifacts, as you might expect for the Professor’s study; these created an interesting, thematic, rich, and attractive environment. It made me want to be a well-funded explorer! However, they did an excellent job of also making it fairly clear what pieces were linked and likely to be puzzles versus those that were purely set decoration, so you didn’t waste a lot of time with irrelevant objects. There were five candles in the room that show your completion of the five major puzzles in the game. While, of course, you never know which puzzle you might get stuck on, this is a nice way to give you a sense of your progression through the game. One of the classic challenges in escape rooms is not knowing exactly how you are doing one time. How far through the game are you? Have you been stuck on this puzzle too long? Should you take a hint? This candle system is a great, thematic way to give you some idea of where you stand! One cool aspect of "The Eventide Departure" is that they actually have two versions of the game, allowing two groups to play head-to-head if desired! There are, in fact, two sets of candles in the room - one indicating your progress and the other indicating the progress of the other group, if applicable. (In our case, since we were not playing against anyone, the other set just remained unlit.) I think it’s a really nice touch to facilitate that competitive aspect that could be great for larger groups or team-building events, but to do so in such a way that it also does not negatively impact the experience when played on its own. During the game you periodically get messages (both “from the other side” and from the living), which help to nicely progress the story. The puzzle design for this game felt very clean, and it was a joy to play! With one very minor exception described below, everything (while certainly not always obvious) made sense and was very fair. Be sure to observe carefully and search thoroughly! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There is one color-based puzzle where we had some difficulty distinguishing one of the colors. This was a minor issue, which you could figure out by deduction/process of elimination, and the GM also confirmed for us which color it was meant to be. So, certainly not a big deal, but one area that could be a bit clearer. As a personal preference, I always appreciate when it’s very clear if you have triggered something (and bonus points if it’s clear where). In most cases in the Eventide Departure, it was super obvious that you had triggered something, but there was one that we didn’t catch…did that do anything? Hmmm…wait, was this door always unlocked? Perhaps this was just us being too absorbed in other things, but just know to pay attention and look around if you think something could/should have happened! 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Playing "The Eventide Departure" was a smooth and rewarding experience! It was an exceptionally well-implemented game with a “classic escape room” feel. There are a few traditional locks but plenty of integrated tech and reveals as well. Although you are dealing with a seance, the occult aspect is very mild; it is definitely not a scary or disturbing game. Staff were super friendly, enthusiastic, and accommodating as well. Puzzle Break’s games are stated to be 12+ (with adult accompaniment); while normal gameplay involves one section that requires some ability to go through a low entryway, I believe that there would be a workaround for someone if that were an issue. This is a great room for smaller groups of enthusiasts or mid-sized groups of newer folks; larger groups can try the head-to-head version! (Puzzle Break will also hopefully soon be reopening some of their other rooms geared more towards larger groups.) This is definitely a room that I will be recommending to friends in the area! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Puzzle Break (in Belltown) has two lobby/seating areas (one with some small physical puzzles to play with), and bathrooms available. There are designated areas within the rooms themselves to leave your things. You do access their space via stairs. It is reachable via public transportation or there are both paid lots and street parking (free on Sundays!) nearby. 🔎 HINT Apples and oranges might be hard to distinguish in this lighting. Photo 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 Puzzle Break Seattle 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. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Occult #Seance #PuzzleBreakSeattle #Washington #USA

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Puzzle Break Seattle Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Puppeteer's Workshop 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 5, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Mystery, Puppeteering 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $200/Team ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Puppeteering master Harry Keller is looking for a new apprentice, and you’re hoping you might make the cut! He has set up a series of challenges to test you, and you never know what else you might stumble upon… 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE While I enjoy a good heist or a wizarding world as much as the next person, I really appreciate unique themes. "Puppeteer’s Workshop" delivers on this front with a fun, charming, and (at times) mildly creepy theme and set design. Entering the room to see the marionettes on the stage, with the beautifully detailed backdrop, is a fabulous way to start the game! There were several particularly fun and creative puzzles in this game! As with "The Eventide Departure", thoroughly searching and observation is critical. The GM actually has the ability to somewhat adjust the difficulty of one puzzle based on group experience, which is nice, and there is also a very cool, unexpected surprise towards the end that we really enjoyed! All of the puzzles and gameplay flowed well, and everything was very fair and cleanly designed, making it really satisfying to experience. We felt there was a nice combination of traditional locks and tech-based interactions. There was some progression of the story throughout the game through audio messages and some items that you discover along the way. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK While I did really enjoy the puzzles in this game (and our group often worked on them together), there were none that really required or strongly encouraged cooperation, which I always appreciate in escape rooms (if you prefer to work independently, this could be a plus for you)! Given the cool theme, I also would have loved the opportunity to do a bit more “puppeteering” as a player. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We had a fabulous time immersing ourselves in the puppeteer’s world! It is an easier game; our group of 3 finished in about 34 minutes, and we got stuck for quite a while on one puzzle that I suspect some of you would solve quickly. This makes it a perfect game for beginners or smaller groups! For enthusiasts, it is a great room to be able to just relax, savor the atmosphere, and appreciate the well-crafted puzzles. Puzzle Break is open to those 12+ (with adult supervision), and in normal play of the game some mobility is required, but I think there could be a workaround if needed. While parts of the theme were a bit dark/occult, the overall gameplay is definitely not scary, assuming you don’t have a general fear of dolls (apparently known as pediophobia) - including rather creepy ones… In fact, overall, I found it quite playful, with some delightful details. If you’re looking for a unique theme with clean and creative puzzle design and some really charming elements, I think you will enjoy the "Puppeteer’s Workshop"! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Puzzle Break (in Belltown) has two lobby/seating areas (one with some small physical puzzles to play with), and bathrooms available. There are designated areas within the rooms themselves to leave your things. You do access their space via stairs. It is reachable via public transportation or there are both paid lots and street parking (free on Sundays!) nearby. 🔎 HINT If you’re feeling stuck, try changing your perspective. 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 Puzzle Break Seattle 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. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Mystery #Puppeteering #PuzzleBreakSeattle #Washington #USA

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Fox In A Box (Seattle) Photo above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Prison Break 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 6, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Prison Breakout 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 PPL (Recommend 3-4PPL) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $40-46.50/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You are on death row and set to be executed in one hour, when a riot breaks out in another part of the prison! Can you escape before the guards return to get you? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Fox in a Box (Seattle) emphasizes the authenticity of their environments, with items acquired directly from correctional facilities for this game. While I personally cannot compare it with the real deal, the start of the experience in particular is highly immersive and hopefully the closest I will ever feel to being “locked up!”. "Prison Break" combines more traditional “escape room” type puzzles with more realistic, mimetic challenges that you might encounter in a breakout. There were several moments when we thought, “can we really do this?!” As a big fan of cooperative puzzles, I really enjoyed that the group is initially split up and forced to work together, helping to ensure everyone is getting in on the action. Other parts of the game allow for more independent solves, if desired. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There is an in-house rule that if you take a hint, you must wait 10 minutes before asking for another one. Personally, I’m a fan of players having the option to take hints or not as they choose (though with limitations on what is required to be considered for the leaderboard). In our case, this led to us taking a hint before we normally would have, because we didn’t know how much of the game was left and we would've only had time for one more hint if needed. As it turns out, it was the last puzzle, we had plenty of time, and I believe we would have gotten the satisfaction of solving it if we had given ourselves a few more minutes. In relation to hints, we also got an unprompted “freebie” hint, based on the fact that there is a component that will auto-lock you out for some period of time if you enter enough wrong answers. At the time, we hadn’t entered any answers yet. I definitely appreciate the effort to save players from the frustration of a lockout! However, it seems like the ideal would be to use an item without that feature, to really give players the option of a satisfying solve without that unexpected hint. For those who are particularly into story development, "Prison Break" is light on the story component, aside from the brief initial backstory. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Prison Break" shines, particularly in the first part of the game, in immersing you in their world and presenting you with rewarding, realistic challenges! The theme may not be for everyone (and I preferred to imagine myself as a daring cat burglar busting out, rather than a death row inmate), but it will definitely appeal to many. If you are secretly preparing for your own breakout (or just want to see how you fare), are up for some crawling, and appreciate mimetic challenges with an immersive environment, go give "Prison Break" a try! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Fox in a Box (Seattle), in Belltown, has a small lobby with size-able lockers available for your belongings (one per group). There is a bathroom available. There is both street and lot parking nearby, or you can catch public transport. 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 Fox In A Box (Seattle) for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Prison #FoxInABox #Seattle #USA

Photo above is property of Hourglass Escapes Company: Hourglass Escape Game: Evil Dead 2™ Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Horror Date Played: 5/8/2020 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 7/10 Size of Team: 3-6 players Time: 70 Minutes (Escaped 64:30) Price: $33.33 pp (1-3 players)/ $30.00 pp (4-6 players) Video above is property of Hourglass Escapes Evil Dead 2™ is a trademarked escape room based on the movie Evil Dead 2. Your objective in this game is to save your leader who's locked in the cabin and also to return the evil dead to their realm. If you listen carefully during the game, you might recognize some celebrity voice overs (Andrea Hays, Yuri Lowenthal, etc). The video was directed by Ben Rock (the art director on Blair Witch Project). I would have loved to play this room in person as the set design looked amazing. You do not need to have seen the movie in order to play this escape room but out of curiosity we watched the movie after and the decor was spot on. The attention to detail on the props could be seen even on camera. There were lot of "ooooo" and "ahhh" moments from each of our teammates as the secrets of the rooms unveiled. Puzzles were also closely tied in with the story (there was one that was debatable on the answer pending on how you solve it but it could only be two ways. Our suggestion would be to change it to the correct order and keep it as one answer). This was a pretty large room and if we were playing in person, we would've definitely chose to split up and worked on different puzzles separately. Props to our avatar for running back and forth so quickly so that we were able to escape in time! There was a lot to do in terms of the number of puzzles so definitely bring a strong team! For people who are worried about jump scares, there aren't any. You do not want to miss this experience. We are putting this room in our top rated room list 2020. Well deserved! *** This game can no longer be booked as a remote game but can still be booked as an in-person experience *** (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from"ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Hourglass Escapes for comping our tickets for this game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #AtHomeGames #EscapeRooms #HourglassEscapes #EVILDEAD2 #RemoteEscapeRoom #Avatar #horror #movie #ESCAPETHEROOMers #escape

Photo above is property of Hourglass Escapes Company: Hourglass Escapes Game: The Ghostly Galleon Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Supernatural, Pirates Date Played: February 15, 2022 Difficulty (based on 9 players): 5.5/10 Size of Team: 3-8 Players (Ages 13+) Time: 60 Minutes Price: $30.00/ pp (Min. of 3 ppl) Check out our reviews on other games from Hourglass Escapes - "EVIL DEAD 2: Dead by Dawn" and "Rise of the Mad Pharoah". 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 You are a member of a remote team ready to explore the Bermuda Triangle. Just when you're about to start the mission, your drone got stuck inside a cabin of an abandoned galleon somewhere in the ocean. The spooky voice tells you that you are spiritually linked to the cursed captain of the ship, the Banshee Buccaneer! Using the eyes of the cursed pirate, you must find a way to lift the curse. Otherwise, you will lose your memories forever. Can you save the cursed captain as well as yourself? Video above is property of Hourglass Escapes 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 This game is played with a live avatar paired with an online inventory system. We join our team on Zoom to communicate and direct our amazing game master who acted as a cursed pirate. Telescape is what we used as the online inventory system. Every time we spotted items in the room, the host will give us a code to reveal more information on those items. Once one of our team members enters the code to Telescape, it'll automatically populate the items for the rest of the crew. The system is very easy to use. The 360 floor plan does look a bit different now than the one in the Telescape but it didn't really hinder our play. Some items can also be removed from the inventory after we solved the puzzle. Our cursed pirate was definitely a friendly one as she was great at subtly giving us hints if we were stuck (although we didn't really need any. I'm quite proud our team came in close to breaking the time record). Photos above are property of Hourglass Escapes 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 “Ghostly” sounded like a horror theme, but it was not. It was a fun pirate-themed game (our game master was really great at puns and jokes). The room was nicely decorated like a cabin in a galleon. All the puzzles and items in the room were flawlessly fit to the pirate theme and those definitely enhanced our immersive feeling. The room seemed relatively small and the puzzles might be easy for some experts (especially if they would play in person). Yet, there was a good number of puzzles to solve in the room, and it had a variety of types of puzzles from mechanical to logical ones. Some of those puzzles were witty and playful. Everyone from beginners to experts can enjoy this game, and everyone in your team has a chance to contribute to your team in some way. One thing that we did give suggestion to the owner is the fact that experienced player might be able to solve one of the puzzles without using the info from the other one. Thus creating an awkward moment for the avatar since she can't show us what's inside the box even after we opened it. In the middle of the game, several pieces of information for different puzzles are available at the same time. Depending on what order each information is revealed, it may be a little bit confusing for beginners or even some experienced players at first. But it is a part of the challenge. The company did a great job thought with connecting each piece of information. Our host, Joules who guided us as the cursed pirate, was very friendly and helpful. She was totally in the character with speaking a funny pirate language during the game. She made us smile many times. Her camera work was also really smooth. The set, the puzzle, and the wonderful host elevated our adventure to an exciting level. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 "The Ghostly Galleonil” is an exciting and satisfying pirate-themed game to have fun with friends and family. This is the perfect game for those who seek an adventure with a pirate flag, skulls, and treasure boxes. Even if you play this game remotely, all the details of the room such as the props, the puzzles, and the game master will take you to imagine how this game could be played in person. Moreover, when you book the game, you will receive a player packet. It will provide information like how to dress, speak and drink like a pirate! Time to assemble your crew and say “Ahoy!” to the ghostly captain! Note: This game can also be played in person if you're in the Seattle, WA area. Check out our interview with the creator to understand more on the development side of these games: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers *** This game can no longer be booked as a remote game but can still be booked as an in-person experience *** (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 Hourglass Escapes for comping our tickets for this game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #ChikakoOmura #AtHomeGames #RemoteEscapeRooms #HourglassEscapes #Adventure #USA #Washington