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Photo above is property of Deluded Games Company: Deluded Games Game: We Escaped a Twisted Game Country: Sweden 🇸🇪 Language: English Type of Game: Video Escape Game 📱 Genre: Horror Date Played: May 19 2026 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 6/10 Time: Unlimited (Approx. 90-120 Mins.) Price: $4.99 (Steam) O/S: Windows 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Two players. A single escape route. Trapped in a haunted manor, you need to communicate, trust one another, and work together to survive and find your way out. What begins as an exploration of a haunted manor soon becomes a sinister survival game. Separated by walls yet linked by voice, you must depend on each other to reach the outside once more... Video above is property of Deluded Games 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ "We Escaped a Twisted Game" starts in a vast garden situated just outside the gates of a creepy manor. As you explore, you'll admire the set design and color tones employed to amplify the eeriness. The two main characters - Chad and Stacy (who you will opt to play in the beginning) feature a pixelated design that seemed somewhat out of place when compared to the set design. The game features a spine-chilling atmosphere, eerie silhouettes, and carefully placed jump scares. Photos above are property of Deluded Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 "We Escaped a Twisted Game" is a horror-themed cooperative game designed for two players. Before starting the game, each player can select a character: Chad or Stacy. In the game, players assume these roles to explore a haunted, cursed manor, following different paths to solve puzzles and escape collectively. You and your teammate begin in the same setting but view the haunted manor from distinct perspectives. Throughout most of the game, effective communication of your observations to each other is essential for progress. The atmosphere is primarily spooky, with the game incorporating jump scares and stealth mechanics, such as avoiding masked figures and "The Silent Stalker", to maintain a high level of tension. There are a bunch of functionalities built directly into the game for you to interact with your partner. For an example, players can toggle their flashlights on and off by pressing "F" and can communicate with each other using a walkie-talkie by pressing "V". They've also integrated various preset messages to send one another like "Hello", "Thank You", "Hurry", "Good Job", etc. Photos above are property of Deluded Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 As with most two-player cooperative games, each participant is tasked with completing an action collaboratively. In games akin to "We Were Here", the typical arrangement involves one player having access to the clues, while the other possesses the solutions or operates the switches. A majority of the puzzles included elements such as visual pattern matching, mazes, and straightforward logic and color-matching tasks. Although these challenges aren't particularly tough for experienced escape-room enthusiasts, they demand effective teamwork and require players to communicate their observations clearly. Overall, the puzzles are engaging and stimulating without being too difficult, allowing the 2 to 3-hour playtime to pass effortlessly. Photos above are property of Deluded Games 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 Having played numerous co-operative games before, we found the innovative communication methods in "We Escaped a Twisted Game" to be quite impressive! The game creates an authentically eerie atmosphere, featuring well-timed jump scares and intense chase scenes. It's engaging, enjoyable, and perfect for couples or friends, as it offers excellent opportunities for teamwork. As far as difficulty, the puzzles begin fairly easy, but their complexity increases nicely as you progress toward the end. (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 Deluded Games for providing us with a sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #AtHomeGames #VideoGames #DeludedGames #Horror #Sweden #Steam

Photo above is property of Peanut Button Company: Peanut Button Game: Riddlewood Manor Language: English Type of Game: Video Escape Game 📱 Genre: Horror Date Played: July 11, 2026 Difficulty (based on a group of 1 player): 5/10 Time: Unlimited (Approx. 3-4 Hrs.) Price: $14.99 USD (Steam) OS Windows 10 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Welcome to Riddlewood Manor! Come and navigate the deathtrap and hauntings of the house while piecing together the tragic story of what happened to the Riddlewood family, specifically their daughter Emily. Oh, and there’s a possessed and demonic doll following you around that may be there to either help you, or make sure you never leave. Video above is property of Peanut Button 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Starting from the initial tutorial, Riddlewood Manor had an intuitive and smooth interface. I appreciated the convenience of the quick access inventory bar at the bottom of the screen instead of constantly pulling up a full inventory menu. The start of the game also included a brightness calibration check and the option to toggle on a jump scare warning, which was crucial for someone like me. The game serves up an aesthetically pleasing art style that feels like a whimsical horror mix of Gloom, Scooby-Doo, and Sally Face. It perfectly nails that creepy yet not too scary vibe. I was also pleasantly surprised by the depth of the narrative which has you piecing together the tragic, dark history of the Riddlewood family. The game had a non-linear, exploration path that allowed you to go down different routes. You actually need to die at certain points to unlock all the endings and complete all achievements. Another thing that caught me off guard was that there were multiple ways to die in the game, which we don’t see a lot in point-and-click games. If you end up dying, you simply restart the room and because they are all relatively short, dying never feels like an unfair punishment. Note: This game is only available on Windows OS. Photos above are property of Peanut Button 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 There were puzzles galore in this game. While most of them involved simply making connections with items, objects, and your environment, there were a few fun games mixed in. Each level's puzzles were fairly quick and none overstayed their welcome. Keep a keen eye out as some items in the background and sides might be missed. There was not really a built-in hint system, but the game provided a link to a walkthrough guide with pictures that you would have to scroll through. Scrolling through it to find your place could potentially lead to spoilers Photos above are property of Peanut Button 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 Riddlewood Manor was the perfect game for me. It had a little horror mixed with whimsy and that jump scare warning allowed me to play it without any issues. The tragic story, distinct artwork and solid puzzles made for a fun time and kept me engaged the whole time. This would be a great game to play if you have a few hours to kill but with all the rooms broken up, you could definitely come and go. If you are completionist though, you would have lots of fun going back and finding all the endings and unlocking all the achievements. (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 Peanut Button for providing us with a sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #AtHomeGames #VideoGames #Steam #PeanutButton #Horror #Spooky #Supernatural #VR

LOCATION: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Photo above is property of TRAPPED Edmonton Escape Room 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Midnight Arcade 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 21, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Mystery, Retro 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $36/ pp (2 ppl), CAD $32/ pp (3+ ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Waking up in the hospital after a car accident, you have this faint memory of a missing item, something that was important. After rummaging through your jacket, you find a half ripped note. The note talks about an arcade that you were at before the accident. Could the important item be there? You call the facilities and find out that there is a security shift change at midnight, giving you a one hour window to sneak in and possibly find it. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The puzzles really hit the mark. There was a great mix of quick wins, deeper multi-step challenges, and physical dexterity tasks. The puzzles were all on theme and never overstayed their welcome. The arcade style props looked authentic and were genuinely fun to interact with. The room promoted teamwork, especially some of the dexterity based games, keeping everyone actively involved with plenty of things to do and solve. The storyline was fun, keeping us motivated and guessing as we hunted for the final missing item. In terms of décor, everything fit the arcade aesthetic though adding a bit more to the set design would have made the room stand out a bit more. That said, the simpler design meant we were not distracted by any red herrings as we used everything we could see. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There were no major misses here. This was a well-designed escape room. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This was a fun room to play as a family of two adults and two older kids. Everyone had a blast. The curious storyline and great variety of puzzles kept us fully engaged the entire time. I would recommend a group size of four if you want to see everything and be a part of all the puzzles. This would be a great room if you enjoy some simple hands-on challenges in your escape rooms but would be perfect for beginners as well. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking. Lobby with seating area Located on the ground floor Wheelchair accessible Small selection of board games available for purchase. (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"!) #MatthewLui #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #TRAPPEDEdmontonEscapeRoom #Canada #Mystery #Retro #Alberta

Photo above is property of Prime Tower Designs Company: Prime Tower Designs Game: Cryptatrope: A Maker Adventure Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Game 📬 Genre: Sci-Fi Date Played: April 12, 2026 Difficulty (based on 2 players): various with players Size of Team: 1+ players Time: Unlimited Price: $20.00 USD (Standard)/ $25.00 USD (Deluxe) 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Mike from Prime Tower Designs, following an unsuccessful attempt with his time displacement device, found himself stuck in the year 1503 along with his 3D printer. To make sure he could return, he encoded a message within an invention known as a cryptatrope and placed the blueprints in a time capsule. Disclosing his temporal secret prematurely would have stopped his original timeline from coming into being. Until now, the technology required for 3D printing a cryptatrope was unavailable, keeping the message concealed until the right moment... Video above is property of Prime Tower Designs 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ We received this exquisite complete set for review purposes. The collection includes three photonic cylinders containing chapters 1-3 of the puzzle adventure, one non-adventure photonic cylinder, a cradle (stand), and progression tokens (which are collectible only and serve no functional purpose). Additionally, we received two different types of cylinders: glow-sticks and LED lights. The entire set was produced using 3D printing. The quality is impressive, with each component feeling exceptionally sturdy to the touch. The packaging facilitates easy organization of the game pieces, and it can be conveniently displayed in your living room as an attractive decorative item that may serve as a conversation starter. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Currently, this adventure comprises three chapters. Each cylinder contains a puzzle that must be solved to input a solution on a website, allowing progression to the next stage. Each correct solution unlocks a video explaining the situation Mike is facing, continuing until the final completion. At present, the video introductions could be enhanced for greater immersion, and the storyline could be made clearer for players. Through the Kickstarter campaign, you can purchase the core models for 3D printing (a 3D printer is required). Depending on your level of expertise, you can either install battery-operated LED lights into the core or use glow-sticks. Both options are effective, although glow-sticks may be easier to see at times due to their green light emission. Activating the LED light requires tapping to turn it on and off. We also recommend viewing the secret messages in a dark room, as they can be difficult to see otherwise. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 At present, the puzzles are entirely visual. Their difficulty varies, with some being more apparent than others, largely depending on the individual's perspective. This game is not specifically designed for puzzle enthusiasts; instead, the puzzles serve as an additional feature to showcase the capabilities of these crytatropes beyond displaying personal messages or images. This prop could be more effectively utilized as a component in an escape room or a tabletop game, providing an unexpected element to enhance the gameplay experience. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 When the creator first reached out to us, he wanted to introduce the Zoetropic Cipher — a mesmerizing spinning top that cleverly conceals messages and animations. We were thrilled by this concept, as it felt like a prop straight out of an escape room, where a hidden secret eagerly awaited discovery. He sent us a top that spins "ESCAPETHEROOMers," and we were utterly amazed by this ingenious object. Just a few months later, we were astonished to see that this initial project had blossomed into something much grander, now featuring puzzles and the cryptatrope, which is undoubtedly an enhanced version of the cryptex, a staple in the escape room world. This is truly a groundbreaking concept and prop that we haven't seen used anywhere else in the puzzle realm. It would be incredibly exciting to see how game designers might weave this into their games, whether in an escape room or on a tabletop. We believe it will provide an exhilarating reveal for players to uncover a hidden message in such a captivating way. It's durable, easy to create, and customizable. The possibilities for what the Zoetropic Cipher or cryptatrope could achieve are endless! (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 Prime Tower Designs for providing us with a sample of their game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #SciFi #PrimeTowerDesigns #MakerWorld #USA

LOCATION: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Photo above is property of Secret City Adventures Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Where Dark Things Dwell 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 29, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Magic, Witchery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Teams of 4, Up to 60 ppl at a time 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $28/ pp (6PM), $36/ pp (9PM) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY As weary travelers, you have just arrived in this small humble village but as you make your way to rest for the night, many people suspiciously stare at your group. As night begins to fall, you begin to find out the truth about this small village and the curse that has overtaken it. Can you and your fellow travelers unravel the secrets and find the only item strong enough to lift the curse? Video above is property of Secret City Adventures 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This game made for an immersive experience from the area chosen in Fort Edmonton to all the enthusiastic actresses and actors in costume that pulled it all together. There was a lot of puzzling that kept us busy the whole 90 mins. One thing that stood out was that once collecting puzzle packages from each location, you could either take the time to solve them in that location or you could collect all the packages and go to an open space to work on them all. There were a lot of small things that made a huge difference in the gameplay such as giving you a bag to carry puzzles pieces in, multiple puzzle packages in each area to avoid bottlenecking and keeping everyone in manageable sizes to ensure everyone stayed involved. There was a great intro to help ease you into the game as well as outro to recap everything that happened through the game. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Though the entire game minimized bottlenecking, due to the nature of the final puzzle, teams may need to line up at the final aspect of the game. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Where Dark Things Dwell" overlayed itself over the iconic 1885 Street in Fort Edmonton Park and created a spooky and captivating adventure. The game blended in seamlessly to the surrounding area with the storytelling and characters. The puzzles were made of high quality, clever, and fit into the theme of the game. We played this game in “dark mode” (the later time), which really added to the ambiance as the sun slowly set through the game. We went as 2 people but were put with another group, which still worked out fine as we all got to see everything and experience everything. Anyone who is a fan of immersive experiences, some outdoor puzzle solving, and storytelling, would absolutely love this game. Are you ready to learn where dark things dwell? Arriving on-site at Fort Edmonton Park, we had to drive through the access road to get to the back entrance, past the historic Selkirk Hotel to reach our destination. Once there, we checked in and were led to some picnic tables just off the edge of 1885 Street. Though, we came as a group of 2, everyone was broken up into teams for 4 for the game. Once paired up, we were given a few items that included a lantern, a map, and a cipher wheel; tools that will help us on our journey. had a fabulous day at the Museum of Intrigue and absolutely recommend it for anyone looking for some light-hearted adventures through an innovative approach. If you are looking for brain-burning puzzles, it likely won’t scratch that itch, as the games we played leaned towards searching and tasks with light puzzling. However, the sense of exploration, discovery, and narrative all drew us in, and there are a wide variety of Stories to choose from to suit your mood, timeframe, and group composition. If possible, we do encourage you to stay for multiple games - you will want to carry on to see how strange things you have found are incorporated into other stories. We are still dying to know what all the rubber duckies are for! It is a uniquely charming experience, and it certainly leaves us eager to return (and perhaps try one of their larger events)! If you're a parent looking to entertain, engage, and enthrall your kids, this is the place to go! And even if you're not a parent, you can still take your inner child to the Museum for a fabulous day of play. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Depending on time booking, you will play either during sunset or dark Ample areas to sit and rest your feet throughout the game if required This event will run until September 24th. Additionally the same event is also being operated at "Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto". 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 Secret City Adventures for comping our tickets for this experience. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #ImmersiveExperiences #SecretCityAdventures #Magic #Witchery #Canada

LOCATION: La Grange, Illinois, USA Photo above is property of Just Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Haunted Doll Shop 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 18, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $33.00 - $36.00/ pp (depending on the day of the week) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY A creepy doll shop mysteriously appeared overnight at the edge of town, and you’ve come to check it out. The owner seems a bit shady, and you heard something about some missing kids…can you figure out what’s going on and maybe do some good? Or at least avoid a terrible fate yourselves… 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Unfolding story: The opening scenario for this room, as revealed in the intro video, is more of a teaser…you’re not really sure what to expect. But you gain additional info along the way to better understand the underlying motives and consequences of what you encounter. Nice puzzle sequence: There was one particular series of puzzles that had a great flow of sequential discovery and an unexpected element added to one portion that upped the challenge. An extra memento: Just Escape videos your team’s reaction to a light jump scare and gives you a free download after the game. This is fun to see (and potentially fodder for some good-natured ribbing to whoever had the best reaction), and goes beyond the typical victory photo that we now expect from a game. In the age where short-form video is king, it’s also a great format for sharing online. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Sudden finish: This is a quicker game and the ending felt a bit abrupt to us. We didn’t realize we had accomplished the final goal, thinking we had just finished a section. Making a few adjustments to the way the final puzzle is delivered could highlight the impact of each of our steps so that the ultimate ending felt more clearly earned.t. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "The Haunted Doll Shop" is a great entry point to a scary room, or even to escape rooms in general. It's creepy with light jump scares but not really scary. It's not too difficult, and really delivers on that eerie theme, with many doll-focused challenges and decor. It's a slightly more traditional room with physical locks but also has some fun tech-y puzzles and effects. So, if you're looking for spooky, approachable room and appreciate having evolving narrative elements, go see if you can solve the mystery of the doll shop! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Just Escape Room is located upstairs inside a small office complex. We found free 2-hour parking just across the street, and there is also paid metered street parking if you are staying longer. There are bathrooms available. The lobby has small lockers and wall hooks, and you can bring larger items with you into the room if needed. They have some merch and puzzle cards for sale as well. 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 Just Escape Room for providing a media discount for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #JustEscapeRoom #Horror #USA #Illinois

LOCATION: West Allis, Wisconsin, USA Photo above is property of Redacted Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Heist Havoc 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 16, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Thriller, Heist 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE: Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday - $35.00/ pp Thursday - $20.00/ pp (Min. 4 ppl) Friday & Sunday - $40.00/ pp Saturday - $45.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Renowned cat burglar The Velvet Shadow has stolen the Divine diamond to add to his undoubtedly impressive collection of stolen goods. Now, you and your crew have been brought in to get it back…but you'll have to be deft, sneaky, and smart to thwart his defenses and get out undetected. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Gadgets galore!: As skilled agents for the Redacted agency, we had a whole kit of high tech devices at our disposal. Using them to assist us in our mission was a bucket list level experience! Make sure to share them among the whole team so everyone can join in the fun. Appropriately refined decor: As soon as we entered, it was clear that we were amidst a secret collection of stolen curios and artifacts. The room felt high end, and the display cases were impeccably maintained. The collection of art was as diverse as it was beautiful. Builds to a satisfying climax: While the story is straightforward, the process of getting to the end is a slowly building series of rewarding challenges that helped us hone our skills and tested the full range of our, shall we say, five-fingered facility. Teamwork required: Danny Ocean couldn't pull off his heists without a good crew, and the same goes for Heist Havoc. Communication is a must in order to open the display cases and eventually escape…if you are savvy enough to find the diamond. Incredible potential Easter egg: While we didn't manage to experience it ourselves, we did hear afterwards about something we might have been able to trigger…which is totally unique and, while not for everyone, sounded totally amazing to us! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This is a thoughtful, well designed room with very few nits to pick! Stagnant story: This is a straightforward heist with minimal backstory and limited development. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We had heard good things about Heist Havoc but were unprepared for just how fabulous it was! Anybody who daydreams of being a spy and stealing from wealthy criminals will love this room. Between the elegant decor, clever puzzles, and aforementioned suitcase full of gadgets, this room satisfies on every level. It will feel fresh for enthusiasts who have plenty of heists under their belts (one of our top heists ever). It can suit groups with a range of experience levels, as the wide variety of challenges will provide a way for each and every member of your crew to showcase their own special spy skills. There are plans to make a second heist so two teams can compete to steal the diamond! We can't believe this was the owner's first room, and we can't wait to see what they do next. Heist Havoc was one of our favorite games on this trip, and we consider it a must-play in the Milwaukee and greater Chicago area! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Redacted is easy to find, with plenty of free parking. In lieu of lockers, there are hangers for coats and space in the actual escape room to store belongings out of the way. There's a pair of clean bathrooms and seating and some themed merch for sale in the lobby. 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 Redacted Escape Rooms for providing a media discount for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #RedactedEscapeRooms #Thriller #Heist #USA #Wisconsin

LOCATION: Vancouver, BC, Canada Photo above is property of Find and Seek Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Secret of the Serpent Sanctum 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 14, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 Players): 10/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $39.99/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Continuing the overarching adventure of searching for relics with Professor Magnus, The Secret of the Serpent Sanctum takes your team deep into the jungle, where an ancient temple waits to be explored. While the timeline may not move far from your previous mission, the setting shifts dramatically into a world of overgrown ruins, hidden dangers, and long-forgotten secrets. Word has spread that a powerful relic is hidden somewhere within the temple, but retrieving it will be no easy task. Your group must face a series of challenges, puzzles, and trials designed to protect what lies inside. If you hope to uncover the truth and claim the relic, you’ll need to work together and prove yourselves worthy before the temple’s secrets are lost forever. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE One of the most impressive aspects of The Secret of the Serpent Sanctum is its puzzle design. While many of the puzzles are quite challenging, they remain logically consistent throughout the experience. Even when a solution required multiple steps or a significant amount of exploration, there was always a clear sense of progression. Every discovery felt earned, and each completed task pushed the group one step closer to uncovering the temple's secrets. It's also clear that Find and Seek has continued to grow and evolve as a company. With each new game, they seem more willing to experiment with immersive design and modern technology, and The Secret of the Serpent Sanctum is the strongest example of that growth so far. This is easily their most technologically advanced room to date, while also being one of their most visually impressive. From the moment you enter the game, the setting does an excellent job of establishing the adventure ahead. The opening space feels like a genuine jungle expedition camp positioned at the entrance of an ancient temple. Equipment, scenery, and environmental details all work together to create the feeling that your team is about to embark on a dangerous archaeological journey. It immediately sets the tone for the experience and draws players into the world before the first puzzle is ever solved. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Due to the sheer number of puzzles and interconnected clues throughout the experience, one particular journal becomes incredibly important as the game progresses. Unfortunately, there is only a single copy available for the group to reference. Because so many puzzles rely on information contained within its pages, teams may find themselves bottlenecked as multiple players attempt to access the same resource at once. Adding a second copy somewhere later in the experience could go a long way toward reducing unnecessary waiting and allowing larger groups to stay engaged simultaneously. The other consideration is simply setting player expectations. The Secret of the Serpent Sanctum is significantly more difficult than the venue's previous offerings, and the jump in challenge level is substantial. Even with a group of experienced enthusiasts and players of varying skill levels, we required a small amount of additional time to complete the experience. While many puzzle lovers will appreciate the complexity, a clearer warning about the room's difficulty would help teams arrive with the proper mindset and ensure that newer players know exactly what kind of challenge awaits them. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "The Secret of the Serpent Sanctum" is not a game for everyone—and that's exactly what makes it special. This is a room built for players who crave a true challenge. I would not be surprised if the fail rate on this game is quite high, and I imagine many groups may never see some of the later portions of the experience. But for those willing to embrace the challenge, there is an incredibly rewarding adventure waiting for them. What makes the difficulty work is that the puzzles are consistently fair. They are complex, layered, and often require multiple steps to complete, but they remain grounded in logic. At no point did we feel like the game was being difficult simply for the sake of being difficult. Instead, every solve felt earned. Every breakthrough gave our group a genuine sense of accomplishment, and that feeling only grew stronger as we progressed deeper into the temple. The variety of puzzle design is also one of the game's greatest strengths. Logic puzzles, communication puzzles, observational challenges, spatial reasoning, and multi-step sequences are all represented throughout the experience. Nearly every type of puzzle enthusiast will find something to enjoy here. The room constantly asks players to think in different ways, ensuring that no single person can carry the team on their own. Beyond the puzzles, Find and Seek has continued to improve its production quality with each new release. The Secret of the Serpent Sanctum features the strongest set design the company has produced to date. The temple feels alive with hidden details, environmental storytelling, and secrets tucked into nearly every corner. Even when we weren't actively solving puzzles, we found ourselves admiring the craftsmanship and wondering what hidden surprise we might discover next. For experienced players looking for one of the toughest challenges in Vancouver, The Secret of the Serpent Sanctum is an easy recommendation. It takes what is already Find and Seek's best-designed game and transforms it into a demanding, satisfying adventure that rewards persistence, teamwork, and careful observation. If your group enjoys difficult puzzle rooms and wants to test their skills against a truly formidable challenge, this is a temple well worth exploring. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Third floor of a shopping center Wheelchair accessible No washrooms, closest washroom is in the nearby food court Photos above are property of Find and Seek (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 Find and Seek for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #FindandSeek #Adventure #Vancouver #BritishColumbia #Canada

LOCATION: Urbana, Illinois, USA Photo above is property of CU Adventures in Time & Space Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Revenge of the Cabin 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 14, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl (Recommended Ages 13+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $37.00/ pp (2 ppl), $32.00/ pp (3-4 ppl), $27.00/ pp (5-8 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY As paranormal investigators, you’ve been hired to come cleanse what appears to be a haunted cabin for its new owner…after all of its recent past inhabitants have met gruesome fates. Armed with little more than your wits and a lantern, you head inside hoping you won’t become the cabin’s next ghost story. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Immersive world-building: "Revenge of the Cabin" does a great job drawing players into its haunted world right from the start. Our GM set the tone nicely with her intro, and the unexpectedly endearing hint system is integrated in a way that is both charming and in-universe. The cabin itself feels appropriately weathered and unsettling, with puzzles woven naturally into the environment. Story progression: We really enjoyed how the narrative unfolded over the course of the game to become a more fully realized tale. It starts with a basic paranormal investigation back story, but layers in darker details over time through both written and auditory formats to help you understand what’s occurred here, what you need to do, and why. Small personal touches: There are a few moments of personalization that gave the experience extra charm, surprise, and humor, including some interactions that made us unexpectedly attached to certain…residents of the cabin. Bonus puzzle available: We always appreciate when rooms include optional bonus puzzles for groups that are moving quickly, and this one was cute and added nicely to the narrative. It’s a great way to reward efficient teams without overwhelming newer players. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Lighting challenges: The provided lanterns fit the theme nicely, but ours were dim enough that we often needed to supplement with phone flashlights to comfortably read or inspect certain elements. In a dark, atmosphere-heavy room, a little more visibility would have helped the experience flow more smoothly. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Revenge of the Cabin" is a great “gateway spooky” room for players who want creepy atmosphere without diving into full horror territory, making it CU Adventures’ most popular game. There’s definitely gore and unsettling imagery woven throughout the story, but the experience leans much more toward haunted fun than intense fear, without any jump scares. The immersion, narrative progression, and personal adaptations can appeal even to those who aren’t as drawn to the darker theme. So grab your lantern, heighten your senses, and see if you can cleanse the cabin of its evil…before your time runs out! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Private lot with a good amount of parking. The generous lobby/waiting area where you check in has both shirts for sale and a creative, co-operative version of Tetris you can play. There are bathrooms and a water cooler available. There are no lockers, but you can leave your things in the rooms themselves. On the other side of the building, you’ll find Parcadia – a very cool mini-golf experience with a tavern (which even has some secret cocktails for some of their escape rooms), a mini puzzle-hunt, and lots more in the works! Across the street there is a food hall with a variety of options. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank CU Adventures in Time & Space for providing us with a media discount for this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #DaveBristol #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #CUAdventures #Horror #USA #Illinois

LOCATION: Schaumburg, Illinois, USA Photo above is property of 60 to Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Lockbuster Video 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 13, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-4 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $42.00 - $45.00/ pp (depending on # of players) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You’ve come to grab a new blockbuster for the weekend, only to find that you’re going to have to work off your late fees, with a rather unfeeling manager…can you figure out how to escape this dreary fate? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The title alone: Lockbuster Video. I mean, it’s perfect. And totally reflects the tongue-in-cheek humor found throughout the games at this venue. Bringing you into their world: As children of the 80’s, this rewound us back to the days of Blockbuster rentals with plenty of nostalgia. And throughout the game, they leaned into the movie rental theme with world-building décor. Thematic puzzles: The puzzles stay rooted in the world of the room, with some really fun interactions and tactile elements. I mean, you can totally live out your teen video rental store employee dreams. Pure entertainment value: The narrative of the game didn’t totally make sense…but we didn’t care. The premise is so creative and fun that we were happily along for the ride anyway. The manager is the star of the show. Fun reveals and surprises: The experienced featured a number of fun surprises we can’t tell you about so as not to spoil anything…but they delighted us and kept us entertained throughout. If you’ve played some of their other games (at various 60 to Escape locations), you may notice some fun Easter egg references to those as well. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK An abrupt finale: For us, the ending felt like it cut to credits a little too quickly. We thought for sure there was one more ending bit coming, especially since the other games we played here had such memorable final moments. Whereas this one stood out more as an “oh wait, that was it?” A bit of static: There were a few places, in one section of the game in particular, where the sensory inputs (both color and sound) were not as clear and distinguishable as they could have been. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Lockbuster Video" shines in its cheekiness, unexpected surprises, and the thematic nature of the set and puzzles. If you’re a seasoned player, you may not find the same mental challenge and a-ha’s as some of 60 to Escape’s other games. However, there’s a lot to love in the spirit, immersion, and diverse interactivity of this experience. So grab your employee badge, clock in for your shift, and hope you get to clock out someday… Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Large lobby with seating Merchandise for sale There are bathrooms (much cleaner and nicer than the main mall ones) and water fountains. There are no lockers, but there are hooks and a spot on the floor in each room where you can leave your things. Located inside the Woodfield Mall Free parking (closest entrance would be one near P.F. Chang's (Middle Level, Grand Court next to "Cinnabon") 60 to Escape also has a 9 hole mini golf experience available - "Putt Portal Mystery Golf" Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of their Schaumburg location, an interview with the manager & owner, and a look inside their rooms (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 60 to Escape for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #DaveBristol #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #60toEscape #80s #Adventure #Illinois #USA

LOCATION: Morrison, Illinois, USA Photo above is property of Romantic Adventure Getaways Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Paradise Lost Suite 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 16-17, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: Overnight 💰 PRICE: $379.00/ Night (Plus optional add-on experiences) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You’re taking on the roles of Marion and Indy (from the Indiana Jones movies) throughout the night to recreate some of their adventures. But no knowledge of the movies is needed; you can still enjoy an adventurous romp through the jungle either way! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Exciting concept: We love the whole idea of Romantic Adventure Getaway! They provide really unique opportunities to get away, combine puzzles with romance, and stay overnight in a cool environment. You’ll receive an opening clue when you arrive, then solve each series of clues to lead you through a sequence of locations and activities. Indy-palooza: The Paradise Lost suite is a dream for Indiana Jones fans. The activities and spaces themselves are themed around the franchise, as well as incorporating pics, clips, and quotes throughout. While you don't need any prior knowledge, there's plenty of references to appreciate if you are an aficionado. Mood sequence: Indiana Jones is an adventure, and your evening begins the same, but grows in romance as the night climaxes. Earlier portions are more adventure and relaxation focused, but things took a turn mid-game into romance and then some spice. For us, the highlight was a very sweet and connective element in the middle that marked the shift into more of that romantic realm. Mix of activities: Most of the challenges are right out of one of the movies, with a nice mix of collaboration and co-operation. We weren’t thinking about heat or other elements in those moments! Cool vignettes: You will encounter some immersive and unexpected environments on your journey (one reveal particularly wowed us), and the passages are often well-concealed. Use of tech: They've Integrated tech in the adventure to allow for some escape room-esque puzzle solves and reveals. And they've put Alexa present in every room so you can personalize the music in each space, or just stick with the default Indiana Jones music. In a very sweet touch, they also pre-program “your song” that you pre-select for the most sentimental portion of the evening. Easter eggs: There are some additional hidden challenges beyond the main adventure…we found one, but there could easily have been more. Keep your eyes peeled and, if you have the time, do some extra searching. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Temperature control: We arrived at the end of a sunny day in May. While the bedroom area had the A/C running and was a pleasant temperature, the rest of the areas were very warm and humid…sweating in our deluxe robes made some of the activities a bit less pleasant and made us more inclined not to linger so we could pop back into the cooler space. (There was one other A/C unit we found and were able to turn on partway through the experience. This would have been great to have running ahead of time to help cool things down.) Safety concern: There was some misleading real-world safety signage. A thematic, in-world warning would have been more fun and immersive without the potential safety issues. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Calling all adventurous couples! Romantic Adventure Getaways are a fabulous way to celebrate a special occasion with a truly unique experience. The Paradise Lost Suite is a playful adventure where you get to recreate iconic moments from the first two movies, so the perfect pick for Indiana Jones fans. There’s a little something for everyone, from relaxing massage chairs to archery to shot glass stacking (which was harder than we expected!). It’s a special way to spice things up, blending gameplay, puzzles, and surprises with romance and intimacy. Definitely aim to be there the whole time allowable, and you may still wish you had more time! It will certainly be a night you won’t forget. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO You will need to go up multiple flights of stairs to access the suite. The parking lot is behind the main house (look for #103 off the road), with designated spots for each of their suites. Then head to the main house, and look for the first door on the side (marked with signage for Paradise Lost). This is a full suite, with bathroom, kitchenette (microwave, coffee machine, mini-fridge), bedroom, etc. Wifi is available, as well as Netflix (though we don’t know when you might have time for watching TV!). This is one of three current locations, with "Paradise Lost" also currently available in Mount Vernon, OH. 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 Romantic Adventure Getaways for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #DaveBristol #IRLescaperoom #ImmersiveExperience #RomanticAdventureGetaways #Adventure #Illinois #USA

Photo above is property of Puzzling Pursuits Company: Puzzling Pursuits Game: SYNAPSE Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬 Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Date Played: June 5, 2026 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 6.5/10 Size of Team: Unlimited (Recommend 1-6 ppl) Time: Unlimited (Approx 2-4 hrs) Price: $50.00 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 The world is on the brink of a new era of prosperity and innovation, driven by Artificial Intelligence, with Synapse at the forefront. Synapse, a pioneering AI company, leads the global economy and invites you to partake in The Game, a secretive event orchestrated by its creator, Dr. Ada Voss. Despite the participation of many brilliant and influential individuals, no one has yet succeeded. Whispers suggest an extraordinary prize awaits the first victor. What mysteries does Synapse conceal? What is the real aim of The Game? Discover the truth by joining in. 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ As always, Puzzling Pursuits offers top-notch materials featuring beautiful designs inside and outside the box. The cover of "SYNAPSE" resembles what you might envision the brain of an AI to look like. Inside, you'll find meticulously crafted, high-quality paper products such as two dossiers (Part 1 & 2), newsprints, and maps. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 "Synapse" offers a complete storyline divided into two segments, featuring numerous puzzles to solve and clues to unravel. You will enjoy hours of entertainment either solo or with a group. It's akin to getting two escape room or mystery games with just one purchase. None of the components need to be cut, folded, or torn. This allows you to reset the game and share it with others once you've finished. Similar to other games from Puzzling Pursuits, an online companion portal is necessary. This website will be used to verify your answers, progress through the story, and utilize a well-organized hint system if you encounter difficulties. It also offers an outstanding dynamic tiered online hint system, similar to an actual Game Master. This system allows you to adjust the difficulty, ensuring you rarely remain stuck for long. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 "SYNAPSE" provides a diverse range of challenges that require creative thinking. Most of the puzzles are logic-based and require visual problem-solving. One thing's for sure, there was a lot of originality incorporated into this game. We found the metapuzzle at the end to be thoroughly enjoyable, as it offered a satisfying conclusion. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 "Synapse was immensely fun and certainly challenging. Nevertheless, I believe that Puzzling Pursuits truly honed their skills with this creation, and it could be their best work so far. The narrative was thought-provoking and prompted us to contemplate what lies ahead in the near future. This game is perfect for groups of 2 to 6 players. Various puzzles need different skills, giving each group member an opportunity to participate. If you're looking for a mentally-stimulating challenge with a rewarding ending, we highly recommend "SYNAPSE"! (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from"ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Puzzling Pursuits for providing us with a sample of their game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #SubscriptionGames #PuzzlingPursuits #Fantasy #Adventure #USA

LOCATION: McHenry, Illinois, USA Photo above is property of Twisted Limits Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Executive Disorder 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 15, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Thriller, Espionage 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $40.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Amidst rumors of government corruption, renowned hacker Jackknife aims to get into the governor's server, and you have agreed to be Jackknife's on-site team. Can you help him find the hidden files so he can expose any corruption and bring the governor to justice? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Mentally challenging: The puzzles in this game are on the harder side, providing plenty of a-ha's and ongoing shots of satisfaction as you work your way through. It was a good mental workout for us three enthusiasts! Open floor plan: This room has a lot of space and plenty to do, making it a great choice for larger groups. There is also good use of different areas as you progress, with nice opportunities for communication and collaboration. Slick set: They did a great job creating an authentic set, befitting a high ranking government official. We felt ready to sit down and sign some important documents or pontificate. Don't let the buttoned up look deceive you, there are secrets hiding in countless places! It will be up to you to distinguish the key elements from the background decor. Well-integrated, thematic puzzles: With one exception, the puzzles here blend seamlessly into the setting. It really does feel for the most part that you have just broken into a politician's office, rather than an office-dressed room with a bunch of obvious puzzle elements layered on top. The nature of your challenges also make sense in the context of the story and environment. Playful in-world communication: Your hacker friend, Jackknife, not only provides helpful hints along the way (if needed), but also helps celebrate your successes or gives you a bit of a hard time. He also has a bevy of sound effects at the ready to respond to your actions. It was silly, different, and endearing. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Fidgety access panel: There was one keypad lock that, despite having the right answer, didn't open for several tries. A little front end instruction would have helped. Nearby noises: The volume of sound from a boistrous group of teens once they began playing in an adjacent room was a bit distracting at times. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? As a challenging 90 minute game, "Executive Disorder" is a great fit for experienced groups of enthusiasts. (Note: there are potential plans in the pipeline to eventually pare this back to a 60 minute game.) Being puzzle-fiends, we had a fabulous time! While it doesn't have the big wows or drama of The Passage, it does an excellent job immersing you in the realistic environment and providing plenty of satisfying, puzzle-solving dopamine hits along the way. And they bring the levity with some tongue-in-cheek humor and playfulness peppered in. So if you've ever wanted to fight back against government corruption without fear of being disappeared, now's your chance! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Plenty of free parking on site. There is a party room/lounge with a pool table and some other ways to pass the time if you need to wait for your slot, as well as bathrooms, a selection of soft drinks, and some puzzle games for sale. There are coat hangers in the common areas, and you can bring your things with you into each room. The friendly owner, Joe, loves to chat escape rooms if you both have the time! 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 Twisted Limits Escape Rooms for providing a media discount for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Thriller #Espionage #TwistedLimitsEscapeRooms #Illinois #USA

Photo above is property of Arcane Wonders Company: Arcane Wonders Game: Onstage Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Game (Card Game) 📬 Genre: Adventure, Fun Date Played: May 1, 2026 Difficulty (based on 3 players): 6/10 Size of Team: 1-5 ppl (Ages 14+) Time: Unlimited (Approximately 15-30 Mins.) Price: $19.99 USD 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 In "Onstage", players take on the role of competing theatre troupes, each trying to recruit the best performers and put together the most impressive cast. Rather than constructing buildings or engines, here you are building a show, one performer at a time, by winning tricks and claiming talent from the stage. The theme comes through more strongly than you might expect from a trick-taking game. The idea of performers physically entering and leaving the spotlight, shifting attention and influence, is cleverly mirrored in the mechanics. 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 "Onstage" is a must-follow trick-taking game with a clever twist: the trump suit is not fixed. Instead, it is determined dynamically by the performers currently on stage and can frequently shift mid-hand as the lineup changes. A key highlight is that certain cards introduce abilities that allow you to manipulate the stage, adding, removing, or swapping performers, which can dramatically alter the course of a round. Players take turns leading and following suit, with the winner of each trick potentially recruiting a performer based on the card played. These performers provide points for end-game scoring, after a set number of rounds depending on the player count. This shifting system is what sets "Onstage" apart from more traditional trick-taking games. The unpredictability keeps each hand engaging, and timing becomes critical, knowing when to trigger an ability or when to push for control of the trump can make all the difference. Additionally, you are not only paying attention to the cards in your hand or who is currently on stage, but also looking ahead to the line of performers waiting in the wings. Manipulating this queue to ensure the next performer is more likely to benefit you, rather than an opponent, adds another layer of decision-making. It’s a subtle addition to the trick-taking formula, but one that feels both unique and highly thematic. From a production standpoint, "Onstage" is a smaller box game but still delivers solid component quality and beautiful artwork. The box itself is a standout feature, transforming into the stage where the meeple performers are placed. This is a fun and creative touch that reinforces the theme and adds a level of immersion to the experience. Accompanying this are the screen-printed meeples, each showing a number of flowers (from one to three), which serve both as a determinant for the trump suit and as the point value they provide during scoring. The artwork on the cards is particularly appealing, drawing on theatrical and traditional influences, with bold colours and expressive character designs that give the game a strong visual identity. It feels thematic without becoming cluttered, and the overall table presence is impressive for such a compact box. The iconography is straightforward and intuitive, with only a small number of symbols to learn. This makes it easy for players to become comfortable after just a few hands. The effects printed on the cards are also clear and easy to follow, which is especially important in a game where abilities can interrupt the normal flow of tricks. Finally, a small but appreciated touch is the inclusion of background context in the rulebook, providing insight into the game’s Vietnamese setting and adding an extra layer of thematic flavour. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The puzzle in "Onstage" comes from timing, deduction, and adaptability rather than long-term planning. Unlike more traditional trick-taking games, you are constantly reassessing the value of your hand as the trump suit shifts and the stage evolves. There’s a strong tactical layer in deciding when to win tricks and when to hold back. Winning too early may lock in performers that don’t ultimately score well, while waiting too long might leave you without key opportunities. The addition of card abilities deepens this puzzle, creating opportunities for clever plays that can disrupt opponents or improve your own scoring position. Interaction is naturally high, but here it feels particularly dynamic. Because a single card can change the trump or alter the available performers, players are frequently forced to pivot. This creates moments of surprise and tension that keep everyone engaged, and can even result in a trick winner walking away empty-handed if the cards are played cleverly. At the same time, the game remains accessible. The core mechanics will feel familiar to anyone with trick-taking experience, while the added systems introduce variety without becoming overwhelming. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 "Onstage" is a clever and refreshing take on the trick-taking genre, adding just enough innovation to stand out without losing the accessibility that defines it. The shifting trump mechanic is the star of the show, creating dynamic and unpredictable rounds that reward timing and adaptability. The presentation is strong, with eye-catching artwork and clear card design supporting the gameplay throughout. Combined with its quick playtime and relatively simple ruleset, it makes for an easy recommendation as a filler or warm-up game. For groups who enjoy trick-taking games with a twist, Onstage delivers an engaging, highly interactive experience that plays quickly and encourages repeat plays. It’s a game of timing, flair, and a touch of theatrical drama—one where the spotlight can shift at any moment. (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 Arcane Wonders for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzleByMail #CardGame #USA #ArcaneWonders

LOCATION: Barcelona, Spain Photo above is property of Maximum Escape Barcelona Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Vault 27 📅 DATE PLAYED: April 24, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi, Apocalyptic 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-5 ppl (Ages 12+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE: €39/ pp (3 ppl), €34/ pp (4 ppl), €30/ pp (5 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY A nuclear war has decimated the majority of Earth's human population. Only a fortunate few have survived, and you are one of them. Now, you have the opportunity to return to the surface. However, it's not as simple as it seems! Sadly, a series of disastrous issues will confine you in Vault 27. Can you make it back to the surface? Your future depends on you! Video above is property of Maximum Escape Barcelona 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Maximum Escape expertly introduces the game with a unique flair. The game masters fully embody their characters, enhancing the fun for players. This particular game features an engaging, extended introduction that creates a sense of urgency, compelling us to seek safety in the bunker. The game's lighting design effectively guides the player's attention. For example, the introduction plays on the TV, and then the room plunges into darkness, forcing the player's focus on a single element. Throughout the game, the lighting seamlessly directs us to the areas where we need to concentrate on searches and puzzles. The set design convincingly immerses us in a fallout shelter environment. The rustic machinery, ambient sounds, dim lighting, smoke effects, and surprising scenes later in the game significantly enhance the level of immersion. At one point, we even had to verify with the GM if we were meant to proceed, as everything appeared so authentic. One prop we used delivered an incredibly realistic output effect. Beyond its sound, the visual effect was equally impressive. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Understanding the GM's hints through the walkie talkie can be challenging, as the voice may become muffled. We encountered a puzzle with an illustration that was quite confusing. We didn't feel we were following the intended path, and when using the prop to activate something, it was used multiple times. However, without the light turning green to indicate success, we were unaware of completing the mission. One of the puzzles in the game is challenging and takes time to complete, but since only one person can operate it, it can be a bit dull for the other players. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Maximum Escape excels at crafting an immersive atmosphere, using special effects to transport players into an alternate world. While this game may not feature the extensive array of puzzles found in some other games, it offers tasks that are intricately tied to the storyline and essential for escaping the bunker. The experience greatly depends on what the player seeks in an escape room. However, one can be assured that the set design will not disappoint, as it is replete with surprises and hidden elements that amazed us throughout the game. It is highly recommended for fans of war-era inspired films. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking on the street Maximum Escape has many locations with different games. Make sure you are at the right location. Lobby with seating & water This game is located on the lower level and you'll need to climb down one flight of stairs 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 Maximum Escape Barcelona 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 #SciFi #PostApocalyptic #Fallout #MaximumEscape #Barcelona #Spain