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

LOCATION: Washington, DC, USA Videos/ Photos are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Alchemist 📅 DATE PLAYED: July 6, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 8PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $28-150/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes We arrived at Insomnia Escape Room DC quite late on a Saturday. It wasn't difficult to find street parking and it was free. When you arrive at the building, make sure you go to the right location as some of their games are upstairs ("The Mafia", "The Alchemist", and "Oblivion") and some are in the lower floor ("The Patient" and "VR Zone"). After being buzzed in, we headed upstairs in preparation for “The Alchemist” room. Once you enter, there’s a small lobby area with sofa seating. It felt quite cozy like we were in someone’s living room. They also have a small party room which you’ll see a bit of footage of in our exclusive interview with the onsite manager on our YouTube channel. “The Alchemist” is ranked their hardest room on their website. As we headed towards an unmarked wooden door, we were sent into the mystical world of DC’s most eerie library to discover what secrets lies within. I would have to say when it comes to books, I get a little lightheaded. I was very worried that by the mere number of books in that room, I was going to raise my white flag and surrender. But after the game master's ensuring words of encouragement that “not all books are important”, we began our journey. We appreciated that the lighting was just right in terms of correlating with the atmosphere, but at the same time we were still able to read the clues. The puzzles were very well structured and straightforward with no red herrings (there was one puzzle which I created a red herring on my own just to add difficulty to the puzzle because why not? Just kidding, I just didn’t read carefully). There was a good mixture of technology and traditional locks throughout the room. We did however have a little delay with a tech piece during the latter half of the game. With just the two of us (without using any clues), we managed to escape with plenty of time left. Maybe this room’s puzzles just clicke-d with us, but we did feel that a few more puzzles could be added to the latter part of the game since there’s a good amount of potential to be utilized. At this point, this is an older room at Insomnia Escape Room but still a favorite by many. As we've seen a good amount of new tech rooms, we do appreciate the classic ones but with some added improvements while still retaining the story line and theme, this room is still a strong contender. We really enjoyed the room and we can’t wait to return to Insomnia in the future to see what they have to offer with their new room designs (“Dungeon Things” coming soon)! (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"!) ** We don't want to go into detail and ruin any surprises for you, but you want more info like if the room is a multi-room or what other additional tips we can provide to you, feel free to email us. Disclosure: We thank Insomnia Escape Room for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #escapetheroomers #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #insomniaescape #insomnia #thealchemist #washingtondc #dc #usa

LOCATION: Washington, DC, USA Photo above is property of Escape The Room DC 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Jurassic Escape 📅 DATE PLAYED: July 6, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Adventure, Dinosaur 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 8.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 8PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $32-34/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Our first time at Escape The Room was at their NYC location. They were the first escape room to open in the U.S. Currently, they have expanded their franchise to 19 different locations. Today, we arrived really late to catch their last game at the Washington DC location. Since it was a Saturday night, it was easy to find parking right in front of the building with no fees. I would imagine during the weekdays it would be difficult as it’s located on a very busy street. Once we got buzzed in, we headed down to the basement. The lobby area was very cute with puzzles and seats for the guests that waited for their games. Be sure to check out the dinosaur egg that they are hatching! We’ve been dying to try their “Jurassic Escape” room at the NYC location but never had the time and we’re glad that we didn’t because this location’s “Jurassic Escape” room is much larger and definitely added to the immersive experience. Our mission is to stop the evil corporation that is cloning dinosaurs and make sure that the clones don’t take down the Nation’s Capital. As we made it down the hallway, the sound of the dinosaurs startled me and the image of them waiting for their “dinner” keeps popping up in my head. As we entered the room, it’s a scene that I can’t describe. I felt so tiny as we were thrown inside of dinosaur holding cell and held captive. We are now officially actors in the Jurassic Park movie. This is the first escape room that we were able to understand how smell can be incorporated into an immersive set design. If you are curious as to what dinosaur poop smells like, you need to be here! Although it seems like there’s not much to do in the first area, do not linger. Try to solve the puzzles ASAP in order to move on to what lies ahead. There’s a good amount of puzzles to divide and conquer especially if you have just two people like us. The sound system and visual effects is insane in this room! Till this day, we can still hear and see what it felt like when we were inside the room. The puzzles went along with the story line and the props used were very authentic to what you would actually find in that situation. We did get lucky with one or two of the puzzles and that helped us escape the room with seconds left. After the game, we spoke with our gamemaster and learned that they have a bunch of options to change up the puzzles they have in the room so perhaps if you played another time, you might experience a different set of puzzles! Currently, the DC location has three games: “Jurassic Escape”, “The Agency”, and “The Dig”. You can check out our NYC location’s review on “The Dig”. We received the exciting news that they have a South Park theme escape room called “Cartman’s Escape room” that’s coming to their location soon. They actually got to work on concepts with the co-creators of South Park - Trey Parker and Matt Stone to make the iconic animation come to live! Given Escape The Room’s continuous top of the line immersive design sets, we can’t wait to give this one a try! (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"!) ** We don't want to go into detail and ruin any surprises for you, but you want more info like if the room is a multi-room or what other additional tips we can provide to you, feel free to email us. Disclosure: We thank Escape The Room DC for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #escapetheroomers #etr #review #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #escapetheroomdc #escapetheroom #jurassicescape #jurassicpark #washingtondc #dc #usa

LOCATION: Washington, DC, USA Photo above is property of Escape The Room Photo above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Submarine 📅 DATE PLAYED: November 9, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Adventure, Espionage 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 9/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $27-42/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: No 📖 THE STORY You have just been informed that 8 members of your team are trapped at the bottom of the ocean! In order to save them you must board a submarine and descend to the depths of the sea. This rescue mission is extremely dangerous as you've just been briefed that the captain has gone insane and the oxygen supply is running low! And who knows what else is in the deep sea? It's going to take more than just your navigational skills to find your teammates, rescue them, and return to the surface! Video above is property of Escape The Room 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We love the walkway leading to the submarine. The rusty metal submarine body led us all the way to the entrance. The lighting was perfect for the scenery. Sound was done really well throughout the game to constantly remind us that we're under the ocean. You were even able to see fish swimming around the circular windows. Of course there were more surprises revealed to us as we continued on with the rescue mission. The "urgency" feeling was constantly reminded during the game play. It almost felt like we're completing missions in chapters. The graphics used during one part of the game was done really well. We thought we're actually traversing in the bottom of the ocean. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This room is extremely difficult for two people. We almost feel like suggesting that it should be a min 3 people type of game. At one point during the game, one person will need to be actually stationed some where as a certain puzzle will need to be attended to the entire time or else the other members won't be able to work on the rest of the room. Perhaps there could be a bypass for that mechanism when there's a small group. There were a couple of challenges that had a lot of repetition. You'll need to do a string of actions in order to receive something. During a 60 minute game, it was pretty difficult to achieve considering this room had a lot of puzzles that needed "divide and conquer" type of collaboration. Some mechanisms did not react right away and we had to waste time waiting for them to react. This also caused game play time. There's too much intuition (like we were suppose to know how a submarine should operate) and hand holding in the game. The GM basically narrated to us what the next step should be and how we should accomplish it. This could be easily fixed by implementing these commands into the game itself as clues rather than having the game master tell it to us. Immersion felt lost through this type of interaction. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Escape The Room has a lot of locations and so far we've played "The Dig", "The Agency", "The Clock Tower", "Cartman's Escape Room", and "Jurassic Escape". "The Submarine" was definitely their most difficult game in our opinion. If you like to give this game a try, we recommend going with a large group. If you like mechanics and the feeling of operating a submarine, then this could be your chance to make that dream come true! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Street parking will be pretty difficult to find. There is a parking lot one block away from the escape room. Metro station is right outside the facility. Take one flight of stairs or elevator down to the lower level. There is a lobby with seating area and it's large event to host a group event. (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Escape The Room DC for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Submarine #Spy #Espionage #WashingtonDC #EscapeTheRoom #USA

LOCATION: High View, West Virginia, USA Photo above is property of Capon Springs and Farms Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Capon Clue II 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 21, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $20-29/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY In Capon Clue II, a thrilling new mystery awaits as a notorious thief strikes once more, this time stealing valuable Capon stock certificates. As skilled detectives, you and your team are tasked with the challenge of uncovering the truth and recovering the stolen loot within a limited time frame of one hour. Prepare to immerse yourselves in a world filled with fresh clues, intriguing characters, mind-bending puzzles, and exciting challenges. The game unfolds in a thrilling manner reminiscent of a classic Clue scenario. Your team takes on the role of detectives, using deductive reasoning and keen observation to eliminate suspects, locations, and objects in order to uncover the true culprit and the whereabouts of the stolen stocks. Each clue and puzzle brings you closer to solving the mystery, engaging your team in an immersive and exciting investigative experience. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Capon Clue II showcased its own unique charm and had several positive aspects that contributed to the overall experience. The handcrafted nature of the room was evident and added a special touch to the set design and gameplay. The attention to detail and careful craftsmanship were notable, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. The puzzles in the game had a well-structured flow that kept the game engaging and enjoyable. While there were a few moments that presented challenges and required some extra thought, the majority of the puzzles followed logical patterns and provided a satisfying solving experience. The design of the room provided a fun and interactive experience. The inclusion of smaller nooks and crannies added an element of exploration, ensuring that each member of the team had a task to engage with throughout the game. The room's design cleverly transitioned from a linear structure, guiding players through the initial stages and introducing them to the game's mechanics, to a more nonlinear format where players were encouraged to think independently and solve puzzles in their own unique way. This progression allowed for a dynamic and immersive gameplay experience, keeping players intrigued and motivated to unravel the mysteries of the room. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK While the puzzle generally flowed well, there were instances where outside knowledge or familiarity with certain objects was necessary. This led to a situation where one team member was not familiar with the proper name or reference, which hindered their ability to fully engage with that particular puzzle The process of elimination in Capon Clue II, involving names, places, and things, felt more like a checklist rather than a narrative-driven investigation. While it was not necessarily unenjoyable, it leaned more towards a puzzle-solving element rather than a cohesive game narrative. It would have been more engaging if the elimination process was tied to a stronger narrative, providing a sense of purpose and direction in uncovering the culprit. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Capon Clue II" offers an immersive and enjoyable mystery experience that will engage fans of detective-themed escape rooms. The handcrafted room design adds a touch of charm and attention to detail, creating an inviting atmosphere that draws players into the investigation. The puzzles within the game generally flow well, providing a good balance of challenge and logical reasoning. Players will find themselves fully immersed in the gameplay as they work together to unravel the clues and uncover the truth. However, there are a few aspects of the game that could be improved. In some instances, outside knowledge or familiarity with certain objects or references is required, which may pose a challenge for players who are not well-versed in those areas. Additionally, while the process of elimination is a core element of the investigation, it could benefit from a stronger narrative connection to further enhance the immersive storytelling experience. This would help players feel more engaged and invested in their pursuit of the culprit. Despite these minor drawbacks, Capon Clue II still offers an entertaining and well-crafted escape room experience. The nonlinear structure of the game allows for exploration and collaboration among players, providing a dynamic and interactive gameplay. It is a solid choice for those seeking a unique twist on the classic detective theme, with its intriguing puzzles and captivating room design. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🛎️ ABOUT THE RESORT "Capon Clue II" is an immersive escape room experience set at Capon Springs and Farm in the Appalachian mountains. Whether you're a guest at the resort or visiting specifically for the game, you'll have the opportunity to unravel a thrilling mystery and put your detective skills to the test. As you make your way to the resort, you'll embark on a scenic drive through winding roads that meander through the picturesque landscape. Suddenly, you'll arrive at the resort, greeted by historic buildings that date back to the late 1800s. The charming architecture and the bustling atmosphere of people enjoying their time create a unique and welcoming ambiance. At Capon Springs and Farms Resort, you'll find a wide range of amenities and activities that cater to every interest and age group. Golf enthusiasts can perfect their swing on the picturesque golf course, surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Appalachian mountains. For those seeking relaxation and pampering, the resort offers a luxurious spa where you can indulge in rejuvenating treatments and therapies. In the evenings, gather around a crackling campfire and share stories and laughter with fellow guests. The resort organizes various activities throughout the day, ensuring that there's never a dull moment. From arts and crafts to sports and games, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Nature lovers will be thrilled to explore the four hiking trails that wind through the resort's expansive property. These trails offer an immersive experience, allowing you to connect with the natural beauty of the mountains and soak in the tranquility of the surroundings. Capon Springs and Farms Resort is a true oasis tucked away in the heart of nature. Whether you're seeking outdoor adventures, relaxation, or quality time with loved ones, this hidden gem provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable and enriching experience. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Limited cell signal 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 Capon Springs and Farms for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #CaponSpringsandFarms #Mystery #WestVirginia #USA

Photo are is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Geography: Richards Bay is a city in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It situates on a 30 Sq. KM lagoon of the Mhlatuze River. Population: Approx. 80-90K People Currency: South African Rand (ZAR); Currency Converter Cruise Port: Google Map Location Tender Port: No Best Time to Visit: January to March We visited Richards Bay, Africa on our Norwegian Cruise Line (Dawn) on February 16, 2024. We had about 10 hours at this port. Majority of the population speaks Zulu. The first thing you'll see when you dock at the port is coal. They are one of the largest coal export ports in the world. Whale watching is also very popular in the month between June - December. The public transportation used in the region are mini buses but they are quite pricey and only locals really know about the stops/times. Photo are is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Richards Bay port is an industrial port so the ship provided a free shuttle that will take us to the entrance but there's nothing in the area. The closest place that is worthy of checking out would be the Broadwalk Mall . The Lake Side Mall and Checkers Mall are all within walking distance as well. Our cruise provided a shuttle to go there for $10 each way. There are two main attractions that people tend to pick when they arrive in this location: iSimangaliso (St. Lucia) Wetland park and Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve . Booking through the links I had suggested in this blog was way cheaper than what we paid with the cruise line's organized tours. Since we booked too late and these were sold out at the time, we had to choose our tour to St. Lucia's Wetland Park with the cruise. On the way to iSimangaliso's Wetland Park (1.5 - 2 hour drive pending on traffic), you'll see a lot of eucalyptus trees. The park is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the largest estuarine systems in Africa. This 180km-long strip of coastal lowlands comprise of swamps, woodlands, grasslands etc... Photos are are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers The "entrance" to the park is quiet raw. It didn't feel like it was ready for tourism. There's nothing besides a bathroom and some vendors selling souvenirs. The tour was supposed to be 2 hours long, taking us on a boat ride to explore this beautiful wetland, but we ended up having only 1 hour because the cruise overbooked two groups of people for the same excursion. Photos are are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Once on board the boat, try to get a seat on the lower level in the front instead of on the sides. You'll capture better photos. There is one bathroom on board as well. We made the best out of the 1 hour we had and saw a bunch of hippos in the water and one alligator! Photos are are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers I was a bit disappointed with the experience as I felt that I saw way more alligators in the Everglades' tour in Florida. Good thing this tour had two drink (water, soda, local beers) tickets included! If I have a chance to return to this port, I'll probably pick another activity from below: Here are some other suggestions for tours: Emdoneni Wildcat Project Day Tour DumaZulu Cultural Village Day Trip Hluhluwe-Imfolozi: Big 5 Full or Half-Day Safari On your own: Broadwalk Mall Alkantstrand Beach Feel Free to reach out to us with any questions! #CiciCao #Travel #Guide #Tips #Explore #RichardsBay #SouthAfrica #Africa #Norwegiancruiselines #ncl #cruise

Geography: Mossel Bay, South Africa is a harbor town on the Southern Cape Population: Approx. 120,000 People Currency: South African Rand (ZAR); Currency Converter Cruise Port: Google Map Location Tender Port: Yes Best Time to Visit: October (good weather and less pricey) We visited Mossel Bay, Africa on our Norwegian Cruise Line (Dawn) on February 15, 2024. We had about 8.5 hours at this port and I wanted to share about our experiences there. Mossel Bay has a small boat pier and no port at all. NCL was pretty efficient at getting people who have a tour with them onto the boat without having them pick up tender tickets first (Although if you have Gold tier or higher, you also do not need to pick up tender tickets.). Tip: pick the later excursion time (if there's a choice) to avoid the crowd. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers If you are able to search for a local tour guide, book early (we reached out 5 month in advance and it was already too late. The game reserve said they've already sold out for the day since the cruise fully booked the rest of their slots) to avoid the expensive tour prices by NCL. We highly recommend the one we went on at " Botlierskop Private Game Reserve " or " The Sunset Game Drive " if your ship leaves later at night. (it's a quarter of the price here than what NCL was charging per person). The drive to the game reserve was about 30 minutes but I would still suggest going with a tour than hailing a taxi to go on your own. It just didn't feel as safe to go with a random guy at the pier. We also did not see any public transportation that we could have taken to go there. We were greeted welcome drinks (tea & coffee) and cookies while waiting for our truck to take us on a game drive. The truck was able to fit around 20 people at a time. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers This game reserve situates on 4,500 hectare and it was just stunning. Other than the Big Five (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and African buffalo), we also saw Cheetah, Zebra, Giraffe, Wildebeest and more! I felt surreal...They were literally right in front of your eyes. Tip: bring a binocular! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers As we go through different regions in the game reserve, the weather can change drastically. Make sure to bring a jacket with you. There's no need for a hat as the wind would be quite strong. There is a seat pocket in front of you where you can put your personal belongings in. Also, note that the driver has blankets with him so definitely take use of those. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers If I come back next time, I definitely want to stay in one of their luxury accommodations. The lobby area and bathrooms were already really beautiful so I'm sure the rooms are amazing! If you have extra time in Mossel Bay, here are some other suggestions for tour: Mossel Bay Scenic Train ride Mossel Bay ATV Experience Mossel Bay Wildlife Encounter by Helicopter Seal Island Tour in Mossel Bay Shark Cage Diving & Viewing Tour in Mossel Bay On your own: Garden Route Bartolomeu Dias Museum Santos Beach Mosselbay Cape St Blaize Lighthouse Complex Feel Free to reach out to us with any questions! #CiciCao #Travel #Guide #Tips #Explore #MosselBay #SouthAfrica #Africa #Norwegiancruiselines #ncl #cruise

LOCATION: London, England, United Kingdom Videos/ Photos property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Golden Share 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 14, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Mystery, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: £21.66-35/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY The late inventor Sir Richard Jebson’s Golden Share went missing. Without it, his family cannot prove their rightful ownership of his company. We must help them locate the missing Golden Share. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Great job with creating “wow” moments in the room. First time we saw a “transformation” take place inside of the room being done this way. Puzzles were enjoyable and had a great flow. Given that pretty much the entire room’s puzzles ran on tech, it was amazing how seamless it operated. Thoughtful placements of props which even remembered to give players a “working space”. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK An empty space near the radiator in the first room seemed a bit out of place. Perhaps incorporate another puzzle or a décor there? The walls felt a bit plain for the story line’s setting. Perhaps a bit more “yellowish” in color to set the “aged” tone for the timeline of the era of the story. One puzzle piece was a bit difficult for a shorter person (5 ft) to find. The room felt a bit bright and there’s not much of a change from the beginning to the latter. Perhaps a change in lighting or music could help with the immersion. Maybe a faster music tone to get the feel of urgency as time gets closer to the end. Some aspects of the room felt like more puzzles could be incorporated as there are “spaces” left for them. It would be interesting to see if a harder version could be created for enthusiasts. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? People with great observation skills will do well in this room. We feel that new players and enthusiasts would both enjoy this room for different reasons. There was a lot of “wow” moments that we as enthusiasts loved discovering. New players would definitely learn a lot of different puzzle solving techniques in this room. This is a great room for people who love to treasure hunt and solve mysteries. *** We regret to inform this company has closed its doors *** ** We don't want to go into detail and ruin any surprises for you, but if you'd like more information on the room, feel free to email us. (If you do decide to try this room, please remember to let them know that "ESCAPETHEROOMers" sent you!) Disclosure: We thank Hint Hunt London for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #escapetheroomers #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #hinthuntlondon #thegoldenshare #london #england #unitedkingdom #uk

Video/ Photos provided by Agent November Company: Agent November Game: Virtual X-Caper Country: United Kingdom 🇬🇧 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Action, Espionage Date Played: 5/8/2020 Difficulty (based on 6 players): 5/10 Size of Team: Up to 6 players Time: 60 Minutes Price: £12 pp, £9 pp for NHS workers (code: "HERO"), £66 for group of 6 ppl, £36 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children - ages 16 and under). Once booking is done, you'll be contacted from field operations and not just a normal game booking confirmation. We enjoy these little add-ons to spice up the atmosphere prior to the game. We really liked how the game started as it didn't feel like we were going to play a remote escape room. We were put in a real situation where we were sent to help a captured agent. This was the only remote room so far that made me feel like I was part of the avatar (like a voice inside his head). We appreciated the humor that the avatar added to his character (especially on the bonus puzzle) . The only suggestion I have for the avatar would be to know your players and perhaps move quicker when playing with an enthusiast group. You know they are all about escaping in time! It would've been helping if we had a 360 view of the room or an inventory camera/list as it was hard at times to work on multiple things together and this room had a lot to do. The puzzles that we had to think outside the box were my personal favorites. After the mission, we all received a cliffhanger video from Agent November, which left us itching for more! (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from"ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Agent November 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 #AgentNovember #VirtualXcaper #RemoteEscapeRoom #Avatar #007 #agent #spy #remoteplay

LOCATION: London, England, United Kingdom Videos/ Photos property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Lost Passenger 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 13, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Spooky, Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: £28/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY This escape room is located in the real abandoned South Kentish Town tube station. The lost passenger is based on a true story of Mr. Brackett’s disappearance shortly after the station has closed down in 1924. It seems like recently there’s been some paranormal activities going on in the station. Do you dare to enter for an investigation? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Unique location for an escape room. Utilized the location’s local history to recreate a relevant story. Set design was very immersive. It almost feels like a war-time bunker. Props used were very authentic and high quality. Game master was very on point with his intro. Love how it “begins”. Clever ways to utilize the space of the room so it felt bigger than it was and created fun ways for the players to maneuver through them. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Too many red herring props that did nothing. There was a puzzle at the beginning where we couldn’t do anything but wait for one party to complete a puzzle. If some additional puzzles could be added while that’s happening, it would make the room feel less linear especially with a larger group. At times we were not sure if we solved a puzzle or not as we had no idea what we triggered. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This was definitely one of the most unique escape room locations we’ve ever been to. We felt immersed before the game even started. If you love historical sites with a bit of eeriness, you will love this escape room. This room was not puzzle-heavy nor were the puzzles difficult.  Adventure seekers will enjoy finding the “right buttons” in this room. As some areas did feel quite crammed and linear, our recommended size for this room is 3 people. ℹ️  ADDITIONAL INFO Located in the basement (one flight down) Lockers available Waiting area with seats available If you are looking for a scary version of this room, sign up for "Fright Night" - every Friday from 7PM onwards (ages 18+). If you have a large group, they'll be able to accommodate 18 people playing in 3 different escape rooms at the same time. (If you do decide to try this room, please remember to let them know that "ESCAPETHEROOMers" sent you!) Disclosure: We thank Mission: Breakout! for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #escapetheroomers #etr #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #missionbreakout #thelostpassenger #london #england #unitedkingdom #uk

LOCATION: Reading, United Kingdom Photo above is property of Escape Reading Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Kidnapped 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 3, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Triller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: £60-126 (pending on the group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You woke up in a dark room thinking this is probably just a dream but soon you've realized you've been kidnapped. Your only hope is to try to escape through that door... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The idea of not knowing why you've been kidnapped and the need to find out by searching for clues and solving the puzzles was intriguing. We enjoyed this backward scenario for a storyline. There were a couple of times in the game when the game designer created a sense of urgency and "terrifying" moments for the players by using light and sound. Although there was not much tech involved in this room, some traditional puzzles were presented in a unique way that was enjoyable to solve. There wasn't much reading involved but through the clues and props used in the room, the creator was able to clearly introduce the plot. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Maybe it's because we're not really good at "search and find" type of puzzles but we felt that there were a bit too many of this type of puzzle in this game. One of the sound triggers could have happened a couple of more times instead of just once to act as a countdown clock and also to add more intensity to the situation. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is one of the older rooms at Escape Reading. You'll see a huge improvement in the set design of the games at their Alden Street location. But we still enjoyed this game as the storyline was told through the puzzles and there were a ton of puzzles! Also, the theme might be more fitting for some players that enjoy a dark mystery. But if you are looking for a creepier experience, do check out their "The Vampire Slayers" room! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking lot available nearby Lobby area with seating Drinks available for purchase This game is located up one flight of stairs Portable games are available for rent Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Escape Reading for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeReading #Thriller #Reading #UnitedKingdom

LOCATION: Reading, United Kingdom Photo above is property of Escape Reading Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Vampire Slayers 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 3, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Horror, Vampire 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl (Ages 16+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: £60-126 (pending on the group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY It's been thousands of years since the Vampire Lord's last feast. In order to stop him from destroying all of humanity, you must vanquish his heart in the next hour... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Although there were no live actors in this game (we got a VIP treatment though), the GM was able to utilize ways to enhance the scare from outside the room. At one point, Brandon was even hesitant to grab a clue! The lighting also created some exemplary moments for jump scares. The red color walls with the dark furniture were a perfect match for a vampire room. It also created some great hiding spots for obvious clues. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A few puzzles and props didn't feel connected with the storyline. We were confused by the location where we found the weapon that was to be used to kill the vampire. At the same time, we were also puzzled by the placement of his heart. We thought the vampire would have considered the importance of these items and they should be placed in a more secure or secret place. We were not sure why one of the puzzles triggered when we haven't placed all the items in their position. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room had some impressive jump scares (mostly for me since I'm a scaredy-cat) that happened just at the right times. But not too much to the point where we couldn't solve puzzles. The props and set design of this room felt like they needed some updating. The owner did tell us that this is probably the next room that will either be swapped out or get a facelift. The current state still gives off a daunting feeling though. If you want to check out some amazing set designs, definitely visit their Alden Street location where we got to play "The Ram Raid" and "Age of Magic"! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking lot available nearby Lobby area with seating Drinks available for purchase This game is located down one flight of stairs Portable games are available for rent Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Escape Reading for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeReading #Vampires #Horror #Reading #UnitedKingdom