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LOCATION: Portland, Maine, USA Photo above is property of Maine Escape Games Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Southport School For Wizards 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 13, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Fantasy, Magic 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $32/PP (more on weekends) ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (44:07) 📖 THE STORY You and your team are students at the Southport School for Wizards, where you have been learning the four core disciplines of magic. Now it’s time to demonstrate your skills in an elaborate test set for you by the faculty. Should you pass, you will earn your very own wands. However, an evil wizard has tampered with the test in an effort to stop you. Can you best the challenges set before you and earn your magic? Or will you fall prey to the evil wizard’s machinations? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The puzzles in this room are excellent, with several unique concepts I have never seen before. I was particularly impressed with some of the electronic puzzles, one of which had us strumming invisible strings. Very clever implementation of tech “magic,” all of which is well designed and runs very smoothly. The narrative is simple enough not to be distracting while lending the puzzles a strong sense of context, plus it features a fun mid-game twist to raise the stakes. The room does a great job signaling what is important without feeling too hand-holdy. Player frustration is minimized since most elements are easy to find, but puzzles remain very satisfying to solve. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK One puzzle involved repeating a delicate task several times over, which became mildly tedious for two players on a time crunch. However, it was still a very cool design, and wouldn’t be an issue at all for a group of four or more players. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? I’m predisposed to be skeptical of the “wizard school” theme for escape rooms, which can sometimes feel like little more than cheap bait for Harry Potter fans. If I’d done any of Maine Escape Games’ other rooms prior to this one, I would have known not to be worried. But I hadn’t, which is why “Southport School for Wizards” ended up blowing my expectations completely out of the water. First things first: the puzzles here, as in pretty much all of Maine Escape Games’ offerings, are top notch. Every one of them was satisfying to solve, with solutions that challenged our initial assumptions and made us think outside the box. Additionally, the puzzles all do an excellent job of broadcasting themselves at a distance. Instead of the nook-and-cranny room canvassing that escape rooms often employ to hide clues, Southport and its peers tend to put the important things in plain view, challenging you not to find them but to figure out how they work. The result is a puzzle format that not only minimizes the frustration of overlooked minutia, but also focuses on the most engaging and cerebral aspects of good puzzle design. The technology in these rooms is also phenomenal. All the electronic elements are built custom by the owners, and while some of the props end up looking a tad blocky at first glance, the initial DIY impression quickly gives way to a strong sense of quality, professional design. Everything works as intended, with little to no friction taking away from the player experience. The electronic elements are also used in some very imaginative ways, with several moments that feel distinctly magical. Few rooms have ever captured my sense of wonder like this one, and it’s an experience that’s sure to please. Whatever I thought I might find going in, "Southport School for Wizards" defied my expectations with one of the strongest all-around escape room experiences I’ve ever had. I recommend it highly and without reservation, both to escape enthusiasts and first-time players alike. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Plenty of parking available just outside the front door. Merchandise available for purchase in the lobby. The building itself is handicap accessible, but not all the rooms are. Double check before booking! 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 Maine Escape Games for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KevinHelock #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Wizards #Magic #MaineEscapeGames #Portland #Maine #USA

LOCATION: Portland, Maine, USA Photo above is property of Maine Escape Games Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Alien Invasion 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 18, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $35/PP (more on weekends) ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (32:00) 📖 THE STORY An alien spacecraft has crash landed into the escape room, flooding the area with dangerous levels of radiation. With just an hour left until the dose becomes lethal, you and your team must gain access to the ship and operate the otherworldly mechanisms within to patch up the leak. Should you fail, it’s not just your own lives that will be on the line! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The inside of the spaceship is chock full of technology custom-built by the designers, all of which runs smoothly despite some impressively complicated designs. Puzzles inside the ship feel distinctly alien in their construction and function, matching the theme nicely. The ship is very impressive to look at, and is sure to amaze players, especially if they’re new to escape rooms. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The first third of this room is a little plain, though that is likely by design in order to contrast the otherworldliness of the spaceship’s interior. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Like the rest of its peers at Maine Escape Games, "Alien Invasion" is clearly a labor of love by its designers that starts with a strong concept and goes all-in on it. Though its first area is a little simple in terms of aesthetics, all of that changes the moment the player gains access to the spaceship. From here on, Alien Invasion boasts an impressive roster of puzzles with strong integration of electronic elements, making the room feel distinctly high-tech, as a spaceship should. There are some truly impressive custom puzzle elements inside this room, all of which run smoothly and are fun to use. The room does an excellent job not only of showing off its tech, but also of challenging players to figure out how the alien technology works without the help of written instructions or recognizable terrestrial elements like locks or passwords. This self-imposed limitation takes the puzzle design in some interesting directions, with fairly simple solutions made more interesting to players by the added step of intuiting what is being asked of them in the first place. Once players have figured out the rules of a puzzle, the solution is usually easy to achieve, making this room somewhat easy for groups with lots of experience, but ideal for newcomers to the hobby. "Alien Invasion" is a great room that’s consistently fun to interact with and look at. Its theming is impressive both in terms of visual style and puzzle design, making it a solid experience all around. While an experienced team might be better served by other Maine Escape Games rooms with higher difficulty, I still had a great time in Alien Invasion, and I think it would be an ideal place to introduce new players to escape rooms. Photos above are property of Maine Escape Games ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Plenty of parking available just outside the front door. Merchandise available for purchase in the lobby. The building itself is handicap accessible, but not all the rooms are. Double check before booking! 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 Maine Escape Games for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KevinHelock #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Alien #SciFi #MaineEscapeGames #Portland #Maine #USA

LOCATION: Portland, Maine, USA Photo above is property of Maine Escape Games Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Uncle Ned's Cabin 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 18, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $35/PP (more on weekends) ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (37:12) 📖 THE STORY Your dear Uncle Ned has recently passed away, leaving behind a sizable inheritance for you to collect. However, some jealous relatives have their eyes on Ned’s cash, leaving you with just an hour to claim what’s rightfully yours. Ned loved inventions, and he’s hidden your inheritance in a puzzle-filled cabin in the woods. Now all that’s left is for you and your team to solve what Ned left for you, and the prize is yours! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The most peaceful vibe of any escape room you’ll ever be in, guaranteed. Technology is well-integrated, giving puzzles an air of wonder and mystery while remaining largely hidden so as not to disrupt the woodland cabin aesthetic. Puzzles are fun to interact with, and can typically be completed in any order in a given area. This design would serve both large and small groups well. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The final puzzle requires players to remember where a series of tokens originally came from. There is a prominent sign reminding players this puzzle is coming, as well as a deployable failsafe clue in case no one remembers, but the puzzle is still technically “breakable.” 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? In my experience, most escape rooms try to excite players with high-tension environments and themes. Typically this is good for the room, but it wasn’t until I visited Uncle Ned’s Cabin that I realized just how refreshing a peaceful room could be. Instead of the creepy or paranormal twist I’ve come to expect from the various cabin rooms I’ve completed in the past, Uncle Ned’s Cabin goes all-in on the restorative power of nature, seeking to be as pleasant and picturesque as possible. Not only does the decor sell the forest-cabin look nicely, but a pleasant soundtrack of animal calls and other peaceful forest sounds puts the player at ease. It’s a “puzzles and zen” approach that might be atypical, but which is nonetheless enormously satisfying. Beyond aesthetics, this room also satisfies with an array of strong puzzles that are a joy to complete and which feature numerous clever applications of technology that heighten the rustic wonder of the room rather than distracting from it. Like its peers, the puzzles in Uncle Ned’s Cabin are usually easy to find but don’t always feature obvious solutions, which does a great job of minimizing frustration and keeping players thinking rather than blindly searching. My only gripe with the puzzles is that the final one is breakable if your group doesn’t heed the room’s warning to remember where several tokens came from. My group didn’t have any issues, but it’s easy to imagine a large group where one player misses the warning and breaks the puzzle as a consequence. At any rate, I’d advise leaving the tokens where you find them until the endgame if you visit this room. My one complaint aside, "Uncle Ned’s Cabin" gave me something I didn’t know I needed–a relaxing escape room–with the same level of polish and clever design flourishes that impressed me so much in Maine Escape Games’ other rooms. It’s a great experience that would be fitting both for experienced and beginner groups alike, and one which I recommend enthusiastically. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Plenty of parking available just outside the front door. Merchandise available for purchase in the lobby. The building itself is handicap accessible, but this particular room is not owing to a big step up in the middle area. 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 Maine Escape Games for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KevinHelock #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Mystery #MaineEscapeGames #Portland #Maine #USA

LOCATION: Portland, Maine, USA Photo above is property of Maine Escape Games Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Escape Your Fears 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 18, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 9/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $35/PP (more on weekends) ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (54:22) 📖 THE STORY You and your team have been kidnapped by a madman who loves two things: puzzles, and killing people who aren’t good at solving puzzles. Fortunately, you’ve got a chance to escape, but your wits will have to be very quick. You’ve got one hour to solve the madman’s puzzles and earn your freedom… or else. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE If you like jumpscares and live-actor interaction, this room does a great job of using these elements to ramp up tension, and even incorporates them into the puzzle design in some clever ways. Puzzle elements are tactile and fun to interact with. Lots of attention is placed on objects that can be manipulated in interesting ways, rather than on simple riddles and paper problems. The room presents a high level of challenge, but virtually everything feels fair, which isn’t always the case for rooms with a low escape rate. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK One or two props feature wear that slightly affects their functionality, and some puzzles aren’t quite as intuitive as those in the other rooms at Maine Escape Games. Live actor interaction probably should have been advertised on the website. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Escape Your Fears" is sure to be a memorable room for me, in large part because it was the first room I have been in that used a live actor. While I wish this had been advertised on the website for the benefit of those who aren’t fond of jumpscares, the presence of a masked killer lurking in dark recesses just outside the room and harassing us when we least expected it gave this room a tension I’m not used to. I’ve been hesitant to try such experiences before, but this one struck a nice balance of keeping the killer menacing without interrupting the flow of the puzzles. This is the oldest room currently in operation at Maine Escape Games, and the age shows in some minor aspects of wear and puzzle design. Technology is less present than in its more recent peers, but it remains an excellent experience that wows with other aspects of its design. The puzzles here incorporate custom props with a high degree of tactility, from hefty boards to creepy baby carriages to ash-covered bones from previous victims of the killer’s rampage. The puzzles and the space itself are also designed in a way that makes it feel as though the killer is egging you on, deliberately toying with you as he challenges your group to solve his puzzles in time. He’s a killer with personality, and that shows in the journey you take to escape his clutches. "Escape Your Fears" is a strong escape room definitely worthy of a look, though the difficulty level here is noticeably higher than the other rooms at Main Escape Games. Their website even features a warning that the room is particularly challenging, along with a recommendation that groups have at least four members. We managed to finish it with two, but given that it was with three hints and just over five minutes on the clock, I think the website’s recommendation of four or more experienced players is warranted. If that’s you (and you don’t mind some jumpscares from a really creepy clown) you’ll have a great time here! Photos above re property of Maine Escape Games ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Plenty of parking available just outside the front door. Merchandise available for purchase in the lobby. The building itself is handicap accessible, but the final area of this room is not owing to a narrow entranceway. 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 Maine Escape Games for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KevinHelock #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Horror #MaineEscapeGames #Portland #Maine #USA

Videos/ Photos provided by Breakout KC (Swell Spark) Company: Breakout KC (Swell Spark) Game: Runaway Railcar Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Adventure Date Played: 7/8/2020 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 5/10 Size of Team: 2-6 Players Time: 45 Minutes Price: $54.56 (tax included)/ team "Runaway Railcar" was a 30 minute mobile game that was converted to a remote escape room experience. This was the second trailer game we've played (the first one was in a caravan in Italy). This trailer truck (photo below) was parked right outside Breakout KC's headquarter in Kansas City. We did experience a bit of a lag since they were using a router for the WiFi but it didn't have too much impact on the game play. The game started with the avatar (Bobby) giving us a quick tour of the room. Our goal was to stop a railcar that was heading straight for Union Station and the breaks were damaged! The game had a separate link which provided three videos (one was an intro) that you're able to view on your computers (headset recommended). The set design felt like we're in the cargo section of the train with all different types of wooden boxes surrounding us. Each of the boxes contained different clue pieces or puzzles. We especially enjoyed a "surprise find" which heightened the urgency of the situation. The videos were quite humorous and provided updates on the story line. Due to Bobby's lightning speed and 4 veteran escapers, (with combined escape room played total close to 2000) we got out with 22 minutes and 42 second left. The room was a lot of fun but we felt that it was too short in comparison to some of the other remote escape rooms with closer to 60 minutes of content since the pricing was comparable. It would be great if they were able to incorporate a bit more character play or story to make up for the play time. We are not saying to have a "slow lock opener" to drag out the play time but rather develop a separate digital game to incorporate to the remote game (a hybrid) so the players can have some interactive play on their own devices. Breakout KC definitely teased us with this game as we felt like we just started to enjoy the puzzles and it ended already. We look forward to a longer production from them in the near future as their puzzle quality and set design were delightful! *** We regret to inform this game is no longer available for booking but check out other games on their website*** (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from"ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Breakout KC and Swell Spark 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 #SparkSwell #BreakoutKC #RunawayRailcar #RemoteEscapeRoom #Avatar #Train #rescue #save

LOCATION: St. Louis, Missouri, USA Above photo is property of Escape Challenge St. Louis 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Stranger Times 📅 DATE PLAYED: July 11, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 PPL): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 8ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $25/PP ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY In the year 2021, the creatures of the “upside down” have ravaged the world you live in. Thankfully there is a time machine to send you back to Hawkins IN in the year 1984. It is up to your team of adventurers to stop upside down from being breached and make it back to the present day alive. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This room sells itself when it comes to the amount of detail they put into it. The set pieces and locations all felt familiar and reminded us exactly what decade we were sent back into. There were a lot of different puzzles and most were integrated into the room well. Some of them included classic 80s action figures, Eggo waffles, and blinking lights all seen within the show. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The puzzles didn't feel like they had a strong connection with the storyline. They were good puzzles but developing the story to try and get rid of the creatures from the upside down did not occur. The very first puzzle was a major logic leap, expect to get a hint. We talked to the game master about this puzzle after the room and she mentioned that most players can't figure out this puzzle. There is an excellent final room that was well done but when we solved the last puzzle the game master just came into the room and told us that we saved the world. A stronger ending would make this game feel a lot more conclusive. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you are a fan of "Stranger Things" this room does a good job at recreating some of the scenes in the show. It has some fun puzzles and great scenery that is sure to satiate the escape room fan. Playing this game with five people, we were able to complete it in ~45mins. The non-linearity of the game made it so that our party members felt like they were participating. If you love the show and want to relive the major moments while solving some puzzles at the same time, this is the room for you! Additional Info Parking lot Lobby area Head to head games VR We don't want to go into detail and ruin any surprises for you, but if you'd like more information on the room, feel free to email us. (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) #MikeSchnurr #SciFi #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #USA #EscapeChallengeStLouis #StLouis #Missouri

LOCATION: Maplewood, Missouri, USA Photos above are property of Escape from St. Louis 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: WizardQuest 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 10, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Fantasy, Magical 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $34/PP (depend on group size) ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Starting your story in the days of the old and fantastical, where magic controls the land. An evil wizard set to poison the area's river is loose and it is up to you and your team of fledgling wizards to prevent the dastardly deed from occurring. You have tracked the wizard down to an old house in the forest and just as you think you have him surrounded, he teleports away. Try to recreate the teleportation spell and find the wizard before disease takes the land. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE WizardQuest utilizes the space they were given in a very well done manner. They manage to put secrets and hideaways in the most obvious spots while subverting expectations and still making it a surprise when it is revealed. The set design gives off a wonderful illusion that you have been transported to a new space, to a new world. Each step along the story's journey is well choreographed and the room's design enforces it. While completing the room, your group may be surprised just how many different types of puzzles are included in the game. There are high tech puzzles, logic puzzles, physical puzzles, there is a puzzle to please each person in your group 🧩 MISSED THE MARK I do not see any major issues with WizardQuest. It is an extremely well put together game. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? WizardQuest is one of my favorite games in the St. Louis area. The game starts out exactly how the storyline says it should and follows a narrative path that helps the team get to the end goal. The puzzles all made sense and they were just hard enough to make sure our team thought through the solutions. The reveals all throughout the room are a ton of fun. When you solve each puzzle it truly feels like you are progressing and learning how to cast each spell, brew each potion, master the elements and even commune with nature. Additional Head to head rooms Play at home escape game & online role playing games for sale 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 from St. Louis 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 #Fantasy #Magical #EscapefromStLouis #USA #Missouri

LOCATION: Biloxi, Mississippi, USA Photo above has been provided by Escape This 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Kidnapped 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 21, 2018 🎬 GENRE: Kidnapping 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 8ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $20/PP ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes This is the only escape room in Biloxi, MS. Being that we were in the area, we went to try it out. The lobby has a waiting area but not much decor. We've been to many local escape rooms before where the owner builds their own rooms but this has got to be one of the worst. First, we got there and were put into the room by our game master without any debriefing or backstory to the room. She told us to handcuff ourselves and then she just left. After we got out of our handcuffs by a very obvious clue gave us, we realized that all the combo boxes were open on the floor. Only about 50% of the room had been reset from the last group. We repeatedly called her on the camera to come and it took forever for her to respond. Finally, we pushed a door open (which should have been locked) to try to get her to come in. When she entered, she said that those boxes were supposed to be locked and then said something about her son's truck being broke down and she was very busy on her own. Regardless of what happened, we would've been happy just waiting there until the room was checked and reset before we entered. So the whole experience was ruined right from the beginning. We didn't feel immersed into the room at all. The shared bathroom was actually IN our room and we weren't sure if it was part of the set or not. Most of the puzzles were lockboxes placed everywhere in the room and you were suppose to just open them one after another with no logic or storyline whatsoever. Basically if we figured out a code, we should just try all of them. The worst part about it is that they used a lot of dial combination locks which we've NEVER used at any other location before. Mainly because these types of locks can be programmed to turn right and/or left a certain amount of times. This was the first escape room we played that we felt like we literally wanted to ESCAPE immediately! Since we were visiting, we had already booked a back-to-back room hoping that the next one - "Escape Krampus" would redeem itself and change our interpretation of them. (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. #review #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #escapethis #kidnapped #mississippi #biloxi #ms

LOCATION: Biloxi, Mississippi, USA Photo above has been provided by Escape This 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Escape Krampus 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 21, 2018 🎬 GENRE: Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 8ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $20/PP ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Read our review on the "Kidnapped" room in order to find out more about this escape location. After experiencing the first room, this "Escape Krampus" one wasn't much better. Our game master however was much more attentive. If we had to compare this room's design with the first one, this one was much better. After playing 60+ rooms in different locations, we've seen a lot. We would highly recommend that the owner of "Escape This" try other places in order to see where the competition level is and maybe upgrade some of the rooms to those standards. In terms of the puzzle designs, this room was a major improvement from the last, since now there's actually a storyline and it felt more linear. But there were still a few in there that we just couldn't understand why it was positioned that way. There was one puzzle in there that was really difficult for us to see. We would suggest either making it bigger, closer, or even providing binoculars. Also, we think these rooms could be greatly improved if the owner gets rid of the dial combination locks. They were very confusing to use as you really don't know how many times you have to turn it pass a number or not. Then it just becomes a number of attempts when you already have the correct code. There are many other locks that can get the job done much quicker and then the players can actually focus on the puzzle-solving instead. *** We regret to inform this game is no longer available for booking but check out other games on their website*** (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) *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. #review #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #escapethis #escapekrampus #krampus #mississippi #biloxi #ms

LOCATION: Ocean Springs, Mississippi, USA Photo above has been provided by Hint Hunter Puzzle Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Submarine 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 21, 2018 🎬 GENRE: Ocean 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 8ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $25/PP ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes This location was a bit hard to find as it's in between the two building complexes, so if you see the police station (as that's where the GPS will bring you), the escape room is right behind it. The lobby is well designed and clean. There's some puzzles there but mostly for decor. The game master was quite immersive right from the beginning (maybe a "tad bit" too much). There's quite a long debriefing, so do plan your time wisely as you'll probably need an additional 20 minutes before your game time for the backstory. This room was mainly geared towards kids. The puzzles are very easy and direct to the point. The design of the room was fairly simple. The artwork on the wall was quite good, but it wasn't enough to make you feel like you're underwater in the ocean. We felt that most of the time we we're searching for items that are hidden instead of solving puzzles. We decided to book their "Wasted While" room back-to-back right there on the spot. (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. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #HintHunterPuzzleRooms #Underwater #Adventure #Louisiana #USA

LOCATION: Ocean Springs, Mississippi, USA Photo above has been provided by Hint Hunter Puzzle Rooms 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Wasted While 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 21, 2018 🎬 GENRE: Cave 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 6 PPL): 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 8ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $25/PP ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Read our reviews of the "Submerged" room in order to find out more about this escape location. This room was much better in terms of set design and puzzle challenges. Immediately, you feel like you are in a coal mine right when you enter the room. We were joined by five military students who was stationed there locally. This room's difficulty level was definitely higher than the last room we tried so it was nice to have help. There was a good mixture of searching for clues and figuring out puzzles. However, due to the space, we felt that four people would've probably been a better fit. Obviously, it's a bit hard to see in there due to the fact that you are in a mine and not everyone was given a lantern. But I guess that kind of helped us to work in small groups together. There was a few red herrings in the room, but most of the storyline was quite clear. We ended up escaping with 13 minutes left on the clock. If you are in the area, we definitely recommend this room over the others at their location. (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. #review #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #hinthunterpuzzlerooms #hinthunter #wastedwhile #mississippi #DIberville #ms

LOCATION: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Photo above is property of New Mexico Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Bombshell 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 20, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Thriller, Mob 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $28.50/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: No 📖 THE STORY You've been summoned by your organization to take down a very bad and powerful man, Vittorio Bosargio. But it seems like things aren't going according to plan as someone has tipped Vittorio off about your plans to sneak into his warehouse. Will you make it out alive? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE New Mexico Escape Room not only made the interior of the escape room look amazing (an eerie, abandoned warehouse) but also the outside as well! Unlike most typical escape rooms where you're led to a regular door, this time you'll be entering through a metal rolling door in a dimly lit alleyway. Rather than having a game master type the clues onto the tv screen, there was a cool mechanism that they used in this room to connect you with the game master. It worked really well with the storyline. Since there's a limit of 3 hints for this room, it was helpful to have this type of clue system to make sure you fully understood the clues be handed to you. During the game, there was a transitional room that easily became our favorite part of this game. The special effect was phenomenal and we definitely felt the movement through motion, light and sound. It even gave us an ending that we didn't expect. There was a good variation of puzzle types in this room, including a handful of physical puzzles, logic puzzles, and an audio puzzle. Some puzzles could only be done by one person but others will definitely require collaboration from your teammates. "Bombshell" really gives all the players an opportunity to do something. We loved the way we exited the game. It was so creative and it gave us that conclusion to this story that we needed. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We spend a good amount of time in the first room, because we couldn't find something. Maybe the clue could be a little bit more prominent? It would have been nice to get a "nudge" from the game master regarding this as it was more of a "search and find" rather than a puzzle. This caused us to not have enough time to complete the tasks in the latter part of the game. If the room could provide a flash light rather than us having to use our own phone, that would be better. We would've rather left everything behind in the real world when entering this immersive one. The wording on one of the logic puzzles at the beginning confused us. It felt like it could be interpreted in more than one way. An audio puzzle in the latter part of the game also felt like there could be more than one solution pending on how the sound was analyzed. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Having a minimum of 4 people for this room is definitely what we would have suggested as well. It's a tough room for two players as you can see we didn't escape in time. There's just a lot of puzzles and some physical and logic ones that will take time to solve. Regardless, we still would go back and play another game at this location in a heart beat. The set designs are massive and they definitely have the narratives down as well. Who says taking down a mob leader was going to be easy? ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot right in front Large lobby with seating Merchandise and drinks for purchase Please note: This game requires some physicality where players may have to kneel into low positions, crouch, and climb up and down steps. There are also uneven and moving floors, and small spaces. 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 New Mexico Escape Room for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Thriller #Mafia #USA #NewMexicoEscapeRoom #NewMexico

LOCATION: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Photo above is property of Escape In Time Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Amarna Letters 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 20, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Egyptian 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 1-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $115-185/TEAM (pending on size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Queen Ankhesenamun has gone missing! King Tut is very worried and has decided to sent you on a mission to find her. What clues might you find locked up in her quarters? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE A lot of research has been put into the design of this room and you can tell from the props that they've decided to use. The statues, painting, jars, and the numerous cool locks that we discovered during the game felt like we were in an Egyptian museum exhibit. We were surprised by how some of the locks or hidden compartments opened during the game. It was all manual (which fit with the timeline) but very unique in terms of the build. There was an interesting twist in the latter part of the game, literally. It took us out her quarters and made us feel like we've been transported into another setting. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Some items needed to be bolted down and updated. This room was pretty heavy on the "search and find" component. One puzzle felt a bit too long and would probably occupy most of that player's time if he/she was going to be the designated solver for that puzzle. It would be a shame for him/her to miss out on the rest of the room. We suggest cutting that translation puzzle down a bit in terms of length. A decor in the latter part of the game didn't fit in with the timeline. Perhaps Egyptian doors might fit better with the theme? One of the solutions was really easy to guess the answer without having to solve the puzzle (at least for enthusiasts). It might be best to pick a different word to enforce the player to have to solve a puzzle instead of just taking the obvious one. We weren't sure what we had to do in order to complete this room. If there was a place for an "input" or a more definite instruction at the beginning, that will help. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room is stated as their most difficult room. I do believe the "search and find" aspect of the room will take up a good amount of time (unless you are good at it which we're totally not). Just like their Captain Morgan room, they've incorporated a lot of history in the storytelling. You actually feel like you learned something after completing the game. Escape in Time build all their games in house. Although most of their rooms are not high tech rooms, it does fit well with the time frame they're aiming for. If you're looking to travel through time, they have 5 different themes (with a new one on the way) for you to choose from. Make sure to treat yourself to one of their yummy ice cream cones if you successfully escape this one! You deserve it! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot right in front (underground parking, when you see Ace Hardware, it's right underneath it) Lobby with seating area Ice cream shop attached to the escape room location (can host parties) Two kids escape rooms (can host parties) 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 In Time 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 #Egyptian #EscapeInTime #USA #NewMexico

LOCATION: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Photo above is property of Escape In Time Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Captain Morgan 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 20, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Pirate 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 PPL): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 1-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $115-185/TEAM (pending on size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY As part of Captain Morgan's crew, you might be facing trial in England. Your only hope for freedom is to find the treasure that he has hidden in his cabin. Hopefully you'll get lucky and can buy your way out of this mess? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Brownie points for the game master as he really got into character at the start of the game! We had a real pirate doing the intro and outro and that really set our mood for the rest of the game. The mission was clear and we knew exactly what we had to do in order to survive. Escape In Time actually took time to research the history behind this era. The props used (even the locks) were all relevant to the time frame. We were surprised by how some of the locks or hidden compartments opened during the game. It was all manual (which fit with the timeline) but very unique in terms of the build. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There was a puzzle were we were supposed to solve using a hint in a journal but we ended up skipping it somehow and found the secret compartment on our own. This confused us later when we discovered the journal as we didn't know we had already completed that puzzle. We felt that some hints in the journal were too "revealing" as certain answers could be easily guessed through the clues as there were only that many letters/numbers to choose from. It might be best to pick a different word to enforce the player to have to solve a puzzle instead of just taking the obvious one. Some props in the room needed updating. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Escape in Time is a family owned business. You can tell that they really care about the customer service. Right when you enter the door, you'll be greeted by smiles. If you are a history fan, you'll love the different themed games that they have to offer. You might even have an upper hand at solving some of the puzzles if you knew a few languages. As enthusiasts, from a puzzle perspective, we think there's still some room for improvement as some solutions were too direct and the clues were not as clear. But we do love the personal touch they put into their build as we did feel surprised by some of the discoveries we made throughout the game. The best part was when we successfully found the treasure! And if you are not on a keto diet like us, you might even be rewarded with some ice cream! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot right in front (underground parking, when you see Ace Hardware, it's right underneath it) Lobby with seating area Ice cream shop attached to the escape room location (can host parties) Two kids escape rooms (can host parties) 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 In Time 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 #Pirate #EscapeInTime #USA #NewMexico

LOCATION: Los Angeles, California,USA Photo above is property of Hatch Escapes Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Lab Rat 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 16, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-12 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: Mon - Thurs: $44.00/ pp (4 ppl), Fri - Sun: $49.00/ pp (4 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Your team has been trapped in an alternate reality where rats perform experiments on humans. In this world, you are small and playing the role of test subject for Ratkenstein, a grad student working on his doctorate. In order for Ratkenstein to graduate, they must provide the university with a dissertation and if they deem no use for human test subjects, then you will be chipped up and made into a human paste. Lucky for your group, the tests that are needed to be performed are to be done outside the cage. This is the chance you have been waiting for to escape! No time to lose! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE From the moment you step inside the room, everything has grown to its proper size as if you are a tiny little animal. Changing the perspective really makes the group become immersed as they step in. The storyline and comedy in the room is extremely well done. In a dark comedy tone, the room's story is conveyed to you. We were laughing our butts off and wanting to complete the room just to hear Ratkenstein’s responses through the trials they are putting us through. Most of the puzzles in this game are physical in nature! There was much care and effort developing the room to include the sheer amount of things to do in many unique ways to perform the solutions. For each action you perform, there are light and sound cues that create a unique experience and make your group feel as though you are in your own personal theatrical showing. The ending of the game completes the idea that you were in a movie-like experience and it will want you coming back for more. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK After much consideration, no comments in this section are needed. (having a working human hamster wheel would be a ton of fun though) 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Lab Rat’s immersion of story and scenic with a large emphasis on fun puzzle design makes this a must play room. The room feels like a playground and instantly takes the group to a place of wonderment and awe when they see what Hatch Escapes have created. With the room taking place in such a large area, communication and observational skills are key. Pay attention to the fun designs and intricate set pieces for you might not know what is needed. There are twists and turns at every corner and, during one portion of the room, is an ingenious misdirection that had the group laughing and shouting. All five of the main senses are used during play and having a little treat for the taste sense really chimes a bell on how enjoyable this room is. There are no live rats in this game, just the joyfully dry and dark Ratkenstein to lead you through his tests and hopefully for them, find a reason to turn you into human paste. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Street Parking One person must climb a ladder Lobby with games 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 Hatch Escapes 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 #Thriller #HatchEscapes #LabRat #California #USA