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LOCATION: Schaumburg, Illinois, USA Photo above is property of 60 to Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Arctic Expedition 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 13, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $42.00 - $45.00/ pp (depending on # of players) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Team ECHO had been exploring the Arctic on a science expedition when they ran into something unexpected in the icy cold. Based on their last transmission, they seem to have stumbled on a Yeti…but, those aren't real, are they? Regardless, it’s getting colder by the minute and they haven't returned, so it falls to you and your team of adventurers to follow in their footsteps, locate the team's last location, and return home with…whatever they discovered. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Fun theme: The overall theme and mood of the room is lighthearted and entertaining, which is a great fit for the silly subject matter. The puzzles are also centered on the location and geography of the territory, keeping an immersive feel. Communication is a must! We are big fans of puzzles that require synthesizing information from multiple sources and locations, and this room had multiple instances of that, along with necessitating that we communicate that info to each other while solving. Tongue in cheek interactions: The subject matter is a bit campy and the interactions you will have (not with live actors, just with the decor) matches that vibe. As does the ending! Information integration is slick! Pay attention to fine details…some of the information needed was integrated seamlessly into the set design. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A few design choices made information unclear: Tiny text: There was one puzzle (which we enjoyed) that had very small text. Moments lacking clarity: There were a few moments of uncertainty as a result of the lighting causing color confusion, as well as having to test codes on duplicate locks. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Don’t let the location fool you…the quality of the rooms at 60 to Escape Schaumburg far surpasses what you would expect from a typical “mall” escape room. Arctic Expedition is a fun romp, ideal for those who like games that require strong observational skills and communication challenges. And of course any fan of cryptids must make the time for this one! So, grab your winter gear and get ready to uncover the secrets of the far North. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Large lobby with seating Merchandise for sale There are bathrooms (much cleaner and nicer than the main mall ones) and water fountains. There are no lockers, but there are hooks and a spot on the floor in each room where you can leave your things. Located inside the Woodfield Mall Free parking (closest entrance would be one near P.F. Chang's (Middle Level, Grand Court next to "Cinnabon") 60 to Escape also has a 9 hole mini golf experience available - "Putt Portal Mystery Golf" Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of their Schaumburg location, an interview with the manager & owner, and a look inside their rooms (no puzzle spoilers) and more: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank 60 to Escape for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #DaveBristol #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #60toEscape #SciFi #Adventure #Illinois #USA

LOCATION: Barcelona, Spain Photo above is property of Lock-Clock Escape Room Barcelona Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Mission Gaudi 📅 DATE PLAYED: April 24, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Mystery, Historical 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 4.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl (Ages 16+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: €21-30/ pp (pending on team size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY 1936—A fire erupts in the Sagrada Familia, presenting you with a dangerous mission... Retrieve the cathedral's blueprints before the flames devour everything... while you are trapped inside! Can you solve all the puzzles, safeguard the plans of the world's most famous church, and escape in less than an hour? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We are thrilled when the creator of escape rooms introduces a unique theme that stands out from the generic ones, especially when it highlights local specialties like Gaudi. The visual clues and props in this game perfectly captured the theme. What tools would Gaudi use in his daily work? How can we transform that into a puzzle? Everything in the game was relevant and integral to the storyline. We encountered a few puzzles that were entirely new to us. There was a multi-step puzzle towards the end that gave us an adrenaline rush as time was running out. We had to gather everything we previously found and piece it all together. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The hint system was challenging to hear from the room's speaker. The room is spacious, with everything openly available for discovery. Embedding something in a more secretive manner could create an exciting reveal at the end. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We absolutely loved the creativity Lock-Clock had put into this game! The concept of having an escape room in Barcelona centered around the legendary architect Gaudi is simply genius. His works always seemed to have hidden puzzles, so creating an escape room bursting with puzzles themed around him is just perfect. The puzzles were inventive and focused on one of his most renowned creations, making us feel like we were piecing together a slice of history. For Gaudi enthusiasts and history buffs alike, this is truly a hidden gem. Come explore an escape room and learn something along the way! And if Gaudi isn't quite your cup of tea, don't worry—Lock-Clock offers a variety of other exciting themes at this location, and we can't wait to return and experience them all! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking on th They offer an outdoor adventure game called "The Last Delivery", in which you must hit the streets to investigate and solve the mystery of who killed your pizza delivery colleague (see below). Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Lock-Clock Escape Room Barcelona for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #LockClock #Mystery #Historical #Gotico #Barcelona #Spain

LOCATION: Barcelona, Spain Photo above is property of Maximum Escape Barcelona Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Ulysses Spaceship 📅 DATE PLAYED: April 24, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 4.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-4 ppl (Ages 12+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: €45/ pp (2 ppl), €36/ pp (3 ppl), €30/ pp (4 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Scientist from the Ulysses project are set to embark on a mission to find extraterrestrial life, and they want you to be part of this extraordinary space journey. Gather your crew and board the Ulysses, venturing into the cosmos. You'll be in cryogenic sleep during the voyage, with the spaceship's sophisticated AI handling all operations. This mission presents the opportunity to realize humanity's deepest aspiration and attain glory. Are you ready to make history and reveal the truth that awaits? Video above is property of Maximum Escape Barcelona 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The set design was amazing. From the outset, you feel as though you've embarked on a space mission, complete with your crew uniform. Once onboard, the lighting and sound enhance the authenticity of the mission, making you feel as if you're in a tranquil state of deep sleep until something suddenly happens to the ship... The puzzles you'll need to solve feel like a genuine life experience rather than typical logic puzzles found in standard escape rooms. They align perfectly with the storyline. We were impressed by the clever hint system integrated within the game, presented by the ship's AI. It was ingeniously designed to allow players to take it with them as they maneuvered through the game. We were thoroughly impressed by the latter part of the set design and the story's unexpected plot twists. At that point, we were fully immersed in the story, losing our sense of reality. We were also taken aback by the vastness of the space, which was entirely unexpected based on the initial impression. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We encountered a tool in the game that surprisingly didn't activate, even though we had solved the puzzle correctly. Completing one of the puzzles required significant physical strength, especially for the final part of the game. I'm not sure the game would have a fallback if neither of us could accomplish that task? 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you're eager to experience the thrill of space travel with the exciting possibility of meeting extraterrestrial life, this mission is perfect for you! From start to finish, we were captivated by the incredible set design, the intriguing characters, and the compelling storyline. Every detail was meticulously crafted to streamline the game. Our only suggestion would be to add some "comfort padding" and perhaps an easier escape route for the finale for some players. However, the challenge truly captured the difficulty of escaping in space. We had an absolute blast on this adventure! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking on the street Maximum Escape has many locations with different games. Make sure you are at the right location. Lobby with seating & water You'll need to be able to crawl into narrow spaces This game is located on the lower level and you'll need to climb down one flight of stairs 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 Maximum Escape Barcelona for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #SciFi #Adventure #MaximumEscape #Barcelona #Spain

Photo above is property of iDventure Company: iDventure Game: The Heist Country: Germany 🇩🇪 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬 Genre: Heist, Mission Date Played: November 28, 2021 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 7/10 Size of Team: 1-5 players (Ages 17+) Time: 60-150 Minutes (Suggested 90 Mins.) Price: 23,00 € 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 You are a team that must instruct and guide your 3 field agents to carry out covert operations and steal important resources that a cartel is using to plan a massive cyber attack. Video above is property of iDventure 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ Nice neat box, very light - contains paper artefacts only. Maps, leaflets, photos, notes and more. Photos above are property of iDventure 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 You need to first install or access a communications app. When we played this was Telegram which I’d never used before, but you can now also use WhatsApp. It is recommended that with a team of 4 playing you all access one field agent each and the AI “helper” who guides you through the mission as your assistant. Hints can be taken from this Assistant as you need them. A couple of introductory letters give you the background and information about the case, and then you begin by speaking to the field agents, in turn, to see what they need from you. You then use the information to hand and various online websites you are directed to or discover to provide what they need. They will then go and perform what they need to. Their success also relies on you successfully providing information to your other agents too and their behaviour and actions, so they will all at some point wait until everything is in place before reporting back, giving the game its “Live” element. This works very well and felt ultra-realistic. We found all the story to be believable, the responses, videos and photos sent by the agents were a nice touch, and the fact that you didn’t just get an “incorrect” if you were wrong (which we only were once), but instead a carefully crafted and realistic response that didn’t give away the answer but made you think again. 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The puzzles are a good mix of types - logic, lateral thinking, deduction and were all very believable in terms of the theme and how something like this would play out. There was only one answer that we didn’t quite understand the reasoning behind, but when we did see the answer we could see why that was the case. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 Anyone who loves detective/crime based adventure games but is looking for something a little different. We played as a two but you could play solo or with up to about 6 players we think comfortably, with pairs of players working on what each agent needs. Of course you can only play this once, but it can be easily gifted or shared with others as nothing gets damaged in the course of play. A really great game that even impressed my difficult-to-impress husband who really got into the plot and especially enjoyed one puzzle in which he had an ah-ha moment and was very proud :) ***This game is no longer available, check their website for other games*** (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"!) #HelenBailey #AtHomeGames #PuzzlesByMail #TabletopGames #OneOffs #Heist #Mission #Germany #iDventure

LOCATION: Vernayaz, Switzerland Photo above is property of Escape World Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Strategy 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 7, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-7 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: 139 CHF - 249 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes [32:00] 📖 THE STORY A critical nuclear system has been activated, putting everything at risk. Your team is sent into a control facility with one objective: regain command and prevent a catastrophic outcome. Inside, you must analyze complex systems, uncover hidden information, and restore order before time runs out. Every decision counts as you work to stop the crisis and secure the situation. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The standout feature of this escape room is undoubtedly its setting: a genuine WWII-era bunker built into the side of a Swiss mountain. This creates a level of immersion that few purpose-built escape rooms can replicate. From damp stone walls and cavernous concrete spaces to authentic elements like rusted metal doors, old piping, and electrical systems, everything feels real. The presence of a full-sized missile waiting to be defused ties it all together into a highly convincing environment. Beyond the atmosphere, the room offers a wide variety of puzzles, many of which are team-focused. Expect a mix of deduction, logic, and even an engaging audio-based challenge, keeping gameplay fresh throughout. One of the strongest aspects is the nonlinear design. As a team, you can choose to stick together or split up and tackle different tasks simultaneously. We found ourselves constantly moving between puzzles, collaborating and checking in with each other, which added to the dynamic flow of the experience. The puzzles are well integrated into the theme, with tasks directly tied to restoring power, unlocking secure systems, and ultimately working toward disarming the warhead. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The narrative feels quite minimal, with little development or storytelling throughout the experience. While the buildup is strong, the final moment—defusing the bomb—felt slightly underwhelming. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is a great room for puzzle enthusiasts, thanks to its variety and rewarding nonlinear structure. The unique bunker setting alone makes it worth a visit and elevates the overall experience. Overall, a solid and well-executed escape room that delivers where it matters most—immersion and gameplay. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking is available in a public car park in front of the venue. There is a small lobby area where you have your briefing and debriefing. Photos above are property of Escape World (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 World for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeWorld #Adventure #Vernayaz #Switzerland

LOCATION: Gurnee, Illinois, USA Photo above is property of 60 To Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Hidden Temple 📅 DATE PLAYED: November 19, 2022 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 PPL): 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $32-45/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKINGTYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY World famous intrepid adventurer, Action Jones, mysteriously disappeared while on assignment at an ancient hidden temple. Has he run off with a priceless relic? Or met some other end on his perilous journey? Now, it’s your job to go in, find out what happened, search for treasure, and discover all the mysteries the temple holds! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE In 60 to Escape’s "Hidden Temple" game, you are transported from an ordinary suburban shopping mall to a mysterious stone temple. The theme is approachable and fun. The stone set decor and movie-ready props are effective and make you want to throw yourself into the adventure. The gameplay offers ample opportunities to make satisfying connections (aha!). Many of the puzzles feature code breaking and symbol translation or identifying and replicating sequences. Each area of the game focuses has a main puzzle. One of the cornerstone puzzles does require a bit of math, so if that’s not your thing, bring along a friend that knows basic addition. As you progress, you’ll realize there is much more to explore than it first seemed. Each new chamber you open adds to the experience. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The game is dimly lit throughout—there’s even a warning on the website about low lighting levels. We were given a torch and a lantern. This really adds to the sense that you are an archeologist/adventurer exploring an ancient and unknown ruin. (When I explore hidden temples in real life, there are seldom ample working lighting fixtures and high levels of ambient lighting.) However, it would have been great if each member of the party had their own flashlight so they could explore independently without the frustration of having to wait for their teammate to pass over the dim lantern. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you’re up for an adventure, the Hidden Temple delivers it with an escape room that invites exploration and rewards you with more discoveries and surprises the deeper into the temple you go. You owe it to your inner Harrison Ford to explore the Hidden Temple. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO 60 to Escape is located inside the Gurnee Mills shopping center (near the movie theater and food court). There is a second 60 to Escape location near Milwaukee with an entirely different set of rooms. Photos above are property of 60 To Escape Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of their Schaumburg location, an interview with the manager & owner, and a look inside their rooms (no puzzle spoilers) and more: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank 60 To Escape for providing a media discount for this game. Although a discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #JenMcphilimy #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Adventure #60ToEscape #HiddenTemple #Illinois #USA

LOCATION: Barcelona, Spain Photo above is property of Lock-Clock Escape Room Barcelona Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Secret Service 📅 DATE PLAYED: April 24, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Espionage, Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 4.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-8 ppl (Ages 18+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: €21-23/ pp (pending on team size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Barcelona, 1970. Agent RT, the most esteemed spy of the secret agency, has mysteriously disappeared. He suspected a mole within the organization but vanished before revealing his findings. Your mission is to infiltrate his office, secure the confidential information, and uncover the truth to protect the agency and the country. Video above is property of Maximum Escape Barcelona 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE From the moment we entered the secret agency's office, the set design immediately took us in the experience, bypassing the usual escape room lobby. It was exhilarating to dive straight into the game. The room's decor is rich with information and puzzles, offering a spacious area for exploration. For seasoned players, it's a true puzzle paradise. We relished the diverse array of puzzles packed into this one-hour adventure. While the room isn't heavy on high-tech elements, the devices included seamlessly integrate into the storyline. One device, in particular, significantly heightened the excitement and adrenaline once activated. The room provided plenty of close-up analysis and information, truly making us feel like spies and detectives on a mission. Given the abundance of puzzles, the creator ingeniously offered players the option to skip one puzzle towards the end while still being able to escape. This clever approach felt like a bonus puzzle, subtly woven into the storyline. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We had the answer to one puzzle, but the input order was unclear. It would be beneficial if the order were marked more clearly. The final action we had to take to escape was a bit confusing. We believed we had solved the more challenging escape method, but we didn't realize we also needed to complete the other version as well. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This game is really spacious and perfect for large groups. With its abundance of puzzles, it's ideally suited for bigger teams, as many puzzles involve multi-step components and require effective communication. The generous size of the rooms allows for plenty of movement, making additional teammates a valuable asset. If you're passionate about puzzles, this game is a rare find in Europe, where many games focus more on set design. As enthusiasts from the States, we thoroughly enjoyed the challenging puzzles, feeling completely satisfied with this "puzzle feast", especially with just the two of us. We eagerly anticipate returning to try their other games! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO We suggest taking public transportation and walking as this location is in a small alleyway Restroom is located inside the game Lobby with seating You may only enter the game at your booking time so if you arrived early you may need to wait outside for awhile 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 Lock-Clock Escape Room Barcelona for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #LockClock #Thriller #Spy #Espionage #Born #Barcelona #Spain

LOCATION: Winhall, Vermont, USA Photo above is property of Stratton Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Rube's Conundrum - Part 1 📅 DATE PLAYED: April 28, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Adventure, Fun 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 8 ppl (Ages 4+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 75 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $32.10/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Free the Rube. ‘Nuff said. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE A brilliantly original concept: We can’t believe we haven’t played a Rube Goldberg-inspired room before! The whimsical chain reactions are absolutely delightful to watch in motion once triggered. Be sure to warn one another before activating anything so nobody misses the action unfolding. Packed with interaction: Despite being a relatively small, single-room experience, there’s LOTS to do. The space is used incredibly efficiently, with puzzles and details tucked everywhere (including things to look at up high) while still remaining clear about what is and isn’t in play and which answers go with which of the many physical locks. Playful physicality: This room is super tactile. From unusual lock interactions to unexpected effects and hands-on mechanisms, it constantly encourages you to poke, prod, twist, and experiment. The dollhouse sequence was a particular highlight for us. It was creative, charming, and unlike anything we’d encountered in another escape room. We highly recommend making sure everyone gets a chance to play with part of that section. Whimsical aesthetic: The eclectic décor, exposed mechanisms, and delightfully derpy music all contribute to the silly, playful vibe of this game. Unlike many rooms where the “magic” is hidden, here the visible mechanics actually enhance the experience. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A few visual distinctions could be clearer: Some shapes and colors were a bit more similar than ideal. We loved that, for some puzzles, symbols were used alongside colors to help with accessibility, but one particular puzzle lacked those additional indicators. Occasional gadget fiddliness: With this many moving gizmos and tactile elements, a few are bound to be a little finicky. A few interactions required more firmness or experimentation than we initially expected…but fortunately, a bit of determined tinkering usually did the trick. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you grew up loving "Mousetrap" and setting off elaborate chain reactions just to watch all the moving pieces work together, this room taps directly into that same sense of joy. You definitely do not need to know who Rube Goldberg is to appreciate the experience. The mechanisms are playful, tactile, surprising, and satisfying in a very immediate way. It totally brought out the kid in us. This is not a narrative-driven room (there’s virtually no story) or one with Hollywood-level scenery. But where it shines is in its whimsical handcrafted nature, tactile interactions, and playful celebration of Rube-esque contraptions. Even after playing hundreds of escape rooms, this one felt genuinely fresh and memorable. We loved it. It’s the more challenging of Stratton’s games, so probably not the ideal introduction for brand-new players. But enthusiasts, puzzle lovers, engineers, tinkerers, and anybody who enjoys hands-on interaction and mechanical creativity should absolutely give this one a spin. We left completely delighted and are already impatient for Part 2. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking around back, where you enter (though there is a sign on the side of the building facing the road). There’s a very small lobby with a bathroom. There are no designated lockers, but there are coat hangers and a small desktop in the room (and a corner you could use to put a backpack on the floor, if needed). No stairs required. Lovely, passionate owners who are great to chat with if you both have the time! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (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 Stratton Escape Room for comping our tickets for this game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Adventure #Fun #StrattonEscape #Vermont #USA

Photo above is property of M9 GAMES Company: M9 GAMES Game: VEREDA Country: United Kingdom 🇬🇧 Language: English Type of Game: Video Escape Game 📱 Genre: Espionage, Thriller Date Played: March 20, 2022 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 4.5/10 Time: Unlimited (Approx. 90-120 Mins.) Price: $7.99 (Steam), $6.99 (Nintendo), $4.99 (App Store) 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 You are a secret undercover agent that has been tasked with a top secret mission. Your objective is to locate a dossier that is heavily guarded within a small town and retrieve it. The contents of the dossier is unknown. However, it is extremely safeguarded and well protected by puzzles and contraptions to prevent you and anyone from accessing it. You are going to have to use all your knowledge and experience to complete this mission. Good luck! Video above is property of M9 GAMES 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ We were all extremely satisfied with the graphics for "VEREDA". There was so much detail in the scenery and there was plenty of room to roam around and explore. I loved the gritty coloring of the set design. Everything was clean and clear and truly resembled a mysterious town rigged with puzzles preventing us from locating the dossier. The developer of M9 GAMES hid some easter eggs throughout the game so be sure to look at everything and see if you can find them! Photos above are property of M9 GAMES 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 "VEREDA" is a first person 3D escape room adventure filled with puzzles to solve. As you explore indoor and outdoor scenarios, you will collect items to add to your inventory along the way. To make things easier, items collected will automatically appear where it's needed. The background music fits perfect for the theme of this game and is not overbearing or distracting. This game can be played on your iPad/ iPhone or Steam (PC only). All of our team members played on Steam. In the control settings, you have the option to use the keyboard (WASD controls) for traveling and your mouse for directions or a joystick. Using the keyboard and mouse, it felt very much like a point-n-click game and it was quite easy to get the hang of once we started the game. "VEREDA" starts off in a room for you to familiarize yourself with the controls and hte functionality of the game before it even allows you to venture off outside. Throughout the game, there was a lot of space to move around and didn't require too much searching. VEREDA" is primarily a 1 player game, however, we decided to live stream our gameplay with our friends - Keith (owner of USB Escape) and Stephen (owner of Enigmailed) and solve it together. **SPOILER ALERT - Do NOT click the video below for it contains the answers and solutions. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 There was approximately 10 stages containing 3-4 puzzles to solve for each one. Each puzzle was uniquely designed allowing everyone to experience a different type of challenge. For our team, we would say that the difficulty level was beginner-intermediate. Overall, "VEREDA" was a linear game that felt like a maze filled with puzzles created to prevent you from finding a top secret Dossier. There were a bunch of different locks and keypads to input your answer which was mainly done by using your mouse to point-n-click. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 "VEREDA" is a really fun game that bridges the gap between traditional digital point-n-click games and video games. The graphics were clean and clear and really allowed us to feel like spy agents infiltrating a mysterious town. From the beginning, we knew that our mission was to retrieve a top secret dossier. What we didn't know was where it was, what it looks like, and what it contains. The mystery kept on building as we progressed through the game and got closer to finding it. I really hope that there's a sequel because the game flow was great and there's so much potential for a continued storyline. As mentioned, we all played on Steam using our keyboards and mice. If you decide to download the app and play on your iPad or iPhone, please let us know what you think. (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 M9 Games for providing us with a sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #AtHomeGames #VideoGames #SpyMission #Espionage #M9GAMES #VEREDA #UK #AppStore #Steam

Photo above is property of M9 GAMES Company: M9 GAMES Game: SUBNET Country: United Kingdom 🇬🇧 Language: English Type of Game: Video Escape Game 📱 Genre: hriller Date Played: February 18, 2023 Difficulty (based on 1 player): 6.5/10 Time: Unlimited (Approx. 3 Hrs.) Price: $8.99 (Steam), $5.99 (Nintendo), $4.99 (App Store) 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 In "SUBNET" - Escape Room Adventure, you play a government agent who finds themselves as first responder on the scene of a hostile terrorist takeover of the city's subway system by a group of elusive hackers known only as drkFORCE. They have planted a large bomb underground which they are threatening to detonate, and so you have been tasked with tracking down and neutralizing the explosive before it goes off. If you hope to catch them you will have to solve a complex series of puzzles that they have left in their wake to stymie your pursuit. Luckily you are not alone in your mission, and are aided by both the direction of your FBI handler and the guidance of your trusty AI helper. So pick up the trail, hit the streets, go underground, and follow drkFORCE down the rabbit hole, before it's too late. Video above is property of M9 GAMES 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 The game is played in first person perspective, as you navigate and explore through a 3D world of city streets and subway tunnels, looking for clues and interacting with puzzles and objects. It's supposed to be modelled off of and have the feeling of playing a real escape room, and the game does a good job of simulating that experience. It offers the fun of exploring the environment while at the same time presenting you with mysterious puzzles to decipher, which is the essential formula and backbone of every well designed escape room. The world looks good, not stunning but suitably rich and realistic, and sufficiently detailed to invoke wonder, and to make the all important challenge of distinguishing clues from within the larger environment an engaging endeavor. Comically, it became almost a rule, that although you might see many strange objects and details, if you see a number it is most definitely not a coincidence. The sequence of puzzles is generally linear in nature, each following and being gatekeeper to those that come after it. This keeps the game tight and fairly straightforward so that the player can mercifully focus on connecting one set of clues and puzzles at a time. The fun of the game is in deciphering your world, trying to make sense of the puzzle while you search frantically trying to piece together the disparate signs that may or may not have something to do with anything, wracking your brain to come up with a plausible connection and possible solution. There is not much narrative development per se, although with every solution you are at least moved one step closer to foiling the plans of drkFORCE. I also wouldn't describe the puzzles as exactly realistic, being largely only incidentally connected to the narrative and environmental realities. They are more of a transplant, inspired by the more clever puzzles you might find in an escape room. Nonetheless the game has its charms, and the gameplay is still suitably engrossing. Photos above are property of M9 GAMES 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The puzzles are heavily inspired by what you might find in a real escape room. They are generally your standard fare, but are admittedly well designed, and difficult enough to have made this reviewer don his thinking cap. It's evident that the creators tried to keep it varied and fresh throughout the game, and though the form is often repetitive the puzzles themselves have enough novelty to keep the player's imagination piqued. Exploration wise the game is self-contained and generally linear so that the clues can be reasonably traced back to the puzzles they refer to, which helps focus the process of deduction, but that is only once you do the fun work of finding and identifying them in the world itself. The puzzles themselves too are often mysterious and require their own kind of deciphering. Taken together there's a good balance overall between exploration and deduction, and enough ingenuity in the design of the puzzles to make the process of figuring them out both challenging and rewarding. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 "SUBNET" is not groundbreaking, but it is a fun little game. A solid entry into the burgeoning field of escape room video games. It makes you wonder though if the escape room format is not but a little limiting to the genre in general given the possibilities exhibited by other mystery and puzzle games. Why limit yourself to the conditions of recreating a real escape room, when the platform allows you to create entire worlds, and other games demonstrate that it is possible - with great art - to mesh the narrative and mystery elements. It doesn't need to be this way, but it is, and the whole story in SUBNET is little more than a pretense to wind the player up for a good set of puzzles. All this being said, what the game does do well. The gameplay is smooth, the puzzles are well designed, and the game is challenging without becoming frustrating. You will enjoy the puzzles, though the seasoned escape room player may have seen some of them before. It's a satisfying snack of a game, and all in all I would recommend it if you're looking for a classic style escape room that can be played from the comfort of your own home. For future entries I would hope to see more of a narrative, and to try and incorporate this into the puzzles. Also, making exploration more interactive and more of a thematic event, as opposed to being more like searching for signs in a static environment. Playing reminds me just how important having an exciting and interactive world to explore is to the fun of doing an escape room. I hope people give this game a try and look forward to what M9 comes up with next. (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 M9 Games for providing us with a sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #AndrewWoods #AtHomeGames #VideoGames #EscapeRoom #M9GAMES #SUBNET #UK #Steam

Photo above is property of M9 GAMES Company: M9 GAMES Game: Art Heist Country: United Kingdom 🇬🇧 Language: English Type of Game: Video Escape Game 📱 Genre: Detective, Heist Date Played: October 22, 2023 Difficulty (based on 1 player): 7/10 Time: Unlimited (Approx. 45-60 Mins.) Price: $8.50 (Steam), $7.99 (Nintendo), $0.99 (App Store) 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 As part of the team discovering a long-sought-after painting, you are invited to the auction on an island accessible only by helicopter. Halfway through the night, you receive a call for help - the painting has been stolen. Navigate your way through this secluded, trap-laden villa and find both the painting and the people behind this heist. Be careful though, security is tight and it might take more than just a key to get through the next door. Video above is property of M9 GAMES 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 "Art Heist" is as close to a digital version of a real life escape room experience as you can get. With a first-person view, walking around the area with the atmospheric background soundtrack had me immersed to the point where I found myself looking over my shoulder a couple of times. The point-n-click mechanic, coupled with the icons indicating either a puzzle to be solved or an item to be used, provided enough guidance to get through the rooms. However, you might have to try approaching different “suspicious” items from various angles, since you can only interact with puzzles or items upon the appearance of said point-and-click icons, and the icons only appear at a certain radius around actionable areas. Thankfully, the little adjustments I had to make while navigating the game did not take away from the puzzles. ** NOTE: please ensure that your network is stable while you play this game on Steam. The frame rate lagged a fair bit for me, so I had to play it on Medium quality and a smaller frame size. Photos above are property of M9 GAMES 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 Here’s my short review of this section - thank goodness for the all-encompassing rule. And here’s my longer review of the puzzles - In physical escape rooms that run three or four sections, you can expect puzzles to run through two or even three rooms (e.g. you may need to backtrack in order to solve later puzzles). However, in a larger setting like in Art Heist, each section’s puzzles and the information you would need for the puzzles stay within that locked space. And I appreciate not having to remember what happened two rooms ago. One thing that I realised was how inconsistent the hints could be - each puzzle would have a reset button and at times, a hint button for when you get stuck. My issue was how not every puzzle would have a hint button, though to give the game makers credit, puzzles without hint buttons were relatively straightforward. What would have made the puzzle experience a little better was the provision of hints when we get stuck outside of puzzles - I was wandering around one of the sections, wondering what to do next with an incomplete puzzle and no door to speak of. Without a hint button to consult, I resorted to a play-through video to get unstuck. Photo above is property of M9 GAMES 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 I stand by my initial statement - this is as close to a digital version of an in-person escape room experience as I can fathom. The background soundtrack and the first person navigation system is already enough to immerse you for the next couple of hours. And if the variety of puzzle styles does not keep you on your toes, the bits of story in the environment will keep you curious. So, if you’re looking for a solo escape room experience that’s immersive, balanced, and with a good variety of puzzle styles, give Art Heist a try. Just make sure your hardware can support the frame rate and game size. (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 M9 Games for providing us with a sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #JoelynAlexandra #AtHomeGames #VideoGames #EscapeRoom #M9GAMES #Detective #Heist #UK #Steam

LOCATION: Vernayaz, Switzerland Photo above is property of Escape World Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Quarantine 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 7, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-7 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: 139 CHF - 249 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes [46:00] 📖 THE STORY A toxic gas leak has triggered a full lockdown inside a medical complex hidden within an old military bunker. Following emergency protocol, the facility has been sealed and all systems shut down—plunging everything into darkness. However, a critical mistake has been made: the only antidote capable of neutralising the gas remains trapped inside. With oxygen running out, your team must navigate the quarantined facility, locate the antidote, and escape before the air becomes unbreathable. Video above is property of Escape World 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Much like Strategy, the biggest highlight is the authentic bunker setting. The real military infrastructure adds a raw and convincing atmosphere that perfectly suits the quarantine scenario. The rooms are surprisingly open and expansive, which allows for comfortable movement and makes the experience feel less restrictive and more exploratory. The use of limited lighting works very well with the theme, reinforcing the idea of a sealed and powerless facility. It adds a subtle layer of pressure without turning the room into a horror experience. The gameplay leans heavily into classic puzzle-solving, with a strong mix of codes, logic, and observation-based challenges. This makes it approachable and enjoyable, especially for teams who prefer traditional escape room mechanics. The objective is clear and easy to follow—find the antidote and escape—which keeps the experience focused and easy to engage with from the start. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The room is more puzzle-driven than story-driven, with limited narrative development throughout the experience. The environment, while authentic, is relatively minimalistic, which may not appeal to players expecting highly theatrical set design. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Quarantine" is a solid, back-to-basics escape room that benefits greatly from its unique real-world setting. It’s particularly well suited for players who enjoy traditional puzzles and a slightly tense, atmospheric environment without stepping into full horror. While it may not push boundaries in terms of innovation or storytelling, it delivers a consistent and enjoyable experience—especially for smaller teams looking for a focused challenge. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking is available in a public car park in front of the venue. There is a small lobby area where you have your briefing and debriefing. 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 World for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeWorld #Adventure #Vernayaz #Switzerland

LOCATION: Winhall, Vermont, USA Photo above is property of Stratton Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Pinehurst 📅 DATE PLAYED: November 28, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 75 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $30.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Smokie’s bar, "The Pinehurst", is an ode to his favorite beer - "Schlitz"! Amongst all of his paraphernalia, his most prized possession is the first can of beer he ever had... a "Schlitz" he stole from his Dad, which started his lifelong obsession. Yet, tonight it has mysteriously disappeared! Smokie has shut the bar down until it can be recovered, and you are determined to find it. I mean, your favorite bar can’t shut down?! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We were not quite old enough to be hitting the bars in 1989, but we can imagine that this is just what your local dive might have looked like (if the owner was obsessed with "Schlitz"). We’re glad to no longer have cigarettes in the bars around here, but the copious matches, cigarettes, and cigarette machine definitely set the scene well. The various (we assume) authentic "Schlitz" memorabilia really helped to sell the story. The theme is integrated throughout the set. There’s also music from the jukebox that really brought us back, and many of the puzzles are also very thematic. The game starts in the restocking area, as you try to figure out the alarm code to get into the bar itself. They set this up nicely to introduce you to some ideas that will carry on throughout the rest of the experience. While there is some gating, much of the gameplay is non-linear. There was certainly a strong searching and observation component, with some rewarding connections to be made. Logic and physical manipulations are also key. It culminates in a nice meta-puzzle that draws on things from throughout the game. We’re suckers for tactile and physical manipulations and reveals, and "The Pinehurst" definitely delivered some fun ones. Before you begin, you get to pick the song that will play if you succeed. Hearing our selection (the 80’s classic “Wild Thing” by Tone Loc) come on was an awesome way to signal victory, kick off our own little celebratory dance party, and finish the game! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We loved the silly, unique backstory to the room, but there is room for some narrative progression (who stole the "Schlitz" and why?!) and clarification of why you start by needing to figure out the alarm code. There could also be fun ways to incorporate the hint system into the story itself. There was one puzzle we got hung up on where we think the clue itself could be a bit more clear, but it also required us to do something that it felt like there were other indications that it would be a bad idea (we might break it). Talking to the owner afterwards, we understand why it was how it was, but we think there are options to smooth out the experience with this particular puzzle. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you’re out this way, "The Pinehurst" is well worth a visit, whether you are with family, friends, or other enthusiasts! Aside from some of the 80’s bar theme decor, we would consider this a family-friendly room (maybe ages 10+?), and you could bring inexperienced players to this one as well. We really appreciated the charm and playfulness of the game, the love the owners clearly put into it, the tactile interactions, and the feeling that we had really been dropped back into the 80’s. And, seriously, who doesn’t love being rewarded with their own personal dance party?! (Oh - they also gave us a teaser about the theme of their next room, and WE CAN’T WAIT! Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming announcements...) ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking is available right behind the building (next to the main entrance). Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (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 Stratton Escape Room for comping our tickets for this game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Mystery #DiveBar #StrattonEscape #Vermont #USA

We really enjoyed our conversation in this episode of "The Life Is An Escape Room Podcast" (w/ hosts - Christina Jeff & Eanes). We spoke about why communication is so important in escape rooms and how that actually improved certain parts of our lives. Listen to the interesting stories here (Audio: https://lifeisanescaperoom.podbean.com): The video above is the property of The Life Is An Escape Room Podcast #BrandonChow #podcast #interview #media

We were extremely grateful to be invited to chat with our friends from Amazing Escape Room and Bury The Hatchet on their new podcast platform - "Escape the Hatchet"!! The podcast above is the property of Escape The Hatchet #BrandonChow #podcast #interview #media