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LOCATION: Richmond, Virginia, USA Photo above is property of Gnome & Raven Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Magic Lamp 📅 DATE PLAYED: November 10, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $30/PP ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY By code and laws of all magical things, every genie is required to grant exactly 1,000 wishes in no less than 500 years. Once this accomplished, they are released from their lamp. Balazar Bolderdash, a genie who has faithfully served in his Magic Lamp for 499 years, 364 days and 23 hours, currently has granted precisely 999 wishes. With only one hour left, the last wish is lost inside his lamp and nowhere to be found! Enter inside his Magic Lamp and help him find the last wish before it's too late! Video above is property of Gnome & Raven 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We love when intros are done by game masters in character. Valerie did an amazing job with getting us prepped for this magical world. Right when we enter, we're mesmerized by the beautiful tree (if you guys have extra time, ask the GM to tell you the story about the tree) right in the center of the room. All the wishes on there are handwritten by the employees. The room was decorated in blue and gold with colorful accent lighting to provide a magical touch. In order to successfully pull off the concept of entering inside of a magic lamp, there has to be something spectacular in mind. The lighting and ambience is exactly what you would expect in a genie's lamp. It literally felt like we're transported into a Disney movie. You can tell the quality that the company put into finishing their props and decor. If you've watched Aladdin before, you'll probably be able to cross reference some of the items in the movie. It's utilized really well with the puzzle designs. The size of the room will comfortably fit a large group. We were literally running around (didn't mind it at all) till the last minute (quite satisfying) in order to find that last wish. There are many "magical" moments that we experienced in the room. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There was one puzzle that was a bit confusing with the cluing and made us think that it we had to actually do something in order for something to "magically" happen. I think we definitely entertained the GMs for that puzzle. Some clarity in the clues would help. Since "Magic Lamp" is such a large room, there were times that we weren't aware what we had opened or if we triggered something. Perhaps some added spotlights or louder alert sounds would help with this issue. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Gnome & Raven is located in an outdoor shopping complex called "Stony Point Fashion Park". Once we saw the eye catching sign and decoration, we already knew that it was going to be something special. The front of the entrance is painted red and black with gold trimmings. The rooms are some of the biggest ones we've seen for a storefront location. We really didn't anticipate each game to be so large as it's definitely deceiving to the eye. Once you enter, you'll be immersed into a magical world right away as you'll be greeted not by normal game masters but characters from the stories. Gnome & Raven currently has 4 games available to choose from with familiar themes with a rich storyline behind it. Magic lamp truly made one of our wishes come true which is become a character inside the world of "Aladdin" but after taking a sneak peek of the other rooms, we know we have to go back and play all of them! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is a free parking lot (the closest place to park to access Gnome & Raven is by P.F. Chang's). Gnome & Raven is located inside the "Stony Point Fashion Park". Lobby area with seating. There are packages available for purchase. Please note: This room contains sliding, crawling/moving through tight spaces, and some high steps. 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 Gnome & Raven 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 #GnomeandRaven #Magical #Genie #Aladdin #RavenChase #USA #Virginia

LOCATION: Richmond, Virginia, USA Photo above is property of Escape Room RVA Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝  ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Shadow of Cthulhu 📅 DATE PLAYED: November 10, 2021 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-8 PPL 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $25-27/PP (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Your uncle has always had a fascination with exploring other parts of the world. He always sends you letters detailing his expeditions, but lately the correspondence has gotten strange! You decide to visit him at his mansion to see if everything's okay. Unbeknownst to you, horror awaits your arrival... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The story line really sets the curiosity level and the set design really complimented that. When we entered his mansion, all we see are strange items he's collected from various locations in the world and a strange covered "thing". Of course you won't be able to get it revealed that easily as it's covered with locks! The creators really utilized this space quite well as we can see that the room is quite narrow and had a weird layout but they were able to utilize every inch of the space. As you venture deeper into the storyline, more and more will be revealed to you. The lighting was quite dramatic when there's a change of scenery. It really felt like we're entering a different realm and when you play this escape room you'll know exactly why. After playing so many games, it's hard to remember every single detail of the escape rooms. But one thing's for sure, we'll always remember the finale of "Shadow of Cthulhu"!! There was such an unexpected "wow ending" that we still reflect back on it till this day. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK One puzzle at the beginning had a clue that was rather confusing as the props did not resemble what we're suppose to see. We had to brute force the final digit due to this issue. Due to a tech issue we weren't able to see one of the props in full effect. I think it would have been cool to add a bit more "movement" to that to make it more impactful than just as entrance. There was a puzzle towards later on that if we had moved a certain prop we would have to "guess" the order as it was suppose to remain where it was. This should probably be adjusted since players would probably not memorize which prop was supposed to go where. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you love adventure and mystery then you'll love the storyline of "Shadow of Cthulhu". It definitely had a build up that we experienced from beginning to the end. This is our first time visiting Escape Room RVA (the original Ravenchase Adventures location) and we are already intrigued about their other rooms. If you finished playing their rooms, make sure to check out their sister companies: Escape Room Herndon, Escape Room Arlington, and Gnome & Raven! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There's a free parking lot right outside the facility (they are located around the BACKSIDE of the Village Shopping Center). Lobby area with seating. It's located downstairs (1 flight). Not wheelchair accessible. RVA also offers their customers water bottles and... ICE CREAM & POPSICLES! Yes, you heard it right!! Also, we found out that teams that set a new record (without using hints) will receive a golden gnome! 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 Room RVA 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 #EscapeRoomRVA #Mystery #Supernatural #EscapeRoomRVA #RavenChase #USA #Virginia

When the Orlando Voyager Magazine reached out to us wanting to feature us in one of their Inspiring Stories series, we were delighted to tell ours. Since we just got back from a Florida escape room tour then, we were also pleased to include some of the Orlando companies that we've visited (Bureau Escape Rooms, The Escape Game Orlando and The Escape Ventures). To read more about the interview, please click HERE. Thank you, Orlando Voyager Magazine for this opportunity!

Photos provided by NW Escape Experience Company: NW Escape Experience Game: CSI: North Pole Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Fantasy, Christmas Date Played: 12/9/2020 Difficulty (based on 2 players): Size of Team: 4-10 players Time: 60 Minutes Price: $30/pp 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 It's almost time for Christmas and an elf has gone rogue. He has stolen Santa's "Naughty and Nice" List! How is Santa going to deliver his gifts this year? Maybe with your help we can find the mischievous elf and recover the lists before it's too late! 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 This game was played over Zoom with a live avatar (detective Chestnut) and paired with the Telescape inventory system. We really liked how the game started from outside of the room with a very interactive intro from the game master. Moreover, the set design was on point even from before entering the room. Although the actual play space wasn't too large, it felt really cozy. The beautiful decorated Christmas tree and fire place really bought out the cheerful holiday feel. I think I almost smelled some chestnuts roasting.... 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 Even though the room itself was quite small, there were so many locks and puzzles! You're not going to find much high tech in this room but we love that basic gen-1 feel when the puzzles are done right. We really enjoyed the entertaining videos that were build into Telescape. They provided us with information on the elf who stole the list in a very comedic way. We definitely felt a bit of the game "Clue" from time to time. The interactive puzzles in Telescape also worked really well for teams. It allowed us to both work on certain puzzles together and others separately. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 This was such a fun room. Although I might have some bias towards the theme since Christmas is my favorite holiday but the entire remote experience along with the engaging avatar (Hopefully you'll get Alex! He's the best!) bought a really joyful feeling to our hearts. This room is definitely a great room to play with family and friends over the holidays. (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank NW Escape Experience for comping our tickets for their games. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #ESCAPETHEROOmers #AtHomeGames #EscapeRooms #NWEscapeExperience #CSINorthPole #SantaClaus #Santa #Holiday #Christmas #NorthPole #RemoteEscapeRoom #Fantasy #RemoteEscapeRoom #athomegame

Videos/ Photos provided by NW Escape Experience Company: NW Escape Experience Game: Operation: DB Cooper Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Detective Date Played: 12/9/2020 Difficulty (based on 2 players): Size of Team: 4-10 players Time: 60 Minutes Price: $30/PP 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 We've been working with the FBI to track down the notorious DB Cooper. He is the hijacker of the $200,000 ransom money. We believe he's hiding in a remote cabin in the woods. Will we find the jackpot this time? 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Agent Alex greeted us in front of the cabin door and made sure that we understood the backstory. There's a lot of searching that we had to do during the game but we're glad Agent Alex was on top of that and organized all the inventory in one place. We used Telescape mainly for the latter part of the game as we're able to easily visualize what Alex was doing with the inventory he's collected for us. One thing they did really well was the incorporation of audio components into Telescape. We were able to hear the clues very clearly versus ones that usually come through from the room itself. Some parts of the room felt a bit dark so if you can't see well, definitely have Alex shine some light on it. 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The puzzles weren't too difficult in this game. We finished with 27 minutes remaining with 2 people. It might also be because we've seen a good amount of these puzzles being used in other escape rooms before. It's still great to see them being utilized and we love revisiting them in new story settings. One puzzle in the latter part of the room didn't quite translate well for online as it was hard to see from just the avatar's camera angle (since it needed to cover more of a full range). We're still able to complete it with Alex's help but it's probably best as an in person puzzle. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 This is your classic gen-1 escape room. There's no red herrings, a great game master and your traditional escape room puzzles. Sometimes you don't need all that high-tech to jazz up a good game. We are pretty happy with the smooth game play. And being able to escape with a nice time at the end is always a plus! 😜 *** This game can no longer be booked as a remote game but can still be booked as an in-person experience *** (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank NW Escape Experience for comping our tickets for their games. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #ESCAPETHEROOmers #AtHomeGames #EscapeRooms #NWEscapeExperience #OperationDBCooper #RemoteEscapeRoom #Detective #athomegame #agent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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