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LOCATION: Osaka, Japan Photo above is property of Studio Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Madame LeClaire and the Seance of Death 📅 DATE PLAYED: October 21, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Murder Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-4 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: ¥9,900 (2 ppl), ¥14,400 (3 ppl), ¥18,400 (4 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You are a paranormal detective, about to investigate a crime scene in New York City, 1909. To solve the mystery, you must uncover the truth hidden within the hotel suite of the famous fortune teller, Madame LeClaire. Using your detective skills, can you reveal the secret behind the murder? Video above is property of Studio Escape 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The story, puzzles, and the decor all worked well together seamlessly. As we solved the puzzles, the mystery unfolded little by little, gradually building a sense of fear toward the end and delivering a satisfying “wow” moment, even though we consciously or unconsciously knew what was coming. The difficulty of puzzles was just right, allowing us to fully focus on the immersive experience. The flow was perfect, and every puzzle was thoughtfully designed to support and enhance the story. The room decor was meticulous and perfectly matched the vibe of the narrative. I also enjoyed how certain items subtly hinted at connections to other Studio Escape stories. After the game, you can order an original cocktail inspired by the game and talk about the experience with your game master if you have time. Even the bar itself was impressive. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We could only hear the audio clue once, and at some point, we lost track of part of the message. When playing this game, it is important to listen very carefully. There was only one puzzle where I felt that the method for deducing the answer was a bit ambiguous. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? “Madame LeClaire and the Seance of Death” was a deeply immersive mystery game. While puzzles themselves may not be mind-blowing, the room’s decoration and atmosphere, the strong connection between the story and the puzzles, and the way the mystery unfolded as a whole made the experience incredibly engaging. I felt like I was in a movie. If you have the chance to visit Osaka and are looking for a memorable game, I highly recommend stopping by Studio Escape and uncovering the secret behind this murder case. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Studio Escape is about a 10-minute walk from "Namba Station". Studio Escape has two locations, and this game is located on the second floor of the Nihonbashi branch. Please note that there is no parking available. Namba has many shops and restaurants nearby. Photos above are property of Studio Escape Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the owner, the room(s) (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"!) #ChikakoOmura #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #StudioEscape #SciFi #Mystery #Osaka #Japan

LOCATION: Port Charlotte, Florida, USA Photo above is property of The Escape Ventures Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Nightfall: Creature at Camp Deadwood 📅 DATE PLAYED: January 16, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: Starting at $42.99/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You’ve finally made it to your happy place: a peaceful camping trip in the woods. Fresh air, crackling campfire, stars overhead…what could go wrong? The local ranger greets you with a few unsettling stories about strange happenings in the area, but you chalk them up to classic campfire lore. After all, every national park has its legends, right? As night falls, though, this relaxing getaway turns into a race to understand what’s really lurking beyond the tree line and how to make it out before you become part of the legend yourselves. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Campy tone: A fun, slightly campy vibe throughout, with puzzles that feel right at home in a ranger station and deep-woods setting. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, despite the spooky atmosphere. There are a few well-timed jump scares, but nothing sustained or overwhelming. It would be enjoyable for many players who don’t usually gravitate toward horror. Set design: The Escape Ventures very thoughtfully used sound, lighting, scent to create and immersive environment that really made us feel like we were out at a national park. They made great use of space, drawing us into unique environments, and made it clear what’s actually in play versus what’s atmospheric set dressing. Clean, traditional entry mechanisms: This is a more classic, lock-forward room, but it was executed very cleanly. There was never confusion about which lock or mechanism went with which solve. Memorable puzzle: One puzzle particularly stood out, unlike anything we’ve seen before. It was simple, innovative, and very satisfying once it clicked. Unexpected beginning: A fun early-game twist (that may catch experienced players off guard) did a great job of flipping our initial expectations. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There are no major misses, so we have to get nit-picky on this one… We wanted a longer hike: We loved our time in the woods and simply wished the trail was a bit longer. The ability to add in an extra puzzle or two for more experienced groups would have elevated the experience further. One unclear waypoint: One counting-related puzzle felt slightly disconnected from the story and could have been a bit clearer, though it wasn’t a major issue. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Nightfall: Creature at Camp Deadwood" is an easy recommendation for almost everyone, unless you really can’t tolerate spookiness or scares. It’s actually a great entry point for a spooky room. There’s no gore, the scares are brief and earned, and the atmosphere is more “creepy campfire story” than full-blown nightmare fuel. The puzzles are logical and satisfying, the flow is smooth, the interactions with the GM are entertaining, and the setting is thoughtfully layered with nice touches (including a subtle, on-theme scent that really grounds you in the woods). It’s a great fit for families with tweens or teens, friend groups, or coworkers looking for something fun with a little edge. It’s campy in the best sense of the word, and all in all, a rollicking good time! So pack your gear, lace up your boots, and get ready for a camping trip you won’t forget. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO This location has free parking outside. You have use of lockers, bathroom, and a small seating area. Note: This game is not wheelchair accessible. (We love that this is clearly stated on their website. If you need accessible options, Click ‘N Glitch is fully wheelchair accessible, while Phantom Files is listed as “partially.”) 🔎 HINT If you think the lighting is poor, just take another look around. You may have missed something. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, interview with the owners, the room(s) (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 The Escape Ventures 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 #TheEscapeVentures #Horror #USA #Florida

LOCATION: Upland, California, USA Photo above is property of Trapped! Escape Room Upland Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Trials of Merlin 📅 DATE PLAYED : April 25, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : $42.00 - $45.00/ pp (depending on day of the week) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Long ago, there was a great evil that existed in our world. The wizard Merlin and his cohort used their powers to dispel this evil. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, and the evil force has found a way back. As Merlin and his companions are no longer around in human form, they have left behind a series of trials that, should you prove yourself worthy, will show you the way to defeat this evil and banish it from the land once more. Video above is property of Trapped! Escape Room Upland 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This is a room about magic, and you will be performing a wide range of magical stunts! Potion making, spell casting, conjuring, teleportation - so many key elements are represented; it is Dungeons & Dragons come to life! There are some very cool set pieces and surprising reveals, adding to the 'whoa!' factor. It featured adaptive difficulty in such a smooth way that we weren't even aware that it was being implemented, outside of a feeling of 'oh good we get to use that too!' (While we evidently did end up getting all the puzzles, we could imagine ways that they could implement removal of some of the puzzles without making people realize that they had missed out.) While there are many things to do, the room keeps the action moving forward at a good pace so you won't feel cramped for time or fear you're missing something. The GM has several fun 'roles' through which they can interact with you - not just for hints and nudges, either. This was a cute touch that made the game even more entertaining. Between the props (even some costumes), tangible objects to work with, and large set pieces, it is a very fun and whimsical room to play. For instance, the grimoires and tomes provided had an authentic feel, enriching the experience. The ending takes an unexpected turn, providing an excellent conclusion! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There is one very cool segment that didn't last long enough for us to take in every aspect - it could've been stretched out to allow for more participation and appreciation. The game is quite linear, so larger groups will want to take turns with the various tasks. Too big of a group will have people standing around watching the fun. Tech wasn't always responsive in anticipated timeframes or manners, so we weren't always sure if we had done something right and needed to wait, or wrong and needed to rethink things. There were also a few situations where a bit more signposting would have been helpful. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you've ever dreamed of being a wizard, now's your chance! Lovers of fantasy and spell-casting will find this charming. The physically interactive nature of most of the puzzles makes it well suited for kids, parties, and groups who are new to escape rooms. Seasoned veterans who can let go of their need for brain-busting puzzles will be able to enjoy the fanciful fun of upskilling their wizard side. While it’s listed as a minimum of 3, it seems like you might be able to make 2 work (but check with Trapped and anticipate paying for 3). It is definitely a delightful, whimsical experience with a memorable conclusion! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Trapped is on the second floor of a complex and was a bit tricky to find. GPS got us to the parking lot, we just had to keep our eyes open from there to find it in building B. Plenty of parking all around, and there is a bathroom around the back (just grab the key from the lobby). The lobby is small (as were the lockers), with drinks and merch available for purchase and a couple simple puzzles for while you wait. They have two other locations (San Dimas, CA and Las Vegas, NV) with different experiences at each one, worth checking out if you travel out west. 🔎   HINT Keep things you've used in mind, as they may be relevant again later! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the owner, the room(s) (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 Trapped! Escape Room Upland 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 #TrappedEscapeRoom #Fantasy #California #USA

LOCATION: Upland, California, USA Photo above is property of Trapped! Escape Room Upland Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Down The Rabbit Hole 📅 DATE PLAYED : April 25, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : $42.00 - $45.00/ pp (depending on day of the week) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Your dog has a habit of bringing home mysterious objects. Then one day, as you are out walking them, it dashes off in pursuit of something just out of your sight (as dogs often do). You keep up the chase and end up falling down, down, down a deep hole, to find yourself standing before a door. What lies behind the door, and what happened to your beloved puppy? Video above is property of Trapped! Escape Room Upland 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Our GM came out in character immediately for the intro - and then supported us during the game with a second persona. We always appreciate the extra level of immersion brought in by these types of interactions. This was a delightful room! Whimsy factor ten. It is charming from the first glance, and only becomes more so as it unfolds. This is reflected not only in the gorgeous sets but also some of the props and interactions that you engage with. The puzzles are physically interactive in a variety of ways - and the only 'lock' that requires a key is anything but! Definitely not your run of the mill 'this code goes here' room. There are several memorably enchanting reveals along the way, keeping us captivated throughout the experience. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There is a fairly extensive logic puzzle…while Krista loves logic puzzles and was happy to take it on, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. (Although, it wouldn't be too hard to brute force the answer, which may be a built-in workaround). We found the GM's character role to be charming and cute, but it was sometimes challenging to comprehend. We imagine that people who are hard of hearing or for whom English is a second language could find it frustrating (though it might be possible to remove the voice effect). This is an easier room, and we escaped well before the 60-minute mark. This was more of a bummer because we were having such a fabulous time in the game! Of course, this is not necessarily a bad thing for many groups, as it is a very approachable room. However, incorporation of some adaptive difficulty puzzles (as we saw in Trials of Merlin) would extend the gameplay for more experienced players. And we absolutely wanted to stay in the world they created! 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? The whole experience was adorable, so if that is your cup of tea, pull up a chair and join the party! It was definitely right up our alley, and we left with big smiles and full hearts. It may not be ideal for enthusiasts looking for a serious challenge. However, this is a great room for anyone who wants to revisit the wonder of being seven and play with a fanciful environment straight out of the stories from our childhoods. There are sweet surprises around every corner when you travel down the rabbit hole. Bring your kids, your grandparents, and anyone who is still a child at heart to this enchanting room! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Trapped is on the second floor of a complex and was a bit tricky to find. GPS got us to the parking lot, we just had to keep our eyes open from there to find it in building B. Plenty of parking all around, and there is a bathroom around the back (just grab the key from the lobby). The lobby is small (as were the lockers), with drinks and merch available for purchase and a couple simple puzzles for while you wait. They have two other locations (San Dimas, CA and Las Vegas, NV) with different experiences at each one, worth checking out if you travel out west. 🔎   HINT Check with the GM before getting too forceful, but there are two places where you may need to exert a bit more force than you might initially try. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Photos above are property of Trapped! Escape Room Upland Check out our YouTube video for an exclusive interview with the owner 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 Trapped! Escape Room Upland 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 #TrappedEscapeRoom #Fantasy #California #USA

LOCATION : Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Photo above is property of Monster Quest Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Frankenstein's Mansion 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 17, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi, Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $45.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY There's something fishy is happening inside Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory. It's up to you and your friends to find out the truth. You only have 60 minutes before he comes back. Escape in time or be the subject of his next experiment! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Monster Quest Escape Room is situated in a 100 year old building. Without any added decor, you'll already feel the eeriness right when you walk in. This atmosphere added a lovely "introduction" to the room we're about to enter. As we stepped inside Dr. Frankenstein's house, the creepy red lighting and the darkness made us feel like something or perhaps even "someone" was lurking in the shadows. We were drawn into the story immediately. A prop was used as a trigger point during the game to tell the story in chapters. It went perfectly with the time era of the story. I just wish the sound could be louder. There were some animatronics and jump scares in the room that triggered at impeccable times. We had a "wow" moment after knowing what we had to do with one of the puzzles in the later part of the game. It was quite clever on what prop had to be used in order for the puzzle to work. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Perhaps it's due to the Vegas dry weather but Brandon keeps getting zapped in this game. Not sure if there's a way to rectify this issue. One of the props used has two locks on both ends. Later we realized only one lock had to be opened. It would be best to replace the other end with some sort of "blocker" instead as we did take time to try to find the other key. There was a hearing puzzle at the beginning that was hard to detect its correct sequence as it had a specific pattern. It would be best to make the sequence and pattern more clear to the player. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We really enjoyed this game. The storyline was coherent, the progression of the puzzles was smooth and the overall ambiance all contributed to enhancing our experience. If you are a true Frankenstein fan, you'll be able to recognize many Easter Eggs in this game that pertain to the original story. The current setup of this location totally suits the name of the place. There are many different doors that could lead to different "Monster's lairs". The creators are currently working on a new game and we had the privilege of taking a sneak peek. It looks amazing and we're very excited to go back to check it out next time we're in Vegas! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking lot right outside of the facility. Lobby with seating available. 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 Monster Quest 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. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MonsterQuest #SciFi #Horror #USA #Nevada

LOCATION : Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Photo above is property of Monster Quest Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Curse of the Mummy 📅 DATE PLAYED : July 6, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl) : 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $45.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Legends speak of an age-old curse that befalls anyone who dares to disturb the Pharaoh's tomb. Are you brave enough to venture into the ancient ruins? Is the treasure worth the potential sacrifice of your life? Rumor has it that all who entered these sands before you mysteriously disappeared, never to return. Will you be able to withstand the Curse of the Mummy? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE From inside the tent to the starry night and finally into the Pharaoh's tomb, the set design offered various locations for exploration. The diverse ambient lighting in various areas beautifully complemented the theme of the room. Several puzzles in the game were exceptionally creative. We particularly enjoyed those that required us to think outside the box and use room items to complete missions. The "locks" in this room were in line with the ancient Egyptian theme, with one especially unique one not found in other games we've played prior. Throughout the game, the sound effects were inline with the storyline, adding an extra layer of excitement to the gaming experience. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Instead of solely relying on a "search and find" puzzle, it would have been beneficial to include a subtle story clue for a hidden compartment. We misinterpreted one of the puzzle clues, assuming there were three location inputs when one of them actually comprised two. Enhancing the clarity of the clue drawing could prevent such confusion in the future. In the summer, the room can become quite warm. We recommend installing an AC for added comfort. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room stood out as a delightful experience for us. Over the course of our adventures, we have encountered numerous Egyptian-themed rooms, each offering its own unique take on the ancient civilization. However, many of these rooms tended to lean too heavily on hieroglyphic translations, inundating us with an overwhelming amount of text to decipher. In some instances, the props and storyline failed to seamlessly align with the overarching theme, creating a sense of disjointedness within the gameplay. Yet, amidst these varied encounters, this particular room managed to strike a perfect balance that set it apart from the rest. It skillfully integrated elements of the storyline and puzzles. It is a testament to the creativity and dedication of the designers, who succeeded in creating a truly memorable and enjoyable adventure for the players. We are eagerly anticipating the release of their new room, which we hope will be available soon! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking lot right outside of the facility. Lobby with seating available. 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 Monster Quest 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. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MonsterQuest #SciFi #Adventure #USA #Nevada

LOCATION: Sarasota, Florida, USA Photo above is property of Evasive Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Family Fallout Shelter 📅 DATE PLAYED: January 16, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Thriller, Survival, Apocalypse 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: Starting at $44.99/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Your realtor is thrilled to show you your brand-new dream home, complete with spotless countertops, push-button convenience, and a friendly computer concierge ready to manage your perfect suburban life. There’s even apparently a fully stocked fallout shelter for “just in case”… though of course, that’s nothing to worry about. Probably. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Delightfully original theme: The 1950s Stepford family meets Cold War sci-fi vibe feels fresh, clever, and different from anything else we’ve played. Total immersion in an unhinged 50s world: They fully commit to and beautifully execute their vision. The space is small, but used exceptionally well and capable of some fantastic reveals. From the fonts and color palette to the music and sound design, everything works together to sell the retro-futuristic fantasy. We were grinning almost immediately, and have no doubt this room will charm you (unless you’re truly dead inside). Character-driven storytelling: The live actor intro as your realtor sets the tone perfectly, and your computer concierge does a fabulous job of providing humor and advancing the narrative. They would also serve as the in-world hint system, if needed. Smooth, satisfying puzzle flow: The puzzles are logical, creative, and feel right at home in the environment. Nothing feels forced or out of place, and the game moves along effortlessly. Campy humor done right: This room is silly, tongue-in-cheek, and clever. We genuinely couldn’t stop smiling the entire time. It knows exactly what it is and fully commits. Community Easter eggs: We loved spotting nods to Morty and Cornstalkers, and we wouldn’t be surprised if there were more we missed. It gave the whole experience a collaborative, community-minded feel that we loved. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Over too soon: At around 30 minutes, this one is a quick romp for experienced players. While there is some adaptive difficulty (mostly helpful for novices), the ability to add in a few more puzzles would make it a fuller experience for enthusiasts. We felt a bit like kids being told “lights out” when we were still wide-eyed and buzzing with excitement. We just wanted to keep playing. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room is absolutely delightful! Clever, charming, and bursting with personality, Family Fallout Shelter nails its aesthetic and the journey. The puzzles skew easier and the footprint is small, but it was perfect for our duo of enthusiasts. We’d enthusiastically recommend it to almost anyone, unless you exclusively play scary rooms. They can provide some accommodations for wheelchair users and sensory needs as well. Everything clicks here: the theme, the humor, the story, the character work, and the puzzle flow. We almost skipped this one and are SO glad we didn’t…it ended up being one of our favorites of our Florida tour! Evasive Escapes is clearly doing something special, and this room is one we’ll be smiling about for a long time. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO The lobby has a small seating area and some small lockers. (You may need to ask them to hold onto items that won’t fit.) There is a bathroom available and free parking right outside. If you have the opportunity, the owners are fantastic to chat with, and their passion for the industry is clear (and also easily seen in their games). Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Evasive Escape Rooms 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 #EvasiveEscapeRooms #Thriller #Apocalypse #USA #Florida

LOCATION: Warsaw, Poland Photo above is property of Świat Zagadek Photo above is property of Świat Zagadek 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Old Wardrobe 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 23, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Fantasy, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 70 Mins. 💰 PRICE: 280-340 PLN ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes [45:00] 📖 THE STORY Discover the Secret That Will Change Everything! As curious reporters of a local newspaper, you face the opportunity of a lifetime – to prove that the legend of a mysterious land hidden in the attic of the eccentric Mr. Ambroży is more than just an urban myth. Mr. Ambroży leaves his house only on weekends, giving you limited time to explore. Will you manage to solve all the puzzles of his attic full of secrets? Each clue brings you closer to uncovering the truth about the legendary land and the mythical castle of Cair Paravel. Your journalistic investigation will lead to an extraordinary discovery – a passage to a magical land! But that is only the beginning. Your ultimate goal is to find four ancient artifacts belonging to former rulers, hidden in the chambers of the mysterious castle of Cair Paravel. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Kind and warm escape room that leaves a pleasant afteraste. The Puzzles are very clear, and the game is not strictly linear - there are moments where the team can split up. The technical aspects worked smoothly. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The setting is rather modest for such a story; we would have liked a bit more immersive decorations. The storyline isn't very engaging - collect artifacts in 70 minutes. Not the strongest motivation. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? A good and enjoyable family game. Yes, it won’t amaze you with its beauty, but it won’t disappoint either. It’s fun to solve puzzles and uncover the secrets of Narnia together. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking available Be ready to climb a ladder Lobby with sitting area Restroom available Not wheelchair accessible Water in the sitting area Air conditioning Photos above are property of Świat Zagadek (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"!) #PaulShyshou #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #SwiatZagadek #Fantasy #Adventure #Warsaw #Poland

LOCATION: St. Gallen, Switzerland Photo above is property of ROOM Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Grand Hotel Noir 📅 DATE PLAYED: January 17, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Detective, Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl (Ages 9+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: 119 CHF - 179 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes [33;00] 📖 THE STORY Step into the shadow-soaked world of the 1950s, an era of smoky lounges, dangerous women, and men with loyalties for sale. Your detective agency has been hired to discreetly investigate a new case after a valuable item goes missing under suspicious circumstances. The trail leads you straight to the Grand Hotel Noir. As you dig deeper, you realize you're not just chasing clues, you’re navigating a web of corrupt cops, a cold-blooded swindler, and a cunning femme fatale, all of whom have their own stake in the loot. Whether the stolen item returns to its rightful owner… or vanishes forever into the city’s underworld… depends entirely on your team. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE A Convincing Film-Noir Atmosphere The room does an impressive job capturing the Golden Fifties aesthetic with era-appropriate décor; furniture pieces, art, and photos that adorn the walls. This is enhanced with effective lighting and audio effects. We liked that this all takes place in one large sized space that incorporates the hotel’s Reception and Bar area, allowing players to easily move around the space without getting in each other’s way. Strong Thematic Integration The narrative remains front and center throughout your investigation. From the very first moments, you are trying to piece together the clues to work out who did the crime, as well as trying to figure out what was stolen. To begin, one of us is separated from the rest, needing to watch a video and communicate with the rest of the team to understand what they need to do in order to be reunited. The story then remains alive through regular audio updates which are triggered by your progression into the game. Although these updates are central to solving any puzzles, they do add an extra layer of immersion. Beginner-Friendly The puzzles are designed to be accessible, logical, and thematically integrated, utilizing many of the room’s props. Even newcomers should feel confident navigating the game without feeling overwhelmed. Most of the puzzles involved using a prop in some way, but also required a small amount of out of the box thinking; so good logic and deduction skills are important, as is a good eye for observing the things about you. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Primarily a Single-Room Experience Although not inherently negative, players used to multi-room escapes may find it surprising that most of the gameplay happens in one central space. Fortunately, the room design compensates with thoughtful detail. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Grand Hotel Noir" is an excellent choice for players who love detective work, atmospheric storytelling, and immersive film-noir settings. The experience focuses on ambiance, logic, and narrative charm—not adrenaline or scares—making it ideal for anyone seeking a polished mystery rather than a high-stress thriller. We think the sweet spot for player count is 2–4, allowing everyone to be fully involved without crowding the space. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO The lobby features a full bar, snacks, ample seating, and lockers. There’s also a lounge area with free-to-use computer games, perfect for passing time before or unwinding afterward. This is a wheelchair accessible game. Photos above are property of ROOM Escape Room (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 ROOM 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. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #ROOMEscapeRoom #Mystery #Detective #StGallen #Switzerland

LOCATION: Orlando, Florida, USA Photo above is property of The Escape Ventures Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Cornstalkers: Lost in the Maize 📅 DATE PLAYED: January 12, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-12 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE: Starting at $64.99/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY As some of the coolest influencers around (obvi), you’ve scored an invite to a VIP experience at Clearview’s Fall Festival, known for its games, snacks, photo ops, and their legendary Maze of Fear. It’s the kind of content your followers live for. But as you venture deeper into the festival’s attractions, things become…less performative photo op and more real terror. Legends whisper of the Cornstalkers, and you’ve heard not everyone who enters the maze makes it back out. Can you show your followers your wits and courage to escape its fearsome grasp before you become part of the lore? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Top-tier acting and character work. The intro does a fantastic job setting the tone and pulling you straight into the expereince, and the characters you encounter are all distinct, memorable, and seamlessly integrated into gameplay. Even the crow-based hint system feels clever and fully in-world. Our GM, Rina, was a particularly incredible actress (one of the best we’ve had)! But, having played a number of their other games with other GMs, we’re confident that all their staff would deliver a good experience. It’s clearly something considered in their hiring process. A fall festival brought vividly to life. The autumn theme is nailed, with immersive sets that do a lot in relatively compact spaces. There are fun surprises tucked throughout, and the overall design feels playful, eerie, and lovingly crafted rather than repetitive or bare-bones. Puzzles don’t get lost in the corn. Despite being a heavily experiential room with actors and scares, there’s no shortage of puzzles. As a duo, we were constantly busy and escaped with only about ten seconds to spare… Smart separation of scares and solving. Intense moments are clearly delineated, allowing you to focus on puzzles when needed and then fully lean into the fear when it’s time. It strikes a great balance between adrenaline and brainpower. Adaptable fear and difficulty levels. They do their best to accommodate different types of groups in this a-maze-ing experience. The scare intensity and actor interactions can be toned down as needed, and there is also some adaptable difficulty, depending on your group’s experience level. Excellent use of sound. Audio cues (both digital and physical) cleverly help guide gameplay flow (alerting you when something’s been solved or signaling where danger lurks) while also reinforcing the spooky festival atmosphere. An evolving story as you progress. You gradually learn more about the fate of those who came before you and the unsettling legend of the Cornstalkers, giving the experience a satisfying narrative arc rather than a static premise. Content creator–friendly. Unlike many escape rooms, filming and posting are actually encouraged while you play, which fits the influencer framing perfectly and adds another fun layer to the experience. (Not to mention some great, free user generated content for them…) 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A bit more consistency in one puzzle. One symbol-matching puzzle could have slightly more consistent renditions of like symbols. Lighting rules. While phones are allowed for content purposes, you’re told that flashlights and flashes are off limits. However, our eyes definitely required the flashlight for a number of locks. We didn’t get scolded, but either saying they’re allowed for that purpose or providing flashlights or other lighting in those spots would be helpful for rule-followers! 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? I’m a bit of a wuss, but I definitely consider this a SCARY game. (We played at the default full scare intensity and highest difficulty level.) Even though the experience can be toned down, players should be ready for something at least creepy. If you’re up for that, "Cornstalkers" absolutely delivers a robust 90-minute experience that blends strong puzzles with experiential, actor-driven moments. Be prepared for some heart-pounding encounters! Add in the impressive behind-the-scenes coordination, immersive world-building, evolving story, and truly fabulous performances, and this became a clear highlight of our Florida trip (and that’s saying something in a state packed with great rooms). So get ready for your close up, grab your VIP pass, and see if you can escape with your followers (and your nerves) intact. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Lobby with games For best experience, players must be able to crawl and climb. Accommodations can be made however. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, interview with the owners, the room(s) (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 The Escape Ventures 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 #TheEscapeVentures #Horror #USA #Florida

Photo above is property of The Mysterious Package Company Company: The Mysterious Package Company Game: Doomensions: Mystery Manor Country: Canada 🇨🇦 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬 Genre: Paranormal Investigation Date Played: February 3, 2024 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 5/10 Size of Team: 1-4 players (Ages 14+) Time: Unlimited (Suggested 8-12 Hrs.) Price: $87.00 USD 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 You and your team of paranormal investigators have just been commissioned to unravel the obscurity inside a mystery manor. An artifact has been stolen and it's believed that the thief hid it inside one of the rooms... Video above is property of The Mysterious Package Company 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ The game arrives in a perfectly packed brown box w/ a "Mysterious Package Company" sticker on it. Once you open it, you will discover a vibrant purple & pinkish colored box with artwork of the "Mystery Manor"! There is no assembly required! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Once you lift the box lid, the first thing you'll notice is the instruction booklet. There is a QR code for you to scan if you decide to opt for the abridged audio introduction. I definitely recommend doing so! It really sets the tone for the game and enhances the experience. There is also decoder wheel, a hint book, a dossier, and a velvet pouch (containing a magnify glass, pencil, flashlight, and a notepad). Underneath you will find a book with 3 ribbons along the side tied to keep it shut! At the bottom of the box, there is a safe (you'll know when it's time to examine it later on in the experience). Note : This game has a hint book with a nudging system. If the hints don't lead you to an answer, there's a grid that you can plug the provided coordinates in to find out. 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 After reading the instructions and listening to the abridged audio introduction (optional), you are now ready to begin your investigation! For the most part of the game, you are going through the dossier case-by-case and using the pop-up book to gather your 3-digit code which you will align with the decoder wheel. Opening the dossier, you'll notice 5 case files separated by their tabs and there are 4 puzzles to solve for each marked in alphabetical order. Packed inside are photos, notes, newspaper clippings, and more evidence to sift through. Setting up the pop-up manor was brilliantly constructed to create your centerpiece. The 3 ribbons that were used to tie the book shut can now be tied to keep it open allowing you investigate each room by simply turning it. Inside the manor, there are over 8 rooms to explore. When we first started, the floor-plan of the manor was a bit confusing. Eventually, we had to put a sticky note up on each room labeling what it was. This entire experience will definitely last about 8 hours. There is so much backstory and interesting things to explore throughout the manor. One thing to keep in mind is that this entire game can be played without the internet. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 As expected from a pop-up book with so much artwork and attention to detail, there's going to be a lot searching involved in this game (the flashlight provided will definitely come in handy). At first, it's a bit confusing when you open a case file and start to examine all the information as it's scattered all over the place. The puzzles are marked with an alphabet, but figuring out which pieces correlated with the question was a bit challenging. Other familiar puzzles challenges were cleverly implemented into the dossier allowing your team of investigators to utilize their knowledge from past experiences to solve the case! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 Our reviewers have raved in the past about " NYARLATHOTEP ", " HASTUR ", " The Buried Puppet ", " Post Mortem London Gothic: The Ghost in the Machine ", and " Body of Evidence - Best Served Cold ", so it was great to experience firsthand the level of quality that The Mysterious Package Company puts into their games! Much like the other Mysterious Package Company games, " Doomensions: Mystery Manor " was beautifully constructed with an insane amount of attention to detail. Throughout the game, there were so many "wow' moments that we literally felt like were exploring different rooms and checking behind closets and cabinets! This reminded us a lot of " The Cursed Dollhouse " by ThinkFun but on a much larger scale! Towards the end, we definitely felt like we were inside of an escape room! Twice we both said to ourselves, "wait, there's more?". " Doomensions: Mystery Manor " is the perfect blend for escape room enthusiasts and tabletop gaming sleuths! Note : The Mysterious Package Company has provided a "Regifting Kit" for you in case you decide to pay it forward ! (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from" ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure: We thank The Mysterious Package Company  for providing us with a sample of their game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #Paranormal #Mystery #TheMysteriousPackageCompany #Canada

LOCATION: Clermont, Florida, USA Photo above is property of Mind Masters Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Strange Magic 📅 DATE PLAYED: January 12, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi, Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $30.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You thought you were simply showing up to play an escape room, but the curtain rises on something far more urgent. You’ve been quietly recruited by a mysterious organization to stop a once-celebrated magician who has crossed a dangerous line. Using a powerful amulet, he’s been draining the life force of his audiences, hiding sinister intent behind theatrical charm and sleight of hand. Your task is to locate the amulet and contain its power before he can capture his next audience. Video above is property of Red Door Escape Room (Las Vegas) 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Whimsical, theatrical fun. The experience leans into classic stage magic with charm and humor. Magical reveals, playful surprises, and even a campy, inclusive intro video set the tone. It’s one of those rooms that’s simply joyful to play, and we really appreciated this light-hearted nature. Meticulous detail, craftsmanship, and execution. This room is packed with thoughtful touches that reward close observation. Everything, from props to puzzles, feels intentional and rooted in a larger backstory and environment. There are no visible wires, no immersion-breaking “Do not touch” stickers, and everything linked to the GM and our real, modern world is linked to the “portal” door. The craftsmanship is no surprise given one owner’s background as a Cirque du Soleil prop maker. Smooth flow and satisfying puzzles. Everything worked really smoothly and kept us engaged. The puzzles were satisfying, often multi-step, and many cleverly riffed on classic magic tricks. Unexpected scoring system. Beyond just your final time, performance is tracked through solve speed for each puzzle, hint usage, and more. We debated whether knowing the details ahead of time would change how we played, but we appreciated the fresh approach. And we were, of course, delighted to hear we had an “excellent” two-player score. I’m sure they NEVER say that unless it’s true… A connective thread across games. The recurring portal concept (designed to carry across future rooms) is a smart way to create continuity without boxing the creators into one theme. It hints at a broader universe while keeping this experience fully self-contained. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There’s little to criticize here, but a few areas where things could be further elevated: Set polish at the margins. While the props and puzzle elements are beautifully realized, the wall surfaces are more plainly finished. That said, it’s a minor quibble in a room where everything else so strongly supports the theme. Broader narrative context. The mission-specific story is well developed, but the larger mystery of who exactly recruited you and why remains vague. A bit more narrative framing around this secret society could elevate the storytelling. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Strange Magic" is a classic escape room that just works, and works beautifully. It delivers seamless flow, thoughtful and varied puzzles, engaging reveals, and an environment brimming with personality. It’s lighthearted, family-friendly, and accessible, yet still rich with clever design and craftsmanship that enthusiasts will appreciate. (Though you may be sad it finished so soon!) If you have the chance, chatting with the owners afterward will really reveal just how much detail went into building this world. There’s a real sense of play here, a nod to the golden age of stage magic, and an obvious love for the art of escapery. Time flew by, we had an absolute blast, and we left grinning…always the surest sign that the trick was pulled off flawlessly. 🔎 HINT Make sure everyone is paying attention when someone solves a puzzle so as not to miss anything… ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is free parking right outside. Inside, bathrooms are available, along with seating and some lobby puzzles (and fun retro decor). They will show you a corner in the room where you can leave your things. 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 Mind Masters for providing a media discount for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #DaveBristol #IRLEscapeRoom #EscapeRooms #MindMasters #SciFi #Magic #Florida #USA

LOCATION: London, United Kingdom Photo above is property of clueQuest Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: IAMAI 📅 DATE PLAYED: January 25, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi, A.I., Tech 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 ppl (Ages 14+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: £39.99/ pp (Min. 4 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY How many times can one team be asked to save the world? Apparently at least three. On a dull Sunday in January, our group of four once again found ourselves stepping up to stop global catastrophe, this time at clueQuest’s newest room, IAMAI. Having previously foiled the dastardly plans of a rogue sheep (twice), we were now facing a Super AI threatening to take over the world’s devices — and naturally, we agreed to help. Before the mission could begin, we had to prove our humanity via a face scan (no “I’m not a robot” tick boxes here). Once cleared, we crossed into a strikingly futuristic space that felt like the inside of a computer: screens, projections, glowing lights, consoles, and a cryogenic pod filled a large open room, setting the tone immediately. Our objective centered around helping MM7, a wounded mechanical mouse ally. By repairing him, restoring his memories, and using the information he provided, we could finally trap the AI villain. From there, the adventure unfolded as a deep dive into a logic-driven, tech-heavy world that felt very different from a traditional lock-and-key escape room. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Stunning futuristic set design that genuinely feels like stepping inside a computer. Clever, logic-based puzzles with no padlocks in sight. Excellent use of interactive technology, projections, physical props, and sound. Strong sense of progression and narrative throughout the experience. A large, open space that supports teamwork and parallel problem-solving. Moments of genuine surprise that subvert expectations in delightful ways. Clear objective and strong sense of urgency that fuels adrenaline. A dramatic, unexpected ending that avoids being a damp squib. Adjustable difficulty and player scaling shows real care for accessibility. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Audio from screens and characters could be hard to hear at times. Background noise occasionally made dialogue less clear. Takes some adjustment for players used to traditional locks and codes. Roles and objectives aren’t always obvious at first. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Absolutely worth playing, especially if you enjoy immersive, tech-forward rooms A refreshing change from “standard” UK escape room formats Ideal for teams who enjoy logic, exploration, and layered problem-solving Particularly impressive for players who appreciate strong theming and set design Delivers excitement, teamwork, and memorable a-ha moments in equal measure ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO We completed the room in 52 of the 72 minutes, which feels justified given the amount to do. The hint system is screen-based and available if needed. The room supports larger groups and naturally encourages splitting into teams. The AI theme feels timely and culturally relevant. Families and kids will enjoy the space, tech, and freedom to move around. Enthusiasts looking for something different will find plenty to geek out over. clueQuest clearly wants players to succeed, with support always available if asked. And to them I make this promise, if you find you need our help to save the world from any type of enemy in the future, then you can certainly count on us!! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the manager, the room(s) (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 clueQuest for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #HelenBailey #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #clueQuest #SciFi #London #UK

Photo above is property of Puzzling Pursuits Company:    Puzzling Pursuits Game:     BLACKBRIM: 1876 Country:   USA 🇺🇸 Language:    English Type of Game:     Tabletop Game 📬 Genre:    Detective Date Played:    September 3, 2020 Difficulty (based on 2 players):     6/10 Size of Team:    Unlimited (Ages 13+) Time:    Unlimited (Approx 2-4 hrs) Price:    $29.95 ($5 flat rate Standard Shipping in the US) 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 It's the year 1876. Our story began in the English town of Blackbrim. A mysterious box arrived at our detective's office. It seemed like a police commissioner and his entire police force were being held hostage. He's requesting our assistance to help them and catch this kidnapper. From what we know this kidnapper is a devious puzzle maker. Will we succeed? 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ The game came in a customized bubble wrapping packaging. Inside, you'll find an elegant looking box with the game name printed on the cover. Everything screams mystery! Inside the box, you'll find 2 envelopes that's labeled part I and part II. I love the buckle belt opening design. It's so easy to open and close but has that detective folder vibe. Begin the game by reading the instruction booklet first. A web link for the hint system and a scoring chart (if you like to play in competitive mode) was provided inside the booklet. We really liked the coloration they chose for the graphics of this game. The grayish newspaper look definitely bought us back in time. Inside part 1, we received a beautifully waxed sealed envelope addressed to the "detective", 4 old photos, a town map, a letter from the commissioner, a letter from the kidnapper, a newspaper clipping, a menu, a spelling bee paper, and a 4 piece decoder mechanism. In part 2 of the game there were a total of 7 envelopes marked with different locations that needed to be "unlocked". Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 This game could be played as a solo player or collaboratively with a group. We played it as a team of 2 and it seemed to work perfectly with one person in charge of reading the narratives and the other looking for clues. Since there were two parts to the game, you could easily break them up and finish them in different times as you won't need to remember anything from part I that you'll need in part II. Knowing us, we had to finish it in one shot. There were 5 puzzles in part 1 and a metapuzzle which if solved correctly will give you access to part II of the game. Part II had 6 puzzles plus a metapuzzle. By solving the metapuzzle, you'll be awarded with the final ending story to the game. We really enjoyed how this game was constructed. Since the story line was build on kidnapping and searching for clues, we were able to pick up on the breadcrumbs that were left by the kidnapper throughout the game. At times, we even had to sleuth on the internet. The entire game felt like a pursue. In comparison we probably enjoyed part II more mainly due to the fact that it gave us more of an escape room vibe. As we solved the mini puzzles in each of the individual envelopes (they were all locked with locks that require different amount of letters), we were actually "unlocking" the next area. Answers could be easily checked on their website and if you do get stuck, there were hints that were quite helpful to guide you in the right direction. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The games really tried to use various types of puzzles that did not repeat themselves. It also had puzzles in different difficulty levels. Some were merely solved by searching on the internet where others took more time as they were multi-step puzzles. Our favorite one was a puzzle that played on words. Our least favorite was probably one of the decoding puzzle that we had to do as it was confusing on where the starting point would be. The way they were able to incorporate the puzzles into the story line was quite clever Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 We have to applaud the writer for giving us such an enjoyable back story to read. This was probably our most memorable part of this game. From the beginning of when we received the letter from the police commissioner to the various times we've received the letters from the kidnapper himself, it really lured us deeper and deeper into the plot. As the game entered part II, more stories were revealed on why the kidnapper was doing this. The research done on the history of 1800s century plus how the narrative was build really gave us the urge of wanting to search on the website to see if this story was real or not. From the presentation of the game design to the amount of game time we've received, it was definitely worth the value. Moreover, the game is replayable (if you are careful with not writing anything on the pages) so it could even be gifted or replayed at a later time! (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from" ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Puzzling Pursuits for providing us with a sample of their game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #PuzzlingPursuits #Mystery #USA

Photo above is property of Puzzling Pursuits Company:    Puzzling Pursuits Game:     La Famiglia Country:   USA 🇺🇸 Language:    English Type of Game:     Tabletop Game 📬 Genre:    Detective Date Played:    April 20, 2021 Difficulty (based on 2 players):     6.5/10 Size of Team:    Unlimited (Ages 13+) Time:    Unlimited (Approx 2-4 hrs) Price:    $29.95 ($5 flat rate Standard Shipping in the US) 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 It is the 1920s. The mafia has been profiting from illegal sales of liquor due to Prohibition. Chicago's famous mafia boss, Al Capone had just been arrested but there's more to the story. FBI has reached out to you to assist on finding out more information about another gang called La Famiglia. It is said that they could be more dangerous than Al Capone's gang Outfit. We wish you the best of luck! 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ We've always been a fan of " Puzzling Pursuits"s packaging. The black tissue paper and stickers that separate part I and part II of the game really provided that sense of mystery and elegance. In part I, there were 5 envelopes in different sizes. In part II, there were paper documents, newspaper articles, and posters. Before the game, we suggest going on the given weblink to check on the inventory in case anything was missing. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 This game is not linear at all and we love that. It's rare to get a tabletop game where me and Brandon doesn't have to fight over the materials. Since each envelope contains its own puzzle, we're able to pick the categories we felt more comfortable with. For instance, I chose the logic and Math ones where he picked wordplay. From the intro letter, you'll know which envelope to open first and from there you'll be able to piece together which clues are for which puzzle. If you get stuck, there are hints available on their website. Once you feel like you've found the right answer, you can check the solution on the same link. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 We really enjoyed the puzzles. There were 5 puzzles in Part I plus a meta puzzle at the end. Each envelope contained a puzzle ranging from easy ciphers to fun wordplays to harder logic and Math puzzles. Part II also has 6 puzzles. This part had puzzles that were somewhat intertwined with materials from part I. It was nice to be able to connect the storyline through the puzzles. Although the game did mention you can use outside resources, we didn't find that necessary. The meta puzzle at the end was also quite clever. It was a nice to conclude with a "wow" moment. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 I love the attention to detail in the game design. Since these envelopes were letters received by Bill before, the creators even cut open the envelopes for you. Puzzling Pursuits also did a great job at the way they're able to hide and reveal clues just by using plain paper materials. You might need to notice small differences on the artwork and sometimes it's quite difficult to spot but when you do find it, it feels like a great achievement. One other thing we really enjoyed is the narrative and how they're able to break that into part I and II of the game play. Part I was the build up on the back story and part II was the reveal. It was satisfying to be able to unveil the mystery piece by piece. The only complain I have is the wait time for another game from Puzzling Pursuits. I hope this time is sooner than later! (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from" ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Puzzling Pursuits for providing us with a sample of their game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #PuzzlingPursuits #Mystery #USA