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LOCATION: West Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Sure Lock Escapes Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Neon Shadows: The Polybius Files 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 10, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Sci-fi, Retro 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $42.00+/ pp (depending on # of players) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY In the early 1980's, the arcade game POLYBIUS emerged in the Pacific Northwest, associated with reports of strange player behavior and rumors of mind control and government conspiracies. The machines vanished mysteriously. Decades later, an abandoned storage unit filled with 80s memorabilia, including an eerie arcade cabinet, is found. Can you uncover the truth behind the Polybius legend? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE When we first stepped into the game, we were convinced we had stumbled into a time machine set to the 1980s. Movie posters, games, toys, and the arcade machine itself—it was like the 80s had packed up all its belongings and moved into one room. It was a thrilling and nostalgic blast from the past! There was this music puzzle that was so much fun, we might have "accidentally" hit replay a few times just to belt out some tunes. Who knew solving puzzles could double as karaoke night? The game followed a relatively linear progression; however, the abundance of items in the room necessitated a "search and find" approach at times, fostering a collaborative team effort. We particularly appreciated the sound notifications and light cues, as they effectively guided us by indicating precisely where and what to focus on for the subsequent puzzle, whether it involved something that had opened or where to locate the next clue. The creators employed a variety of innovative methods in utilizing props to construct the puzzles. One particular prop evoked memories of my school days, and we were impressed by the manner in which the solution was unveiled. The game dynamically adjusts based on your progress, making it indistinguishable which puzzles are optional and which are mandatory. We appreciated this seamless integration, as it contrasts with other games that need to label bonus puzzles. This design also provides enthusiasts with a more challenging experience compared to beginner players. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This game is certainly a highlight of our Washington escape room tour, and we have no additional comments regarding this segment. However, we suggest implementing a progression report, possibly on the arcade machine, to inform participants of the remaining puzzles they need to complete. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We absolutely loved this experience, especially me, being an 80's baby! It was a nostalgic trip down memory lane as I explored the game, bringing back so many wonderful memories. Brandon, being a 70s baby, probably recognized even more items since he has a few more years on me. But here's the thing: you don’t have to be born in those eras to enjoy this game. If you're from a younger generation, you'll likely be fascinated by some of these items—like, what's a projector? The fun is brilliantly built into the games and props, and anyone can have a blast playing them. The ending part gave us an adrenaline rush as the time counted down. We highly recommend giving this game a try when you're in the Seattle area! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is a paid lot immediately outside the building or free street parking where available. Lobby with seating and locker Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the other locations, 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 Sure Lock Escapes 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 #SureLockEscapes #Sci-Fi #Retro #Washington #USA

Photos have been provided by Escape Manor Company: Escape Manor Game: Taken: The Swiss Account Country: Canada 🇨🇦 Language: English Type of Game: Digital Escape Game 💻 Genre: Detective Date Played: June 14, 2020 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 6/10 Size of Team: Up to 4 Players Time: 60-90 Minutes (Approximately) Price: $19.99 + tax If your dream is to become a detective one day, this is the game for you! A high-profile personnel has been kidnapped! Our team of 4 will be working with INTERPOL to try to save him from the kidnappers and hopefully land a job at INTERPOL! This was a great game to be played on Zoom. Once you purchase it, you could host the game and play with friends anytime. There was a lot of searching that had to be done on different social media platforms (some we haven't even seen before). If you don't have LinkedIN, Spotify, Facebook and Instagram, your team would need to create one (free version is fine). There would be no need to add or follow anyone on these platforms. It's merely for clue searching. It would be wise to divide the different tasks among your team members. Some questions were very obvious and some would need a lot more digging. From first look, we thought we would be able to complete this game quite quickly but in the end, we completed it in about 45 minutes. This wasn't a game involving any logic puzzles. It was more of a mystery solving type of feel. It was still satisfying at times to be able to "unlock" answers from our cyber sleuthing results and the finale made us felt like we actually saved the day. Go Team! (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from"ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Escape Manor for providing us with a sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #AtHomeGames #EscapeRooms #EscapeManor #Taken #TheSwissAccount #DigitalEscapeGames #Detective #Hacking #Hacker #Adventure

LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of Escape Manor Toronto Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Asylum 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 16, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Horror, Detective 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 Players): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $33/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY What the hell happened here? After finally finding his room, through the ghostly and decrepit halls of the hospital, you take one look around the place before realizing what your gut has been telling you this entire time... that the good Doctor has most certainly and completely gone mad. Fresh blood (barely dried) stains the operating room. The walls are splattered with the last desperate pleas of his doomed patients. The diabolical tools of his infernal work sit freshly set, awaiting their next subject. Amongst the horror, you peruse the evidence as fast as you can, working through the mad riddle of his work, hoping to find the key that might help you end this horrible experiment. But wait, did you hear that? What was that noise? Do you get the feeling that somebody is watching you? The doctor is coming, act quick, before you become his next patient... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Escape rooms and horror are a match made in heaven. The room did a great job impressing the horror theme upon us as we entered, and they at least had me on edge the entire time we were in there. The décor was on point. Classic corrupted hospital-sanitarium scene, with a page taken of out of movies like Saw, amongst many other horror films. A giant operating table, a restraining chair, a secret passageway, mad graffiti. The puzzles were generally pretty clever and originated naturally from out of the theme. It was well designed and there was enough happening for everyone to go off on their own little mission. We never got stuck really on anything. Cool implementation of props, like the x ray reading machine, Rorschach tests, case files. The finale had a cool setup where the group is forced to make a choice, lending an extra dimension and reality to the narrative. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Puzzles were mostly classic lock and code type puzzles, so that it was an old school kind of room, which is not bad per se, but I would love to see the room get a remake, and am very excited to imagine where they could take it. More tech-based puzzles, more gore, dimmer lighting, disturbing visuals, terrifying use of sound, anything to crank up the scare and scramble factor. Thematic use of the horror: without spoiling anything, I wish they had ramped up the tension a little more, and had a more thematic and scary ending. Punctuate the groups progression with an ever accelerating degree of horror intimating the doctors approach. They should be holding us in the palm of their hands. Players are not just there for the puzzles, its the horror theme and the fear it invokes, the terror induced by the risk of taking each and every step, which makes it such a thrilling experience. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Overall, I thought it was well done and would recommend the room. Especially if your a fan of horror-themed detective games. The room was well designed and fun to explore, and the puzzles were inventive, and suitably challenging and engaging for the average escape room player. They did a good job of inducing that element of terror in the players, a sense of being watched, of being where your not suppose to be, and of terrible horrors right around the corner, which all add up to a thrilling experience. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Paid public parking nearby Near public transit Food and beverages served, alcohol, you can even have drinks ordered to your room! 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 Manor Toronto for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #AndrewWoods #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeManor #Asylum #Horror #Toronto #Canada

LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of Escape Manor Toronto Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Cabin 13 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 13, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Horror, Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 Players): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $37.50/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY When your childhood friend reaches out to ask you to help clear out his recently deceased grandmother's cosy cabin to sell it, you think it will be a perfect weekend vacation. Yet as you walk up to the door you feel something darker is afoot…and then Alex changes. You have one hour to save Alex or lose yourself in the process. Can you figure out the incantation in time? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Once again Escape Manor NAILED the set design to help create a truly eerie set. The use of light especially was tailored to the players and there were fun things to uncover all around the rooms. The use of a live actor was brilliantly done in the room. They respond to player interactions and really help make the experience as they vanished and turned up in the strangest of places. I also appreciated their creepy help when we lost our whiteboard marker. The puzzles made good use of the set and props that created fun aha moments when we clicked together. There are also some red herrings to ensure you cannot guess. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There was one puzzle we unknowingly guessed the answer to by fiddling with a prop. I feel like the clue to do something wasn’t fully clear. I would have liked to see a bit of a note letting players know there will be flashing lights in the room for those with medical needs. That said the live actor is very responsive and caught on quickly to suit our player experience. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Overall, I love a spooky game and this game had it in spades. I was scared to go into dark spaces and always looking over my shoulder while uncovering puzzles. If you loved haunted experiences, beautiful set designs, and a great example of a live actor in the room, check this room out! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Paid public parking nearby Near public transit Food and beverages served, alcohol, you can even have drinks ordered to your room! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the floor 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 Escape Manor Toronto for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #JillianRaymond #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeManor #Horror #Toronto #Canada

LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of Escape Manor Toronto Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Darts Reimagined 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 13, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Darts 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up to 6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $10.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public 🎭 THE EXPERIENCE Located in the core of downtown Toronto, we knew Escape Manor for its escape rooms, but we discovered it offers much more. Most of the escape rooms are in the basement, with a couple of exceptions. On the main floor, there’s a lounge with a small selection of games, cozy couches for relaxing with some cocktails and appies, and tables for enjoying a full meal. The second floor features axe throwing and an intriguing experience we had never heard of before, "Darts Reimagined". We were brought upstairs to our designated dart lane and given a quick introduction to the game, including how to use the touchscreen to enter names and different gameplay modes. A nearby table allowed us to order food to keep our energy up while we played (The pizza and nachos were our choice of snacks with no regrets). Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers The first thing that caught our attention was there was no need to figure out where the darts landed and try to do the math in your head. Through some magic and wizardry, the game automatically tracked our scores. We would simply throw the darts and retrieve them for the next player. "Darts Reimagined" offered several game modes, including Fill’er Up, a beginner-friendly take on classic darts without the double-in, double-out rule, and Monster Mash, which turned darts into a strategic territory control game. One of the highlights came at the end of Fill’er Up when the system captured and replayed the winning throw. "Darts Reimagined" took everything we love about darts and automated the things we don’t, like keeping score and tracking turns, so we could focus on simply having fun. The touchscreen was intuitive, the environment was safe, the variation of games kept things exciting and the whole experience was so memorable. Honestly, after trying "Darts Reimagined", I can’t imagine playing darts any other way! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Paid public parking nearby Near public transit Food and beverages served, alcohol, you can even have drinks ordered to your room! Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the floor 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 Escape Manor Toronto for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #IRLescaperoom #ImmersiveExperiences #EscapeManor #Darts #Toronto #Canada

LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of Escape Manor Toronto Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Wine Cellar 📅 DATE PLAYED: March 13, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Horror, Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 Players): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $37.50/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY As a wine connoisseur you have eagerly been waiting for an invitation to the famous Sir Arthur Bradford’s Winery. Yes there have been rumours going on surrounding the infamous recipe but what is the harm? Along in the wine cellar you get any idea though…search the cellar and uncover the secrets behind this recipe. There is that strange warning his employee left you though: discover the truth before HE discovers you. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Set design was detailed and really helped build ambiance and theme. I felt like I was in a real wine cellar - the barrel wall was my favourite! The cohesiveness of the puzzles and clues really worked in sync - everything had an importance and could be tied back to something. I like how they flowed into each other so you never felt things slowed down. There are two levels of difficulty available that allow variety for different experience levels. I liked how it added additional puzzles and physical elements to the game. The room makes good use of space and encourages you to keep exploring rooms. I liked the aha of realizing something from a previous room helped the current room! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK For experienced puzzlers a lot of puzzles are ones you have seen so you can move through puzzles pretty quickly. Initially we were not told about the different levels of difficulty so we recommend asking to ensure you’re playing at the level you want. The twist of the room was easily anticipated so the reveal at the end isn’t that surprising. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Overall, if you’re looking for a solid escape room experience with a bit of a spooky vibe this game delivers! I loved the space of the room, the smoothness of the experience, and the build up! I feel new players will feel challenged while experienced players could easily do this with an enjoyable glass of wine (did I mention Escape Manor allows you to order drinks into the room?). Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Paid public parking nearby Near public transit Food and beverages served, alcohol, you can even have drinks ordered to your room! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the floor 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 Escape Manor Toronto for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #JillianRaymond #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeManor #Asylum #Horror #Toronto #Canada

LOCATION: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of TRAPPED Ottawa Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Lost & Found 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 26, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Mystery, Romance 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 6 ppl): 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $33/ pp (2 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY Two former lovers, Fiona and Loey, bump into each other at the theater to see a movie that holds deep meaning for them both; a film about their shared past. To mend their broken bond, they must solve puzzles, overcome obstacles, and navigate their memories. In the end, they need to realize the truth: "Love is the greatest puzzle. Together, they are the key." 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE There were different types of puzzles, some of which promoted collaboration and communication, which were all fun to go through. Some of the puzzles also worked well with the theater theme. They did an amazing job making this feel like a theater through the film décor, theater seats, screen and other extra touches. Partway through the game, there was something like a progress meter that revealed itself. It was super creative and we loved watching it as we progressed. One clever detail was that the movie posters in the room were all escape rooms that Trapped has to offer. We loved the story and narrative to this. It was just a charming, feel-good room. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This was a solid room without any major misses. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? After playing so many escape rooms involving murder, death and suspense this one was quite refreshing with its heartwarming story. The puzzles involved a lot of collaboration, and the décor made the room immersive. Six of us enthusiasts played the room and we were definitely getting in each other’s way. We all agreed, though, that this would be a perfect date night experience given the puzzles and theme. This location also looks like it serves as a bar with tables and board games available for before or after your escape room. The drinks were very reasonably priced (Guinness for $5?!). ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Located on the second floor and had elevator access Tables and chairs with board games available to play The location had a bar that offered snacks and affordably priced drinks We did not try this but there was an option to get shots delivered into the room at a set time on the bar menu (I am very intrigued). 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 TRAPPED Ottawa 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. #MatthewLui #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #TRAPPEDOttawaEscapeRoom #Canada #Mystery #Romance #Ottawa #Ontario

LOCATION: Bunschoten-Spakenburg, Netherlands Photo above is property of Mama Bazooka Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Girl's Room 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 18, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Spooky Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-6 ppl (Ages 18+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: €159/Team (Wed-Thur), €169/Team (Fri-Sun) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (37:02) 📖 THE STORY Once upon a time there was a beautiful girl that lived in an orphanage. She dreamed of having a room of her own and one day her dream came true. The orphan girl was welcomed by a kind hearted man and was granted a very room of her own. This room was beyond her wildest dreams, with a dressing table, a warm and cozy bed and a dollhouse with all of the dolls she could ever wish for. The little girl was the happiest and most fortunate orphan there could have ever been... Little did she know that looks can be deceiving and that the loving man that took her into his safe arms wasn’t so lovely as she once thought. What happened to the orphan girl? Video above is property of Mama Bazooka 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Mama Bazooka has a fantastic waiting area with multiple table games, ping pong, and computer games to play… plus a stacked refreshments area with drinks and chocolates. I also helped myself to a cool ‘The Dome’ t-shirt! A professionally made video is played before the game to provide the back story and begins the immersion. The story does not get forgotten and remains prevalent throughout, providing closure by the end of the game. The set design is to a very high level. Only high-end props, furniture and special effects are used to ensure you are immersed as fully as possible. The scare factor level of the room is really well balanced. At the time of writing this review, I can clearly state that it is my favorite horror room, that does not make use of an actor. The atmosphere remains tense throughout and that, coupled with several jumpy moments, kept our adrenaline levels high. The puzzles are well struck and varied, always keeping the story and theme in consideration. They promote cooperation, exploration and out of the box thinking to complete. After the game concludes, you are welcomed into a private screening room where your GM will sit with you and revisit the best moments of your game, as captured by their cameras. This is a fantastic idea and something we hadn’t seen anywhere else; it was definitely appreciated! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK To pick fault with this game we really have to look at the small details. There was one puzzle which reused objects from a previous riddle. We would have preferred it if this puzzle would have required different objects instead. The result of this adjustment might even require one more puzzle to be added; which is never a bad thing! 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you like the idea of light role play and light interaction with an actor then this could be the game for you. The puzzles are not always easy, but this adrenaline filled escape room is highly recommended as a must play experience. We enjoyed everything about this game. In fact, it was our favorite room from a 24-room trip to the Netherlands. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking: There is free parking available on site. There is a large waiting area with seating Lockers are available Drinks & Merchandise available for purchase This game can be played in English & Dutch Photos above are property of Mama Bazooka (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 Mama Bazooka for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MamaBazooka #Spooky #Thriller #Netherlands

LOCATION: Bunschoten-Spakenburg, Netherlands Photo above is property of Mama Bazooka Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Dome 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 18, 2023 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 9/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-6 ppl (Ages 16+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: €179/Team (Wed-Thur), €189/Team (Fri-Sun) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes (52:25) 📖 THE STORY You enter "The Dome" to take part in some scientific experiments, however once inside things begin to go wrong. The criminal cyborg, Hector, has escaped and releases an extremely high dose of Sodium Cyclamate. Unfortunately, the drug causes severe hallucinations which interferes with your trials. Can you find the line between reality and illusion? Can you escape "The Dome"? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Mama Bazooka has a fantastic waiting area with multiple table games, ping pong, and computer games to play… plus a stacked refreshments area with drinks and chocolates. I also helped myself to a cool ‘The Dome’ t-shirt! The Dome smashes the boundaries of what we thought was possible to experience in an escape room. You will certainly believe you are hallucinating at times whilst the world is changing around you. No expense seems to have been sparred in creating one of the most memorable and immersive games in the world. The game is possible with less than four, but discouraged, and with good reason. The puzzles are quite expansive and require good teamwork to complete. This is certainly a case of the more brains the better. We played as a three and I would have definitely appreciated at least one person more. After the game concludes you are welcomed into a private screening room where your GM will sit with you and revisit the best moments of your game, as captured by their cameras. This is a fantastic idea and something we hadn’t seen anywhere else; it was definitely appreciated! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The game starts off with, in our opinion, two of the hardest of all the puzzles inside. It took us longer to complete than we would have liked, resulting in us feeling stressed for the remainder of the game, trying to catchup time for a successful escape. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Teams wanting to witness something truly special should not miss this game. But ensure you are prepared with a strong team and at least four people, should escaping in time be important to you. This is a high adrenaline, high stress, high reward experience. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking: There is free parking available on site. There is a large waiting area with seating Lockers are available Drinks & Merchandise available for purchase This game can be played in English & Dutch 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 Mama Bazooka for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MamaBazooka #TheDome #SciFi #Netherlands

LOCATION: Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada Photo above is property of CipherX Entertainment Photo above is property of CipherX Entertainment 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Chernobyl: Nuclear Meltdown 📅 DATE PLAYED: June 16, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl): 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $35/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: No 📖 THE STORY You are group of scientists working on some experiments at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power plant to see if the reactor could operate at an increased capacity. As the experiments happen, the reactor continues to grow with no signs of stopping. Can you diagnosis the issue and get the reactor under control and prevent a nuclear disaster? Video above is property of CipherX Entertainment 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The puzzles were well-themed and featured top-notch props, especially the control panels we interacted with. If you are a fan of logic and flow puzzles, there were plenty to keep you busy in this room. The room had some creative inputs for the puzzles that worked into the theme instead of standard padlocks. This definitely elevated the experience. The non-linear flow of the second room opened things up, allowing us to divide and conquer as well as the central input was fun to work with. The overall design of the room made us feel like we were in a nuclear laboratory. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A few puzzles required some outside knowledge or relied on “trial and error” to solve, which was frustrating since we continued to look around the room, assuming we didn’t have the information to complete those puzzles yet. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Outside of the frustrating trial and error puzzles, the puzzles that worked were solid and lots of fun. The room had a nice nuclear lab feel and some of the inputs and props that we played with were super creative. We played with three experienced people and were just a few minutes shy of completing the room. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Drinks available for purchase. Other activities including: Free-Roam VR X-Grid Rage Room Splatter Room Slime Party. More activities available at their other locations (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"!) #MatthewLui #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #CipherX #Chernobyl #Thriller #BritishColumbia #Canada

LOCATION: Gurnee, Illinois, USA Photo above is property of 60 to Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Duke's Farm 📅 DATE PLAYED: May 15, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $40.00 - $45.00/ pp (depending on # of players) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY You happen upon an adorable farmstand on your drive and have a craving for some fresh produce. The farmer doesn’t seem to be around, but it looks like you can help yourself and just leave some cash. May as well poke around a bit…there’s nothing like the peace and quiet of pastoral life…surely? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Playful spirit: We loved the cheeky humor and sense of play in this game, similar to the vibe at many of their Schaumburg rooms. (It had the most of this of the 4 games we played at this location.) So damn cute: We’d never encountered a farm stand theme for an escape room before, and it was both fresh and totally adorable. (Being from Vermont, we feel like we should have seen our first escape room cow there!) The puzzles were cute, campy, and aptly themed. Teamwork: There were a variety of thematic puzzles, some of which we just loved for their novelty and humor. But they also shone in the way they fostered communication by splitting info across multiple spaces. We found the game to flow smoothly overall. In-world intro: We really appreciated Duke, who we met through voiceovers (particularly during the game intro). He felt like a fun and very midwestern character! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Color distinction: As with many 60 to Escape rooms, the use of color lighting makes solving color-based puzzles more difficult than it should be. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Duke’s Farm" was our favorite game that we played at the Gurnee location! The farm stand was so endearing, and the sense of humor is right up our alley. While there’s not a ton of story development, there is a fun plot twist, and we appreciated the mix of something unique with something more familiar. Some of the spaces are on the smaller side, so it’s well suited to smaller groups. At least one player will need to crawl. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to hone your communication and observational skills. So if you’ve been wanting to commune with some farm animals, this is your chance…head to Duke’s Farm for a uniquely memorable experience! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO This location is inside the Gurnee Mills Mall (so plenty of free parking), to the left of the food court when you enter through entrance J. The lobby/waiting area where you check in has both shirts and some mainstream tabletop puzzle games for sale. There are bathrooms available. There are no lockers, but there are hooks and a spot on the floor in each room where you can leave your things. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of their Schaumburg location, an interview with the manager & owner, and a look inside their rooms (no puzzle spoilers) and more: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank 60 to Escape for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #DaveBristol #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #60toEscape #Mystery #Illinois #USA

LOCATION: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of Jigsaw Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The Castle 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 26, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Fantasy, Medieval 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl): 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 3-9 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: CAD $32.99/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: No 📖 THE STORY In the land of Elmir, a dark force has taken hold of the kingdom. You and your friends are the strongest knights in the realm but that is still not enough. There is a legendary weapon rumored to be powerful enough to stop the dark force hidden in the castle. You must find that weapon and bring peace to the land once more. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The puzzles ramped up quite nicely with some easy wins at the start before building to more complex puzzles at the end. The props in the room were fantastic and exceptionally high quality, including real metal armor, wooden artifacts and leather parchment. There was a fantastic mix of different puzzles, including some large scaled ones that allowed us to work together. Some of the technical puzzles offered solid feedback. The room overall was immersive with authentic décor, hanging banners and full suits of armor. The ending of the room was amazing and made for a satisfying completion to the game. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This was a solid room without any major misses. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "The Castle" was a fun, medieval-themed room with a smooth puzzle flow and challenges that made us work without ever dragging on. The quality props and detailed setting made for an immersive experience. The room concluded with an entertaining and memorable ending. Playing with five enthusiasts, we found it was a good number of people to see all the puzzles though you may not be involved in solving every one. This would be an excellent room for some intermediate escapers or anyone who would loves a solid medieval themed escape room. For Elmir! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Jigsaw Escape Rooms is owned by Escape Games Canada so there are some overlapping rooms with them. There are drinks and snacks available for purchase with some tables to hangout at if you are early or unwind after the room. The escape room is in the basement of the building. Photos above are property of Jigsaw Escape Rooms (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 Jigsaw Escape Rooms for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #JigsawEscapeRooms #Fantasy #Medieval #Ottawa #Ontario #Canada

Photo above is property of Puzzlesnacks Company: Puzzlesnacks (Published by Simon & Schuster) Game: Puzzlesnacks Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Puzzles By Mail 📬 Genre: Fun Date Played: August 13, 2021 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 4.5/10 Size of Team: Unlimited Time: Unlimited Price: $12.99 (Paperback) 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Crossword puzzles have always been an entertaining way of keeping up to date with general knowledge. It's also a great way to build your vocabulary! Now you have the chance to indulge yourself in 100+ crossword puzzles of various types created by none other than puzzle master Eric Berlin! 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 After a little back story, you can start immediately with crossword #1 or any one of the crosswords in the book. The book doesn't need to be played in order as none of the crosswords are associated in anyway. On the bottom corner of each of the puzzles, you'll see page numbers for hints. These are nudges that will either show you how the puzzle should be played or give you a reveal of one of the answers so you can figure out the rest on your own. When you have completed the puzzle or want to double check an answer, there's a "Answers" section at the back of the book. We really enjoyed the added "Hints" section as we haven't seen a crossword puzzle use this before and it really helps the players to understand the thought process behind the solution and gives them a chance to solve the puzzle on their own. Some of the above photos are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The crossword puzzles were extremely unique and presented in an array of different formats. There were a handful we haven't seen used before. They really challenged not only our vocabulary but our visualization. Answers were to be placed in spirals, diagonal, clockwise/counterclockwise, and many other orientations. There were some that needed multi-step solve versus just a direct answer. It literally felt like we're on a gigantic crossword rollercoaster! Although, it's advertised as "bite-size puzzles", some definitely felt like a full meal! Here's a tip from us to you: at some point you might need a ruler. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 We are big fans of crosswords and trivia. Brandon has to complete one before he goes to sleep everyday. We also play a quick session of Jeopardy with Alexa almost daily. This book was like instant "crack" for us. What we really enjoyed about Puzzlesnacks is that most of the vocabulary used were not super hard where you might need to Google for answers. Everyone can play this, even kids! This makes it really easy to take this book as a "on-the-go" type of entertainment. I know for sure "Puzzlesnacks" is definitely coming with us on our next flight! Check out our interview with the creators to understand more on the development side of the game: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this experience, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Puzzlesnacks 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 #PuzzlebyMail #OneOffs #Fun #PuzzleSnacks #USA #PuzzleBook #BehindTheMasterMinds

LOCATION: Wharton, New Jersey, USA Photo above is property of 13th Hour Escape Rooms 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Fall Harvest 📅 DATE PLAYED: July 29, 2026 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 120 Mins 💰 PRICE: $59.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY At a secluded and scenic farm, you and your team will assist in getting ready for the yearly Fall Harvest festival. However, be cautious, as the area's traditions are more sinister than you might anticipate... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE 13th Hour consistently delivers and impresses with their set designs, adding that "wow" factor every time! They never fail to astonish us when we enter their games, and just when you think you've seen it all, they elevate the experience even further. The impressive prop sizes, the authentic feel of being on a farm, and the atmospheric lighting all come together to create a masterpiece. This game is very spacious, requiring players to travel back and forth quite a bit. This aspect enhances the realism, making you truly feel like you're running through the fields of a genuine farm. You'll also need to keep track of what has been used and what hasn't, given the game's large scale. The creator expertly utilizes diverse set designs to portray a movie set, allowing you to experience a range of emotions as you navigate through them. Our favorite puzzles were those that required careful observation and teamwork to solve. It was incredibly satisfying, especially when we succeeded on the first try. There's a surprise element in the game that serves as a "signature" of 13th Hour. Even if you've played their games before, it remains a "wow" moment, particularly for new players. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The storyline of this game was confusing. We didn't clearly understand the preparation for a fair. The live actors' role in the game was minimal, seemingly added just to introduce a "change" in the game. There was no clear storyline for them to engage enthusiastically with their roles. Despite a minor malfunction at the game's end, the conclusion felt anti-climactic compared to their previous games, even if executed properly. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We absolutely recommend visiting 13th Hour if you're in the tristate area! With an impressive lineup of 10 games, they guarantee a top-notch and thrilling experience every single time. Their latest addition, "Fall Harvest", marks their 10th game, and just when you think they might have run out of unique storytelling tricks, they surprise you again! Staying true to their eerie roots, they've crafted yet another brilliant experiences! The earlier 13th Hour games, especially those centered on the Hayden family, were known for their challenging puzzles. Enthusiasts loved the complexity, while beginners enjoyed the 60-minute adventure, escape or not. But now, "Fall Harvest" brings simpler puzzles, making it perfect for everyone. Beginners can shine, and enthusiasts can breeze through the puzzles in a 2-hour session. We're already eagerly anticipating more fantastic experiences from them in the future! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot right in front Located in Warehouse "B" door 11 Lobby area with seating available This game has a live-actor 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 13th Hour 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. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Mystery #Eerie #13thHourEscapeRooms #USA #NewJersey

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Cognition Escapes Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: The 4th Door 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 20, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 Players): 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 4-9 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 80 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $40.00/ pp (4-5 ppl), $38.00/ pp (6+ ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY It all starts when a mysterious box appears at your doorstep. Naturally, you poke at it… what could possibly go wrong? A flicker of light, a strange hum, and suddenly you’ve uncovered a journal that hints that the box is a device capable of turning any door into a portal to anywhere in the world! The catch? It was stolen from a shadowy organization bent on global domination. Now they can track your location every 20 minutes, so if you want to survive, you’ll have to keep moving, at least until you can figure out how to get them off your tail!. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Unusual structure: This 80-minute room breaks from the standard escape formula in a way that totally works. You’ll race through four different spaces, each with its own puzzles, theme, and 20-minute ticking clock. If you don’t finish within that 20, you still have to move on…can’t let those ne’er-do-wells catch you! It’s a bit like 5 Wits in that way. However, solving challenges in the first three rooms earns you “key cards” that alter the difficulty of one of the puzzles in the last room. While there can be frustration if you don’t complete a room, the format kept things tense but exciting, and the variety between rooms made time fly. Backstory: Timed rooms can feel arbitrary, but here the story and sense of pursuit makes it feel justified, rather than arbitrary. Our GM also did a stellar job setting the scene, and the audience participation at the start added an unexpected bit of fun personalization. There were also some narrative elements in the transition between rooms, though we were too frantically trying to dive into the new puzzles to fully take them in. Something for everyone: This experience is full of cool set pieces and things to play with and lots of variety in your tasks. You’ll encounter everything from sensory puzzles involving smell and sound to dexterity-based and more classic logic and observation challenges. It’s the kind of game where no one player type dominates; every skill set finds a moment to shine. Each room offers a totally new theme and environment, keeping you alert and engaged from start to finish. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Journal confusion: You’re given a journal alongside the portal device, filled with notes that offer context and nudges for each puzzle. We were told it sat somewhere between standard in-game guidance and outright hints, which left us unsure whether consulting it was expected…or a sign of surrender. Maybe our GM was just softening the blow for when we inevitably cracked it open (we did), but that ambiguity made it harder to gauge how self-sufficient we were meant to be. I love when games subtly scale their difficulty, but it works best when players don’t know it’s happening. A couple dips in the momentum: There were a lot of rewarding moments in the game, but a couple challenges became a bit tedious once we knew what to do but had to wrestle with tricky, highly precise execution. And after 80 minutes of excitement and tension, the conclusion once we succeeded could have had a bit more oomph. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you’re craving something fast-paced, tech-forward, and full of variety, "The 4th Door" is worth stepping through. It’s a great fit for folks looking to test both their wits and reflexes. We played as a group of three and managed just fine (with one brief assist from the GM), but teams of four will have an easier time juggling the mix of tasks. This one’s not ideal for absolute beginners (who might get overwhelmed), but it’s an exciting romp for more experienced players who appreciate the different format (and can accept being moved forward on a schedule). So gather your crew, take a deep breath, and see if you can stay one step ahead of the chase! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Cognition Escapes is located in downtown Seattle, (close to the Amazon spheres (~12m walk from Pike Place Market)l. There are some paid parking lots nearby, as well as public transportation options. Parking at the Amazon corporate lots is also free on weekends and after 4pm on weekdays. The space itself has two main waiting areas with some puzzles to fiddle with as you wait, lockers, bathrooms, and a water dispenser. You'll need to go down stairs to enter. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Update: Cici & Brandon also visited Cognition Escapes to experience "The 4th Door" on August 10th, 2026. We were impressed by the concept and storyline, as the four spaces we transitioned through truly felt like being transported into distinct environments. The game presents a significant challenge for two players, given that each room allows only 20 minutes to complete all tasks, and once time expires, you must proceed. For those who desire complete resolution, it might be frustrating not to finish all the games and uncover the final solution. The puzzles were well-aligned with each room's theme, which was commendable. However, some puzzle input methods felt repetitive, particularly the quick reflex challenges, which could consume the entire allotted time if luck was not on your side. This game is better suited for larger groups. For enthusiasts of traditional puzzle challenges, we recommend exploring "The Experiment," which we plan to try on our next visit! (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 Cognition Escapes 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 #CognitionEscapes #SciFi #Washington #USA