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LOCATION : Boston, Massachusetts, USA Photo above is property of Co-Operatives Photo above is property of Co-Operatives 📝   ETR DECODER 🎭 GAME(s) : Sword in the Wall, The Big Dig, Elixir Mixer, Gnome Sweet Gnome, Codebreaker's Delight, Getaway Gamble 📅 DATE PLAYED : September 4, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Various 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 5.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-4 ppl (Sword in the Wall, The Big Dig, Elixir Mixer, Gnome Sweet Gnome), 4-8 ppl (Codebreaker's Delight, Getaway Gamble) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 30 Mins. (each) 💰 PRICE : $20.00/ pp (adults), $10.00/ pp (children & students) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE SETUP Co-Operatives has carved out a clever niche with their portable, split-information puzzle games. Each experience is a brisk 25 minutes, designed for pairs or small teams who stand on opposite sides of a wall and communicate their way to victory. The objective is always crystal clear, so you can dive straight into puzzling without long explanations. However, that doesn’t mean the puzzles themselves are necessarily obvious or easy, and there’s some nice exploration to be done within those confines. There are also pre-written hints available on a table and (for some games) additional tools or info you might need to play. When we visited, six games were available, though they rotate others in over time. We were greeted by co-owner Caleb and GM Matt, who were both friendly, enthusiastic, and clearly passionate about creating experiences that balance teamwork and fun. 🎮    GAMES PLAYED Here's a quick rundown of the (6) games we tried: Sword in the Wall : A knightly challenge with an Excalibur theme. Unambiguous (even if we initially thought a few things were unclear), well-signposted, and teamwork-heavy (as with all their options), this was an excellent intro game. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers The Big Dig : Archaeology-themed with solid puzzle variety (and great design of similar-but-just-different-enough symbols). A few locks were a little worn )they’re working on replacing them) and one mechanism allowed for too much wiggle room, but still satisfying to solve. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Elixir Mixer : Whimsical wizarding fun. It included a light, approachable logic puzzle with just the right splash of charm. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Gnome Sweet Gnome : One of our favorites! We loved the whimsical theming, very tactile elements, and cleanly designed puzzles. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Codebreaker’s Delight : Assemble a sandwich by solving puzzles?! Ok! Trickier, and a bit less thematic than their other games (but nicely absurdist). This is one of their two games for which they recommend a minimum of 4 players, but 2 enthusiasts would be fine. The visual puzzles stood out in this one! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Getaway Gamble: A heist game with very distinct vibes on each side of the wall - one had very pleasing visuals, while the other was a bit more gritty-heist-planning.and interactive teamwork. One very minor red herring, but overall very engaging and tactile, and the other game for which they say a minimum of 4. (Again, two enthusiasts would be ok, though there is one slightly awkward bit on one side with just one person.). One of our other favorites! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯    HIT THE BULLSEYE Wide range of themes. From knights and heists to gnomes and potions, the variety keeps things feeling fresh. Each game has its own playful flavor, which means there’s something appealing whether you prefer whimsy, adventure, or codebreaking. Though not for the horror lovers; everything here is family-friendly! Teamwork and communication is at the core. These games are designed so you cannot succeed without listening and sharing information with your partner. We love spli information puzzles, so a whole slew of them was a joy. We love the challenge of figuring out how to pair info and describing what you see in a way that clicks for the other side. Tactile, hands-on elements. Unlike purely paper-and-pencil experiences, many of the puzzles here involve manipulating physical objects. That added layer makes the solves more satisfying and scratches that escape room itch for players who like to do as much as they like to think. Clear signposting for shared info. Symbols and structures are well thought out, so it’s usually pretty obvious which pieces of information belong together. This avoids the frustration of “well, I had no way of knowing that was relevant to you” and instead keeps the focus on how well you communicate. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Lacking story. These games are puzzle-first, with light theming. While we don’t need a full developing narrative, just a little bit of backstory to give you motivation/context for the game would be great! Difficulty range is fairly narrow. Although they have them rated across a wide range of difficulties, to us most games felt like they sat at a fairly similar level of challenge. A mix of easier intro games (particularly) and more advanced brain-burners could better serve groups of varying experience levels. Hints are provided to help more novice players though, however. (Not really tiered, though. There is one sheet of hints per puzzle). Potential for noise and spoilers when busy. The games are adjacent, with curtains dividing each area. We were there on a fall weekday afternoon, and it was very quiet. (So no issues for us!) However, we imagine that during peak times, overhearing your neighbors could be distracting or give away solutions for a game you plan to play next. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Co-Operatives is a great fit for anyone who loves puzzles, thrives on communication, and wants something short but memorable. While they don’t have the story or immersion of a traditional escape room, these light-hearted 25-minute games are all about focus, teamwork, and a fresh twist on the escape room formula. Perfect for families with older kids, date nights, team-building groups, or puzzle enthusiasts looking to test their synergy. It’s also exciting to see a portable model that can travel to conventions or workplaces! Definitely worth a visit to try out a new form of puzzle game! ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Co-Operatives is tucked on the outside of Quincy Market in Boston, right near Ben & Jerry’s. (You can also find them popping up at board game conventions like PAX East and GenCon.) Several parking lots and metro stops are nearby, and bathrooms can be found in the market area. The space itself has a small waiting area with bite-sized spatial puzzles to warm up your brain, a tiny shop with shirts and a few games, and each game space has tables where you can stash your belongings (no lockers or seating). (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 Co-Operatives for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #DaveBristol #IRLEscapeRooms #Attractions #ImmersiveExperiences #CoOperatives #Various #Massachusetts #USA

LOCATION: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Photo above is property of Escape60 Photos above are property of Escape60 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Best Friends 📅 DATE PLAYED : August 7, 2022 🎬 GENRE : Fun, Sitcom 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 7 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 6-12 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $35.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You are all hanging out in Monica’s apartment doing your usual thing when Marcel the monkey decides to lock you all in. You all have places to go, things to do and people to see so you and your friends need to stop being on a break and figure out how to get out of here. This is the one where you are all get locked in the apartment. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE If you are a fan of the TV series " Friends " (Fun Fact: Brandon, co-founder of ESCAPETHEROOMers, was featured in the " Friends: Reunion "), you would love the décor of the room. The apartment was spot on with the coloring of the room to the design of the kitchen to the furniture placement. We were very much in Monica’s apartment. There were many fantastic easter eggs and fun trivia from the show. Each puzzle also incorporated these fun tidbits as well. The puzzles promoted teamwork as certain elements needed communication from different areas of the room. All the puzzles were solid with a wide range of variations. Each of them were signposted well to point you in the right direction into what you needed to solve them. We used the phone many times to get clues as we found phone numbers. One thing they did well that other escape rooms need to implement is that the phone would automatically play the audio clip loudly over the speaker phone vs. having only one person hear it and try to convey the message to the group. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK All the other locks were done in a way that you still needed to solve the puzzles to get the solution but there was one puzzle that if you knew your Friends trivia, you could bypass the puzzle and solve. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " BEST FRIENDS " was an entertaining escape room that was fun for the whole family. With the very recognizable décor and enough puzzles for all to work on and discovery, we had a great time exploring everything. This would be a great room with a large group of beginners getting into escape rooms or even a small group of enthusiasts. There were a lot of puzzles to solve to keep us busy. The room was big enough that it could fit all 7 of us without feeling too tight. Try this room out if you are fans of the TV series, Friends or are one who enjoys the feel of normal padlocks. Even with no tech, this room provided much enjoyment. Could this escape room BE any more fun? ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking " BEST FRIENDS " is located in their basement Located along with their licensed lounge Photos above are property of Escape60 (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 #FRIENDS #Fun #Sitcom #Escape60 #Canada #Alberta

LOCATION: Fairfield, New Jersey, USA Photo above is property of Fairfield Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Bunker 46 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 5, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Apocalyptic, Survival, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl (Age 16+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $45.00/ pp (Min. 2 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Congratulations on surviving the apocalypse! You and your team have discovered a neglected, nonfunctional bunker. Your mission is to restore it within one hour before the next wave arrives... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Initially, you might think there's little to do in the bunker, but we appreciated how the game designer swiftly "expanded" the space for players with a simple task at the start, suddenly revealing plenty to explore. There are several "stations" that require repair, and we appreciated the subtle hints scattered throughout the bunker. It’s thrilling to mentally connect which clues relate to each other and piece them together. The tasks aligned well with the story’s theme, involving items or tasks that needed to be found or completed to repair or open machinery or objects. The puzzles were enjoyable and inventive. Some relied purely on observation, while others required basic math and logic. Occasionally, you’d also come across a few multi-step challenges as well. There were exciting "reveals" in different parts of the room as items opened or became visible. Sound and light effects also played a role in enhancing the immersive experience. There was a sense of urgency (and even humor) built into the ending, offering a unique twist compared to a typical escape room conclusion. We really enjoyed that. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Some props or clues require sound or light to indicate the location of the item that has been unlocked, as it is currently hard to locate. Implementing a "checklist" could help clarify the narrative of repairing the bunker and aid players in organizing their tasks more efficiently. Additionally, the finale could be better explained to illustrate why the final task is necessary and how it contributes to fixing the bunker. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room was clearly designed with escape room enthusiasts in mind, and it's an absolute gem! Packed with puzzles, it challenged us to the max. With just two players racing against the 60-minute clock without any hints was pretty tough. There's a ton to solve, but also so much to observe and connect. We also found that because the room follows a linear path, tackling it with fewer players might actually be an advantage. With our suggestions to the company, we hope to make your gameplay smoother, but you absolutely have to try it out—this room has quickly become one of our favorites in Fairfield (until they create another one that is...)! ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Fairfield Escape Room is on the second floor of a business complex, accessible via stairs or an elevator. Games available for purchase. Lobby with seating 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 Fairfield 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 #FairfieldEscapeRoom #Survival #Adventure #Apocalypse #NewJersey #USA

LOCATION: Wappingers Falls, New York, USA Photo above is property of Escape Time Adventures Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Lost Tomb (Villain) 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 18, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Archaeology, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-8 ppl (Ages 10+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $32.95/ pp or $98.85/ group (8 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY We have finally found the entrance to the secret temple. Inside lies a priceless artifact that will give us the power to control the entire world! Today, is the day when the villains will win for once! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Your journey will start before you even get to the "portal" to the temple. We were very entertained by the introduction. The craftsmanship of the props and set design were top-notch . We were amazed by how real the jungle felt. Are we in an Indiana Jones movie? The sounds of animals, thunder, and of course the characters in the storyline all contributed to making this experience extremely immersive . Although we played the villain version of this game, we were lucky enough to also walk through the hero version as well. We were shocked at how different the games were even though they were staged in the same room. You'll also never notice the props that you didn't use in this game would be used in the other. The goal was clear from the beginning. As we solved the puzzles, it felt like we were completing scenes from a movie. The finale really reminded me of the Golden Idol scene from Indiana Jones. I can't reveal any more than this... 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We really enjoyed this room. Nothing to say here. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you had time to play just one of the versions then here's my take on which you should choose pending on your preferences. The villain version had puzzles that felt more difficult (especially a translation one that could be quite long). So if you want to challenge yourself, go for this version. The hero one had a couple of more special effects that would be more attractive to some people. Either way, you'll have a good time no matter which version you choose. All I know is, after the game ended, I was eagerly waiting for that post-credit scene. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking right in front of the location Lobby with seating & merchandise for sale You can choose to play either the hero or the villain version of this game. The puzzles are completely different. 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 Time Adventures 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 #EscapeTimeAdventures #Archaeology #Adventure #NewYork #USA

LOCATION: Wappingers Falls, New York, USA Photo above is property of Escape Time Adventures Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Dragon's Curse 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 18, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-8 ppl (Ages 8+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $32.95/ pp or $98.85/ group (8 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You've just entered the Wizard's castle. Since the land went under the evil Dragon's Curse, all the joyfulness had disappeared . The only way to save this magical world is to gather the ingredients for a powerful spell in order to vanquish the curse forever! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Your journey will start before you even get to the "portal" to the Wizard's castle. We were very entertained by the introduction. What is this sorcery? How we did just time travel to this magical land? Oh, it's just the incredible light and sound effects the creators used to alter the reality in our brains. Although there were no live actors, we always felt like there was one. The storyline was told by a wizard automatically through the progression of the puzzles. The execution was seamless. We never had the urge to check for time nor did we want to. All the props felt like they belonged in a magical realm. We especially enjoyed the spell-casting portion. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We didn't notice a few props had opened after we successfully solve the puzzles. A confirmation light or alert would be better than having to receive a clue. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? I have to admit, I am a little biased toward fantasy theme rooms (especially the good ones). Honestly, this room wasn't even on the list of the rooms we were supposed to play on our tour but as I was passing by it in the hallway, I was immediately attracted by the mythical aurora (it was calling my name!). Maybe think about creating a cool fantasy name for yourself before going to the game? The only complaint I have is not being able to keep going. What is another part of this magical realm look like? I'm leaving this difficult task for the creators at Escape Time Adventures as we'll definitely come back for the sequel! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking right in front of the location Lobby with seating & merchandise for sale Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Escape Time Adventures 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 #EscapeTimeAdventures #Fantasy #NewYork #USA

LOCATION: Gig Harbor, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Escape Hour Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Legend of Theradonia 📅 DATE PLAYED: September 16, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 Players): 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE: $45.00/ pp (Min. 2 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes 📖 THE STORY The Goblin King and his mischievous minions have attacked the six realms of Theradonia while the ArchMage was away, threatening to steal its magic. Your quest: recover six legendary swords and banish the goblins before the realms fall into darkness! The backstory online focuses on recovering missing magical orbs, but the main objective in (at least the current version of) the game is the sword recovery…we sometimes were a bit distracted during the voiceovers with the narrative, but we never did quite figure out how the swords related to the orb backstory from online. Though, we were entertained regardless! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Clever use of space. The design encourages you to revisit spaces often, spreading teammates across areas (minimizing the impact of some smaller spaces) and keeping your memory sharp. This constant “back-and-forth questing” made the space feel bigger than it was and added to the sense of ongoing discovery. Whimsical world-building. The décor, lighting, soundscape, and magical touches made us feel like adventurers wandering through Theradonia, with some great effects and surprises along the way. Even simple elements (like keyholes embedded right in the walls) added to the enchanting other-worldly-ness. Each chamber felt distinct yet cohesive, and opening new areas always felt like unlocking an exciting new chapter in a storybook. The character voiceovers added to the developing narrative over the game (even in we sometimes were too focused on puzzle-solving to give them the full attention they deserved). We appreciated that the hint system also didn’t break immersion; instead, the goblin-fighting guidance was delivered in-world, keeping the spell intact. Varied puzzle types. From logic to observation, pattern matching to teamwork, even puzzles involving smell and sound…the diversity kept our group engaged, with a lot of satisfying tactile elements. A couple of agility-based challenges added physicality without veering into frustration, and the balance of locks and tech gave both traditionalists and gadget-lovers something to enjoy. With unlimited hints, the game remained approachable without losing its charm. Atmospheric and (mostly) functional lighting. The lanterns were a nice thematic touch, and while we wished we’d thought to use the brighter one found further in, the mix of moody glow plus functional light kept the experience immersive and playable. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Accessibility hiccup. One puzzle was inaccessible for our shortest player. A footstool or step option would allow adventurers of all heights (and younger goblin-fighters) to take on this puzzle. A few immersion cracks. While the world was generally cohesive, one or two elements (notably a digital interface) felt a bit out of place in the otherwise mystical setting. Ghost puzzles. A few remnants of previously removed puzzles lingered and created momentary distractions. They didn’t derail our progress, but tidying them up would keep the magical illusion stronger. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Legend of Theradonia" was utterly charming! It’s full of whimsy, magic, and goblin trickery, providing plenty of excitement. Yet, it remains family-friendly, never veering into frightening. There are some multi-step challenges that may test your wits, but the forgiving hint system makes it possible for every party to triumph. At least one member must do a little crawling (heroes must occasionally get their hands dirty), though there may be a workaround if that’s a barrier. This is a quest woven with heart: designed and run by a family-owned company whose creativity shines through every detail. While a few tweaks could polish the experience further, it didn’t diminish the joy of the adventure. All in all, an enchanting romp through Theradonia…go take it on with sword in hand, send the goblins on the run, and restore magic to the land! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There are two separate lobbies here (each for 2 of their 4 games), with some game-specific memorabilia, enthusiast passports, small lockers, leaderboards, and bathrooms. There is plenty of free parking right out front. The staff we met (Adam and Jennifer) were both fun and enthusiastic. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!) Disclosure: We thank Escape Hour Gig Harbor 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 #EscapeHourGigHarbor #Fantasy #Washington #USA

Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Hourglass Escapes Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Tomb Raider Experience: Escape from the Temple of Fire 📅 DATE PLAYED : September 20, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Adventure, Archaeology 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 1-10 ppl (Ages 10+) (Suggest 4-8 ppl) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 90 Mins 💰 PRICE : $59.96/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes - everyone does (not advertised as an escape room but an experience) 📖 THE STORY A research assistant gig with Lara Croft initially sounded pretty cool! Maybe cataloguing artifacts, carrying a clipboard…definitely not dodging danger. But after an unexpected volcanic eruption spurs this expedition, it quickly becomes clear that “totally boring, nothing to worry about” was a lie. Now the world’s survival is on the line, and you’ll need sharp eyes, steady teamwork, and nerves of steel to help Lara save the day. No pressure, right? Video above is property of Hourglass Escapes 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Clear and evolving narrative adventure - The story unfolds seamlessly through multiple layers: audio, visuals, special effects, and in-room acting from the GM (to which ours was fully committed!). Even without deep knowledge of the Tomb Raider franchise, I felt swept into the adventure. I imagine true fans will find even more to love! Teamwork at its core - The game thrives on cooperative play, with plenty of split-information and communication-focused challenges. Non-linear design kept everyone on our team busy (though most in our group had limited puzzle experience), satisfying tactile elements engaged us, and observation was often key. A few puzzles were a little finicky about the input, so aim to be as precise as possible. English skills weren’t heavily required, making it more accessible to ESL players. Accessibility considerations - Thoughtful design made the game approachable for a wide audience: puzzles are color-blind-friendly, videos include subtitles, and the space is wheelchair accessible (though some climbing and stairs are required by at least one or two team members). Sensory accommodations for lighting and motion are also available by request, with plans to expand further. Definitely reach out to them if you have any specific concerns or needs! We were impressed by their diverse and intentional commitment to inclusion. Unique mementos - Post-game, you can have the option of some themed photos ($15), using a green screen. I’ve seen photos done like this before, which are fun, but what was really cool with Tomb Raider is that with your purchase you not only get a compilation photo but also an animated video that recaps the story and integrates your images. This was a really fun and unique memento (also great for sharing on socials) that lets you relive your expedition (and prove you survived to tell the tale). 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Missing what you missed - With a maximum of 20 points, many teams won’t hit perfection. While, as always, the GM reassured us we did well (with just 14/20), the structure means you don’t always see what you missed (or have a chance to do a full walk-through like you might in an escape room). Our GM kindly answered questions about puzzles we didn’t solve or see, but an additional way to revisit puzzles and their solutions (via a video or interactive digital display) would help ease the FOMO more fully. Minor immersion-breaking elements - Hints came directly from our GM in-room, which worked fine mechanically but weren’t always delivered in a way that made narrative sense. Similarly, some of the abrupt “time’s up, move on” transitions could be a bit more story-driven and explained (and reinforced by the GM as they shepherd us through). These were both quite minor issues, but places where some tweaks could further elevate the immersion. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Although it’s made by the folks behind the excellent Hourglass Escapes, this is not your standard escape room (and it isn’t marketed as one)! The Tomb Raider Experience is an immersive hybrid of storytelling, challenge, and cinematic effects. You’ll begin and end in narrative-driven spaces, with four puzzle-heavy chambers in between, each running on a timed track. Even if your team doesn’t conquer every challenge, you’ll always advance when the countdown hits zero, with your final score reflecting your victories. I sometimes wished I could linger longer or see every puzzle, but I understand the reasoning for this segmented, time-controlled structure. The adventure is family-friendly, but younger kids, small groups, or less experienced players may find some puzzles quite challenging. Our team only fully solved one of the four rooms, despite its “Easy” Morty rating. It’s perfect for teams with a spirit of adventure, folks who’ve always dreamed of channeling their inner Lara Croft or Indiana Jones, or anyone who wants a mix of puzzles and immersive action. With its prime Seattle location, it also works beautifully as a tourist attraction or team-building activity. I may not have uncovered every secret this time, but I’d happily dive back into the volcano for another run at glory (and the coveted “Tomb Raider” ranking). Photos above are property of Hourglass Escapes ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO " The Tomb Raider Experience " is located in downtown Seattle, near Pike Place Market and the Gum Wall. There are some paid parking lots nearby, as well as public transportation options. The space itself has a large waiting area with tables and teambuilding questions, lockers, bathrooms, a front counter where you can also buy some merch, a vending machine, and a few cool models of the experience space. The facility is wheelchair-friendly, and they can also make some accommodations for other needs. Minimum age 10yo, with an adult required with those under 16. 🔎 HINT Stone breath can be summoned or dispelled by hand. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our interview with the creator to understand more on the development side of these games: 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 Hourglass Escapes for comping our tickets for this game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #TombRaider #HourglassEscapes #Adventure #Washington #USA

LOCATION : Ponchatoula, Louisiana, USA Photo above is property of The Escape Warehouse Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Unidentified: The Case of Mystery Gates Theme Park 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 25, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl) : 4/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-9 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $34.99/ pp (Min. 2 ppl required) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Welcome to the FBI, new recruits. It's only been a couple of months, but you all haven't yet proven your worth to this team. Luckily, an investigation is underway at Mystery Gates theme park, and we believe your team might be up for the task. This assignment isn't given out lightly, as the A team is currently indisposed. There have been reports of disappearances around the theme park, and we need your team to investigate what's happening. Now it's time to step up and solve this case. Report back to us once you have gathered information. Surely, you can't mess this case up. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The opening moments of the game are like stepping into a portal to another world, where the ordinary rules of escape rooms no longer apply. It immediately signals to players that they're about to embark on an immersive journey within the confines of Mystery Gates theme park. As the narrative unfolds, each puzzle becomes a piece of the larger puzzle, seamlessly blending into the fabric of the storyline. Whether it's deciphering clues hidden within carnival games or navigating through maze-like pathways, every challenge feels like a natural extension of the theme park setting. Despite the underlying sense of mystery and foreboding, there's still an undeniable sense of fun and excitement permeating through the experience. The puzzles are designed to evoke the thrill of exploring an amusement park, with elements of surprise and discovery around every corner. It's a delicate balance that the game manages to strike perfectly, maintaining a sense of tension while still allowing players to revel in the whimsy of the theme park atmosphere. One of the most impressive aspects of the game is how it makes the most of the available space. From cramped crawlspaces to towering structures, every inch of the environment is meticulously crafted to enhance the gameplay experience. The attention to detail in the scenic design is evident, with each element contributing to the overall immersion. It's a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the Escape Warehouse team, who have managed to create a truly captivating world within the confines of their escape room. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Despite the immersive set design and scenic elements that effectively transport players into the story world, the game's confined spaces occasionally posed a challenge for our team of five. While these limitations were a testament to the creators' commitment to immersion, they also resulted in moments of feeling cramped and restricted. Furthermore, the climax of the game, where players typically expect a grand reveal or a satisfying resolution, fell somewhat short of expectations. While the journey through the storyline was exhilarating and engaging, the final moments lacked the wow factor that had characterized the rest of the experience. Our team found ourselves wishing for a more impactful conclusion that would have provided a more fulfilling end to the adventure. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " Unidentified: The Case of Mystery Gates Theme Park " stands out as a premier escape room experience, offering a compelling narrative filled with thrilling twists, challenging puzzles, and immersive gameplay. From the outset, players are drawn into an enthralling adventure that promises excitement and intrigue at every turn. The game's strong start sets the stage for an unforgettable experience, with each puzzle and clue expertly crafted to keep players engaged and immersed in the story. However, as the game progresses towards the end, there's a slight dip in momentum, and the initial excitement may diminish. Despite this minor slowdown, "Unidentified" remains a standout offering from the Escape Warehouse team, showcasing their talent for creating immersive and memorable escape room experiences. Players are left eagerly anticipating future adventures from this creative team, making it a must-try for escape room enthusiasts. Photos above are property of The Escape Warehouse ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Game Specific For best experience, ALL players should be able to climb, crawl, duck and squeeze in tight spaces. Not a wheelchair accessible game. Venue Specific Free Parking next to venue (Follow signs to correct door) Lobby with plenty of space and drinks and merch for purchase Private lockers for supplies during games Located ~10mins off of highway 12 and 55 between Baton Rogue LA and New Orleans LA 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 The Escape Warehouse  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. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #TheEscapeWarehouse #Thriller #Louisiana #USA

LOCATION : Ponchatoula, Louisiana, USA Photo above is property of The Escape Warehouse Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Hide & Seek 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 25, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-9 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $34.99/ pp (Min. 2 ppl required) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Disaster strikes as you and your group awaken in a closet, unaware of your whereabouts. The infamous serial killer responsible for your predicament presents a chilling offer: play a game of hide and seek within the confines of his twisted game. With a mere 60 minutes on the clock, the stakes couldn't be higher—if you successfully evade capture or manage to escape, freedom awaits. However, failure means falling into the clutches of the killer. How long can you outsmart your captor and evade capture? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The game's use of a blindfold at the start is a stroke of genius, plunging players into darkness and uncertainty from the outset. It's not just a gimmick; it serves to deepen immersion and anticipation as players await the unfolding of the mystery. As players remove the blindfold, they're met with the haunting visage of an old, decrepit house, perfectly captured in the set design. Every detail, from the creaking floorboards to the ominous stains on the walls, contributes to the atmosphere of foreboding. Rather than relying on modern gadgets or digital interfaces, the game embraces a more traditional approach to puzzle-solving, with locks and physical challenges dominating the experience. This nod to classic escape room mechanics adds a nostalgic charm while also presenting unique and inventive puzzles. Despite the absence of high-tech elements, the puzzle design remains fresh and engaging, seamlessly weaving into the narrative and propelling players forward in their quest to escape the clutches of the serial killer. One of the game's standout features is its emphasis on physical interaction within the set. Areas initially dismissed as mere background scenery often reveal hidden secrets or vital clues, keeping players on their toes and fostering a sense of exploration and discovery throughout the game. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK While the concept of hide and seek is central to the game's premise, our group felt that its execution could have been more immersive. While it made sense within the context of the story world, we wished for more active involvement in the hide and seek aspect. Enhancing player participation in the game of hide and seek could heighten the intensity and elevate the overall experience to a truly unforgettable level. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " Hide & Seek " demonstrates the power of a well-crafted escape room experience, relying solely on ordinary padlocks and minimal electronics to immerse players in its storyline. With a strong emphasis on puzzle flow and narrative depth, the game delves into a chilling tale of survival against a notorious serial killer. As we uncovered the dark history of the killer through intricate puzzles, the tension mounted, yet the game maintained a level of intensity that appealed to a wide audience without overwhelming them. The energetic momentum of the game remained consistent throughout, ensuring that both the story and puzzles kept us engaged until the very end. For those intrigued by the concept, Hide and Seek comes highly recommended as an immersive and captivating escape room experience. Photos above are property of The Escape Warehouse ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Game Specific For best experience, ALL players should be able to climb, crawl, duck and squeeze in tight spaces. Not a wheelchair accessible game. Venue Specific Free Parking next to venue (Follow signs to correct door) Lobby with plenty of space and drinks and merch for purchase Private lockers for supplies during games Located ~10mins off of highway 12 and 55 between Baton Rogue LA and New Orleans LA 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 The Escape Warehouse  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. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #TheEscapeWarehouse #Thriller #Louisiana #USA

LOCATION : Manchester, New Hampshire, USA Photo above is property of Granite State Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Dead Cabin 📅 DATE PLAYED : September 30, 2021 🎬 GENRE : Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : $30.00/ pp ($80 Min) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Hiking in the woods can be a fun way to explore all that nature has to offer. However... some trails should never be explored. Especially, when the trails that your considering for your expedition have had disappearances reported in the past. Still, you and your friends decide to venture off into the woods leading you to an abandoned cabin deep in the forest. You figure that it might be safer to find a way inside the cabin as opposed to sleeping outside for the night. Are you sure about that? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We love it when the storyline plays tricks with your mind and flirts with the unknown. The decision to venture off into the woods at night already writes it's own pages inside of a horror story. The unexpected twists and turns that slowly unraveled continued to pull us in deeper and deeper. We truly felt like characters inside of a slasher film. Again, we love set designs that incorporate the challenge of getting inside the "room". Because " Dead Cabin " takes place in the forest, that's exactly where we started... right in front of the porch. The build of this game had so much quality in it from the signposts to the outhouse to the porch leading inside all the way inside of the cabin! We love the utilization of space of the set design. The designer did not waste a single inch of it. She even thought of making the room handicap accessible with an exit ramp. The eeriness of the " Dead Cabin " did not need a live actor but every where we turned, there seem to be a pair of eyes staring at us. The puzzles were just as "eerie" and went with the storyline. We really enjoyed how they were build as backstory but at the same time also as puzzles. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK One puzzle at the beginning felt like a giveaway but the extra information made it feel like red herrings. Although this could be only pertaining to enthusiasts. It was a bit difficult sharing a lamp at the beginning as this room is mainly played in dim lighting. It would be helpful if each player received a light source. Although majority of the room is handicap accessible, at one point one person would probably need to crawl. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? The " Dead Cabin " was immersive from beginning to end! As soon as we entered the room, we felt like we were were encircled by trees in the forest. There was no where to go except into this creepy cabin. The puzzles made us use certain tools that we would actually utilized during a real life situation. If creepiness is not your cup of tea, they have 4 other themes to choose from plus more coming in the future! We took a peek at their other rooms and they look like a lot of fun as well! We will definitely be back to check those out in the future. 😊 ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO This is right in downtown Manchester. Parking is on-street or in garages, no problems there. It's downstairs, just off a main street with restaurants and shops a-plenty. They have bathrooms, lockers, and a wall showcasing the coolest clock collection we've ever seen. The waiting area has comfy chairs alongside some physical puzzles and a handheld maze. Handicap accessible 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 Granite State Escape Room for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Horror #GraniteStateEscapeRoom #USA #NewHampshire

LOCATION : Manchester, New Hampshire, USA Photo above is property of Granite State Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Blind Pig Speakeasy 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 5, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Prohibition Era 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : $ 30.00/ pp ($80 Min) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You work at a Speakeasy. The owner (your boss) has been arrested, and the police are due to arrive in an hour to shut the place down for good. Your task is to break in, find your way into his office, and recover his secret drink recipe. If you can't do that in due time, you'll be locked in the clink with him…and he doesn't take kindly to being disappointed. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This feels like a speakeasy from the moment you step into the back alley. The pictures and set dressing are just what you'd expect to find if you were transported back to the 20's. The puzzles are thematic, drawing directly from period items found inside as well as the sorts of activities you'd expect a rumrunner to engage in. Unlike some rooms that are fully gated, this room gives you some elements early on that don't come into play until much later and requires some back and forth movements between the different locations. This approach leads to a more authentic feeling that you are figuring out what needs to be done, rather than completing a checklist and moving on. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A couple of the technical aspects didn't work immediately when we had them solved and required a bit of fiddling to get them to trigger. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is a fun room with lots of locks to open and a variety of thematic puzzles to solve, in a well-developed environment. It will be appealing for those new to escape rooms, and should also please veterans who are looking for a smooth room with classic flavor. While it may not break any new ground, it does everything well, a reflection of GSE's attention to detail. 🔎 HINT Know your prime numbers!! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO This is right in downtown Manchester. Parking is on-street or in garages, no problems there. It's downstairs, just off a main street with restaurants and shops a-plenty. They have bathrooms, lockers, and a wall showcasing the coolest clock collection we've ever seen. The waiting area has comfy chairs alongside some physical puzzles and a handheld maze. They currently have four rooms open and available to play. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our visit to Granite State Escape and our exclusive interview with the owner to understand more on the development side of the game: 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 Granite State 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. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #ProhibitionEra #GraniteStateEscapeRoom #USA #NewHampshire

LOCATION : Manchester, New Hampshire, USA Photo above is property of Granite State Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Project Mars 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 5, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : $30.00/ pp ($80 Min) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You're in a research station on Mars, and there's been a catastrophic failure!! You’ll need to work together to restore power and get the fuel flowing, either to save the station or - worst-case scenario - activate the Escape Pod. You are fortunate to have the ship's friendly A.I., SALLI, to guide you through the process and offer her assistance. Can you get things back online and resume your mission before your ship's resources run out? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Many of the tasks required teamwork and communication, just as they would in a true mission in space. You are dependent upon the skills and cooperation of your teammates to restore the facility to its previous working order. Most of the puzzles are completely hands-on, once again mimicking the situation as it would present in real life. The lighting and set design give the feel of being in a simulator at space camp! The game requires movement between different sections and retaining both information and materials from early on in order to solve puzzles later in the game. There is true story development in this one - your mission and objectives evolve as you go. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There is one piece of communication we found to be informative as well as misleading, which added unnecessary confusion without any positive impact. There were many diagrams and schematics, and we appreciated the level of work and detail that went into creating them. However, one seemed to be ambiguous in representing the area. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is a visually rich room that has a lot of teamwork-based activities to work through, and is one of the most entertaining and fluid space-themed escape rooms we've tackled! The wide range of technical tasks, coupled with narrative twists and turns keep it fresh and interesting. If you've ever dreamed of being an astronaut, roll up your sleeves and get busy connecting wires and flipping switches! This room will give you the feeling you've always craved! 🔎 HINT This room has a lot of things you could watch and fiddle with: stay on task and avoid getting distracted! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO This is right in downtown Manchester. Parking is on-street or in garages, no problems there. It's downstairs, just off a main street with restaurants and shops a-plenty. They have bathrooms, lockers, and a wall showcasing the coolest clock collection we've ever seen. The waiting area has comfy chairs alongside some physical puzzles and a handheld maze. They currently have four rooms open and available to play. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our visit to Granite State Escape and our exclusive interview with the owner to understand more on the development side of the game: 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 Granite State 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. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #SciFi #GraniteStateEscapeRoom #USA #NewHampshire

Photo above is property of Thames & Kosmos Company: Thames & Kosmos Game: Australis Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬 Genre: Board Game, Party Game, Family Date Played: August 26, 2025 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 5/10 Size of Team: 2-4 Players (Ages 10+) Time: 60 Mins. Price: $41.95 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Off of Australia’s coast lies the Eastern Australian Current (EAC), a warm ocean super highway, where you can find sea turtles, coral, fish and more. Each round, players draft dice to feed fish, move their turtle forwards, and grow coral. The players then use their drafted dice in a showdown. Along the way, points are earned. The player with the most points at the end of five rounds wins. Will you be able to thrive in the turbulent waters of the EAC? 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ Opening the box, we found ourselves greeted with a beautiful board of the Australian coast, ready for marine life to join in. Looking through things, there is lovely artwork of turtles on the cards, clownfish tokens and coral all around. Each of the four coral sets comes in a distinct shape and color, keeping the theme front and center. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 The game is played over a course of five rounds where each round consists of three phases (which is shown on your individual play tracker). At the start of the round, players take turns drafting dice from a communal pool, where each dice allows you to take a different action. The actions allow you to move your turtle along the Eastern Australian Current (EAC) for points and tiebreakers, place coral to compete for area control scoring, collect fish that provides set collection scoring, or draw and play cards that can give you ongoing or immediate bonuses. A large red die is also available, which doesn’t have an action but is the strongest dice for the dice showdown as well as allows you first pick of dice in the next round. Phase 2 consists of adding up the points for the round and moving yourself on the point tracker. This comes from three sources. First, how far your turtle is on the EAC, second is whoever has the most (and sometimes the second most) coral in each pool and finally how many fish you have that you can feed. After the dice selection and point scoring has taken place, a dice showdown is set for phase 3. Players roll their numbered chosen dice (fish collection and draw card dices have no numbers on them), with the lowest dice eliminated each time until only one player remains. The winner of the battle chooses a gold or silver tile, while the runner up receives the other. These tiles give either endgame points and additional fish food depending which one is taken. " Australis " plays fairly straightforward with three phases spread over five rounds. Even playing with my kids, after the first round they were able to understand the strategy. The game has a good mix of point management, engine building and suspenseful luck with the dice battle. The quality of the components seemed a little underwhelming as some of the paint on the dice began to scratch off after a few plays and the board is already showing some signs of wear but the artwork on everything looks so beautiful and on point with the theme, from the EAC on the board to the turtles on the cards and the fish tokens. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🆁🅰🆃🅴🅶🆈 The biggest strategy in " Australis " revolves around building a point engine through early card collection. By the fourth or fifth round though, it’s better to discard cards from the card collection dice to make a push on points. Specifically for the coral dice, if a 7 or 8 comes up, grab it, since getting to those pools is tough. At the same time, don’t ignore your turtle, as every tiebreaker is decided by its position on the EAC as well as getting additional fish food the further you go. Fish scoring also ramps up exponentially which you can reap benefits in later rounds if you play it right. Also, while you plan as best as you can, you can’t plan the luck of the roll for the dice showdown. If you can win without the red dice, then fantastic but if you find yourself falling behind on points, taking the red dice once or twice might be what you need to do to give yourself a boost. The rule book also mentions that getting extra fish food for winning the dice showdown is only available for the first 3 rounds so you might want to do that. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Australis " has a lot of high points (no pun intended) and was a perfect family game that was straightforward enough for my tween kids to learn but had enough strategy for the parents. The rounds and phases were easy to navigate but with the scoring coming from many sources, it kept everyone engaged with all the decisions. Do you try to grow more coral and block others from scoring or get more fish and hope to win the dice showdown for food? The dice showdown added some luck to ensure anyone behind in points had a chance to catch up. This was a perfect kids’ “My first engine building” game where they learn that grabbing cards early on could give them ongoing benefits later. With the eye catching artwork, little downtime and various actions from the dice to calculated decisions, this is a game that will hit the table many times at home. 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 game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Thames & Kosmos for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #OneOffs #BoardGame #Family #PartyGames #ThamesandKosmos #USA

LOCATION: Passaic, New Jersey, USA Photo above is property of Brighton Asylum Escape 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Subway Escape 📅 DATE PLAYED : August 10, 2022 🎬 GENRE : Heist 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : Up To 10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : $34.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You and your group of friends received a text message from one of your friends - Tony Calzone requesting that you meet him on an abandoned subway platform. You decide to find out what Tony is up to when you realize that he's not even there. Instead, he's gathered you and your friends to participate in his treasure hunt to find the famous "Rockefeller Ruby Apple". Rumor has it that this priceless artifact was hidden on an abandoned train at this subway station... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE It's always a fun experience being inside a train-themed escape room, especially since we were born and raised in NYC and it's quite a familiar experience for us. It was also nice to have a little twist this time as the creator decided to add a heist element to it. The starting point was on an abandoned subway platform. From there, we had to figure out a way to get onto the actual train. Being inside of a warehouse, the high ceilings really helped facilitate the true size of a train and the surrounding areas. Once you are on the train, you can actually feel the train "moving". The closing of the doors and the minor vibrations were very nicely done. There was one puzzle where the creator utilized props in order to maneuver a certain puzzle that we haven't seen designed elsewhere before. It was a unique teamwork type of puzzle. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We spent a good amount of time trying to figure out a simple puzzle at the beginning. It was confusing to us as the props could be read in various ways and there was no clear indication as to what type of input was required for the solution, so we had to try a couple of different ways. Some of the props were cleverly hidden, but it had us questioning if we needed to use force or not. It definitely required more than 2 fingers and some "wiggling". 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "Subway Escape" is different from the other two escape rooms we've played at Brighton Asylum Escape - " The Tomb " and " 1408 Escape ", since it was build in-house. We feel like there's definitely been an improvement for this game versus the previous two. Although, some of the puzzles still needed some work, the set design and storyline is much closer to an escape room versus a random puzzle vibe. If you think you got what it takes to retrieve the famous "Rockefeller Ruby Apple", then you better not miss getting on that train! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot right in front (might be hard to find, please call the location if you get lost). 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 Brighton Asylum Escape 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 #Heist #BrightonAsylumEscape #USA #NewJersey

LOCATION: Passaic, New Jersey, USA Photo above provided by Brighton Asylum Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : 1408 Escape 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 8, 2019 🎬 GENRE : Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : Up To 8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : $40.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Today we are visiting the Brighton Asylum haunted house attraction in Passaic, New Jersey. The parking lot is in the back of the facility and the entrance is on the right side and the end. During the busy season, they have a parking lot offsite in which they provide complimentary shuttle buses to and from. They currently offer 3 haunted attractions - "Brighton Asylum", "The Tunnel", and "The Bleeding Grounds" and they are all top notch! You can experience all 3 of them for $35.00 which is a great deal. Stay tuned for their new horror house to come this Halloween '19. In the mean time, they have a scare for you for every big holiday of the year (coming soon - " Saint Patrick's Slay ") . Besides the decor and set design, the surround sound and the lighting system throughout is on another level! Recently, they started offering escape rooms to the public - two 5 minute escape rooms ("Bomb Squad" and "The Device") and two 60 minute escape rooms ("1408 Escape" and "Curse of the Tomb"). We are attempting to try both of their 60 minutes rooms starting with "1408 Escape". We were fortunate enough to meet with the owner and developer to learn more about the company and get a tour of the haunted attractions. As a disclaimer, we were told by the owner that the two 60 minute rooms that we were going to try were not developed by him and that it was outsourced. Moving forward, the escape rooms that he's working on now and preparing to launch will be developed in-house with the same level of quality and detail as his haunted attractions. The room design of the "1408 Escape" room felt a little bit dated and for safety reasons there was no ceiling to the rooms which distracted us a little bit.. We've seen other rooms without a ceiling, but it was dimly lit which allowed us to continue our game without any distractions. There were some unique puzzle designs in there, but the flow of the game wasn't really there. We didn't get some of the logic behind the challenges. Although the storyline correlated with the film - "1408" , the ending didn't make sense and it seemed like we solved it but didn't understand how. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Full disclosure : This room was not designed by Brighton Asylum and no way reflects on the company. (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 Brighton Asylum Escape  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 #BrightonAsylum #Horror #NewJersey #USA