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LOCATION: Turnersville, New Jersey, USA Photo above is property of Think Solve Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Witch Cabin 📅 DATE PLAYED : June 3, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Spooky, Family-Friendly 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 4.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : $35.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Rumor has it, that there's a witch that lives inside a cabin in the woods. Anyone found trespassing in her forest is held captive and never to be seen again! Can you and your friends enter the cabin and rescue her victims? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We love that the owner builds everything in-house and the production value looks more expensive than some of the professional build-out rooms that we've seen. The game starts us off in a creepy forest with dim lighting and all we can see is a chained-up gate and an eerie-looking cabin door. The irony here is that we might not necessarily want to "get in" but it looks like it's the only way to "get out". There are several sections throughout the game where ambient lighting was used at the right spots for either a jump scare or a clue. There is a visual clue that we really enjoyed solving since we haven't seen it used in that way before. My sister (who's probably only played 5 escape rooms so far) was the one that saw the clue. Sometimes you really need a fresh set of eyes. The final reveal was gratifying to see and the story had a conclusive ending. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Since most decorative props are either glued down or affixed to the wall, there is one puzzle clue that felt out of place as it had a random placement. We actually got stuck on it for quite a bit due to overthinking. Since this is a witch's cabin, we anticipated the appearance or voice of the witch. This add-on could be a nice effect either during the final reveal or at the end. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is the second horror-themed game we've played at Think Solve Escape (the first one was " The Cellar "). The funny thing is that both games are located in the basement and next to each other. Sometimes you actually get a little "ambient scream" from the other game making you feel better about your current situation. The puzzles were not too difficult in this game, so it's definitely more geared towards family-friendly. This game is also a sequel to " Bubba's Backyard Bar-b-que and Brouhaha ". ​So how did the story of happy backyard BBQ lead to a creepy witch cabin? I guess you'll have to come and found out for yourself... ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot right in front of the entrance Lobby with seating area " Witch Cabin " is located on the lower level, to access this room you have to go down a flight of stairs. 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 Think Solve 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 #EscapeRooms #Horror #ThinkSolveEscape #NewJersey #USA

LOCATION: New York City, New York, USA Photo above is property of Mission Escape Games Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Escape The Hydeout 📅 DATE PLAYED : September 28, 2018 🎬 GENRE : Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : Up To 8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $30.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes We were joined by another lovely couple for this room. The four of us were able to escape with 12 minutes to spare. The room had a few "Gen 1 Tech" items, but some felt a bit delayed so not sure if it was manually operated or there was a malfunction during our gameplay. We didn't feel as immersed into this room's design being that we thought Dr. Jekyll's room would be a bit more creepier than that. We just felt there were a bunch of puzzles in the room but did not feel like there was any storyline. Four people can definitely tackle this room as there weren't that many puzzles to be solved. Photo above is property of Mission Escape Games (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) * We don't want to go into detail and ruin any surprises for you, but you want more info like if the room is a multi-room or what other additional tips we can provide to you, feel free to email us. #CiciCao   #IRLEscapeRooms   #EscapeRooms  #MissionEscapeGames #Thriller #NewYork #NYC  #USA

LOCATION: New York City, New York, USA Photo above is property of Mission Escape Games Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Operation: End of Days (A) 📅 DATE PLAYED : August 4, 2019 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi, Dystopian 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : Mon-Fri: $45.00/ pp (2 ppl), $40.00/ pp (3 ppl), $37.00/ pp (4-10 ppl) Sat-Sun: $120.00/ group (Up to 3 ppl), $37.00/ pp (4-10 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes Today, we are visiting Mission Escape Games' new location in Midtown West in the Big Apple, New York City! Currently, they have three other locations in three different states: CA, PA and CT. This location is located conveniently near many different subway and bus lines. I would not suggest driving since parking will be difficult (although we found one right away because parking is free on Sundays in Manhattan!). As you exit the 8th Floor and enter their lobby, it’s very spacious and welcoming. You’ll probably be directed to sign the waivers with the iPads along the wall and then enjoy and wait for your party to arrive in private cubicles with puzzle games! Previously we had tried one of their older games called “ Escape The Hydeou t ” at their old location. We are very excited to play their newest game “Escape Operation: End of Days (A)” and boy what a step up from the previous! Right when you enter the room, the sound system, lighting and narration completely took us by surprise. The amount of lighting that they provided was just enough to create the “spook” feeling but still can see the puzzles easily. We liked the clever ideas of how different spaces were created within the room and the various surprises that caught us off guard. This is the first room where we didn’t have to actually guess where something opened, and we really appreciated that. All the puzzles were different in that they are not all brain puzzles and some we had to use a bit of our imagination. There was a particular puzzle that took some time for us to crack though if the clues used were more sticking to the storyline, it would be more impactful. Regardless, the puzzle flow was great throughout. There were things that a group can definitely divide and conquer. This room is pretty spacious so between the two of us we did escape with minutes left. Our suggested group size would be 4-5 people. We were hoping for a little more “excitement” with the ending part, but the overall experience was excellent that this little aspect wasn’t a big deal. “Escape Operation: End of Days” has another identical room which if you are feeling competitive, definitely bring a group of friends and book both and see who can save the world quicker! Everything at Mission is build in-house with their team and the owner is a lover for video games himself. The inspiration behind this room was bringing some of the images from video games to life. It worked great in this lock-less game with special effects. We were told “Escape The Hydeout” had some updates so perhaps it was better than when we reviewed it. Lastly, we are looking forward to their new rooms (supposedly two more at this location) once it’s up and running!  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 Mission Escape Games 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 #MissionEscapeGames #SciFi #Dystopian #NYC #USA

LOCATION: Anaheim, California, USA Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Ultimate Bank Heist 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 8, 2019 🎬 GENRE : Heist 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : Up to 10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $32.00-$35.00/ pp, $168.00-$280.00+ (Private) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Public/ Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY We have a heavy debt on ourselves and the mob is after us. They want us to retrieve a rare artifact that’s being stored in the bank’s vault in order to free us from the debt. We don’t have much choice here… 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Set design was amazing. The quality of the bank teller’s counter and the door were all made from real metal. In fact, throughout the room, all the props felt genuine and with high quality. We felt immersed right away into the situation. Puzzles were all different but made perfect sense with the story line. The story line was evolving as certain answers were uncovered. We love the flow of this game. The lighting and special effects were flawlessly paired with the reveals. One of them really surprised us. It was quite movie-like. Loved the strong ending. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK One puzzle seemed a bit hard to see. We felt that it needed a little more distinction. From a height perspective, one puzzle was a bit hard for me (5 ft) to achieve so I needed assistance from my teammates. One of our teammates lost a tool that was essential in retrieving a puzzle piece but there was no other way to get it back unless we called in the game master. It would be great if there was a “backup” in the room just in case this happens, so it won’t stop the flow of the game. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room was a lot of fun! It was the complete package from set design to puzzle design. We’ve played a lot of bank related themes and this one is definitely on the top of our list. Our team of three worked really well together and got out with plenty of time on the clock but we felt really satisfied regardless. Since the room was nonlinear, there was a lot we did separately. We suggest 3-4 people for this room but if you like to bring more teammate, the room is spacious enough for more. We hope you can escape from the mobsters and let us know what you think of the game! 🔎 HINT Time is of the essence. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this room, please remember to let them know that " ESCAPETHEROOMers " sent you!) Disclosure : We thank Mission Escape Games 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  #MissionEscapeGames #Heist #Anaheim #California   #USA

LOCATION: Manhattan, NYC, New York, USA Photo above is property of Mission Escape Games (NYC) Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Carbon: 3708 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 22, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 8 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : Mon-Fri: $45.00/ pp (2 ppl), $40.00/ pp (3 ppl), $37.00/ pp (4-10 ppl) Sat-Sun: $120.00/ group (3 ppl), $37.00/ pp (4-10 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You and your team are the last people free of Cyber Industries’ control. The company has slowly taken over humanity with their technology, and it is up to you to break infiltrate their headquarters, destroy the data systems and prevent the takeover of humanity. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE There were a lot of puzzles that required teamwork to solve due to the spacing and the size, which made sure everyone was involved in the game. There was a great intro that brought us into the immersion. There was also a mid-game scene that was something exciting to experience. The set design was fantastic with quality props, computer screens, other nifty items and tech which added to the game atmosphere. This room used a lot of tech that flowed and incorporated into the experience for some fun eureka moments. The story was a simple one but Mission built it up with a lot of detail and key points in the game to expand it. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This was an amazing room to play through and we found no major misses here. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " Carbon: 3708 " was a well-polished experience from start to finish. From the introduction video to the beautiful set design and extra details in the room, we were immersed in the experience. The puzzles backed with the tech, which ranged in difficulty and style, had everyone participating and engaged. We played with 8 people, which felt like the maximum number of people that would fit comfortably in the room. For players who want to see it all, we would recommend 4 players. Anyone who is a fan of Sci-Fi, cyberpunk or "Terminator", would enjoy playing this room. Are you ready to save humanity? ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Merchandise is available for purchase in the lobby. Walking distance from Time Square, 42nd Street Port Authority and Herald Square Lobby with seating available Located on the 8th floor, elevator available Some flashing lights and simulated gun use in the game Wheelchair accessible with some exceptions 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 Mission Escape Games (NYC) 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 #MissionEscapeGames #SciFi #Cyberpunk #NYC #USA

LOCATION: Tampa, Florida, USA Photo above is property of GAME OVER Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : School of Magic: The Four Secret Keepers 📅 DATE PLAYED : July 1, 2025 🎬 GENRE: Fantasy, Magic 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $75.98 (2 ppl) - $303.92 (8 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Our Headmaster may no longer be with us, but this is our moment to shine! The Dark One's powers have reached unprecedented heights, and his legion of Dark Wizards and Malevolent Creatures has grown stronger. With the help of his devoted followers, he has overcome every challenge so far. Yet, there's one final barrier standing between him and total dominion over the World of Wizards—our School! We have about an hour to awaken the Ancient Powers of our Castle, which will bolster our defenses and help us eradicate his threat. Let's rise to the occasion and protect our world! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Upon entering the room, we were immediately greeted by statues of ancient "wizards," instantly sensing the abundance of mystery within the space. We appreciated the initial simplicity, as limited interactions were available at first, but with each puzzle we solved, more items and rooms were unveiled. Several instances truly conveyed a sense of "magic" in the room. Whether through the clues, props, or the actual puzzle solutions, the magical theme remained prominent throughout the game. The indicators, whether sound or light, expertly guided us, clearly signaling what had opened or been solved. The gameplay was exceptionally smooth, free of red herrings. We were able to connect almost instantly with the puzzles and their corresponding clues. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This section might be too easy for seasoned players. The game could benefit from adding more challenging puzzles to enhance gameplay time. The finale would be more impactful with more dramatic scenery for a truly "magical" finish. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you love the magical world of Harry Potter, this game is for you. Enter a realm of enchantment and adventure, surpassing traditional escape rooms with a true wizarding experience. Using cutting-edge technology, the room offers an immersive experience without conventional locks. Interactive elements respond to your actions, making you feel like a wizard on a quest. Engage in spellcasting and potion-making activities that require logic, creativity, and imagination. Suitable for all ages, it's perfect for families, friends, or solo adventurers. Gather your fellow wizards, don your robes, and unleash your magic! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking outside the facility Lobby with seating area Merchandise for sale Photos above are property of GAME OVER Escape Rooms 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 GAME OVER Escape Rooms (Tampa)   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 #GAMEOVER #Fantasy #Magic #Tampa #Florida #USA

LOCATION: Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain Photo above is property of Vortex Escape Room Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : APOPHIS Escape Room 📅 DATE PLAYED : September 23, 2022 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi, Mission 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-7 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE : €18-33/ Team (pending on team size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Dr. Xetrov has been secretly researching on something. But recently, he has mysteriously disappeared. His assistant has reached out for your help. You need to figure out how to save human kind now that he's gone. But do it discreetly as it seems like another evil force also wants this great power... Video above is property of Vortex Escape Room 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We love it when a game just starts immediately after we enter the premise. There's no game master or intro. You have to figure everything out yourself. Just when we thought the space is a regular office/laboratory, the set design completely changed. We were surprised not once but TWICE by the transformation. There was a clever way that the designers utilized transportation. I don't want to give away too much but it totally altered our perspectives on the room and puzzles. The ending created a sense of urgency that tied in nicely with the storyline. We literally felt like we had to escape the premise as quickly as possible. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We weren't sure how some physical puzzles tied in with the storyline (but it was still a fun exercise). One of the puzzles we encountered didn't give a confirmation on if we had done it right or not and since there were several parts to that puzzle, it was difficult to figure out which was the one we missed. We struggled with a puzzle that required two people to work together on. It was quite sensitive and we weren't sure if there was a logical way to complete it as this was the puzzle that took most of our time in the game. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? I loved the space utilization in this game. There's a lot of rooms and you can easily lose your orientation (but in a good way). When you come out of the game, you'll have a sudden realization at how and where you were able to escape from. We love that we were able to experience some ideas and puzzles that we haven't seen before. If you love Sci-fi and want something really unique then it's time to gather your team of explorers and enter the world of Apophis! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Street parking Locker inside the game Buzz to get in only when it's your booking time (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 Vortex Escape Room Terrassa for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #SciFi #Mission #APOPHIS #VortexEscapeRoom #Barcelona #Spain

LOCATION: Heilbronn, Germany Photo above is property of Exodus Heilbronn Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Zombie Lab 📅 DATE PLAYED : June 29, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 25-44 €/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (28:00) 📖 THE STORY The world is falling apart. Since the outbreak of the airborne zombie virus, humanity has been teetering on the edge. Routine health checks are the only line of defense… until yours comes back positive. You ’re infected. But there’s one last hope: an abandoned research lab rumored to hold the formula for a long-lost cure. As symptoms begin to creep in, you and your team must race against the clock, navigating sealed chambers, old experiments, and encrypted data left behind by desperate scientists. The transformation is coming—and once it starts, there’s no going back. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The absolute highlight of this experience was the introduction. It’s refreshing to see an escape room company put real thought and effort into this often-overlooked part of the experience; and it should be noted; this is the same for all games at Exodus. Each one has a fun and interactive intro. Although, ironically, the intro for Zombie Lab may have outshone the escape room itself! In the intro, we were welcomed by a chief scientist from the Zombie Research Lab who was due to give us a tour. But before we could proceed, we had to undergo a security scan… to ensure we weren’t carrying the highly contagious zombie virus. Spoiler alert: we were! What followed was a delightfully silly and interactive sequence. Our gamemaster played along with our banter brilliantly and even pulled in another gamemaster to join the fun. Without giving away too much, the result was a whole lot of laughter — and custom ID cards with our photos, as a quirky and immersive souvenir. Now deemed too dangerous to roam free, we were escorted at gunpoint into the lab. Our mission: find the antidote within the hour, or get reacquainted with Mr. Gun. The lab’s set was fairly spacious and held some basic equipment, but it didn’t exactly scream “high-tech biohazard facility.” It would work for larger beginner groups, but lacked the kind of immersive detail that could have really sold the story. One standout puzzle, we hadn’t seen before, involved two players on opposite sides of an interactive map, with one guiding the other through a booby-trapped route. This tested our communication and coordination — a great idea in theory, although the tech didn’t always respond as expected. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Sadly, several elements fell flat. Once inside the room, the narrative quickly dissolved. There was no building tension, no environmental cues to reinforce the urgency, and almost no special effects to amp up the zombie theme. Even the mannequin on the surgeon’s table stud out because there was no zombie makeup or modifications at all. The set design felt underwhelming and even a bit cheap, especially when compared to the company’s other rooms. The puzzles were basic and lacked thematic integration. A few times, we simply found a note that gave us a code for a padlock — zero deduction needed. This stripped the puzzles of any sense of challenge or narrative purpose. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? While this room is clearly geared toward first-time players, I’d hesitate to recommend it — mainly because I worry it might not inspire them to play more. We had an interesting chat with management, who openly debated whether to invest in updating the room. Apparently, it’s their best-selling game, which makes the decision tricky. But in my view, that’s exactly why they should upgrade it. If this is someone’s first escape room experience, it should leave them buzzing with excitement and curiosity — not just thinking “meh.” … You only get one chance to make a first impression, after all. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Exodus is a centrally located location within walking distance from the train station. There is no dedicated car park, however there is plenty of parking within the city. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and drinks 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 Exodus Heilbronn for providing us with a media discount for this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #SciFi #Exodus #Heilbronn #Germany

LOCATION: Strasbourg, France Photo above is property of A Maze In Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Mamma Mafia 📅 DATE PLAYED : June 27, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Gangster 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-7 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 28-38 €/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (31:00) 📖 THE STORY The year is 1956. You’re a trusted henchman in the infamous Fratelli crime family, serving under the watchful eye of the Godfather himself. Fresh off a daring heist, you and your crew retreat to the family’s secret stronghold, a cozy Italian delicatessen hiding more than just cold cuts. But the heat is on. The police have been trailing you, and now they’ve got the deli surrounded. Sirens wail in the distance. Time is ticking. The Godfather’s orders are clear: no one gets caught. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Even before stepping inside, it was clear that effort had gone into the experience. The exterior of the venue was decorated to resemble a cosy, family-run Italian deli, setting the tone nicely and easing us into the story before the game had even begun. Once inside, we were greeted by an in-character gamemaster who delivered the briefing with charm and a dose of cheeky banter. The stakes were clear: we had to clean up all evidence of the family's mafia ties before the police arrived—or face the consequences ourselves. The setting looked exactly how you might imagine a small, traditional deli: shelves full of jars, tins, and “fresh” produce; walls lined with family photos, newspaper clippings, and vintage artwork; and plenty of thoughtfully placed props and furnishings. The game moves beyond the shop floor too, taking players into a back office and a hidden poker room. The progression through these spaces felt natural and satisfying, and the environment as a whole was both believable and nostalgic. We appreciated how well the puzzle design integrated with the room’s theming. Many of the decorative items served a dual purpose, being used in tasks or clues. This meant that thorough searching and keen observation were essential to progression, creating a very tactile, hands-on experience that encouraged collaboration and offered a somewhat nonlinear flow. The difficulty level felt well calibrated for its target audience. It’s clearly designed with newer players in mind, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the journey. The puzzles were logical and satisfying, and the experience as a whole remained engaging throughout. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The story logic felt a little off to us. If we were members of the mafia, why did we need to solve elaborate puzzles to find the evidence and escape? Surely we’d just grab the goods and go. A more convincing premise—like being undercover cops gathering intel before the gang returns, or a former associate trying to bring the family down—might have made the narrative more compelling. That said, this was a minor quibble and didn’t significantly detract from the overall experience. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is a fantastic entry-level room that’s ideal for players new to escape games. It’s visually appealing, thematically cohesive, and offers an interactive, accessible challenge. While veteran players might find it on the easier side, it’s still enjoyable and well worth experiencing as a warm-up or light-hearted outing. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is not available on site, however there are plenty of car parks in the surrounding area, as well as a Park & Ride scheme There is a large lobby area with comfortable seating and a bar that serves food and drink. 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 A Maze In for providing us with a media discount for this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #AMazeIn #Gangster #Strasbourg #France

Photo above is property of Solar Wind Publishing Company: Solar Wind Publishing Game: Forsaken Souls: Cursed Artifact Country: Greece 🇬🇷 Language: English Type of Game: DIY Escape Kits 🖨️ ✂ Genre: Mystery Date Played: August 1, 2025 Difficulty (based on 5 players): 5/10 Size of Team: 1-6 ppl (Ages 14+) Time: Approximately 2 - 2.5 Hrs. Price: $22.99 USD 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 You have been summoned to the Finch Estate to locate a missing antique music box that has been passed down through generations. But as you begin to learn more about it, you realize the music box holds secrets darker than anyone ever imagined. 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ The game come as three print-n-play files. One with the clues, one for the GM guide, and a bonus file with extras to help the game run more smoothly. The multiple clue pages feature some polished artwork and detailed item designs that really give it that escape room feel. Even the GM guide is well-designed and easy on the eyes. Photo above is property of Solar Wind Publishing 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Since this is a print-n-play game, you’ll need to print and cut everything out before playing. A few puzzles require colour to solve but as long as you make note of the colours beforehand, you should be good. Be sure to give yourself some prep time. For myself, it took about an hour to cut and organize everything. The game provided a detailed GM guide that walks you through the entire setup process. So thorough that beginners who have never run an escape room would have no issues. The GM guide includes a link to the introduction video, the cutscenes and the ending. There is also the transcript as well if you want to read it out loud, but the video gives more immersion. One neat feature is you have options for gameplay. You can either set the game up around your house using real lockboxes and envelopes (or print their provided ones), or you can just play it at a table, revealing items as you go. Gameplay wise, as we unlocked pieces and solved puzzles, we would either get a number or word, which was indicated on the lock, to enter into their online validator. The validator would spit out a key (number). If the key matched the key on the lock, then we had the correct solution and could open that envelope. There were a few things that stood out to us. First, there was the detailed artwork. It was fantastic with the pieces and was all thoughtfully designed. I also appreciated how well everything was organized. I was a bit worried I might spoil something while cutting, but the game pieces were sorted in a way that kept everything spoiler free. The story also had a little more punch than we expected and found it a satisfying tale when we finished. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 We were really impressed by the variety of puzzles throughout the game. Even though it was all paper-based, there were some surprisingly creative puzzles that made clever use of just paper and really had us thinking as some required some outside the box thinking with the paper. The hint system was also really well done. The clues were tiered in a way that helped guide us without giving too much away, and we got those satisfying “aha!” moments even when we needed a little nudge. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Forsaken Souls: Cursed Artifact " was an entertaining print-nplay game. The GM guide was detailed and thorough for easy set up and it lets you build a story driven and immersive game right in your own living room. The puzzles were solid and were perfect that we could all work through together. We had 5 players but the pieces were large enough for us to see gathered around the table. This is a perfect pick for introducing someone to escape games or just enjoying a casual, puzzle-filled evening with friends. (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 Solar Wind Publishing 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 #PuzzleByMail #PrintNCut #Mystery #SolarWindPublishing #Greece

LOCATION: Turnersville, New Jersey, USA Photo above is property of Think Solve Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Cellar 📅 DATE PLAYED : July 7, 2019 🎬 GENRE : Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : Up To 10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $35.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers On our journey back to New Jersey, we stopped by Think Solve Escape in Turnersville, New Jersey.  They have plenty of parking available right in front of the entrance. Their floor plan is quite unique where they have the main floor and it wraps around in a circle. They also have the basement which is a great fit for their “ The Cellar ” themed escape room.  Currently, they also offer three other rooms - " Safe House ", " Aunt Sue's Apartment ", and " Dr. Chen's Office ".  If you like to make this into an escape room marathon, we would suggest you doing the rooms in the order of " Safe House ", " Aunt Sue's Apartment ", " Dr Chen's Office " and the final room should be " The Cellar " as they are developing stories. But if you don’t have the time, it’s completely fine to play them separately as you don't need any prior knowledge to complete an individual room. We only had the time to play one room today, so of course we had to challenge ourselves with their most recent room - “The Cellar”. As we descended down into the basement escorted by the owner, we felt an instant chill down our spines. The temperature felt colder downstairs which complimented the theme quite well. As we stepped foot inside the room, we knew right away this was the home of a psychotic serial killer. As the story develops, we felt more and more immersed into the darkness of this killer’s secret realm. The props used felt very authentic and all were in line with the story. We had a small glitch on one, but it did not ruin our experiences in the room at all. The puzzle flow was great and started off linear but as we progressed it allowed us to spread out and work on separate challenges. We got stumped once again because we were not able to find something. “Treasure” hunting just doesn’t seem to be our strength. There’s a great balance of traditional locks and tech usage. I really liked the ending. My only suggestion would be to maybe add some sort of sound effect to conclude the game and signify our escape. We managed to escape with just the two of us with time to spare. I would say for enthusiast that two people is enough and for novice, you may want to have a group of four. Overall, we were very impressed by the room design as it’s all built in-house by the owners. We can’t wait to go back and try their other rooms one day. Believe it or not, they already have a new concept in the works for their 5th room scheduled to be released by the end of 2019! (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 Think Solve Escape for media discount tickets for this game. Although media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #review #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #thinksolveescape #thecellar #turnersville #nj #usa

LOCATION: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Mysteries of Noximillian 📅 DATE PLAYED : September 15, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Adventure, Magic 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-5 ppl/ team (Up to 2 teams simultaneously) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : ~1-2.5 Hrs. (no time limit) 💰 PRICE : $25.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You’ve spotted an ad in the paper: the great magician Noximillian is seeking a new assistant! You leap at the chance, but before you can claim your place at his side, you’ll need to prove yourself through a series of trials designed to test your wit, grit, and resourcefulness. Each puzzle brings you closer to Noximillian’s secrets…will you dazzle him with your brilliance and earn the role? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This outdoor adventure is set in the same universe as The Vanishing Act. It serves as a clever precursor for those who haven’t played, and a sly wink for those who have. I’d done the room before, but my friend hadn’t. The game struck a nice balance, managing to tease me with callbacks without spoiling her future fun. The structure and system work smoothly and provide a lot of flexibility. You’ll pick up a binder from Locurio’s lobby, then set out with the ClueKeeper app. Puzzle time is tracked, but travel time isn’t, so you’re free to pause for coffee, grab a snack, or linger at a scenic spot. Our run was about 90 minutes total, with about an hour puzzling and a half-hour strolling. There’s no real time limit, though you’ll ideally want to play in daylight, and you’ll need to return the binder to Locurio at the end. This is a great opportunity to check out a really funky Seattle neighborhood!! The Fremont area is its own kind of stage set: waterfront views, quirky landmarks, and art on nearly every corner. There are plenty of enticing shops, cafes, and restaurants to pop into as well (before, after, or during). On a sunny day, it felt like a magician had conjured the perfect backdrop. Puzzle-wise, there’s a nice mix of difficulties. They start off more straight-forward but have some tougher ones in the middle. Most are paper-based and live in the binder, but there’s a tactile surprise and a neat AR moment. The tiered hint system works smoothly: free hints unlock with time, or you can “pay” points for earlier nudges. We liked that two copies of the puzzle pages were included, which was a thoughtful touch for bigger groups (or even teams of 2 that want to battle it out). That said, when the wind picked up, the second set became more juggling act than magic trick. (Even the ones in the binder got a bit tricky with the wind!) A clipboard would’ve been handy, so consider bringing your own if you want to utilize that second set. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We loved that the game is set in the Noximillian universe, and there is a nice narrative component at its conclusions (along with some insights along the way). However, it would have been great to have a little more story development throughout the journey. The AR puzzle was clever and fun, but we wanted the option to zoom in to see some of the elements more clearly. One of the hints eventually tells you what the things are, but it’s coupled with a solving hint, which felt like being forced to see the whole trick when all we wanted was a peek at the props. We’d love to see those sawed apart. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " The Mysteries of Noximillian " is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. While it doesn’t have the full narrative or immersion of one of their escape rooms, it’s perfect for anyone craving a more relaxed, untimed experience that doubles as an excuse to wander this quirky, art-filled Seattle neighborhood. It’s more puzzle-focused (and tougher than some outdoor games I’ve played), but the tiered hint system keeps it accessible to all. Puzzle enthusiasts, families with older kids, tourists, and Locurio devotees eager for “just one more trick” (as they await their new room…) will all find plenty of magic here. 🔎   HINT Early on, if you’re struggling to spot what you need, remember: magicians always use misdirection…check the top as well as the front. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO This is an outdoor puzzle game, but you will pick up a physical binder from the Locurio lobby. (While there are stairs leading up to the lobby, they could likely bring things down to you if that’s a problem for all group members). The lobby can also be a nice place to wait for other team members to arrive, with seating and the option to buy an enthusiast passport! There are also bathrooms available. There is public transport access fairly nearby, or you can look for street parking (including some free options). The game does run rain or shine, so check the weather and come prepared appropriately to wander outside for a few hours. 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 Locurio 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 #PuzzleHunt #Locurio #Magic #Washington #USA

Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Hourglass Escapes/ Arkham Horror™ 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Mystery At Innsmouth 📅 DATE PLAYED : June 8, 2022 🎬 GENRE : Arkham horror, Lovecraftian 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 4-8 ppl (Ages 13+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 70 Mins 💰 PRICE : $45.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You are investigators who have been mysteriously summoned to the Gilman House Hotel, an old inn located at Innsmouth, supposedly for the reading of a stranger’s will. However, something doesn’t seem quite right... This is a licensed Arkham Horror™ game, set in H.P. Lovecraft’s world detailed in “The Shadow Over Innsmouth” and built upon by the well-loved tabletop game. While fans will certainly appreciate specific details in how they have integrated aspects of the game and some of its characters, those who have never played Arkham Horror will have no problem following the story and enjoying the room! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Hourglass takes every opportunity to enhance the immersion and entertainment value of this game through fabulous voice-overs and videos. Voice-overs included the hilarious introductory rules, delivered like a radio PSA (public service announcement), clips throughout for story progression, time warnings, and hints (if needed). There was also one substantive and beautifully-crafted video that explains much of the story behind the game, and an integral part of the overall story-arc you get. All of the media was incredibly professional (with some famous voices you might recognize, such as Cecil Baldwin, Persephone Valentine, and Yuri Lowenthal) and served to further immerse you into the "Mystery at Innsmouth" . As with the multimedia components, the high-quality set has been created with incredible attention to detail. There were a few integrated tech aspects that really enhanced the ambience and made you feel the unease of being in that gloomy hotel on a stormy night. Even if you have never heard of Lovecraft or Arkham Horror™, this is a very cool theme that is excellently brought to life through all of the above. It combines a bit of an old-timey noir, detective vibe with an unsettling, otherworldly, occult component. This is not a scary horror game, but it does evoke a sense of creepiness and unease in parts, as if something horrific might be lurking right outside. Those in our group who have never played Arkham Horror™ still loved the room, but the fact that it is a licensed game for that IP (intellectual property) means that fans of the tabletop game may find particular joy in experiencing that world come to life! And it may well inspire some new tabletop players… I am afraid I have a copy that has been sitting unplayed on my board game shelf of shame and this has definitely spurred me to bring it to the top of the pile! Encased within all of these incredible immersive elements, of course, this is at heart a puzzle game, and the challenges were well-designed and fair. There were a few puzzles that may feel a bit familiar to enthusiasts but also a number of creative enigmas and cooperative elements that we really enjoyed! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This game had been open for less than a week when we played, and they were still finessing a few things as they observed these early plays. For instance, there was one moment when two audio tracks were vying for our attention (one indicating we had 30 minutes remaining, and the other a clue), and there was a (very cool!) video at one point that was perhaps a touch long. These were both incredibly minor issues, but the owner and designer was actively observing and noting these as tweaks to adjust. ** NOTE : We have just been updated that all of these issues have been resolved as of today, June 13th, 2022. His dedication to perfecting even minor issues and passion for creating a seamless experience is very evident (as seen with his other rooms as well). 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Hourglass Escapes has done it again! Much like "Evil Dead 2™" , "Mystery at Innsmouth" does an excellent job of bringing to life a beloved IP in a way that I think will appeal to hardcore fans and the general public alike. If you are ages 13+, ok with mildly creepy and occult themes, and looking for an immersive, theatrical experience, I think you will really appreciate this game for its incredible production value, well-crafted story development, and some satisfying gameplay! And, of course, this is a must-play for Arkham Horror™ fans (also, keep your eyes out later this year for “The Road to Innsmouth” - a digital escape room prequel from the perspective of Stella Clark, a beloved Arkham Horror™ character, that can be supplemented with a box of physical, collectible artifacts! I’m very intrigued…)!! Photos above are property of Hourglass Escapes/ Arkham Horror™ ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO "Mystery at Innsmouth" is located at Hourglass Escapes’ new satellite space at 159 Western Ave W A256, just a short walk from their main office. There are bathrooms available and an area within the game where it is easy to leave any personal belongings. Street or lot parking is available nearby, and the location is also accessible via public transportation. 🔎 HINT The doctor certainly knows where to listen for a heartbeat. 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 #HPLovecraft #ArkhamHorror #HourglassEscapes #Occult #Mystery #Washington #USA

Location: Seattle, Washington, USA Photo above is property of Hourglass Escapes 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Evil Dead 2 📅 DATE PLAYED : June 8, 2022 🎬 GENRE : Occult, Cult Classic, Comedic Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl (Ages 13+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 70 Mins 💰 PRICE : $40.00 - $55.00/ pp (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Your team of paranormal investigators has been called in to the mysterious Knowby Cabin, where there have been some strange happenings… can you banish the evil spirits before disaster strikes? This is a licensed Evil Dead 2™ game, based on the cult classic film from 1987. While fans will definitely recognize and appreciate many details (large and small) from the movie, it can just as easily be enjoyed by those without any pre-existing knowledge! Video above is property of Hourglass Escapes 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The first word that comes to mind for this game is theatrical, in the best possible way! Videos are integrated in short segments across the whole experience, from the pre-game rules and introduction, to points throughout the game, where they contribute to puzzles, story development, and general atmosphere. And these are incredibly high-quality, well-produced, entertaining videos that are integrated in creative ways! The whole set also contributes to this feeling of theatricality, with really atmospheric decor and some awesome effects. It really embodies the campy horror feel of the movie. They also make it really clear what is usable from a game perspective, versus what is set dressing. While this was not a particularly difficult room, the puzzle designs were both really clean and creative! There were a number of cases where we thought we had an idea of what something meant before we had all the info, only to discover that they were being used in a more unexpected way! There was also some really fabulous thematic interactions that were awesome whether you were doing them or just watching your friends. Given all of the other elements of the game you want to be able to appreciate, it is actually really nice to be able to relax a bit and take your time (further facilitated by the fact that this is a 70 minute game). As you are paranormal investigators, you have an entire suitcase of potentially useful items at your disposal. This was a great touch to give us some standard helpful things (like a tablet to take notes) in a way that actually made sense in the game world. Beyond some of the more standard objects, there were cool specialty ones, like an electronic spirit-detection device (PKE meter)! Whether or not you’re a fan of the movie, Hourglass Escapes’ "Evil Dead 2™" creates a really quirky and immersive theme that stands out from a lot of other “horror” rooms. Like the movie, it really falls more on the campy side, not scary, and the fact that it is a licensed IP particularly allows them to recreate that feel in an authentic and elevated way (thankfully minus all of the colorful bodily fluids!). Given how entertaining the room experience is, I suspect that it inspired some previously unfamiliar players to go out and watch the movie! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK You can tell that this room has been out for a long time by how smoothly everything runs! (And NOT by how the room looks… there was no sense of broken objects or where you can see the faded parts of the key pads or clue pages or whatever where a million players before you have touched them. It looks awesome!). Given this, and the level of the entire design and implementation of the room, I have to reach a bit to come up with some critiques… There was one puzzle where we were a bit disappointed to discover in the end that most of it was actually irrelevant. There were also a few times that I wished the video audio was a bit louder (particularly once when there was also some overhead music). This could be more challenging for folks with hearing loss, though the audio primarily contributes to story and atmosphere, so I wouldn’t expect it to actually impede solving the room! 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Honestly, I’m not into horror. I had heard great things about this game in the last few years but wasn’t totally sure how I would feel about it based on the genre (I only just watched the movie, so I also didn’t realize at the time that it is really more of a satire/comedy to begin with). Yet, I loved it! While there are some elements you would expect to find in a horror game, and some creepy things, the overall vibe is just way more campy and entertaining. The quality of implementation is also stellar! From a production quality perspective, this would feel right at home in something like a Disney or Universal Studios. In fact, I just learned that the creative director, Seth Wolfson, did previously work at Universal, among other places! It is such an immersive, theatrical experience, with clean, but rewarding game design and fantastic integration of story and fun tech. I was blown away. Whether you’re fans of the movie or not, enthusiasts or beginners… assuming you are 13+ and not completely averse to paranormal themes, I have a hard time imagining that you wouldn’t have an incredible time playing Evil Dead 2™! Photo above is property of Hourglass Escapes ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO "Evil Dead 2™" is at Hourglass Escapes’ main office at 3131 Western Ave Suite 422B. There are bathrooms available, a small lobby with seating, and an area within the game where it is easy to leave any personal belongings. Street or lot parking is available nearby, and the location is also accessible via public transportation. 🔎 HINT You might need to risk your fingers… 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 #EvilDead #HourglassEscapes #Horror #SlasherFilm #Washington #USA

LOCATION: Austin, Texas, USA Photo above is property of Escape Hour Photos above are property of ESACPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME: Dead Man's Cove 📅 DATE PLAYED: August 9, 2019 🎬 GENRE: Pirate 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl): 7.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS: Up To 8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME: 60 Mins 💰 PRICE: $30.00/ pp (depending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE: Public/Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED?: Yes Video above is property of ESACPETHEROOMers Read our “Lab Rats” review to find out more about the Escape Hour Austin location. The storyline of “Dead Man’s Cove” was set on the waters in the Caribbean. We’re in search of treasure and it has led us to "Dead Man’s Cove", a place that lies between the living and the dead. But we’ll do anything for treasure so in we go! We’ve played many pirate-themed rooms before so we weren't sure how similar this would be to the others. Boy were we wrong! As we entered the room, we were amazed by the set design as we felt like we just entered onto a pirate’s ship. The use of visuals, lights, props, and sound was all very on point. There were definitely a few times we were jumpy because of the effects. This was the first time I felt that the utilization of a prop along with the puzzle pieces we had to find was very rational and the answer to the puzzles was also very rewarding. The flow of the room was great and we appreciated how the storyline didn't have to be read on paper form but was told as it was developing along with the game play. The only shortcomings that I felt was that we may have expected the “wow” moments to continue throughout but a few areas later on felt short of that. Overall, this is by far one of our favorite pirate rooms so far. There’s a total of 5 rooms at Escape Hour Austin. We played two of them and they were both amazing. We can’t wait to try their other ones (“Call of The Ancient”, “Escape The Manor”, and “The Lost Recording”) when we visit Austin, Texas again! (If you do decide to try this room, please remember to let them know that "ESCAPETHEROOMers" sent you!) Disclosure: We thank Escape Hour Austin for inviting us to be their first beta testers for the game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLEscaperoom #review #escaperoomreviews #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #escapehouraustin #deadmanscove #pirates #austin #texas #tx