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Photo above is property of Arcane Wonders Company: Arcane Wonders Game: Vegetable Stock Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Game (Card Game) 📬 Genre: Open Drafting Date Played: June 1, 2025 Difficulty (based on 5 players): 7/10 Size of Team: 2 to 6 ppl (Ages 10+) Time: Unlimited (Approximately 10-15 Mins.) Price: $14.99 USD 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Vegetable Stock is a light and fast-paced economic card game where players are savvy vegetable traders trying to profit off shifting market trends. Each round, players draft cards representing various vegetables; tomatoes, carrots, corn, broccoli, and eggplants — while also influencing the market values. But you have to be careful, the markets are unpredictable and could crash at any moment! 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Setup Lay out the market board with the 5 vegetable Price Cards. Shuffle the 5 Market Cards and randomly place one onto each of the Price Cards. Each card should cover one of the different market values between 0 and 4. Shuffle the 45 Vegetable Cards (or 28 in a 2-3 player game) to form a face down deck . Place a number of cards into the center of the table. The number should be equal to the number of players plus one, so in a three-player game you would deal out four cards. Drafting Phase In turn order, each player selects one card from the center and places it in front of them – one card is always left behind. Market Movement Increase the value of each vegetable shown on remaining card by one. So, if the card shows two tomatoes and carrot, you would move the tomatoes up by two, and the carrots up by one. Vegetables that would rise above 5 will now crash, going back down to 0. Repeat Players play six rounds in total, with each new round revealing a fresh set of market cards; N+1. Scoring At the end, each player multiplies the number of each vegetable they collected by its final market value. Add up all veggie values, with the highest total winning! Variants There are two variants to the game, which will inject a little more unpredictability. Dynamic Market: The reverse side of the Price Cards removes the level 4 price tier, making market crashes far more frequent. Weather Cards: There are two weather cards which are shuffled into the deck and get activated once revealed. These are the Good Weather (reveal one more Vegetable Card, causing two cards to increase the market) and the Typhoon Card (prevents any market crashes that round). Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 Vegetable Stock is an incredibly simple and accessible economic game built around open drafting and fluctuating market values. While there’s a touch of strategy involved, much of the gameplay hinges on luck—both in the cards that appear each round and in the choices your opponent’s make during drafting. Rather than executing a long-term plan, you’ll often find yourself responding to the evolving market—either reacting to the current state of prices or taking educated guesses about where things might go. The randomness of the card draws makes forward planning difficult, and most decisions are made in the moment. That said, there is room for clever play. Sometimes, the best move isn’t to take the card that benefits you most directly, but rather to leave behind a card that will tank the market for a vegetable your opponents are heavily invested in. These subtle, passive-aggressive plays can swing the game—though making those calls confidently is tricky, especially early on when the final values of each vegetable are still up in the air. In short, Vegetable Stock is more about timing and tactical reactions than deep strategy—but it embraces that lightness well, delivering a fun and chaotic drafting experience in a quick 15-minute package. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 For a short 10–15-minute experience, this little box packs quite a bit of fun, made even better by the fact that it only takes a few minutes to teach. The bright artwork and playful theme help draw people in and make them forget they’re about to play an economic game. That said, the elegance of its simplicity may also be a drawback for heavier gamers who prefer more meaningful decisions and deeper strategic play. Personally, Vegetable Stock is the kind of game I bring out at the start of a game night, especially when I'm with less experienced players or a group looking for a light, social experience where conversation can flow freely without getting in the way of the game. While it technically supports two players, I find it shines with larger groups. The more people at the table, the more dynamic and unpredictable the market becomes, turning each round into a more vibrant and engaging affair, where shouts of both joy and pain echo equally loud. (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 Arcane Wonders 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. #RyanDriver #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzleByMail #CardGame #USA #ArcaneWonders

LOCATION: Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada Photo above is property of A/MAZE Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Great Train Robbery 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 11, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Adventure, Heist 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 Players) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-7 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 45 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CAD $25-35/ pp (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY "The Great Train Robbery" is an escape room game that takes place in the Wild West era. The story begins as you and your team of outlaws have been tracking a train that's carrying a valuable cargo. Your team's plan is to rob the train and get away with the loot, but you must do it in a short amount of time before the train reaches its final destination. As you enter the train, you realize that the task is not as easy as it sounds. The train is heavily guarded with locks and traps to prevent any unauthorized access. Your team must use your intelligence and logic to solve the puzzles and unlock the compartments in order to reach the treasure. Along the way, you may encounter unexpected obstacles and challenges that will test your team's ability to work together under pressure. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE During the game, there is a puzzle that involves interacting with an actor, which adds a comedic element to the experience. While this part of the game is relatively short, it is an enjoyable and memorable aspect. This puzzle offers a fun diversion from the other challenges in the game, and adds to the overall entertainment value of the experience. The set design and puzzle elements are carefully crafted to support this theme, with detailed props and decorations that help to create a fully immersive experience, complete with period-appropriate furnishings and decor 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This particular escape room had a few puzzles that required a lot of logical deduction and problem-solving skills. Although these puzzles were not overly challenging, they did tend to slow down the pace of the game and made it a bit more difficult to progress quickly. At the midpoint of the game, there is a twist in the plot which adds a new layer of intrigue to the story. However, the execution of this twist could have been more dramatic to really enhance the experience. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "The Great Train Robbery" is a condensed 45-minute game that manages to pack a lot of puzzles into its runtime. While physical tasks are not a major component of the game, players can expect to encounter plenty of challenging logic puzzles that require creative problem-solving skills. Each section of the game is well-crafted and distinct, creating an immersive experience that truly feels like being on a train. The game employs various forms of technology that are used to immerse the players into the game. Unfortunately, in the game, there are TVs that are supposed to display a scenic train ride but have not been operational for quite some time. Overall, the game tells a fun and engaging story that keeps players invested until the very end as they work to complete their objectives. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Located inside a mall (closest entrance is "Building 5") Merchandise available for purchase (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 for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #AMAZE #Heist #Train #Canada

LOCATION: Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada Photo above is property of A/MAZE Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Collector 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 11, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 Players) : 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-7 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CAD $28-35/ pp (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : P rivate 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Jason Margrave is finally dead. You and your team have been following this wealthy and eccentric billionaire hoping to one day get the treasures from inside of his mansion. You receive the news that despite an active security system, the treasure is yours for the taking. Being the opportunists that you are, you make your way to the mansion, and with the help of an inside source, you have 60 mins to break in and discover just how Jason got his artifacts. There might have been some magic involved. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The way the puzzles and storyline are intertwined makes the game feel like a true mystery that needs to be solved, and players will feel a sense of accomplishment as they uncover each clue and solve each puzzle. The game does an excellent job of concealing its secrets, and when they are finally revealed, the payoff is satisfying and impressive. The set pieces that are uncovered add to the immersive experience and heighten the excitement of the game. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK While some of the puzzles in "The Collector" were straightforward and easy to solve, others required a more significant amount of time and effort to complete. With so many tasks to accomplish within the game, players must discern which puzzles require more in-depth thinking while others have simpler solutions. This can be a challenge, as determining the correct approach to each puzzle is crucial to completing the game successfully. In the later stages of the game, we found that some of the clues were not as clear as they could have been, which made the puzzles more difficult to solve. This made it challenging to progress through the room and led to some frustration. However, the game does offer hints if you get stuck, which we found to be a relief and helped us move forward. Overall, while the puzzle difficulty was mostly appropriate, some of the clues could benefit from being more straightforward to avoid confusion. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? One thing to note during this game is that it is both in French and English, an audio puzzle that occurs during the game starts in French and then repeats itself in English. The Collector is an immersive and captivating game that boasts a plethora of intricately designed puzzles and hidden surprises. From the moment you step into the billionaire's mansion, the impressive set design and attention to detail transport you into a luxurious and eclectic world filled with secrets waiting to be discovered. The puzzles in " The Collector " are challenging and require a great deal of logical thinking and creativity to solve. The game's designers have ingeniously utilized technology and lighting effects to bring the room to life and enhance the overall gaming experience. Whether it's deciphering codes, unlocking locks or uncovering hidden compartments, The Collector has something to offer for players looking for a truly rewarding challenge. Over the course of 60 minutes, The Collector guides players through an engaging and suspenseful story that unfolds in a carefully planned sequence. The use of thematic elements and interactive components create a dynamic and immersive environment that further enhances the game's overall appeal. All in all, The Collector is an excellent game that is sure to provide a memorable and enjoyable experience for puzzle enthusiasts and escape room fans alike. ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Located inside a mall (closest entrance is "Building 5") Merchandise available for purchase Must be able to climb a set of stairs 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 for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #AMAZE #Mystery #Heist #Canada

LOCATION: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Photo above is property of A/MAZE Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Submarine 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 11, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 Players) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CAD $30-40/ pp (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You are part of a crew onboard the Nautilus which has become disabled and is sinking to the ocean floor. You have 60 minutes to restore the power to the engines, stop the submarine from sinking, and escape to the surface before running out of oxygen. As you progress through the game, you and your team will encounter a variety of puzzles and obstacles, including repairing damaged systems and accessing locked areas of the submarine. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The set design in the Submarine Escape Game creates a realistic atmosphere, and the physical puzzles make for an engaging experience. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The props and puzzles in the room felt unusable and worn out, detracting from the immersion and story world. The game heavily relies on physical manipulation of objects and equipment, with puzzles that involve tasks such as steering the ship, pressing buttons, balancing balls, and connecting wires. These dexterity puzzles can pose a challenge for some players, particularly those with limited fine motor skills or hand-eye coordination. The final puzzle of the game was not enjoyable and proved to be frustrating for the players. The puzzle was one of our least favorites, and having to complete it twice throughout the game only added to disappointment. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? "The Submarine" is a unique experience that offers a lot of physical dexterity puzzles. These puzzles require players to manipulate objects and equipment in order to progress through the game. While this aspect of the game is its most unique feature, some players may find it frustrating and time-consuming. The puzzles can take a while to complete and may slow down the game's momentum. Despite this, there are some enjoyable elements to the game, particularly the novelty of being immersed in a submarine setting. The set design and sound effects help to create an immersive experience that transports players to another world. Overall, the Submarine Escape Game is worth checking out if you're looking for a unique and physically challenging escape room experience. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer cerebral puzzles or have difficulty with physical dexterity. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Paid Street parking Located on second floor Merchandise available for sale This game can be played in English & French 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 for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Adventure #Submarine #AMAZE #Canada

Photo above is property of LumiNarrative Company: LumiNarrative Game: Horrors Untold Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬 Genre: Horror Date Played: June 16, 2025 Difficulty (based on 1 player): 4/10 Size of Team: 1 Time: ~20 Hrs.. Price: $69.95 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 It all begins on a fateful day when a mysterious narrator introduces us to the tragic and disturbing death of Hunter Spivey. Hunter was a well-known haunted house blogger who gained popularity for his deep dives into the world of immersive horror. But his life came to a grisly end—his body discovered mutilated under unexplained and horrifying circumstances. At the time of his death, Hunter had been working on an ambitious project: compiling a comprehensive history of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights—the globally celebrated Halloween event produced by Universal Studios in multiple countries. Renowned as one of the most iconic and immersive haunted house experiences in the world, it draws in thousands of thrill-seekers every year. But Hunter believed there was more to the story—something hidden beneath the surface. The narrator also begins drawing unsettling parallels between Hunter and another central figure: Marjorie Holden, a college professor with a controversial academic focus on the occult. Marjorie’s radical theories and conspiratorial views have made her a pariah in the academic world and have taken a toll on her personal life. Most troubling of all—she has recently disappeared without a trace. The narrator believes these two individuals are connected. But how? And why? Now it’s your turn to uncover the truth. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 " Horrors Untold " is, first and foremost, a book—and a narrative experience above all else. If we were to break it down, it’s roughly 40% original story, 40% Halloween Horror Nights lore, and 20% puzzles. The driving force here is the storytelling, blending fictional mystery with real-world Halloween Horror Nights history in a way that feels both immersive and oddly plausible. As you journey through its pages, you’ll encounter puzzles, cryptic hints, and interactive elements seamlessly woven into the narrative. This isn’t a book you merely read—it’s one you engage with physically. Throughout the experience, you’ll be prompted to cut, tear, fold, tape, and mark up the pages themselves. These aren’t destructive acts—they’re part of the design, pulling you deeper into the mystery and making you feel like an active participant in the investigation. At over 300 pages, the book is impressively crafted. It features full-color artwork, visually striking layouts, unique orientations, and thought-provoking footnotes. The presentation keeps you on your toes—you never quite know what’s coming next. But whatever it is, it’s going to look fantastic. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 There are three main narrators scattered throughout Horror’s Untold, and each one provides their own set of puzzles. While each narrator brings a distinct puzzle style to the table, they’re all ultimately guiding you toward the same goal. You’ll need to solve all of them to reach the book’s final answers. The first narrator uses a very unique prop—one that you'll need to manipulate in order to uncover the information you need. While the core mechanic of this puzzle makes sense (especially to experienced puzzlers), it took me until about halfway through the book to fully grasp what I was supposed to do. At first, I found it a bit frustrating, but once I understood the logic, everything flowed much more smoothly. The second narrator's puzzles were, hands down, some of my favorites. Without spoiling too much, the ever-evolving search-and-find style of this section kept things fresh. These puzzles were extremely creative and consistently surprised me with how cleverly they were hidden or integrated into the story. The third narrator comes across as the most neurotic of the three—and their puzzles reflect that chaos. There’s a wide variety here, ranging from callbacks to earlier parts of the book to completely new challenges. These moments were a nice break from reading and kept the experience lively and unpredictable. One of the best design choices in the entire book is the puzzle index found on the final page. It lists every single puzzle along with its reference location, which was a lifesaver when I reached the end and needed to backtrack. Having this reference made tying everything together a lot more satisfying and approachable—especially for a book this dense with content. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Horrors Untold " is a love letter to Halloween Horror Nights—a book created by true enthusiasts who clearly understand and celebrate what makes the event so special. As someone who tries to attend HHN every year, I found this book to be a thrilling and thoughtful tribute. That said, for those who haven’t been able to make the trek to Orlando, FL (or the other international locations), this book might just be the spark that gets you hooked. While " Horrors Untold " works as a casual read for someone curious about HHN, it really shines for haunt fans, theme park lovers, and puzzle solvers looking for a unique and immersive experience. The first half of the book is more exploratory—you're still learning about the story and characters, but the real joy came from the blog entries written in Hunter Spivey’s voice. These articles are dripping with Halloween spirit, diving into HHN lore, immersive horror experiences, and the world of haunted attractions in general. As the story progresses, especially in the last 50 pages or so, the plot tightens and the pieces start falling into place. What at first felt like a wandering mix of plot and unrelated Halloween Horror Nights facts slowly becomes a mystery worth solving. As a fan of both immersive narratives and Halloween Horror Nights, I didn’t mind the meandering—but I can see how readers unfamiliar with HHN might find the early pacing a bit slow. The puzzles throughout the book are fun, clever, and (thankfully) approachable. I never found myself not enjoying a puzzle, and they tend to be on the easier side, making them accessible even for those who don’t regularly solve puzzles. One standout design feature is how the book teaches puzzle mechanics gradually—you’ll start with simple examples before building up to more challenging solves. It’s excellent pacing that encourages learning by doing. The puzzle index at the back was a brilliant inclusion and really elevated the experience, especially when tying everything together near the end. My only wish? That the book included a hidden link or secret site where you could check your answers or get a hint if you got stuck. In the end, " Horrors Untold " is a unique and ambitious experience—a blend of haunt history, mystery, and interactivity presented in a way that feels fresh and immersive. The phrase “See you in the fog,” a well-known slogan from Halloween Horror Nights, perfectly captures the atmosphere this book evokes. It’s the fog of the unknown, the fog of mystery, the lingering haze that surrounds a world just out of reach—inviting you to step deeper into the story and the secrets it holds. If you’re a fan of Halloween Horror Nights, immersive storytelling, or just want to spend a few hours uncovering secrets in a book that asks you to cut, fold, and explore—it’s absolutely worth your time. You can tell a lot of passion went into this project… and it paid off beautifully. (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 LumiNarrative for providing us with a sample of their game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MikeSchnurr #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #PuzzleBook #LumiNarrative #HorrorsUntold #Horror #USA

LOCATION : Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan Photo above is property of SCRAP Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Escape from a Silent World 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 27, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Puzzle Game 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 5.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-4 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 【Weekday Prices】 Solo Ticket: Advanced 3,200 yen / On-the-day 3,500 yen Group Ticket: Advanced 11,600 yen / On-the-day 12,800 yen 【Weekend, Holiday & High Season Prices】 Solo Ticket: Advanced 3,500 yen / On-the-day 3,800 yen Group Ticket: Advanced 12,800 yen / On-the-day 14,000 yen 📖 THE STORY Suddenly, we lost sound from this world. We can't hear any sound like our voices, birds chirping, and water flowing in rivers. There is nothing but silence. To retrieve sound, you must complete this game in silence. Can you complete the game within 60 minutes and bring back sound to this world? 🎯    HIT THE BULLSEYE The game was not an escape game but rather a unique non-verbal communication game that involved various types of challenges. Each of us received a booklet containing partial pictorial information about each puzzle. By using gestures, facial expressions, or hand signs, we had to exchange information without speaking to solve each puzzle. It required some effort to devise ways to communicate with my partner. I found it stressful not being able to communicate verbally with my partner, especially when we got stuck on some puzzles. However, when we discovered a way to understand each other and worked together to solve puzzles, I felt a better sense of connection and joy with my partner. The puzzles were straightforward in the beginning, which helped me understand what the game was like. I enjoyed that the puzzles became more complicated, versatile, and exciting as the game progressed. This game is based on SCRAP’s new “Beyond Language” concept, which allows players who speak different languages to play together. While it might be easier to communicate if everyone speaks the same language for any game, I believe it is challenging and amazing to connect with those who speak different languages and share all the emotions that arise while playing. The Japanese version of the game was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when people in Japan wore masks and were not allowed to raise their voices in public. While the game may not have a deep storyline, it might convey a message for each player to contemplate. Our game master was friendly and helpful. When I play an English game at SCRAP, game masters often only hand out English instruction sheets because most of them do not speak English fluently. While that is not a big deal, I appreciated the effort that he made to accommodate us in English. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There is no decor in the room. This game has no narrative. If you prefer an immersive game with fabulous decors or interesting stories, this game may not be for you. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? “ Escape from a Silent World ” was a fun game that used a lot of gestures rather than spoken or written words. Unlike a traditional escape room with a story and decor, this game had interesting puzzles that focused on the non-verbal communication theme. Devising ways to communicate with teammates was also part of the puzzle. Overall, the game is relatively straightforward compared to other games produced by SCRAP. It is suitable for anyone interested in experiencing puzzles and enjoying interactive moments with others. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Players must wear masks at all times during the game. If you are unable to wear one, please notify the staff in advance. Real Escape Game CROSSING Asakusa is a 5-min walk from "Asakusa Station" of Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Tobu Skytree Line There is no parking. There are many shops and restaurants in Asakusa. 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 SCRAP  for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #ChikakoOmura #IRLEscapeRoom #InPerson #EscapeRooms #Puzzling #SCRAP #Asakusa #Tokyo #Japan

LOCATION: Solothurn, Switzerland Photo above is property of Brainbox Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Sherlock Holmes 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 22, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CHF 96-174 ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (38:00) 📖 THE STORY Immerse yourself in Sherlock Holmes’ legendary mind palace and take on a challenging case with just 60 minutes on the clock. Navigate a labyrinth of scattered clues, puzzling artefacts, and mysterious messages as you piece together the truth. Each riddle and hidden detail demands keen observation and sharp reasoning. This is more than just a game — it’s a full mental workout where your logic, intuition, and inner detective are put to the ultimate test. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE As with other games at Brainbox Escape, the initial impression is striking. We especially appreciated the charming nods to British culture, like the iconic red telephone box and pub façade—though sadly, no pints were served inside! These details added a nice touch of immersion right from the start. The puzzle design offers a good mix of variety, shifting to suit each location. Inside Sherlock's office, tasks leaned more toward deduction and logical reasoning, while the street scenes introduced more hands-on and interactive challenges. This dynamic kept the gameplay feeling fresh and engaging throughout. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Unfortunately, the narrative didn’t quite come to life for us. While we did uncover the identity of the culprit, the broader story lacked depth—we were left wondering about the nature of the crime, the suspect’s motives, and what came next. A stronger integration of the plot into both the puzzles and the environment could have made for a more compelling experience. While most puzzles followed logical progression and were thematically appropriate, a few felt unintuitive or slightly misleading, leading to unnecessary delays and moments of frustration. Additionally, the ending lacked impact, offering little in the way of closure or payoff for the investigation we had just completed. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This game is best suited for players who’ve already dipped their toes into escape rooms but aren’t seasoned veterans just yet. It may not offer enough depth for experienced teams or provide the accessibility needed for absolute beginners, but it's a decent middle-ground experience with some memorable moments. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is available on site in the public car park adjacent to the train station. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating, lockers, and a few cold 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 Brainbox Escape Rooms 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 #BrainboxEscapeRooms #Mystery #SherlockHolmes #Solothurn #Switzerland

LOCATION: Oslo, Norway Photo above is property of The Escape Games (Oslo) Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Virus Lab 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 26, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi, Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : /10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 900 NOK (2 ppl) - 2.800 NOK (8 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Preventing a lethal virus outbreak is within your grasp. A terrorist organization plans to release the virus in four major global cities, but you have already uncovered the illegal lab and control center. It's imperative to stop the spread, analyze the virus's composition, and understand its impact on DNA to develop a vaccine. The world's fate is in your hands, and every moment counts! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The space was expertly designed to accommodate multiple players. Although an initial puzzle benefits from a smaller group collaboration, other puzzles were quickly solved, granting swift access to the lab area. The lab provided an abundance of puzzles for the team to divide and conquer. Our favorite was a mixology puzzle that made us feel like scientists concocting a secret formula. Once we identified the final item needed, connecting the necessary elements from other puzzle solutions was straightforward. They seamlessly combined to complete the meta puzzle. Some puzzles required team communication, which was especially enjoyable when working from separate areas. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK One of the puzzles feels like a "simplified" version of a previously effective puzzle, now reduced to a straightforward observance task for code entry. It initially caused some confusion as the inputs didn't work until we tried it a couple of times. The storyline became unclear as we progressed through the game. While the main objective is to obtain the vaccine, the connection of all the puzzles to this goal remains uncertain. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room was a blast because it had all sorts of puzzles, so if you go with a group, everyone can show off their skills. There were physical puzzles, tactile ones, logic-based challenges, and ones that just needed a keen eye. The set design had a bit of a spooky vibe, but it wasn't scary. The puzzles weren't super hard, so even newbies can give it a shot. If this genre isn't really your thing, The Escape Game Oslo has loads of other options. Just check out their website to see what's available! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Lobby with seating Lockers available There's a small flight of stairs to go down to the main lobby area 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 Games (Oslo) 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 #TheEscapeGames #SciFi #Thriller #Oslo #Norway

LOCATION: Altenstadt, Germany Photo above is property of one BREAKOUT 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Gallery 📅 DATE PLAYED : April 26, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 80-150 € ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (30:00) 📖 THE STORY A mountain hike with friends takes a dark turn when a sudden storm rolls in. With no way back, you spot a castle on a nearby hill — your only shelter. Inside, the door slams shut behind you. You're trapped in darkness. Where are you? What is this place? And most importantly… how will you escape? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We liked that upon entering the “castle” the lights were out and an audio narration delivered to us the game’s story. Having the lights out meant we were able to concentrate without being distracted by the contents of the game. The main game unfolds in a large, open room, with a smaller adjoining space used briefly. The central room is filled with thematic props — a piano, desk, books, and framed artwork — all of which play a role in the game. Much of the experience centers around exploration, observation, and figuring out how these objects connect to your escape. The puzzles were therefore well linked to the items we find and offered a diverse assortment of styles, some were physical, some mental or logical, whilst others required dexterity or out of the box thinking. While there were no explicit team-based puzzles, we still found ourselves naturally collaborating on each task, which kept both of us engaged throughout. not escaped yet! It’s always frustrating to suddenly finish an escape room abruptly, expecting more to unfold. So in this case, it was welcomed to find the opposite, a game that offers more than what would have been expected of it. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The room is showing its age. The most obvious sign is the worn carpeting, which covers the entire space and really could use replacing. The adjoining room has some nicely designed elements, but it also contains unfinished areas that break the immersion a bit. - Updated 7/11/2025 - According to the owner, the carpet has been changed out and replaced. The narrative felt underdeveloped. While the game references a “castle,” the set design didn’t support that theme. The space felt more like a grand old house than anything medieval. There was a missed opportunity to lean into the castle setting with more distinctive or era-specific design choices. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? While this room isn’t the most visually polished or cutting-edge, it still delivers a solid and enjoyable escape experience, especially for puzzle enthusiasts. If you’re visiting oneBreakout, we strongly recommend playing Vegas Baby! — but if you’re already here, The Gallery is worth your time too. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking is available on site, but it is limited There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and a small selection of beverages for sale For the most part, this game is wheelchair accessible. Photos above are property of one BREAKOUT (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 one BREAKOUT 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 #Mystery #oneBREAKOUT #Altenstadt #Germany

LOCATION: Altenstadt, Germany Photo above is property of one BREAKOUT 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Vegas Baby! 📅 DATE PLAYED : April 26, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 80-150 € ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (46:00) 📖 THE STORY "Vegas baby! What a night in Sin City! What the hell happened last night? What time is our flight? I think we need to hurry! But something's wrong in our room! And who is this Mr. Chow, anyway?" 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The first thing that hits you is just how authentic this room feels. As the owner later shared, every major piece of furniture — from the bed and desk to the sink, TV, and even the phone — was salvaged from a real Marriott hotel via auction. That genuine hotel-room vibe elevates the immersion far beyond the norm. The in-room TV cycles through actual hotel channels, and yes, the mini-fridge is stocked — a fun, cheeky touch that blurs the line between fiction and reality. One of the other areas of realism which really made this game stand out, was small, but spoke volumes to the level of care installed in the room’s creation; when you open the curtains the lights go on, as if the sunshine from the Vegas Strip is itself pouring in. Likewise, whenever you close them, the lights once more go out. This was such a cool effect that I’ve never seen in an escape room before and would I’d be happy to see others copy. This room doesn’t just look great — it’s packed with puzzles. From basic item searches to more involved tasks like building a light maze or cracking the elevator system, the game offers both breadth and depth. Many puzzles cleverly use objects from the environment, reinforcing the realism and making this easily the company’s strongest room yet. The implementation of the story was another highlight. Just when we thought the room was finished and we’d escaped, there was a twist, and more puzzles showed themselves to us. We had not escaped yet! It’s always frustrating to suddenly finish an escape room abruptly, expecting more to unfold. So in this case, it was welcomed to find the opposite, a game that offers more than what would have been expected of it. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There’s not much to critique here, but if we had to pick something, we’d like to see more team-based challenges. While there is at least one moment that encourages cooperation, most puzzles are solo-friendly and could benefit from more collaborative elements to get the whole group working together. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Absolutely. Whether you’re a fan of The Hangover or just looking for a fun, high-quality escape room, this one delivers. It doesn’t take itself too seriously — and that’s part of its charm — but the level of detail and care poured into its design makes it stand out among its peers. Come ready to laugh, think, and maybe question what you did last night in Vegas. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking is available on site, but it is limited There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and a small selection of beverages for sale For the most part, this game is wheelchair accessible. Photos above are property of one BREAKOUT (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 one BREAKOUT 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 #Mystery #oneBREAKOUT #Altenstadt #Germany

LOCATION : Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan ›››››››››››››› Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : A Challenge from the Crafting Genius 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 27, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Puzzle Game 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-4 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 【Weekday Prices】 Solo Ticket: Advanced 3,300 yen / On-the-day 3,600 yen Group Ticket: Advanced 12,000 yen / On-the-day 13,200 yen 【Weekend, Holiday & High Season Prices】 Solo Ticket: Advanced 3,600 yen / On-the-day 3,900 yen Group Ticket: Advanced 13,200 yen / On-the-day 14,400 yen 📖 THE STORY A crafting genius, Mr. Craft Tsukuranka invites you to his workshop to challenge you whether you can solve his mystery or not. In front of you, there are peculiar tools and strange-looking materials. Can you solve all the puzzles created by this crafting genius and unravel the mystery behind his creation? 🎯    HIT THE BULLSEYE This game emphasized the puzzle-solving experience by assembling and disassembling many puzzle pieces and materials. The puzzles were unique and fun to solve. There were a variety of puzzles in this one game. Although this game lacked an interesting story or beautiful decorations, we remained focused on solving puzzles the entire time and had a lot of fun. The game's flow was excellent. It started with easy tasks, and the puzzles became more interesting, versatile, and exciting to solve as the game progressed. Just like other games produced by SCRAP, the last puzzle was mind-blowing. The style of the game (We call it “Hall-style) is unique and popular with SCRAP and other Japanese escape game companies. In this style, unlike a traditional escape room where only one group plays in a decorated room, groups of 4-6 people play the same game simultaneously at each table in a large meeting room. This setup resembles playing a tabletop game in a large room. For example, when SCRAP hosted this game at Tokyo Mystery Circus, thirty groups played simultaneously. Today, Real Escape Game CROSSING Asakusa accommodates only two groups at a time in a small room. It still offers players a distinctive puzzle experience that is often provided in the Japanese puzzle community. Our game master was friendly and supportive, especially with tasks that were not easy to understand. She helped us by demonstrating what needed to be done. She explained fun facts about the game and puzzles to us in more detail after we finished playing. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We received a tablet that provided us with instructions for all the puzzles and tasks. However, some of them were difficult to understand. The written instructions appeared too small on the tablet, making them hard to read. I wish we could zoom in to get a closer look or use a picture instead of relying on written instructions. Unlike a traditional escape room that features immersive stories or decors, this game lacked narratives or decorations around us. If you enjoy games with immersive stories and decors, this game might not be for you. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " A Challenge from the Crafting Genius " is an engaging puzzle game that presents a variety of interesting challenges and problems to solve. It's designed for anyone who seeks a unique puzzle-solving experience. This game is best suited for a group of three to four people, as the challenges require assembling and disassembling various pieces. When you visit Tokyo, be sure to stop by Mr. Tsukuranka's workshop and take on his intriguing mystery! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Real Escape Game CROSSING Asakusa is a 5-min walk from "Asakusa Station" of Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Tobu Skytree Line There is no parking. There are many shops and restaurants in Asakusa. Photos above are property of SCRAP (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 SCRAP  for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #ChikakoOmura #IRLEscapeRoom #InPerson #EscapeRooms #Puzzling #SCRAP #Asakusa #Tokyo #Japan

LOCATION: Solothurn, Switzerland Photo above is property of Brainbox Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝    ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Indiana Jones 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 22, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 3/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CHF 96-174 ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes (17:00) 📖 THE STORY Prepare to take on the role of the world’s most daring adventurer: Dr. Indiana Jones. In this thrilling escape room experience, you’ll embark on a pulse-pounding expedition through ancient ruins, shadowy temples, and lost civilizations. Your mission? Recover a priceless artifact before it disappears forever—or worse, falls into the hands of those who would misuse its power. Can you decipher cryptic puzzles, evade deadly traps, and carve your name into history? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The first impressions upon entering the room are strong. The office of Dr. Jones is spacious with numerous pieces of furniture and props to explore. The lighting is adjusted to create a sense of tension, making searching that little bit more challenging. The puzzle configuration is non-linear, allowing us to split them up and tackle different elements individually. Although there were no explicit team challenges, we still found plenty of opportunities to collaborate and exchange ideas on how to solve a puzzle. This ensured that the three of us remained active throughout. Overall, the puzzles were intuitive and closely aligned with the theme, incorporating a blend of mechanical and technology-based elements. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Despite the story promising thrilling elements and a sense of journey and exploration, ultimately the game failed to live up to the hype. Although the decor was professionally installed, it was a bit too minimal and lacking authenticity. The experience also misses an opportunity to enhance immersion through special effects. A more dynamic soundscape or simple atmospheric touches like fog could have significantly elevated the tension and drama. As it stands, the game feels a little too clean and clinical for the theme it aims to portray. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This Indiana Jones-inspired game is best suited for beginners. While the environment may not be the most authentic, it’s still visually appealing. The puzzles are straightforward and few in number, making it a manageable and enjoyable experience even for first-time escape room players. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is available on site in the public car park adjacent to the train station. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating, lockers, and a few cold 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 Brainbox Escape Rooms 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 #BrainboxEscapeRooms #Adventure #IndianaJones #Solothurn #Switzerland

LOCATION: Wellington, New Zealand Photo above is property of Xcape Wellington Date Played :   December 7, 2018 Price :   $24.00/ pp Length of Time:   60 Minutes Total # of Players:   Up To 8 ppl Difficulty Level :   7/10 Public/Private :   Public Escaped?   Yes Hint:   Crank it ALL the way up! We are very excited to review our next room - "The Caretaker" at Xcape Wellington. We got a chance to sit down w/ the owner and learn about his business operation. The facility is extremely spacious w/ three escape rooms and two more in the works. Xcape Wellington is only a couple blocks from the train station which takes you right into town. Before you start the room, you are in a dark room w/ a TV providing you instructions and the intro to your game. Next, a door will open for you to enter into your escape room. The minute we stepped in, we felt transported into a forest to begin our experience. This room had a combination of all different types of challenges from technological, physical, and intellectual. It was an extremely enjoyable experience and we are excited to take on the next one - " The Asylum " . Photos above are property of Xcape Wellington (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 Xcape Wellington for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #review #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #xcape #thecaretaker #wellington #newzealand #nz

LOCATION: Wellington, New Zealand Photo above is property of Xcape Wellington Date Played :   December 7, 2018 Price :   $24.00/ pp Length of Time:   60 Minutes Total # of Players:   Up To 8 ppl Difficulty Level :   6/10 Public/Private :  Public Escaped?   Yes Hint:   Line 'em up! Read our reviews of " The Caretaker " to find out more about this escape location. We were so impressed w/ this location and game design that we decided to attempt the "Asylum" room. Again, prior to entering your room, you are debriefed w/ instructions and the intro to your game inside of a dark room w/ a TV. Once your intro is finished, a door will open up for you to enter your room. The minute we stepped inside we felt fully immersed into a mental institute gone completely wrong. We felt as if we were trapped inside of one of Jigsaw's games. The quality and the attention to detail was insane (no pun intended). In comparison w/ "The Caretaker" room, "Asylum" felt slightly easier to us but more entertaining due to the storyline. We were fortunate enough to be able to take a peek inside of the third room challenge that they offer - "The Lost Tomb of Monthu". Xcape Wellington delivers quality throughout all of their rooms. Everything from the customer service to the the decor to the puzzle designs. An incredible experience and definitely one to remember! Photo above is property of Xcape Wellington (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 Xcape Wellington for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #review #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #xcape #asylum #wellington #newzealand #nz

LOCATION: Poznań, Poland Photo above is property of Escape Out Poznan 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Triwizard Tournament 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 25, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-5 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 75 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 350-450 PLN ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [64:00] 📖 THE STORY The Goblet of Fire has spoken – you have been chosen to take part in one of the most dangerous and thrilling events in the wizarding world: the Triwizard Tournament. Ahead of you lie three extraordinary tasks that will test your courage, wit, and magical abilities. Time is your greatest enemy – you have 75 minutes to face every challenge and reach the Triwizard Cup. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Different and automated puzzles; Huge size of the escape room. Game has a lot of rooms. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Some puzzles feel repetitive and require similar logic to solve; The set design is relatively basic and some handmade staff needs to be upgraded; The storyline occasionally deviates from the movie and feels inconsistent. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We recommend this game for players who enjoy puzzles more than immersive scenery. If you are Harry Potter fan, try not to raise your expectations high. ℹ️     ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking available, but finding a spot can be challenging; Some physical strength required; Lobby with sitting area; Restroom available; Not wheelchair accessible; Drinking water available in the seating area; No conditioning. 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 "!) #PaulShyshou #IRLescaperoom   #EscapeRooms #Fun4Brain #Thriller #Adventure #Poznan #Poland