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LOCATION: Sydney, NSW, Australia Photo above has been provided by The Enigma Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Date Played :   Dec 1, 2018 Price :  $38-$45/pp (pending on the amount of ppl) Length of Time:   60 Minutes Total # of Players:   Up To 6PPL Difficulty Level :  4.5/10 Public/Private :  Public Escaped?   Yes Hint:   Make sure you tune in... For our first escape room experience in Sydney, Australia, we decided to visit The Enigma Room and try their "In Memoriam" room. When we arrived, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The lobby/ waiting area is a little bit on the small side w/ one 2-seater couch available. I guess since they only have two rooms at their location, they don't expect too many people at the same time. This room borrows a little bit from the movie "Inception" and "Being John Malkovich" where you are traveling into a woman in a coma's mind and reliving her memories. The room decor could use a little bit of renovations. The puzzles were fairly unique w/ some interesting challenges about random knowledge. Overall, the concept was entertaining but w/ a little bit of upgrades it would be a huge improvement. *** We regret to inform you that "The Enigma Room" has closed its doors. *** Disclosure: We thank The Enigma Room for media discount tickets for this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #TheEnigmaRoom #Mystery #Australia

LOCATION: Sydney, NSW, Australia Photo above has been provided by Mission Room Escape Sydney Date Played :   Dec 13, 2018 Price :   $24.57/pp Length of Time:   60 Minutes Total # of Players:   Up to 6 PPL Difficulty Level :   5/10 Public/Private :  Public Escaped?   Yes Hint:   Try to search for water. Mission Room Escape Sydney currently has a total of five escape rooms to choose from. Four of them are located at their Pitt Street location on a couple of different floors and the fifth one is located at their George Street location. Today we are attempting two of their rooms - "Vampire Castle" and "The Lost Mine". We are super excited to experience these two rooms at Mission Room Escape Sydney since they pride themselves on implementing the latest technologies while providing an endless array of surprises. They are known to introduce and incorporate mechanical gear (lasers, special effects, automation, etc.). The "Vampire Castle" room starts off w/ basic decor while providing an eerie feeling as you search for clues. As you progress, the design of the puzzles do as well. Technology was definitely incorporated well into the theme of the storyline. We escaped the room w/ two people and a couple of minutes to spare! (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 Misson Room Escape Sydney for media discount tickets for this game. Although media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #review #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #missionroomescapesydney #mission #vampirecastle #vampire #castle #sydney #australia #au

LOCATION: Sydney, NSW, Australia Photo above has been provided by Mission Room Escape Sydney Date Played :   Dec 13, 2018 Price :   $38.61/pp Length of Time:   80 Minutes Total # of Players:   3-6 PPL Difficulty Level :   7/10 Public/Private :  Public Escaped?   No Hint:   Make sure things are "set" precisely. Read our review on the " Vampire Castle " room in order to find out more information on this escape location. Again, Mission Room Escape Sydney currently has a total of five escape rooms to choose from. Four of them are located at their Pitt Street location on a couple of different floors and the fifth one is located at their George Street location. After successfully completing the "Vampire Castle" room, we attempted "The Lost Mine" room. The minute that you enter the room, you are presented w/ one puzzle that will allow you to continue to the next. The challenges were definitely true to the storyline as we felt we were trapped inside of a mineshaft. This room offered a lot of different challenges from intellectual to physical and it did not disappoint. The whole entire experience was entertaining from the minute that we started. (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 Misson Room Escape Sydney for media discount tickets for this game. Although media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #review #escaperooms #escape #rooms #games #missionroomescapesydney #mission #thelostmine #lostmine #lost #mine #sydney #australia #au

LOCATION: Biel, Switzerland Photo above is property of Mastermind Escape Rooms (Biel) 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : H. Potter - Keeper of Magic 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 2, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Magic 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 104 CHF (2 ppl), 126 CHF (3 ppl), 152 CHF (ppl), 170 CHF (5 ppl), 192 CHF (6 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [36:20] 📖 THE STORY This is the second episode from Mastermind’s Harry Potter series, although the two games are not connected and you do not need to have played the first episode prior to this game. Step by step, you enter the old school halls, where shadows of the past linger. In the dark corridors, a secret guarded for generations awaits. Talula Vipera, once the guardian of dark magic, vanished mysteriously, leaving behind a curse that threatens the School of Magic. Now, it's time to enter the House of Snakes and face the adventure. The curse may surround the house, but within the darkness lies the chance to uncover the truth. Are you ready to face the dangers and solve the mystery of Talula Vipera? Your journey into the dark realms begins here – do you dare to take the first step? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The pregame introduction from our in-character Game Master took place both inside the room and out. His performance was thematic and even involved us performing a little bit of magic too. This was a fun way to help set the mood for our adventure into Hogwarts. Immediately upon entering the room you are greeted by the high quality set design and props. Our surroundings were dark, mysterious, and immersive. The attention to detail and professional grade design fortunately continues into the second room too. There are some small special effects included in the room which also help to promote a sense of immersion into the magical world. The puzzles are thematic, leaning into the magical world, but they are not directly linked to any of the Harry Potter stories, making them inclusive for all players; whether you are familiar with the books and movies or not. Since this particular theme is likely to attract families and younger players, I thought the level of difficulty was well balanced. There wasn’t anything inside that was too abstract or difficult to solve, yet there were still moments that could slow down even the most experienced teams. We also liked that the puzzles were designed in a way that has us constantly moving back and forth between the two rooms, reinvestigating areas we had once passed. This created a dynamic flow to the experience. Focusing on the family crowd once more, I would also echo that the design too fits this demographic. Here, Mastermind has implemented a slightly darker than usual tone, but yet it doesn’t cross the line by making itself too scary for younger players. So even though you enter the House of Snakes, there is nothing to be worried about. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There weren’t too many things to complain about in this game, overall it is a very professionally constructed escape room. However, if I was going to point to one thing it would be the size of the first room, which was very tight. I would not want to have played this with the maximum of five people; we would all likely be trying to squeeze past each other or crammed together trying to solve a puzzle. The lighting in the room was also problematic for us, at times it was too dark, and on other occasions the system had a couple of hiccups. This resulted in the focus spotlights coming on out of sync and giving us false indications as to where we should focus next. It wasn’t a big deal but did result in the GM having to intervene to redirect us. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is definitely a room suitable for families and fans of all things magic. Although the connection to the Harry Potter stories themselves was weak, there is still a good thematic tone struck! Experienced players will likely want to play this in teams of two or three due to the simpler puzzles and linear game flow. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is available for free onsite. There are dedicated spots in a large car park for the escape room There is a small lobby area with lockers and some drinks for sale. Photos above are property of Mastermind Escape Rooms (Biel) (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 Mastermind Escape Rooms (Biel)  for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Mastermind #Magic #Fantasy #Biel #Switzerland

Photo above is property of Propulsion Games Company: Propulsion Games Game: Rockets are Super Hard: Relaunch Language: English Type of Game: Video Escape Game 📱 Genre: Cooperative, Thriller Date Played: December 4, 2024 Difficulty (based on a group of players): 8/10 Time: Unlimited (Approx. 10+ Hrs.) Price: $11.99 USD (Steam) 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Equipped with the rocket launch manual, you and your team must work together, communicate, and solve puzzles to ensure the control panel is properly set for a successful rocket launch. Video above is property of Propulsion Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 The game is available for purchase on Steam. When we started up the game, there was a list of missions to choose from with the first stage classified as “Hard” and the last stages classified as “Impossible”. Jumping into the first mission, we were given instructions on basic controls such as how to move side to side. However, we did have to experiment on some of the controls like how to zoom in and how to look up and down though it was intuitive on how to operate the control panel. The game feels like it would work best on a VR headset. Once we were familiar with the controls on the laptop though, it was a breeze to check everything out. The goal of the game was we needed to set the control panel to the correct configuration to properly launch the rocket. Depending on the dials and switches, we would have to reference certain numbers on the screen and research them in the rocket launch manual. Keep in mind that there is a launch timer counting down and some configurations must be set before launch while others while the rocket is headed to space and some even at the end. Photos above are property of Propulsion Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 When the game introduction said this game is not for the faint of heart, we thought “How hard could it be, right?” This. Was. Hard. The first mission took us over 10 tries to finally figure out the correct configurations. Don’t let that discourage you though. Completing that first mission was incredibly satisfying. Once we understood how the game worked, we were able to get through some of the other stages more quickly. The game is of deduction puzzles and requires making the right connections. At times, we were referencing up to four pages all over the manual to figure out the answer, where the manual itself was 135 pages. At the start of the game, there is a sticky note that says “Gather as many people as possible” and they were not kidding. Our initial play-through had only 4 players. After a couple of levels, we realized we needed more so some of the higher levels, we had invited 10 people to help us out with the game. If we failed the mission, we would get a notice telling us what was incorrect and what the correct answer should have been. We also still had access to the launch panel. We used this opportunity to take some time to review the control panel, get our bearings and review the manual without the frenzy of the launch timer. Photos above are property of Propulsion Games 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Rockets are Super Hard " is the name of the game but is also the best description of the game. This game is not a walk in the park, and that’s something to keep in mind when you play. We had a great group of players who were determined to stick it out until the end, but casual gamers looking for a more relaxed experience might find it a bit overwhelming. Was this game hard? Absolutely! Was this game fun? Double Absolutely! If you are looking for a game that is similar to “ Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes ” but requires rocket science to complete, then this is the game for you. Rockets Are Super Hard may feel like it requires a PhD in rocket science, but completing it will make you feel like a genius. (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 Propulsion Games  for providing us with a sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #AtHomeGames #VideoGames #Steam #PropulsionGames #Thriller #Cooperative

LOCATION: Naarden, Netherlands Photo above is property of One Hour Lockup Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Expedition Bermuda 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 9, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Nautical Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl (Ages 16+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 80 Mins. 💰 PRICE : €169,00/ team ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Yet another ship recently went missing near the Bermuda Triangle. Stranger still is the fact that the ship recently reappeared, only it seems to be abandoned. For some reason, you've been tasked with recovering said ship…perhaps you're the only ones stupid enough to volunteer. Can you get the ship up and running, and then navigate it back to safer waters without disappearing into the Triangle yourselves? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The set is constructed from authentic materials in order to make you feel like you are in a real ship, with nautical memorabilia and other location appropriate decorations. However, it is never confusing as to which items are set dressing and which are puzzle components. In addition to the sights and sounds, pay attention to the smells! The owner and designers clearly put a lot of thought into details both large and small. The audio and visual aspects of both the story and the hint system are humorous and fully developed, providing additional shots of entertainment along the way. The room isn't technically listed as available in English yet, as the owner wants to tweak a couple final details. However, we found it to be not just playable in English but well-written and immensely enjoyable. The challenges are built to encourage (and often require) communication and teamwork, which is appropriate as no ship of this size can be run by one person on their own. The multi-faceted puzzles are logically constructed and challenging enough to be rewarding when solved. While there is minimal searching for objects, you will need to explore your surroundings fully in order to complete the mission. The combination of tech and mechanics embiggens the experience and enhances the sense of being on the water. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Early in the experience, we were working to complete a task without getting a response from the machinery. Shortly thereafter, it seemed to go on its own, and the task was completed. We forgot to ask the owner if this was a function of us doing things in the wrong order, or a glitch in the system. Either way, there is very little to criticize about this solidly built room! (Update Dec. 22, 2024 - The owner has addressed all issues in this section, and we have no criticisms of this game). 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " Expedition Bermuda " is hugely entertaining to play, especially for well rounded teams that communicate well. There are plenty of puzzles to keep a group busy, and a smaller group will find it a bit chaotic but a lot of fun! There are a number of twists along the way, to keep everybody guessing. The theme has broad appeal, and the game is already one that we would recommend for a variety of players. The owner is also working on implementing additional adaptive difficulty components, which will further enhance the experience for different types of groups, from families to first-timers to enthusiasts. The passion and perfectionist tendencies of the owner shine through in this fabulously designed and implemented escape room that delivers on all of the classic fronts: entertaining story, thoughtful puzzles, realistic sets, and dramatic effects. Go play! 🔎 HINT Keep things you've used in mind, as they may be relevant again later! Photos above are property of One Hour Lockup ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO One Hour Lockup hosts three escape rooms, as well as numerous VR escape games. " Expedition Bermuda " is not wheelchair-accessible. There are lockers for your things, nice bathrooms, and a cafe for some treats before, after, or between your games. There is free parking available in the general area, though (depending on when you're there) you might need to look a bit to find a spot. The venue is also very near the fortified city of Naarden, another great option to check out and maybe grab a bite or a drink while you're here - and cross a moat or two! 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 One Hour Lockup for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #OneHourLockup #Adventure #Survival #Naarden #Netherlands

LOCATION: Indian Trail, North Carolina, USA Photo above is property of Masterpiece Escapes Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Deadwood Saloon 📅 DATE PLAYED : September 26, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Western 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $33.00/ pp (Min. 3 ppl required) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You meet a local whose great-great-great-grandfather supposedly mined a bunch of gold back in the day. However, the miner eventually disappeared, and no trace of him or his stash was ever found. The friendly local has been piecing together some old family history and bits of evidence and is sure that it must have been the old Deadwood Saloon where the gold is hidden. You’ve been enlisted to help find it (for a stake in the goods, of course), but - as you arrive - you discover the town is about to tear the building down! Your friend thinks he can stall them…for just about an hour. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Masterpiece excels at their acting and storytelling, and (though there are no actors in the actual game) Deadwood started off with a great demonstration of this skill during their intro. Similarly, the set and audio together do a great job of making you feel like you really are in an old-timey saloon. There are quite a few puzzles to tackle in this one, but they never get repetitive as there is plenty of variety. In addition, the puzzles are very much a part of the western/saloon theme, and many of them are highly tactile solves (while also challenging your noggins!). We enjoyed the blended-space style of gameplay, where you move back and forth between various areas to integrate knowledge and set pieces, rather than totally completing one area before moving on (and never looking back). While there are quite a few similar padlocks that are not labeled, the designers have done an excellent job of making it very clear what solutions go with which lock via strategic placement. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There was one situation in which we thought about using something for what turned out to be a future challenge (before we realized what we actually needed to use it for). While our attentive GM was quick to interject and let us know that was not its intended use, this could have been made a bit more clear within the game itself (or even in the pre-game info). There was also one case in which we were able to solve a puzzle before we found the other half of the relevant info…we weren’t trying to skip ahead, but it was what we figured out at the time (and weren’t totally sure if we’d find another half or not). However, one of the owners immediately mentioned when we finished exactly how he would fix the issue to keep that from happening again. This passion and drive the owners have for quality and continued improvement was highly evident throughout our discussions with them. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? While not our favorite from Masterpiece’s excellent selection, we still enjoyed getting thrown back into this gold rush era bar! Deadwood Saloon is a great choice for those seeking a non-spooky, puzzle-focused game, as well as for enthusiasts wanting to play all this venue has to offer. The hands-on nature of the puzzles and incorporated period decor will bring a smile to faces of young and old, while highlighting many of Masterpiece’s strengths. If you do well enough, you just might come out of the game with a little nugget of your own!! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Masterpiece Escapes has free parking right in front of their location. There is a good-sized lobby with drinks available for purchase. They have bathrooms available and bins in each room to store any belongings. You will need to walk briefly outside after checking in to get to this experience. 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 Masterpiece Escapes   for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #MasterpieceEscapes #Western #USA #NorthCarolina

LOCATION: Zürich, Switzerland Photo above is property of Hidden Games Zurich Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Murphy's Pub 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 3, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Mystery 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 8.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-7 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 30 CHF/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [59:37] 📖 THE STORY Dublin Harbour in the early 60s. Murphy’s Pub has been a fixture for years, but something’s not right, despite only a few patrons, the pub never seems to struggle. Scotland Yard suspects there might be more than meets the eye to this story, with shadowy figures slipping in and out at all hours. As top investigators, you have just 60 minutes to gather evidence before Murphy returns. Will you uncover his secrets before it’s too late? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The unique story and setting were what initially drew me to Murphy’s Pub at Hidden in Zurich. Spending an hour locked inside a pub sounded like a recipe for a great time! After finishing the game, the team agreed, this was the most successful of the three games at this location, in terms of overall theme portrayal and execution. The room looked the bit and even contained a few elements of surprise which we all found to be cool, offering something the other rooms lacked. The story did actually develop as we explored more and more of the pub, soon the evidence of gambling and other illegal activities became apparent. Uncovering this ourselves added to the sense of discovery, making the story feel more rewarding than if the clues had been out in the open. Alongside the room’s story and theme, we were also impressed by the outfitting of the space. There were plenty of pub-related items to interact with and discover, many of which were also successfully incorporated into the theme-based puzzles. As with the other rooms at Hidden, Murphy's Pub offers a strong variety of creative puzzles. We interacted with everything from the piano and gambling tables to the bar and even a phone. While the room follows a linear puzzle format, we weren’t always certain what the next step would be, which kept us on our toes and made this room more challenging than the others. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK While the room successfully evokes the look and feel of a small Irish pub, the quality of materials and lack of special effects diminished the overall immersion. Some props felt like they could have been more authentic or detailed to enhance the experience. For instance, the karaoke stage initially seemed promising, but it turned out to be just part of the decor rather than the adventure. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " Murphy’s Pub " is the ideal game for team’s really looking to be challenged. The less straightforward flow and demanding puzzles require both attention to detail and outside of the book thinking, making it a great choice for experienced players or larger groups, although there aren’t really any team-based puzzles to complete. We were lucky to have escaped and only did so because of a number of hints towards the end. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is available on site. The escape room is found within a bowling alley. The bowling, is however, owned by another company that follows different opening hours. During our first game the bowling was not yet open, nor was the restaurant. So, snacks and drinks may not always be available during your visit, if the bowling is closed. The escape room company do not have any food or drink for sale. There is a dedicated seating area for people attending the escape room. 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 Hidden Games Zurich  for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #HiddenGames #Detective #Zurich #Switzerland

LOCATION: Apeldoorn, Netherlands Photo above is property of Escaperoom De Morfinekluis Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Morphine Vault 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 8, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Heist 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE : €150/ group ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY The site of this operation is the old Zwitsal research facility, long used to produce cocaine, morphine, and similar painkillers - for medicinal purposes only, of course. In 2009, a new derivation of morphine was developed - MX10. Shortly thereafter, the building was shut down and all samples were destroyed - save one. Mr. X has hired you and your team to break into the abandoned factory and retrieve the final sample. Can you evade the guards, find your way into the vault, and escape with the final sample without getting caught? Video above is property of Escaperoom De Morfinekluis 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This game changes up the convention of a typical escape room in a couple of ways to amp up the immersion and make this experience feel like it is really happening. While it has a bit more physicality than the average, you don’t need to be a Cross-fitter to make it through. The way the game kicks off gives you the feeling that you are actually doing something covert, not just being led through another escape room by a GM. The pre-event communication makes it clear as to when and where the adventure begins, so there is no ambiguity related to 'Can we start now?'. Some of the set is rather mundane, but in a good way - you are breaking into a pharmaceutical site, not a wizard's castle, so it feels real. The lighting varies as you move through the game, alternating between regular, nerve wracking, and fun. The hint system is fun and unconventional (in a way) - very much a part of the world you are working within. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We played the English version, and spent quite a bit of time working on information that was clearly relevant, but not translated. We thought they were hints to other puzzles we hadn't finished, while they turned out to be well intentioned Dutch-only signposting. This caused some frustration and slowed our progress. We are hopeful they can add English variants of these extra Dutch components so other teams can remain immersed in the experience and continue progressing, without getting waylaid by elements unrelated to their forward progress. There were also a few red herrings, adding to our sense of uncertainty over what we had or hadn't completed. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you are a native Dutch speaker, an adrenaline-filled adventure awaits you! This is not your usual art heist, as there are guards afoot who will be keeping a close eye on the facility..you must avoid them at all costs (which led to some very entertaining moments for our team). If you are playing the English version, be aware that you may end up confounded by some of the Dutch-only components. Our advice would be to ignore elements that are in Dutch but appear to be clues, or perhaps wait for a more fully developed English version - as this has the potential to be a fantastic experience for English speakers! Once they work out the kinks, this will truly be a highly entertaining game for anyone who dreamed of being part of Ocean's Eleven and pulling off the big one. 🔎 HINT Maps have a lot of information on them! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO We had no problem making our way to the location and getting started. Although the beginning is a bit unconventional, there are bathrooms, as well as storage space for your electronics. There is no formal waiting area, but that is not something that should be viewed as a negative given the nature of this experience! After you book, you will receive further instructions as to where you need to go and how to get started. (Although, they do have a secondary protocol in place should you be unable to receive the communication that is sent shortly before the event begins.) Also, be sure everyone on your team has sufficient agility to crawl and climb, as you'll need to do that (and a bit more!) in order to complete this mission. 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 Escaperoom De Morfinekluis for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #DaveBristol #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #DeMorfinekluis #Heist #Apeldoorn #Netherlands

Photo above is property of Bluekey Games Company: Bluekey Games Game: Escape Tales: The Awakening Language: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish Type of Game: Video Escape Game 📱 Genre: Mystery Date Played: November 21, 2024 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 4.5/10 Time: Unlimited (Approx. 20+ Mins. ) Price: $7.99 USD (Steam) 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 You are Sam, and your wife passed away several years ago. Now, all you have left is your daughter Lizzy who has inexplicably fallen into a coma. You discover " The Book of Rituals ," which contains a mysterious awakening ritual. Driven by desperation, you decide to carry out the ritual. At this moment, you find yourself in your basement, prepared to proceed. Can you succeed in waking your daughter? Video above is property of Bluekey Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 " Escape Tales: The Awakening " is playable only on a PC, requiring Windows 10 or later. Similar to an escape room game, you navigate from one room to another, each containing about 3-4 puzzles linked to past events. To search, click with your mouse in the areas you wish to examine, and a brief description of your findings will appear. As you investigate, you'll gather puzzle pieces necessary for solving (the "solve" button is disabled until all pieces are collected). You also have an inventory for items you find. Remember, you have a limited number of attempts, called "staminas". Once your "staminas" are depleted, you must click "meditate" to reveal parts of your past and reset your "stamina". The gameplay is straightforward, and using a mouse is highly recommended. To enlarge images, use the arrow at the bottom right corner; click and drag it to adjust the size. Additionally, there's a marker for writing directly on the screen. Photos above are property of Bluekey Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 As you advance in the game, you move from one room to another via a portal. Each room contains approximately 3-4 puzzles connected to historical themes. While most puzzles are fairly straightforward, some demand creative thinking. Additionally, there are numerous math problems to tackle. There are a variety of enigmas concealed in each puzzle as you interpret cryptic hints and reveal their secrets. Offering a range of brain-teasing challenges, each puzzle is unique, guaranteeing a novel and thrilling experience that will test the boundaries of your problem-solving abilities. Photos above are property of Bluekey Games 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 We played the table-top game version of " The Awakening " years ago and we were quite impressed! Transforming it into a digital game on Steam truly revitalized it. The graphics were impressive, and the story was presented in a clever way. Similar to an escape room, you move from room to room, solving puzzles to advance. We suggest 1-2 players, as the game takes about 60 minutes to finish. (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 Bluekey Games  for providing us with a sample of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #BrandonChow #AtHomeGames #VideoGames #BluekeyGames #EscapeTales #Mystery #Steam

LOCATION: Leiden, Netherlands Photo above is property of Your Escape Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Non Believers 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 6, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-5 ppl (Ages 18+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 120 Mins. 💰 PRICE : €229/ Group ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY The small village of Pittleburg is devoutly Roman Catholic. As such, the local pastor and his family are very beloved and respected. Yet, last week the children were mysteriously absent from Sunday’s service, and the village is abuzz with speculation… 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Your Escape excels in construction. The craftsmanship of the set (as well as deft misdirection) is incredible! Each space is interestingly unique while fitting in the same world and reflecting the developing narrative, for a diverse yet cohesive experience. The scale of the mechanics is something we've only seen in a few other top tier rooms, creating lots of surprises and serious WOW moments. Several of these take their time developing into breathtaking reveals…just enjoy! The storyline is clear and develops smoothly as the game progresses, with a beginning, middle, and end. The voice acting does a great job of both relating the narrative and contributing to the game's vibe. Your Escape effectively cues puzzle completion and progression via lighting, reducing confusion. If you struggle with small dark spaces, the GM is willing to work with you and make accommodations so you can still enjoy the story. We encourage you to try to make it through this fabulous game. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We enjoyed many of the game's puzzles, but a few could have been tightened up with a bit more signposting, a shorter sequence, or resolution of minor technical glitches. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? There are quite a few immersive horror and thriller rooms to explore in the Netherlands, let alone other countries. While not as intensely puzzle-focused as some games, for fans of narrative development, dramatic transitions, and set and sound design, there are few rooms that can match the feeling of being transported that Your Escape has created in " The Non Believers ". The subject matter is definitely dark and will be troubling for some; as a thriller room, we found it to be more spooky and creepy than terrifying. The game's arc is truly well constructed and the journey mesmerizing. This is a real experience where the culmination is even greater than the sum of its parts and certainly one we won't forget! 🔎 HINT If you are unsure of what to do, pull something. If that doesn't work, push it. Photos above are property of Your Escape ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is free parking near the well-marked building, which was easy to find via GPS. You do need to go up some stairs, where they have a tasteful waiting area, as well as drinks, bathrooms, and lockers. (Perhaps the swankiest bathroom I’ve seen in an escape room!) 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 Your Escape for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #DaveBristol #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #YourEscape #Thriller #Netherlands

We were aboard the Caribbean Princess during Thanksgiving in 2024. Having been on over 70 cruises, this was undoubtedly among the top 3 worst experiences we've had. Here's why: 1. There are no drink stations available at night, not even for water. Once the buffet closes at 10:30 PM, the only option is the 5th-floor cafe. It offers some snacks (though not very fresh), and for water, you must find an open bar willing to provide it, as bars only serve paid items. 2. No late-night food options are available after 10:30 PM. The only open spot is the 5th-floor cafe, which offers limited cold sandwiches and sweets. 3. On the night before disembarkation, luggage must be placed outside by 9 PM. Typically, ships allow until 11 PM to let guests enjoy dinner and shows. Because of this, we couldn't do much on our last night aboard. 4. The room and ship were very old and quite dirty throughout. Below are photos from our mini-suite, which was definitely not worth the cost. 5. The customer service was terrible. The servers had a bad attitude and didn't respond when asked for something. There were no smiles anywhere.  6. The disembarkation day was chaotic. We signed up for the self walk-off (group 1) expecting to leave at 7:20 am, but our group wasn't announced until after 8 am. By that time, everyone was already lined up, and there were only two stations available to scan people off the ship. The 7th floor center area was crowded, resulting in chaos. We didn't get off the ship until almost two hours later, and there was no one to direct traffic.   7. On sea days, the casino lacked enough dealers to open more tables. The smell of smoke was pervasive, and the area was very dirty.  8. The daily schedule didn't indicate which activities required a fee, were complimentary, or needed signup. You only found out upon arrival to the activity site, only to discover they were full. 9. Usually, there are some reserved spots on the ship for specialty dining for people who want to book on board. We were in the early group, and the first thing we did was try to book the specialty restaurants, but they were all full. Additionally, when we attempted to book a regular dinner for our group of 7 people before the cruise, they said their system couldn't handle a large group booking, and we had to do it on the ship. Once on board, the booking agent said they couldn't book groups larger than 4 either. Consequently, we always had to arrive at the restaurant very early, or there would be a long wait. 10. The food on the cruise was not fresh at all. My husband had stomach issues right after boarding. The buffet area was unsanitary. On the first day, servers didn't allow people to fill water bottles directly at the water station, but after that, everything was open, and guests did as they pleased. Kids and even adults were using their hands to grab fruit and putting it back in the buffet area. 11. The self-laundry service was great, except everything was broken. We tried to do our laundry on board, but the coin machine was broken, and one of the machines wasn't working either. We had to carry our laundry to various floors and stand in line to get refunds for the coins. 12. Our group, with rooms at the back of the ship, couldn't sleep throughout the cruise due to the ship's excessive vibration from the engine, making it an uncomfortable experience. Overall, this ship needs a complete makeover in every aspect. The service, decor, cleanliness, and entertainment quality were all below average. Before this cruise, we were on the Virgin Valiant Lady Cruise. To see what a 10/10 cruise experience is like, check out this blog . We are going on the newest Princess ship soon, the Sun Princess. Will report back on the experience on there and hopefully it's an upgrade from this one. #PrincessCruises #CaribbeanPrincess #Review #CiciCao

Photo above is property of Arcane Wonders Company: Arcane Wonders Game: Picture Perfect Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Game (Board Game) 📬 Genre: Memory Puzzle, Party Date Played: September 11, 2024 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 4/10 Size of Team: 2 to 4 ppl Time: Unlimited (Approximately 50-90 Mins.) Price: $31.49 USD 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 " Picture Perfect " is a competitive party board game where players take on the role of photographers trying to arrange the perfect group photo at a glamorous society event. Each player must place up to 14 characters in the best possible positions, but there’s a twist, every character has specific preferences about where they want to stand, who they want to be next to, and who they want to avoid. These preferences are hidden in secret envelopes that players can only peek into with limitations. As players work to arrange their group based on these secret desires, they must also bluff, trade information, and anticipate their opponents' moves, all while ensuring that their own photo setup is flawless. The game ends with players snapping a photo of their arranged scene, and the final score is determined by how well the characters' wishes have been fulfilled. 🆃🅷🅴 🅲🅾🅼🅿🅾🅽🅴🅽🆃🆂 The standees in the core game, illustrated by Ronny Libor, Sören Meding, Gyula Pozsgay, and Maja Wrzosek, have a distinct Gatsby aesthetic – when lavish dinner parties were all the rage. Their detailed designs evoke the fashion and style of the period, adding a certain charm to the game’s visual appeal. The game also includes four player shields, each with its own unique artwork. These shields serve multiple purposes: they keep your character placements hidden from opponents, function as a personal scoreboard at the end of the game, and provide a stunning backdrop for your final photo. Additionally, a double-sided floor mat lets players choose between a brick or wood floor for their party setting, and four tables that come in two distinct designs. While the publisher could have simplified production by using identical artwork for the player screens, tables, and floor mats, the decision to include such a variety of components adds an extra layer of charm. This thoughtful attention to detail not only enhances the visual appeal but also boosts the game's replay-ability, making each session feel fresh and distinctive. Other included components of note: 14 Guest Envelopes – Each depicting one of the guests. This is where their preferences are stored each game. 42 Preference Cards – Each guest will be randomly assigned three cards at the beginning of the game detailing their photo preferences. 4 VIP Cards – These cards designate the most important guests. 12 Exchange Cards – These cards determine how the envelopes are exchanged each round. There are six for a 2 player game and another six for a 3-4 player game. 40 Table Decorations – In the base game these are only decorations, however when advancing your play and using the Auction variant, the decorations are used as currency. Overall, the component quality is solid, though I’ve opted to remove the game’s insert to extend the lifespan of the tables and standees. This allows me to keep the tables assembled between sessions, avoiding the wear and tear that repeated assembly would cause. The thematic artwork is a standout feature, encouraging players to admire their final arrangement and even inspiring them to snap a photo, perfectly capturing the essence of the game. For those looking to enhance their experience further, acrylic standees are available for purchase separately, offering a sleek upgrade to the game’s standard components. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 At its core, " Picture Perfect " is a light, easy-to-learn game centered on memory and solving a logic puzzle with limited information. The game unfolds over six rounds, with each round giving you access to envelopes that hold a guest’s individual preferences. The Exchange Cards determine how these envelopes move between players. Typically, you'll get to peek at two or three sets of preferences, but only once and one at a time. Sometimes, there are envelopes you may never get to see. With this limited insight, you must piece together the best possible arrangement, fulfilling as many of the guests' wishes as you can. The Preference Cards are straightforward, often featuring diagrams to help. For example, a guest might want to stand to the right, left, or behind a table, next to a specific character, or might not want to be seen by another character at all. These demands are quite relatable to the challenges real photographers face, and occasionally, the randomness of the setup leads to contradictions, like a guest wanting to stand on both the left and right in the same envelope. These quirks not only add humor but also make your decisions more strategic and challenging. Throughout the six rounds, you can freely rearrange the characters on your board to help remember their preferences. Final placements are only locked in after the last round, when scoring takes place. This is also when you’ll want to snap a picture, both to aid with scoring and to capture the memory of your game. To add a small element of gambling, players each receive one VIP Card which can be placed into any of the envelopes you encounter; there can even be multiple VIP Cards in the same envelope. Characters with VIP Cards will score one additional time for each card within for all players, no matter who put the card there. This makes fulfilling those particular guests' preferences even more critical, as it could give you the edge needed to secure a win. The game also offers a variant that incorporates an auction into the inter-round exchanging of cards. This is a fun dynamic that adds a thin layer of strategy and small amount of unpredictability to the proceedings. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅴🅽🅳 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🆂🅲🅾🆁🅸🅽🅶 At the end of the sixth-round players lay down their shields to make use of the scoring pad and scoring summary, whilst also letting your opponents see your scene for the first time. Scoring is simply done; reveal the three Preference Cards of each character one at a time, allowing each player to simultaneously score points based on how many of the criteria they met – 0, 1, 2, or all 3. The player with the most points after scoring all 14 characters is the winner. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Picture Perfect " offers a refreshing take on board gaming, encouraging creativity in a unique and engaging way. Its simplicity and straightforward scoring system make it highly accessible to casual players and even children. You don’t need to remember every guest’s preferences to do well; as long as you get at least one right, you’ll score points. This mechanic allows players to still get a sense of achievement during the scoring phase. While the game primarily feels like a solo puzzle, the scoring phase brings players together, fostering conversation as everyone admires and compares their final arrangements. It’s rare for a game to spark such post-play discussion, but Picture Perfect accomplishes that brilliantly. That said, I was pleased to find several expansions available, as the base game, though enjoyable, could become a bit repetitive after many plays. Adding variants like the auction mechanic or incorporating more Exchange Cards are simple ways to increase variety and keep the game fresh. Expansions help to enhance replay-ability and offer new ways to enjoy the game’s charming premise. (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 #MemoryPuzzle #Party #USA #ArcaneWonders

LOCATION: Fribourg, Switzerland Photo above is property of Friscape Photos above are property of Friscape 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Emergency Exit 📅 DATE PLAYED : August 15, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Survival 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 100-150 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [34:22] 📖 THE STORY You decide to travel to Brazil to partake in a humanitarian aid program. Not long after boarding your flight from Zurich you begin to hear unnerving sounds from the plane’s engines, and then suddenly, oxygen masks drop from the ceiling, the screams and the alarm mix in your ears and as you grasp onto your seat for dear life, the aircraft begins a rapid descent. Then, a sudden crash, as the plane plunges into the Atlantic Ocean. All systems are dead. It’s up to you now to find a way to restart the emergency power, unlock the doors, and escape before the plane sinks too deep into the ocean, threatening to drag you down with it. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The game takes place in a very large open space allowing for larger teams to easily play together and move around freely. The set design brings across the airplane theme with key elements such as chairs and pieces of luggage to reinforce your environment. There aren’t many puzzles to solve, but those there are at least thematically linked to the game. There is some searching involved and logic-based tasks, as well as a couple of cooperative elements. The difficulty level is relatively low, making it an ideal room for beginners and even children or teens. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Although it’s clear that the setting is meant to resemble a plane, the overall immersion could have been significantly improved with more authentic and higher-quality decorations and props. The large space felt underutilized, with minimal effort put into creating the illusion of being inside an actual aircraft. It was disappointing to see so little attention to detail in such a vast area. It didn’t feel as though there were enough actions to do inside, certainly not enough that had a meaningful impact on the story and our mission. The game lacks any kind of special effects, which is disappointing by today’s modern standards. This resulted in the room lacking a really immersive atmosphere or feeling of pressure to escape our pending doom. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? I expect this room will appeal primarily to players with limited escape room experience. The simplistic nature of the puzzles and decoration is unlikely to captivate more experienced teams who have seen better-designed examples. Additionally, the high price point for smaller teams of 2 or 3 players may deter some groups from choosing to play, considering the overall experience offered. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is not available on site. There are several car parks in the near vicinity. Players will register and pay at the reception desk of the upstairs bowling alley. A member of Friscape will then come to greet you and escort you downstairs to their rooms. Downstairs there are some shelves for your belongings and seating. There are no secure lockers. 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 Friscape  for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Friscape #Survival #Fribourg #Switzerland

LOCATION: Zürich, Switzerland Photo above is property of Escape City Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Turtles 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 3, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Adventure 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 99-210 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [37:16] 📖 THE STORY The pizza-loving turtles need you! Step into the shoes of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo as you venture into the hidden world beneath the city. Dodge the police, showcase your ninja skills, groove in the Turtle Dance, and most importantly, stop Krang's evil plot. It's time to save the world and send the villain back to Dimension X for good! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Among the six games at Escape City, Turtles delivers the best set design and game flow. With a fun, cartoony aesthetic, the room evokes nostalgia and draws players into the world of the Turtles in a way that feels immersive and true to the theme. The inclusion of the Turtles’ iconic van was a standout feature that added a unique element to the game. Not only is it integral to the opening sequence, but players return to the van throughout the experience. It ties perfectly into the theme and keeps the puzzles feeling fresh and cohesive. The puzzles were another high point, with a logical, linear flow that contributed to the sense of progression. Moving from tasks like driving the van to locating the hideout and restoring power, the game’s structure created a real sense of purpose. Adding music, physical movement, and even some dexterity, brought unexpected, playful challenges that made the experience memorable. Plus, one surprise near the end was especially impressive… sorry, no spoilers! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There wasn’t much to complain about in this game. For the most part we were engaged as a team, powering through the puzzles; however, the ending definitely felt disjointed and abrupt. We thought we were working up to thwarting Krang’s evil plan, but this was too quickly resolved when he did appear with one quick task that didn’t feel relatable. Then, just as fast as he appeared, Krang vanished, and we were about ready to make our final escape. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? You don’t have to be a fan of TMNT to enjoy this escape room. It's lighthearted nature, cleverly themed puzzles, and surprises make it a delightful experience for almost any player. Though we escaped in a quick 37 minutes, the game still challenged us with a variety of unique puzzles, and we left on a high. In terms of immersion and sheer fun, this was our favorite game at Escape City. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is available on site. Parking is available around the escape room. The escape room is about a 10–15-minute walk from the train station, which is only one stop away from Zurich’s main station. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages for sale. Photos above are property of Escape City (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure :   We thank Escape City  for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeCity #Adventure #Zurich #Switzerland