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LOCATION: Prague, Czech Republic Photo above is property of MindMaze Prague Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Magic Mirrors 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 9, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : Off-peak: 1690 CZK (2-3 ppl), 1990 CZK (4-6 ppl) On-peak: 1990 CZK (2-3 ppl), 2190 CZK (4-6 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [34:25] 📖 THE STORY Enter the world of magic and wonder, where you must help a powerful sorceress known as the Archmage to reunite the pieces of a broken magical amulet. This artefact once held immense power but it broke into halves during the rivalry of two mages. The Archmage uses her half to search for knowledge and enlightenment but the other half is used for black magic and dark deeds. Now, you must use your wits and determination to find the missing half and put the amulet back together to restore its power. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE First of all, we have to state that this is a visually stunning room. The walls are adorned with magical props and thematic furniture accents, even the ceilings have been thoughtfully included. The witch’s spell room is opulent, dark, and mysterious; full of potion bottles, ingredients, and other wicked fancies. We enjoyed the unusual start to the game and trying to work our way out of a room of mirrors. The mirrors are also used to play numerous videos that enhance and evolve the story between the good and evil witches, which culminates in an unexpected climax to our adventure. Despite the old-world setting, the game incorporated a lot of technological elements seamlessly, with the main mechanic being to place specific objects in the correct positions. Our favorite puzzle was completing the spell at the end to fix the broken amulet, which featured some silly dancing and a cool special effect. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We didn’t find anything ‘wrong’ with any of the facets of the game, although we also didn’t think it excelled in any either. Our unified conclusion of the three games played at MindMaze (" Magic Mirrors ", " Nautilus ", and " Galactic Pioneers "), was that " Galactic Pioneers " had the most creative and challenging puzzles, whilst Nautilus had the most interesting and complete story. " Magic Mirrors ", was however, our favored game to play, offering the most rounded experience overall. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is a wonderful family weight or beginner’s room, especially if you are into magic and sorcery, and of course Harry Potter. The rooms are not overly large so four might be the best number for less experienced teams to play. We escaped comfortably being only two, which was our preferred number. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is not available on site. However, there is street parking in the surrounding area and a tram stop close by. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and drinks for sale. Photos above are property of MindMaze Prague (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 MindMaze Prague 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 #MindMaze #Fantasy #Prague #CzechRepublic

LOCATION: Prague, Czech Republic Photo above is property of The Padlock Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Cemetery 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 7, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Spooky 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 3/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 1-4 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 66 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 1599 CZK (1 person), 1699 CZK (2 ppl), 1799 CZK (3 ppl), 1899 CZK (4 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [17:54] 📖 THE STORY The small and private cemetery of the Böhm family is now almost forgotten. Mr. Böhm was not born a wealthy person, but he managed to acquire a vast amount of wealth during his lifetime; not that anyone could figure out how. He disappeared as a young man, returning a completely different person, with power, wealth and extraordinary charisma. He had many women in his life, but despite his charm, none of them lasted. In the end, he died alone and without children. No one knows what happened to his money and to be honest, most people probably forgot about him a long time ago. After taking an interest in the legend, you begin to investigate his life, uncovering clues that indicate that his wealth may still exist; the path to finding it begins at the Böhm family cemetery. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Like all the games at The Padlock, our adventure begins after watching a dark and thematic video which was well produced and helped set the scene for what lay ahead. This may be a small room, but that’s not to say it hasn’t been expertly crafted. The petit cemetery looks authentic, with a genuine metal gate and railings, as well as a deep layer of dirt that covers the floor. Prior to my trip to Prague, I had played three ‘bought’ rooms which each had a plastic tiled floor that was meant to imitate concrete and stone, I remember looking at it and feeling so disappointed by this cheap imitation and wishing they’d carried the immersion further. However, at The Padlock I was able to look at the floor, in each of their three rooms, and smile; natural and genuine materials were always used, such as wood, stone, and dirt. In addition to a wonderful set design, numerous props were also installed to enhance the experience; a giant skeleton that provided a brief scare moment was perhaps our favourite. Although we breezed through the puzzles without any problem, escaping in a mere 17 minutes (and setting a new room record), we all agreed, coming out the other side, that the game was still entirely enjoyable. One reason for the fast escape time is that the room plays non-linear and we seem to always be split into two groups and tackling something different. Overall, the puzzles were interesting, requiring teamwork to complete and utilizing some cool props; for instance, this is the only room I’ve played where we lit real candles and not electronic ones. So, whilst pro teams may escape in 30 minutes or less, newer teams should feel confident in escaping with little help also. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The puzzles were all logical and really thematic, we just wished there were MORE of them. However, for newer teams or groups which choose not to split up, this might be a good number. Although the story was imaginative and held an interesting beginning, it fell flat for us, resulting in an anticlimactic and somewhat confusing ending. We wished more was done to tie the story up, like they have done so well in their other two games. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Despite the dark theme, we didn’t find the room to be scary, except the one jump moment. So hopefully, the dark nature of the game doesn’t deter anyone playing what is otherwise a really fun ‘little’ escape room! For us, the highlight was the set design and the authenticity of all the materials used, which also included a real (and sharp) knife! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is not available on site. It is probably best to arrive with Uber or public transport. There are other escape venues within walking distance, so if you are in town for a few you may likely find yourself just walking between venues. There is a lobby area comfortable seating and a bathroom 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 Padlock for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #ThePadlock #Spooky #Prague #CzechRepublic

Photos are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Geography: Antsiranana, also known as Diego Suarez, is a port city in northern Madagascar. Population: 82,937 Currency: Malagasy Ariary ; Currency Converter Cruise Port: Google Map Location Tender Port: Yes Best Time to Visit: April to October While visiting this port on the Norwegian Cruise Line (Dawn) on February 22nd, 2024, we had about 8 hours to explore, as we arrived at 8 AM and had to leave by 5 PM. Being a tender port, it only has a single dock for one tender at a time. To ensure an early arrival at the port, it's advisable to board the first tender. The port is a little better in terms of condition in comparison to Nosy Be. We were greeted with a warm welcome from the locals. It operates as a working port, with numerous containers and vendors and tour operators. The port doesn't seem fully geared towards tourism yet. It's important to remain cautious and beware of pickpockets due to the crowded areas you'll need to navigate. Antsiranana, Madagascar used to serve as the capital of the Merina Kingdom and was referred to as Diego-Suarez until 1975. Established in 1928 by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Du Tertre, the city showcases architectural styles greatly influenced by the French. Additionally, it played a significant role as a trading hub for spices, ivory, and slaves. We arranged our tour on our own and it was operated by a company called Dodi Lemur Tour. They didn't meet our expectations. Initially, they quoted $115 per person, which included a picnic. However, at the last minute, they expressed concerns about potential risks if the boat didn't dock, so they canceled the food provision and requested that we bring our own food from the ship (which is actually not allowed). Consequently, they reduced the price by $15 per person, making the final cost $100 per person. To secure a spot on this tour, a deposit of $15 per person must be sent via the Remitly app in advance. It's important to note that no refunds will be provided if your ship fails to dock. That day, numerous 4WD vehicles from different companies were in operation, each carrying four adults in a car but none of the cars had air conditioning. We had to rely on the natural hot wind for ventilation. moreover, leaving the windows down all the time was not feasible due to bugs and dust from the road. Along the journey, you would pass through many villages where the children. They were all super friendly and would wave or even approach the car to greet you. This experience offers a glimpse into the reality of life in a developing country. It is also a local tradition to offer Zebu to a bride's family as these animals symbolizes wealth. A man who wishes to marry must present three Zebus to the bride's family. The value of each Zebu ranges from $150 to $500 depending on its size. In some areas, proving one's manhood may involve stealing a Zebu. The roads leading to Amber National Park were in worse condition compared to those in Nosy Be. It took us 2.5 hours to reach the park and the same amount of time to return to the ship. Despite having only about 2 hours in the park, it was more than enough. Since most bookings from the cruise ship were for this location as there weren't many other attractions on the island, the park was crowded with people and lacked interesting things to see. Given that the animals in the park are all wild, spotting them largely depends on luck. Nevertheless, our tour guide was excellent and managed to point out various small creatures such as frog species, spiders, chameleons, birds, and geckos. We were fortunate to see two wild lemurs, although they were not as friendly as those in Nosy Be. It is recommended to wear hiking shoes for your one-hour walk in this area, as the paths are muddy, slippery, and lined with tree vines. There are two waterfalls on the site, but swimming is not permitted. The sacred waterfall is more beautiful than the other one. We wore long pants and shirts in case of bugs and mosquitos but there weren't as many as we were expecting to see. Remember to bring a hat, sunblock, and bug spray. There are several bathrooms available, but they are quite dirty and no toilet papers were provided. There weren't many restaurants on the island that seemed appealing enough to risk upsetting our stomachs, so it would be wise to bring your own food for the tour rather than trying the local cuisine. During our return journey, we made a stop for a photo opportunity and caught sight of the sacred island. The area was crowded with vendors, making it less enjoyable. After that, we got back in the car and headed to our final destination to see a baobab tree. It was different from what I had pictured, as the tour guide clarified that the baobabs that we have seen through online photos are located in the drier South. The ones here are a different species. I found the sight of two chameleons mating to be a more captivating photo opportunity than the tree. Overall, I didn't feel that the 5-hour bumpy road trip to spend an hour hiking in the park was worth it, especially considering the hefty cost of the ship's excursion. Even at $100 per person, it felt more like enduring the trip rather than enjoying the experience. Perhaps in the future, if the road is improved, and only if you truly appreciate nature and a leisurely hike (if you have extra time), it might be worth considering. It is hoped that this island will invest more in improving its infrastructure and enhancing its tourism offerings to cater better to visitors. Personally, I am not inclined to revisit anytime soon... Feel Free to reach out to us with any questions! #CiciCao #Travel #Guide #Tips #Explore #PortElizabeth #SouthAfrica #Africa #Norwegiancruiselines #ncl #cruise

Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Geography: Nosy Be is an island off Madagascar’s northwestern coast. Population: 109,000 Currency: Malagasy Ariary ; Currency Converter Cruise Port: Google Map Location Tender Port: Yes Best Time to Visit: May to October During our visit to this port on the Norwegian Cruise Line (Dawn) on February 21st, 2024, we had approximately 6 hours to explore as we arrived at 1 PM but had to depart at 7 PM. Being a tender port, only one tender could dock at a time, resulting in a lengthy process to disembark all passengers. Upon arrival at the port, we encountered a bustling and somewhat chaotic atmosphere with locals trying to sell goods and offer tour services. It is advisable to secure your belongings and remain vigilant against pickpockets. Outside, there were numerous "tuk-tuks" available, but we were unsure of their reliability. Despite this, some adventurous guests took them and reported a positive experience upon their return. They also said you can negotiate the prices with them and some took a town tour for about $10. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Nosy Be, which translates to "big island" in the Malagasy language, is the most popular and well-established tourist destination. However, despite being the main port for tourism, we found that it still lacks significant development. However, there is an international airport located on the island. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers During our visit to this island, the main attraction is observing the Lemurs. We arranged an island excursion through Yemaya company for $65 per person, which included visits to the Lemur park, the sacred tree, Mont Passot, and a dinner at Andilana beach. Payment was made in cash to our tour guide at the port, with no deposit required. Our guide provided us with insightful historical information about the area. Families on the island can have a maximum of 20 children, and half of the population is under 18 years old. Although there are many children, not all of them can afford to attend school, with only 60% having access to education. Madagascar is divided into 22 regions and has 18 languages spoken. Lokobe National Park (Lemur Park): The road leading to the park is quite uneven, so make sure you are ready for a bumpy journey. While exploring, we spotted numerous animals, but the lemurs were undoubtedly the main attraction. Guides are available to provide you with bananas that you can use to feed the lemurs, who are very accustomed to human presence and show no fear. Towards the end, there is an option to take a tour of a distillery, but if given a choice as a group, it's better to skip it. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers The Sacred tree: It was truly impressive to witness the size of this tree. There exists an entire village dedicated to protecting the tree, although the journey to see a single tree was quite lengthy. I would have probably skipped this for a more relaxing time on the beautiful beach. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Mont Passot: The panoramic view from the top was truly stunning. To reach the peak, you must ascend a hill for about 3 minutes and climb around 10 additional steps. However, the tranquility of the place was somewhat diminished by the presence of numerous vendors. At the summit, there is a spacious viewing platform, as well as a smaller one to the left that requires climbing spiral stairs, with limited capacity. Mont Passot is the second location (following the Lemur Park) on our tour where restroom facilities were available, so if needed, ask your tour guide to make a brief stop. We also made a quick stop at a haunted house : Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Although the tour guide had good intentions and tried to offer us a packed itinerary, it was disappointing that despite placing our meal order well in advance, we missed out on dinner (and trying Zebu meat)! Upon arriving at the beautiful Andilana beach, the restaurant has not prepared our food, and by the time we were seated, it was time to head back to the ship. Nighttime traffic in Hell Ville, the town center, can be challenging as it becomes lively. It is advisable to allocate sufficient time to return to the cruise terminal, as we were the last group to arrive. To compensate for the missed meal, the tour guide refunded each person $10. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers To sum up, if your time on the island is limited, I recommend focusing on exploring Lokobe National Park and enjoying a meal at one of its stunning beaches. Tour Suggestions pending on your time: Day tour to Nosy Iranja Tour of Nosy Be Lokobe National Park Exploring Nosy Sakatia with guide Guided tour of the Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely Islands Feel Free to reach out to us with any questions! #CiciCao #Travel #Guide #Tips #Explore #PortElizabeth #SouthAfrica #Africa #Norwegiancruiselines #ncl #cruise

Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Geography: Port city on South Africa’s SouthWest coast Population: Approx. 5 Million Currency: South African Rand (ZAR); Currency Converter Cruise Port: Google Map Location Tender Port: No Best Time to Visit: January to March We arrived at Cape Town, South Africa on the Norwegian Cruise Line (Dawn) on February 13 & 14, 2024. The airport was quite small but got through customs pretty fast. We got there around 10:30AM and hopped on the prepaid NCL bus to the cruise port. I would definitely recommend grabbing an Uber instead of buying the cruise transport as the wait for the entire bus to be filled was quite long. Uber is super affordable, safe, and really convenient in Cape Town. Most folks there speak English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa. Oh, and there are Myciti buses that can take you from the airport to the town center, but we didn't explore that option since we had a lot of luggage with us. The traffic from the airport to the cruise port was pretty bad though so make sure to leave ample time to make it within your required check-in time. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers The cruise port area offers complimentary WIFI, as do most of the shops along the waterfront. Additionally, there are a few restaurants available if you prefer to stay within the port. It's important to be aware that many stores only accept card payments, so it's advisable to have a credit card without foreign transaction fees. For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy card not only waives foreign transaction fees but also provides rewards for all purchases, which can be redeemed for FREE hotel stays and airfare in the future. I plan to write a dedicated blog post on this topic in the future. As Uber cannot access the cruise port area, you will have to walk approximately 5 minutes to reach the port entrance. You can call an Uber from there. The waterfront is a 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal, or you can opt for a 5-minute Uber ride (costing around $2) to get there. At the waterfront area, you'll encounter the Time Out Market (offering superb fusion cuisine, a must-try), Watershed (primarily for souvenirs), Alfred Mall (compact yet housing a fantastic bakery/coffee shop), and Victoria Mall (spacious with a food court and waterfront restaurants. If you're seeking ambiance, opt to dine here, but for food enthusiasts, Time Out Market is the more obvious choice). If you have a ticket for the hop-on-hop-off bus , there's a stop conveniently located outside the Aquarium. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Please be aware that certain beaches in the area may be too cold for swimming, while those on the South side are consistently suitable for swimming. Llandudno boasts stunning beaches, but it is a private neighborhood with numerous celebrity residences. Additionally, take note of the flag colors on the beach, as there have been numerous shark attacks in the past. As a precaution, shark spotters are now in place to warn swimmers of potential risks at specific times. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers As we arrived early on the 13th and the cruise is scheduled to depart late afternoon on the 14th, I will outline our activities for the two days in Cape Town: Day 1 While we had planned to participate in a complimentary walking tour of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, we missed the 2PM departure time. If you opt for this tour , it typically lasts about 1.5 hours, and it's customary to tip the tour guides, with a suggested amount of R200-400 per person. The meeting point is at Motherland Cafe in St. George's Mall, but it's advisable to confirm with the tour guide. You can reach the meeting point from the cruise port by Uber (7 minutes) or on foot (26 minutes). The following day, we managed to capture a photo of the Bo-Kaap neighborhood from our tour bus. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers If you have time for only one activity, I highly recommend visiting Table Mountain . We bought tickets in advance to avoid potential queues, especially on days when cruise ships are in port. Although you may skip the line for the tickets, there'll definitely be a line for the cable cars. You will need to take an elevator downstairs to join the queue for the cable cars, where you will be directed to the left or right side as there are only two cars, each accommodating around 60 people. The wait time on the day we visited was approximately 30 minutes. It's advisable to plan your visit for late afternoon to catch the sunset and benefit from lower prices. Sunset times vary depending on the season, so be sure to check the website before your visit. The website also provides information on wait times. Once aboard the cable car, position yourself near the sides for better views. The car rotates 360 degrees once it ascends, so there's no need to worry about your initial position. If you can't secure a side spot on the way up, try to line up early for the descent to ensure a good vantage point. You can spend around 2 hours exploring the various hiking trails and possibly spotting wildlife. If time is limited, simply walk around the cable car area for stunning views and quick photo opportunities in just 15-20 minutes. For the adventurous, there's an option to join professional mountain climbing activities. If you stay for the sunset, be aware that there may not be available cable cars for the descent, requiring a hike down. While it's possible to walk up the mountain, the steep road is often busy with cars. We opted for an Uber ride up and down, which proved to be a convenient choice. Restrooms and dining options are available at both the base and the summit of the mountain. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Day 2 This day is considered a half day for us because our ship departs at 5 PM. We decided that returning around 3 PM would be the most suitable and secure option. Therefore, we chose to go on a half day tour to visit the penguins at Boulders Beach , primarily because we believed this might be our only opportunity to see penguins during the entire cruise. In terms of cost, this choice was more practical as hiring a car to get there would take an hour, making it more expensive if we were to go independently. There were approximately 10 people in a compact van for this tour. The admission fee of 190z was not part of the package. Payment can be made by credit card or cash (preferably exact change) to the guide on site. A short 5-minute walk from the parking area to the entrance is required, but the guide will have your ticket ready so there's no need to queue (another advantage of joining a tour). Additionally, they managed to bring us there ahead of the crowd, which was nice. Upon entering, you will encounter three passages to choose from. Our recommendation is to begin with the one directly ahead, followed by the path to the right (both situated within the park). The right-hand passage will take you past small plastic nesting holes for the penguins, but sightings are unlikely outside of May-June. While this route offers a different perspective of the penguins, it is farther away. For the best close-up pictures, opt for the straight path where most visitors gather. The final trail leads outside the entrance to a public walkway leading to the beach area. To access the rear entrance and explore further inside, an additional fee is required (but it's included in your entrance fee already, so just show your ticket). During this visit, there were only a few penguins in the water or near the beach; however, you can traverse a narrow passage under the rock to the opposite side of the beach. It was quite nice to witness Rock Hyrax or “dassie” (a close relative of an elephant) coexisting harmoniously with the penguins. If you complete the tour early, the guide may ask you to wait at an ice cream shop, offering a variety of delicious flavors. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers During my time in Cape Town, I felt secure in the waterfront and cruise port vicinity, as well as during the excursions we went on. However, we refrained from fully exploring other parts of Cape Town on our own due to their perceived lack of development. I recommend remaining vigilant and avoiding ostentatious attire. Remember to pack protective sun accessories and bottled water and most importantly, have fun! Here are some other suggested tours that we didn't have time to do: Cape Town: Table Mountain and Robben Island Tour Kirstenbosch Garden, Bo-Kaap-Penguins & Cape Peninsula Tour Round-Trip to Aquila with Game Drive From Cape Town: 2-Day Safari at Garden Route Game Lodge Cape Town: Full-Day Winelands Tour with Wine Tastings & Food Here are some other suggestions for adventurers: Cape Town: Table Mountain Hike with an Expert Guide Cape Town: Guided Lion's Head Hike at Sunrise or Sunset On your own: Oranjezicht City Farm Market (only open on certain days) Clifton Beach (nice sunset) The Biscuit Mill Market (10AM-4PM) Cape Point Nature Preserve Muizenberg & Kalk Bay Green Market Square Two Oceans Aquarium Stellenbosch Franschoek Restaurant: *** South Africa restaurant booking site  *** Chinchilla Rooftop Cafe and Bar FYN Chefs Warehouse Mojo Market (food hall) La Parada in Constanstia - (tapas restaurant) La Petite Colombe (gourmet) Coffee & Tea: Truth Coffee Roasting Original Coffee Roasting The Granary Cafe (Afternoon tea place) Feel Free to reach out to us with any questions! #CiciCao #Travel #Guide #Tips #Explore #RichardsBay #SouthAfrica #Africa #Norwegiancruiselines #ncl #cruise

Photo above is property of The Deadbolt Mystery Society Company: The Deadbolt Mystery Society Game: A Strange Occurrence at Crown House Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Game 📬 Genre: Mystery Date Played: April 20, 2024 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 5/10 Size of Team: Unlimited (Recommended 1 to 4 ppl) Time: Unlimited (Recommended 2 - 3 Hrs) Price: $31.99 USD 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Waking up, you find yourself locked at the entrance of Crown House. Everything seems so familiar here, but you can’t figure out why. You find a note from someone called “the owner” which tells you that if you don’t escape Crown House, lives will be lost. Seeing pictures of your family around, you have no time to lose figuring out what your connection to the house is and how to escape. 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ Opening the strikingly designed box with the title of the experience on it, we found lots of contents which included a beginning brief, instructions on how to play, a picture of a corkboard, a business card, 2 envelopes and much more. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 After reading the instructions and the beginning brief we were thrust into the story and dove into the content. The beginning brief pointed us in the right direction on what content to begin with. All the items were printed on high quality stock. For those who are new to DMS, how the game progressed is once we solved the puzzles or believed we knew key information, we would scan QR codes and input the information. If we were right, something would open and continue the story or tell us more information. To proceed through the story, they would also have envelopes with more clues and information for us to read once we were told to do so. One thing that stood out in this game was the signposting was spot on. We found we were able to make all the right connections to each item. There was also some cluing that they put in to help with a few different storytelling elements. A specific note to this game is that you will need scissors to cut some things out. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 There was a wide range of puzzles in this game such as logic puzzles, deciphering puzzles and more. The game was played in a fairly linear fashion. Each envelope had us solve a handful of puzzles simultaneously and combine the solutions to unlock the next envelope. The narrative and puzzles worked together seamlessly and complemented each other nicely. There were also a few standout puzzles including one that we needed to use a video to solve. How the hint system works is there is a document that can be downloaded online. It is a nicely formatted pdf that presents a table of contents at the start that we could find the puzzle we need hints on and go to that page. There are sufficient tiers provided for each of the puzzles. The solutions are provided in a separate document. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " A Strange Occurrence at Crown House " was a solid and entertaining game to experience. With the creative writing and puzzles, we are surprised that DMS still has so many fresh ideas to keep their boxes exciting. We played as 2 veteran puzzlers and found it to be a pleasurable time, though there was enough to keep up to 4 people busy at the same time. Anyone who loves a gripping thriller story or an armchair puzzler would love this game. Are you ready to figure out what the strange occurrence at Crown house is? (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 Deadbolt Mystery Society for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzleByMail #SubscriptionGames #Mystery #USA #TheDeadboltMysterySociety

It’s amazing to see how many celebrities enjoy escape rooms. We love that they are promoting the culture and truly enjoying the experience. It’s rare that we get to see this “geeky” side of them. We can’t wait to join them in some rooms one day and see how we do as a team! We’ll continue to update to this articles as we find more “Celebrity sightings” in Escape Rooms so remember to check back from time to time for new discoveries! If you have any "sightings" of celebrities that you don't see on this post, please email it to us so we can update it accordingly! Thank you! Madison Beer's new music video " 15 Minutes " features her weaving a romantically thrilling tale that incites temptation and suspense. The video starts with Madison Beer entering an escape room in the middle of the desert driven by her curiosity. I've been an avid fan of Netflix's " Cobra Kai " and to see Johnny Lawrence (played by William Zabka) attempt to get his son and his soon-to-be son-in-law to start bonding by creating an escape room inside his home, made me love the show even more! It's great to see how the entertainment industry views escape rooms as a team-building experience for once and not always horror-related. Check out the video of the play through of the escape room below: Chris Ramsey build a custom escape room for $100,000 for himself! This is also a promo for his tabletop game that you can purchase right now at his store . Check out the video of the play through of the escape room below: Kim & Khloe Kardashian and Pete Davidson booked out a private event at 60 Out Escape Room! Recently on the Kelly Clarkson show Neil Patrick Harris announced his new children's book series "The Magic Misfits": Magic Misfits , The Second Story , The Minor Third and The Fourth Suit . He even created a board game called "Box One"! And the best part is, you no longer need to hunt down teammates, this game can be played by just one person (yay for "Me Time)! As soon as he mentioned: "codes, puzzles and escape room adjacent...." we were sold! Can't wait for the game to come out. Thanks to Neil & Kelly for their uber excitement and shoutout at the end for escape rooms! Vanessa Hudgens recently visited Edinburgh Dungeons Escape Room to celebrate her birthday! Her team escaped just over half an hour! Check out the article here on " Edinburghlive "! Photo Credit: Edinburgh Dungeon Escape Room Here's Will Smith & Tom Holland promoting their new movie " Spies in Disguise " and using an escape room as an ice breaker since this is their first time meeting each other! See " Spies in Disguise " in theaters on December 25, 2019. Watch Anthony Mackie , Letitia Wright , Sebastian Stan , and Benedict Cumberbatch take on a Marvel Studios ' Avengers: Endgame-themed escape room here! Since Ariana Grande loves Halloween and being scared, James Corden takes her to a haunted escape room at 60OUT Escape Rooms . On this episode of the James Corden show, Niall Horan and Julia Michaels must work together to escape from this room before the end of the show to perform their new song, "What a Time." Chris Evans (Avengers: Infinity War) has taken over a comic book store to secretly create the ultimate Captain America escape room. Find out if some unsuspecting customers can escape the clutches of Hydra. Gigi Hadid revealed on this episode of the Ellen DeGeneres show that she's a big fan of Escape Rooms! #tomholland #willsmith #spiesindisguise #escaperooms #escaperoom #games #puzzles #marvel #marvelstudios #anthonymackie #letitiawright #sebastianstan #benedictcumberbatch #avengers #endgame #arianagrande #jamescorden #niallhoran #juliamichaels #chrisevan #gigihadid #ellendegeneres #celebrities #venessahudgens

LOCATION: Prague, Czech Republic Photo above is property of The Chamber Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Haunted House 2: Poltergeist 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 8, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Horror 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 2690-4090 CZK ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [48:02] 📖 THE STORY In the early 1980s, an international team of scientists was trying to explain what lies behind a phenomenon generally called “POLTERGEIST”. This name was given to all sorts of combined paranormal events, such as loud noises with no apparent source, telekinetic movements or strong fluctuations within the electromagnetic field. Several ‘volunteers’ were chosen to take part in a top-secret experiment. However, in the research facility, located somewhere in Prague, things started to get out of hand and the entire project was prematurely terminated. It became obvious that nobody made it out of the facility alive, but the government just claimed that nothing like the “Poltergeist facility” ever existed. For many years nobody was sure if the whole story was not just another urban legend. Until a strange walled-up iron door was found… Will you gather your courage to investigate a place filled with paranormal events? Will you learn the truth about an extraordinary scientific experiment or will you join those who found their death in the Poltergeist facility?... Will you dare open the door? Video above is property of The Chamber Escape Room 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The research facility has been masterfully constructed. The rooms are spacious but minimally decorated, containing just the right number of props to keep your mind focused on the game’s real goal (to scare you crapless!), yet to also be immersive. The use of light and sound, coupled with a few other special effects, successfully raises the level of tension and keeps the fear factor high. We were always nervous of what might be waiting for us around each and every corner. The actor in our game was solid. He knew exactly what to do to get the most impact yet always kept his boundaries, there is no touching in this game. Even in places you thought you might be safe, he occasionally popped up. The level of difficulty is very well balanced. Typically, you find horror rooms are slightly easier than non-horror games, as your mind is working a little slower due to the fear factor. Here, we found the puzzles to still be thoughtful and engaging, but at a level where we could still ‘enjoy’ the strange environment we found ourselves in. One particular aspect we enjoyed was the few times that one of us was forced to separate from the rest of the team. Here was when we found out who the bravest amongst us was. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We really didn’t find anything that missed the mark. This is perhaps one of my favourite horror games to date. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This is an excellent introductory horror game, for people looking to try one with an actual actor. The puzzles are still simple enough that even the most scared person should be able to contribute and having an actor that doesn’t touch you will be a relief to many. This was the first horror game for one of our team and he thoroughly enjoyed it. No doubt more will follow in the future for him! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Petrské náměstí (Zodiac Patres, Haunted House, Poltergeist) – Parking is possible only at the “pink zones” for 40 CZK per hour. You can also park at the “Palladium” shopping centre nearby for 60 CZK per hour. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating, a restroom, and lockers. Photos above are property of The Chamber (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 Chamber for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #TheChamber #Horror #Prague #CzechRepublic

LOCATION: Letchworth, England, United Kingdom Photo above is property of Agent Brains Escape Games Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Escape the Knight 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 8, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Medieval 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : Up to 6 ppl (2-4 ppl recommended) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : £18-30/ pp (based on # of ppl and peak vs. off-peak booking times) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Your team was sent to investigate an ancient castle after some strange occurrences were reported…unfortunately, it led to your capture and imprisonment in their dungeon! Rumor has it that anyone in the castle when the clock strikes midnight will never be heard from again, and the clock just chimed 11pm. Can you escape before your time runs out and you meet your unknown fate?! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Once again, Agent Brains did a lovely job with their set and the theming, including both some typical, expected pieces and some more unusual ones! There were some fabulous pieces, like life-size knights in armor, that brought the scene to life. Each space also had its own very distinct feeling, bringing fresh energy as you progressed. There were quite a few puzzles that encouraged teamwork and cooperation between players, which is always a win in my book. There were also some memorable tactile interactions that fit the scenario well. I appreciated that while the story line and the start of the game is more “jailbreak” style, things shift after that initial start. While not really a pro or con, depending on your group and their preferences, it’s worth noting that (unlike many games where you start locked up, like Jungle Jailbreak), this one doesn’t have a split start. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There were a few puzzles that were more process oriented and felt a bit repetitive. Though, this can be beneficial at times if playing with younger or more inexperienced players. There was also one noticeable item that seemed outside regular decor that we were certain would be used for something at some point but never came into play. I believe this was the only game at Agent Brains that didn’t tie in with their nemesis, Dr. Nogood. While the story component is pretty light in all of their rooms, it would have been great to continue that consistent tie here. (And we know he has/had a time machine!) 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " Escape the Knight " is an interesting combination of medieval and magical themes, with a dash of prison break - so a little something for everyone! It is family-friendly, though there is a minimum age of 13. If you only have time for one or two rooms at Agent Brains, I’d recommend their standouts - " Back to the Future " and " Mobbery ". However, " Escape the Knight " is still a solid, classic game built with a lot of love and passion, and worth a play if you’re able to take them all on. Particularly if you’ve been wanting to embrace your own inner Knight! ℹ️     ADDITIONAL INFO Agent Brains Escape Games has two locations a few minutes walk apart. This game is at their secondary location in Letchworth Garden City, just a short walk from their main frontage and the train station. There are lots of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and other stores aplenty to check out and fuel up before or after your game. There’s a very stylish reception area, bathroom, absolutely lovely staff, and hooks in the rooms for your things. 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 Agent Brains Escape Games for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom   #EscapeRooms  #AgentBrains #Medieval #UnitedKingdom

LOCATION: Winterthur, Switzerland Photo above is property of Geheimgang 188 Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Alchemist's Legacy 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 30, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CHF 40-60 ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [34:20] 📖 THE STORY Together with your traveling companions, you are sent back to the year 1920 to explore the abandoned town of Rabenfurt. Your mission is clear: stop the notorious apothecary Gregory Libavius, known for his nefarious alchemical machinations and his cooperation with the dreaded "Cult of the Cobra". Your task is to unravel his mysterious plan and thwart his sinister scheme. But beware, the cult is infamous for its ruthless and dangerous ways. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Geheimgang 188 is located in a now-abandoned underground emergency WW2 hospital. Many of the site's original features, such as large industrial-sized equipment, turbines, and generators, remain intact today. These elements seamlessly integrate with the company’s aesthetic and game theming, enhancing the immersive experience of their escape rooms, including this one. Geheimgang is crafting its own paranormal universe, which could be described as a blend between Harry Potter and The Umbrella Academy. This currently includes two real-life escape rooms, with a third one recently beginning construction, and a point-and-click online game called The Crystals of Hope. While there's no required order to play these games, players will enjoy the subtle plot points and connections that weave the entire narrative together. The Alchemist’s Legacy is their newest creation, and like those before it, the quality of the construction and theming has continued to rise. The game offers multiple rooms to explore, each with its own distinct identity. The use of props is balanced and proportionate to the room’s identity, being enough to ensure a good level of immersion, but not so many that they become distracting. We appreciated the transition from the warehouse to the secret forge the best, which was particularly creative. A quite unusual aspect of the game was the inclusion of radio play, something I know is quite common in Hamburg, Germany, but not something I have seen before in Switzerland. For those unfamiliar; this is where a narrator accompanies you through the story with (prerecorded) audio updates to provide context and guidance, much like if you were listening to a story being read on the radio. We enjoyed it, finding it both flavorful and helpful. The puzzles are linear for the majority of the game, although there are moments when different tasks can be undertaken simultaneously. We found them to all be creative and thematic, particularly towards the end when we are trying to forge the Crystals of Hope; although the crystals themselves were rather underwhelming to behold. There is a nice interaction with the game master as the game begins. He did a good job setting up the story with a couple of minutes of acting. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Although there wasn’t anything wrong with the puzzles’ theming or logic, we would have liked to have seen more depth or complexity as the radio play and some other notes within the room make it feel a little like ‘hand holding’ at times. However, for newer teams, this makes the room far more accessible. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This was our favorite of the four games currently on offer at Geheimgang 188 and certainly worth a play. The complexity is simple, so experienced teams should consider this when booking, perhaps playing as a two or three. We are excited to see how the third installment of this saga turns out and we’ll definitely be returning to play! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO There is a car park opposite the escape room which has to be paid for. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and drinks available for purchase. They also sell some EXIT games. 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 Geheimgang 188 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 #Geheimgang188 #Fantasy #Winterthur #Switzerland

LOCATION: Luterbach, Switzerland Photo above is property of GAME OVER Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Minotaur's Labyrinth 📅 DATE PLAYED : May 2, 2024 🎬 GENRE: Fantasy 🧠 DI FFICULTY (Based on 3 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGT H OF T IME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : 100-180 CHF ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [44:01] 📖 THE STORY According to ancient legend, Minos, the most infamous king of Crete, built a labyrinth where he housed the Minotaur, a dangerous creature born with a human body and the head of a bull. The king’s son, Androgeus, was murdered by the Greeks for having won too many competitions at the Olympic game and thus, humiliating the Athenians. In revenge, Minos decided that every year, 7 Athenians would be taken into the labyrinth as sacrifices to the minotaur, who only ate humans. As (bad) luck would have it, you and your team were taken into the labyrinth as sacrifice, but rather than being eaten, you managed to defeat and kill the Minotaur! News of its death has reached King Minos who has now sent an army to find and kill you. You only have one hour to escape the labyrinth or face certain death... 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE " Minotaur’s Labyrinth " was previously at another location in Switzerland but did close in early 2024. This version only opened about a month prior to our arrival, so everything inside was still looking pristine. The updated game includes significantly better décor and several new or revamped puzzles. The layout of the room design tries to evoke that of being in the labyrinth with long a winding corridor, walls and columns that appears to be made of stone, and plenty of Greek themed art adorning the walls. This is certainly a visual treat. Almost all the puzzles involve teamwork in some way. We spent much of the game separated so that we could communicate information found at one location to somebody actioning a task elsewhere in the labyrinth. We loved this element, since cooperative tasks are always something we look for in a successfully designed escape room, and this game had far more than most! Overall, we found the puzzles to be really varied, there were elements of searching, decoding, logic, and some light physical tasks. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We didn’t find any areas which missed the mark in a significant way, however there were a couple of small details which broke the immersion in places. Although we found the puzzles to be varied, engaging, and overall fun, they unfortunately had little relation to the story and the labyrinth setting, whilst also occasionally using modern components, like number locks, keys, and light switches. However, this is a minor point which may not affect many teams. We were impressed with the materials and overall design of the space, however felt the immersion could have been improved with more atmospheric lighting and sound; we never really felt like being in a dungeon-style setting. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? The high-quality set design and cooperative puzzles made this a fun and engaging experience for us. The game plays best with 2-4, although can accommodate up to six players. However, we think that six will make the room too cramped and potentially leave some people with little to do. We found this to be the best of the three rooms at this GAME OVER location when it comes to cooperative puzzles, so pick this if your teamwork and communication are high on your priority list in a game. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking is available on site. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating, lockers, and some cold drinks for sale. For the most part, this game is wheelchair accessible. However, there is one section at the very end where it may be a little too narrow to accommodate wheelchair passage. Photos above are property of GAME OVER Escape Rooms (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure :   We thank GAME OVER Escape Rooms (Luterbach) for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #GAMEOVER #Fantasy #Luterbach #Switzerland

LOCATION : Sylmar, California, USA Photo above is property of THE BASEMENT - A Live Escape Room Experience Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Elevator Shaft 📅 DATE PLAYED : April 23, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Horror 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-4 ppl (ages 12+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 45 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $38.00 - $42.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You've made your way out of the basement of Edward Tandy's house of horrors. Unfortunately, it led directly to the bottom of the elevator shaft, where Edward liked to crush his victims beneath the elevator in order to drain their blood. The unwilling engineer who was forced to create this monstrosity had the foresight to include a secret way out, in hopes of providing future victims with a chance of escaping. You quickly discover that the heavy door is unmovable. You'll have to do some serious engineering in order to make your way out of the base of the shaft and into the house proper. Hopefully your group has the technical chops necessary to activate the escape hatch before you’re all crushed beneath the elevator itself. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Th e set is intensely minimalist in terms of actual decoration, while also being heavily industrial. At first glance (and first smell), there is very little to work with, which creates an immediate feeling of foreboding and sets the tone. Are you claustrophobic? Don't worry, you will be soon enough! There are several elements that heighten the tension and put you into unusual situations, increasing your sense of being in that elevator shaft. To add to the realism, every task you have to perform feels like something you'd have to do if you were stuck in the situation. Additionally, odds are good at least one or two of them will be tasks you've never done in an escape room before. The nature of the tasks and events in the room made it easy to wonder 'wait, are we really supposed to do that?' and sometimes 'oh boy, I hope that is supposed to happen!', all part of a truly immersive experience. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Most of the effects were employed in a way that enhanced the feelings of terror and claustrophobia. However, there were a couple of elements that seemed less necessary and could be annoying. This is a small room that is also mostly linear. So, while our group of three was well-suited, even the maximum of 4 could be a bit much. A warning of 'Open toed shoes are not recommended' would be helpful. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This was an intense experience, part horror and part 'grit your teeth and go'. It is best suited for smaller groups who want to test their ability to focus on details while under pressure, with many distractions. There is a lot of searching as well; given the environment, that aspect is more difficult than usual and the discoveries more rewarding. While not for the faint of heart (or those aiming for a super puzzle-heavy game), if you’re ready to test your mettle under the pressure of possibly being crushed, take on this unique elevator shaft challenge and celebrate your triumph - if you emerge alive… ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking available right in front of the building, which was easy to find, just next door to the adult store. The entrance itself is right on theme! The lobby has a number of fun touches, like the subtly detailed numbers on the lockers, a bloody mannequin, and story-specific decorations to flesh out the backstory. They have merch available, as well as drinks. All four of their rooms comprise a single, larger adventure, so they have some background info to introduce you to a couple of the main characters. To facilitate this, they have special immersive experience packages for playing all four in one day! However, you don't have to play them in order (we played the fourth chapter, and then the second), as each room stands on its own as an experience and no knowledge of the other rooms is needed to be successful. Even the GMs have a slightly peculiar, yet welcoming, nature. The owners and GMs were kind and generous about reassuring us that the goal is to have fun, not to terrify everyone. There are panic buttons in each area if someone is overwhelmed, and they were happy to chat with us about points of concern ahead of time. From start to finish you are in for a spooky experience with unexpected surprises lurking everywhere. 🔎   HINT Look all around you, especially during moments when you are only focused on what is ahead of you. 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 BASEMENT: A Live Escape Room Experience 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 #TheBasement #ALiveEscapeRoomExperience #Horror #California #USA

Photo above is property of Thames & Kosmos Company: Thames & Kosmos Game: Imhotep: The Duel Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Tabletop Games (Card Game) 📬 Genre: Strategy, Worker Placement Date Played: April 14, 2024 Difficulty (based on 2 players): 4/10 Size of Team: 2 Players Time: Approximately 30 Mins. Price: $19.95 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 " Imhotep: The Duel " is a two player only version of the slightly older base game, Imhotep. In this game, players take on the roles of Nefertiti and Akhenaten, one of Egypt's most famous royal couples, but here they/you are competing against each other to build the tallest obelisk, the most opulent temple, the biggest pyramids, and the best-connected tomb. Your buildings will generate points and the player with the most points wins. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 The game is focused around a 3x3 grid, which represents an ancient Egyptian harbour. Around the outside of the harbour we find the moorings for six boats; each bringing different resources to the city. Players take it in turns to perform one of three basic actions: Place a meeple onto the board Unload one boat (must have at least 2 meeples in the row/column) Play an acquired action token Each boat carries three resources and it is by unloading boats that players receive the necessary resources to build their monuments. Each monument has its own board that details how they individually score. In order to determine which player(s) receive resources, meeples are placed one by one onto any of the nine occupied spaces of the harbour, until someone choses to Unload. Once a player declares to unload a boat the meeples located in that same row or column receive a resource token according to how the are positioned; the player closest to the boat receives the token furthest from them, the meeple in the middle receives the middle token, and the meeple furthest from the boat receives the token closest to them. If any harbour space remains unoccupied then the corresponding token remains on the ship. Once unloaded the meeples who just received resources are removed from the board and the boat is refilled with new tokens. The newly acquired tokens are placed on the corresponding monument board for end game scoring. Playing a blue action token is the third option players can make on their turn. These tokens provide strong one-time abilities which are often the equivalent of taking two simultaneous actions, such as place a meeple and unload a boat, or place 2-3 meeples. Opting to take these tokens from a ship won’t help your end of game score, but it might help you later on. Play continues until all of the goods are gone and all but one of the boats has been unloaded. At that point, players add up their points, and whoever has the most wins! Photo above is property of Thames & Kosmos 🆃🅷🅴 🅼🅴🅲🅷🅰🅽🅸🅲🆂 Set Collection – At the heart of it, this game is all about set collection. There is definitely a good amount of strategy to figuring out which tokens will benefit your monument construction the best, but not knowing how your opponent will play creates an interesting dynamic that makes the game more exciting than many other set collection games that can often feel like solo experiences. Take That – Whether you play mean intentionally or not, this is a head-to-head with a tight board that offers limited decision space. Therefore, you will, quite quickly, be making decisions which will frustrate your opponent… and they to you also! Unloading a boat early or placing meeples in disadvantageous places might not benefit you directly, but it can be the right strategy to throw off your opponent’s game and limit their progress. Kosmos have done a good job working in the Egyptian theme with decent art and scoring that makes sense to the setting. As anyone who knows even the slightest amount of history can tell you, the Egyptians were well known for their monuments and tombs, so this works well here. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Imhotep: The Duel " offers a fairly light strategic puzzle that plays in 20-30 minutes; we often play a ‘best of three’ whenever the game hits the table. The game will appeal most to players that enjoy high player interaction and cut throat gameplay. It is definitely not for those who shy away from confrontation in games. For me, this is another essential Kosmos 2 player game, along with Targi and Lost Cities. In terms of difficulty, it sits somewhere in between these two games, with Targi being the most complex – but by no means a difficult game. Like these other two games, Imhotep: The Duel can be set up and packed away in a matter of minutes and easily taught to others too. Check out our interview with the creators to understand more on the development side of the game: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Thames & Kosmos for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #AtHomeGames #TabletopGames #PuzzlesByMail #OneOffs #Strategy #ThamesandKosmos #USA

Photos provided by BrainXcape Escape Room Game NYC Company: BrainXcape Manhattan Game: Room 228: Do Not Disturb Country: USA 🇺🇸 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Thriller, Horror Date Played: June 5, 2020 Difficulty (based on 6 players): 5/10 Size of Team: Up to 6 Players Time: 60 Minutes Price: $49 (Up to 2 Connections)/ $15 each additional We've been a fan of BrainXcape ever since we played their " Haunted Hotel " and " Prison Break " at their physical location. The " Room 228: Do Not Disturb " was being offered at their new location in NYC. We were very excited to check this room out remotely. BrainXcape's games are well-known for their set designs. If anyone has ever experienced " Sleep No More " in NYC, they designed " Haunted Hotel ". Once again, the set design for this new room did not disappoint. We saw some familiar furniture pieces from the Haunted Hotel, but the puzzles were all different. Although we couldn't hear the full sound effect on zoom, the occasional "squeaking" noises added to the creepy atmosphere. For anyone who normally do not like horror themed rooms, this is your chance to experience the room safely behind your computer scene. The puzzles were quite easy for enthusiasts but I could imagine some surprising discoveries for new players. It would have be nice if a more challenging level could be offered for more experienced players. An inventory portal was offered for the game. It was fairly easy to operate and only showed items that were necessary. The ending was our favorite part in the entire game (for anyone who have played this game already, we've informed the owner about the "debriefing issue"at the end and suggested a solution. Hopefully the experience will feel more satisfying going forward). Since we don't want to give anything away, you'll just have to survive room 228 and find out for yourself! *** This game can no longer be booked as a remote game but can still be booked as an in-person experience *** (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 BrainXcape Manhattan  for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #ESCAPETHEROOmers #AtHomeGames #EscapeRooms # BrainXcapeEscapeRoomGameNYC #Room228DoNotDisturb #Remote EscapeRoom #Avatar #Thriller #Mystery #horror

LOCATION : New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Photo above is property of Escape My Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Jazz Parlor 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 27, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Murder Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl (Ages 16+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $143.38 (2 ppl) - $327.26 (8 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Traveling back in time, you step into the DeLaporte mansion, where the residents are desperate for your aid in unraveling a chilling mystery. Decades ago, a murder shook the mansion's music room, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. Now, nearly 60 years later, your team of investigators has the chance to uncover long-lost clues and shed light on the events of that fateful night. With the assistance of the police, it falls upon you to piece together the fragments of the past and solve this enduring cold case. Video above is property of Escape My Room New Orleans 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The " Jazz Parlor " at Escape My Room stands out as one of the most sophisticated and visually stunning escape rooms available. Every corner of the jazz parlor exudes elegance and character, with meticulously crafted scenery and props that transport players into the opulent setting of a mansion. From the ornate furnishings to the intricate details, the set design is truly a feast for the eyes. Upon entering the escape room, players are greeted with the ambiance of a grand mansion, complete with a butler who sets the stage for the immersive experience ahead. This personal touch adds an extra layer of immersion, making players feel as though they are stepping into a real-life mystery unfolding within the walls of the DeLaporte mansion. While the puzzles presented in the Jazz Parlor are challenging, they are also incredibly engaging and rewarding to solve. The puzzle flow is expertly crafted, seamlessly weaving together clues and story elements to propel players forward in their investigation of the murder case. Each puzzle serves as a vital piece of the narrative puzzle, allowing players to gradually uncover the truth behind the decades-old cold case. Despite the complexity of the puzzles, our group was able to navigate through the game with ease, completing it in just 40 minutes. To our delight, our game master rewarded our success with two additional bonus puzzles, offering us further insights into the intricacies of the case. This added layer of depth and reward enhances the overall experience, making it even more satisfying for players who excel in their investigative efforts. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK After careful deliberation, it's evident that the Jazz Parlor is an exceptionally crafted escape room with a seamless puzzle flow. However, one minor concern arose during our experience: the room's size felt somewhat limiting for our group of five. At certain junctures, particularly in narrower sections, the space felt a bit cramped, detracting slightly from the overall enjoyment of the game. Nevertheless, this small issue did not significantly diminish the overall quality of the experience. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? The " Jazz Parlor " at Escape My Room stands out as a gem in the escape room community, captivating players with its unparalleled attention to detail in set design and ambiance. From the moment you step into the venue, you're transported back in time to the elegant surroundings of the DeLaporte mansion, where the air is thick with mystery and intrigue. The meticulous craftsmanship and immersive storytelling immediately draw you into the narrative, setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure. As you embark on your investigation to solve the decades-old murder mystery, the jazz parlor comes alive with hidden clues and puzzles waiting to be unraveled. Each element of the room, from the vintage decor to the subtle nuances in the music, contributes to the immersive experience, keeping you fully engaged from start to finish. Despite the room's low-tech approach, the puzzles are thoughtfully designed and seamlessly integrated into the storyline, offering a satisfying blend of challenge and discovery. One of the most memorable aspects of the " Jazz Parlor " experience is the personal touch provided by the game hosts. From the warm welcome by the butler to the personalized guidance throughout the game, Escape My Room ensures that every player feels valued and immersed in the world of the mystery. This attention to detail extends to the puzzle flow, which is expertly crafted to keep the momentum of the game moving forward while allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the investigation. Overall, the " Jazz Parlor " at Escape My Room is a testament to the power of immersive storytelling and meticulous design in creating unforgettable escape room experiences. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of escape rooms, this captivating adventure offers something for everyone, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a thrilling and immersive gaming experience. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Ample street parking, some free. Merchandise and board games for sale. Photos above are property of Escape My Room New Orleans (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 My Room New Orleans 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 #EscapeMyRoom #MurderMystery #Louisiana #USA