LOCATION: Glen Rock, New Jersey, USA Photo above is property of Escape Much Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Emily's Garden 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 10, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $36-$40 PP (pending on the amt of ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Emily’s Garden is a sanctuary for goddesses who protect its visitors. For centuries, the Lanywarfs, the goddesses' adversaries, have threatened the surrounding forests. Today, they invaded the garden and captured the goddesses. Before Emily was taken, she asked me to assemble a team to defeat the Lanywarfs and restore peace. Time is critical; your team is Emily’s only hope. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The set design of this room exudes tranquility as we step into the fairy's garden. Surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and an array of animal statues and art, the atmosphere is enchanting. The sound and lighting further amplify this feeling, leaving us with a sense of joy. The puzzle flow and design are great. From the moment we solved the first clue, our path forward was clear. The objectives were well-defined, guiding us seamlessly through the experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the meta puzzle at the end, which cleverly brought together all the clues we had gathered for a grand finale. Initially appearing simple, it revealed itself as a multi-step challenge that became our favorite, delivering immense satisfaction upon completion. The finale includes a secret reveal that ties the storyline together beautifully. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK One of the props we used didn’t align with the room's theme. A drawing of it on the tree trunk could effectively serve its current purpose. The clue provided for one of the puzzles is potentially misleading in its current form. A clearer version would enhance understanding. One puzzle clue may be challenging for non-native speakers or those unfamiliar with basic idioms. We recommend rewording it for broader appeal. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you love fantasy-themed rooms and are eager to immerse yourself in a fairyland, Emily's Garden is the place for you! The owners are passionate enthusiasts, and their dedication shines through in their puzzle design. They skillfully weave storytelling into the gameplay, adding depth to your adventure. Although the room may not be filled with costly props or high-tech gadgets, the game flow guarantees a fun experience for both newcomers and seasoned players alike. ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Lobby with seating Limited free parking spaces in front and on the side. There are metered parking spaces across the railway station as well. The intro videos for this location provide valuable hints about what you'll encounter in the room. You might appreciate these insights or feel they diminish the surprise element. However, if you view them as helpful hints for the game, you'll gain an advantage over other players. So, be sure to pay attention. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure :   We thank Escape Much for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeMuch #Fantasy #NewJersey #USA

LOCATION : Houston, Texas, USA Photo above is property of Beat The Bomb Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🎭 GAME : Slime Bomb Mission 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 30, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Immersive 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $51.76/ pp (with add-ons available) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : No Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎭 THE EXPERIENCE We're returning to Beat The Bomb, and this time we're at their Houston location to take on the "Slime Bomb Mission" with our friends from the UK. We found that a group of four was the ideal number for this game. Below are the various challenges we encountered: "Space Junk" - It's time to play cosmic janitor! Team up to zap those pesky debris blocks zooming around your touchscreens. Just wave your magic wristband to snag 'em and toss 'em out before the cosmic clock hits zero. Can you clean up the universe before the countdown says, "Game over"? " Laser Vault " - Crack open the vault like a pro! Strap on your trusty wristband and scavenge for those rainbow-colored keys hiding around the room. But watch out—those sneaky lasers are just waiting to zap you on your way back! Line up the keys with the right slots on the vault door. And remember, too many laser zaps will send you back to square one faster than you can say "Oops!" " Word Bank " challenges your memory as you memorize words on the screen and collaborate with your team to find the missing one. Choose to secure your points or risk them for a chance at glory. In " Avoidance ", players become expert ninjas, sidestepping obstacles with the grace of a dancing giraffe. Show off your slick moves and dodge each challenge to advance to the next level! " Meltdown " - Quick, yank those pesky nodes off the screen before everything goes kaboom! Hit your button like a pro when your color pops up to zap them away. But watch out—goofing up will send us straight into meltdown city! Based on our performance in each of the games, we earn time as a reward at the end of each round. These times are accumulated to provide us with a total time to use in the fifth and final room, "The Bomb Room." We achieved a level 9 out of 10, but unfortunately, we did not succeed in defusing the bomb this time. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🔎   SOME HELPFUL TIPS " Space Junk" - Assign each player a color and one collector. Each player should focus on collecting their designated color on the screen, while the collector concentrates on gathering and dumping. " Laser Vault " - Utilize the brief pause between rounds to position your players on the other side, preparing them to collect the necessary color without needing to navigate through the laser. " Word Bank " - Assign each player a specific section of the screen to remember. Ask around the room when the word appears to see if they recognize it. " Avoidance " - Avoid making large movements. Stay agile and learn from the previous player's mistakes by remembering the pattern. " Meltdown " - Those starting should strive to minimize mistakes, as each error speeds up the circle, reducing opportunities for players at the end. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We're thrilled to share our second Beat the Bomb mission experience with you! Dive into our " Paint Bomb Mission " to compare and decide which one you might enjoy more. When it comes to puzzles, this mission is definitely more challenging, especially the final Meltdown! Every teammate needs to bring their A-game in dexterity and success to conquer the last round. Plus, did you know there's a third mission? "Foam Mission" is waiting for us, and we can't wait to try it! Whether it's paint, slime, or foam, one thing's for sure—we always have an absolute BLAST at Beat the Bomb! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Conquer the bomb challenge and earn pins as rewards! Your team's scores are consistently tracked across all locations, allowing for both local and company-wide comparisons. The VIP experience features a complimentary drink at the bar and a free T-shirt! Parking is shared with Meow Wolf and is available for $5 per hour. Enjoy the first hour free from Monday to Thursday, and the first 20 minutes free from Friday to Sunday. Their spacious lobby is perfect for hosting large corporate or celebratory events. Lobby with merchandise for sale. Enjoy a full bar and exciting video arcades in their spacious location. Watch your teammates in action through the TVs. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our video from when we visited Beat The Bomb's Brooklyn location: 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 Beat The Bomb (Houston) for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLEscapeRooms #Attractions #ImmersiveExperiences #BeatTheBomb #SlimeBombMission #Houston #Texas

Company: Virtual Escaping Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱 Language: English, Dutch Type of Game: Digital Escape Game 💻 Date Played: February 21, 2021 Size of Team: Up to 6 Devices Price: $40.00/ team 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Both " Expedition North Pole " and " Underground Murder " are point-n-click style games that can be played as a team using one voucher code. Once you see all the team members' names in the online portal you can click "start" the game. You'll also get to choose what level of difficulty you want to play the game in. We chose "hard level" for both games. The games started with a video intro of the backstory and then bought us to the games' platform. The games were silent from that point on. For the "Expedition North Pole" story, we were mainly in a laboratory facility. In the "Underground Murder" game, we're in an eerie underground subway station. From a graphics standpoint we preferred the "Underground Murder" game. There was a build in video conferencing device but we decided to use Zoom instead. Each player was able to explore on their own but if one player unlocked a lock, every player will need to enter their own code to unlock the same lock. There was no inventory bag for the game which we wished the game could have implemented. Certain locations would lock back again once we had left that spot so we suggest to write down all your solution answers incase you would need to access that area again. We started taking snapshots of the clues we found on our phones instead of having to go back and forth in between the game. "Expedition North Pole" had a lot more of back and forth play than "Underground Murder". (Update 3/12/21 - I was told by the game developer that the locks should stay unlocked and there is an inventory system in the game. It seems that we've experienced some technical issues during our play that day so hopefully you won't be experiencing the same when you play your version). 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The puzzles felt harder in " Expedition North Pole ". We had to use a few hints (build-in to the game) in order to understand how to use certain items or codes that we found. The association of the clues to the solution were less clear in some cases. " Underground Murder " was able to capture more of the storyline and utilization of cool props in creating more logical puzzles. It had a much smoother game flow. I really enjoyed the detective vibe and how the puzzles were used as tools to identify and eliminate suspects. The interactive components to several puzzles throughout these games were my favorite parts of the puzzle design. Game: Expedition North Pole Genre: Mystery Difficulty (based on 4 players): 5.5/10 Time: 90 Minutes 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Sander Klaus has many professors assisting him with his microorganism research. Just as he's about to have a breakthrough, he's unable to contact the current assistant. what could have happened to him? 𝔼𝕊ℂ𝔸ℙ𝔼𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ𝕆𝕆𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕤❜ ℙ.𝕀.𝕤❜ 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 Andrew K. I got to play " Expedition: North Pole " with the ETR crew, and I was definitely challenged by the experience. The experience started with a quick video, and an option to choose your level of difficulty. We opted for the "hardest" difficulty. The platform also has some interesting interface options including built-in video and audio for communication. The experience has lots of rooms to navigate, and tons of interactive elements to the story. What worked: There were several really neat and subtle puzzles and interesting takes on classics that made the experience fun The use of interactive elements in the game definitely added to the experience. What missed: The hint system was fairly linear, and directed players to essentially complete puzzles one at a time, while there were multiple puzzles that we were tackling at the same time. It would have been neat if the interface could give clues based on which room you were in. The ending seemed abrupt and without fanfare. A video to bookend the experience would have helped give closure to our experience. _____________________________________________________________ Bethany P. The setup to this virtual game reminded me of one you would get on your phone where you click around to find interactive parts. It is simply designed with a variety of puzzles in varying difficulty. When someone solves a puzzle of finds a clue it appears on everyone's screen. The only thing I found a bit annoying was having to re-enter codes if you leave an area that required one to get into. There is also a chat box, microphone or webcam options to communicate with other team members which is helpful. Game: Underground Murder Genre: Detective Difficulty (based on 4 players): 4/10 Time: 75 Minutes 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 A man fell off of the subway platform and died this morning on his way to work. None of the witnesses saw what had happened. It's up to your detective skills to find the truth.... 𝔼𝕊ℂ𝔸ℙ𝔼𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ𝕆𝕆𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕤❜ ℙ.𝕀.𝕤❜ 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 Dave E & Catherine B. The underground murder escape room is the first digital game we have played and it was lots of fun! Set on a New York subway platform you are a detective tasked with solving a murder. There were lots of challenging puzzles and deductive reasoning with a couple of stingers that required teamwork to solve. We are looking forward to playing more games like these. We made the mistake of playing on a tablet so some of the screen was chopped off but we worked around that. The setting was unique and atmospheric. The puzzles were sensible and clever (some were blindingly obvious in hindsight!) and deductive reasoning had to be applied to finish the game. The only minor negative was missing out on some solutions because someone else solved them first! Loved it, would recommend to everyone. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 Out of the two games played, we prefer "Underground Murder". The graphics felt more realistic, the storyline felt more conclusive and the puzzles were more logical. If the interface could be a bit more user friendly for team play, these would be quite solid as digital point-n-click games. I would suggest playing with less people if possible as large team might solve the puzzles too quickly and some players could miss out on what was solved and where it was solved. Overall, we had a fun time with our P.I.s and without them, we definitely wouldn't have been able to solve these cases so quickly! (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from" ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Virtual Escaping for providing us with a sample of the game. Although complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #AtHomeGames #PointNClick #VirtualEscaping #DigitalEscapeGames #Fantasy #Holiday #NorthPole #SantaClaus #Christmas #Xmas #Scifi #Mystery #Murder #Detective #Mystery #Thriller #Solve #Train #Subway #NYCSubway

Photo above is property of Virtual Escaping Company: Virtual Escaping Game: Artifact Isle Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱 Language: English, Dutch Type of Game: Point-N-Click 🖱️ Genre : Adventure Date Played: April 23, 2022 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 4/10 Size of Team: Up to 6 Devices Time: 90 Mins. (Normal version) Price: $28.00/ team 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Your grandfather gave his life searching for the treasure hidden in the Forbidden Island. He, like many others, never lived to tell the tale but you are determined to continue his research. Entrusted with his journal, you and your team have travelled to this lush island to unravel the truth and while you may have arrived by unconventional means (ahem…crash landed) you have a good feeling about this. Except... the island is sinking and you only have 90 minutes to find the treasure and get out before you join the rest of adventures lost to the sandy beaches. Can you uncover the secrets or will the mysteries of this island remain unknown? Video above is property of Virtual Escaping 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Each member of your team is required to sign up on Virtual Escaping's website before inputting the group code provided in an email after you purchase your game. Through their website you will be connected with your group via Jitsi (a video/ audio platform built into the game) once the introduction video plays through - no need for Skype or Zoom! After all the players are logged into the game, you have an option to play an easier version (un-timed) and a harder version (90 mins). This point-n-click adventure takes place across different scenes of the island that you will move between in order to solve locks and open chests. Once one member has solved a puzzle, other teammates are notified and have access to whatever was discovered so make sure to keep everyone in the loop via the built-in communication screens. I also recommend you have your group spread out across the different scenes to help cover more ground and share information. When you get stuck, there are hints available in the top right corner. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The puzzles for this game generally consisted of four digit locks and four letter locks but they had a creative way to solve each. The puzzles gradually progressed from searching styles to riddles to pattern and logic stylus and I enjoyed this progression. It allows teams to get comfortable with the experience between upping the challenge. My favourite puzzle was the second to the last one which encouraged the team to split up and effectively communicate with each other. I recommend only approaching a puzzle once you’ve found the clues in the surrounding areas in order to truly enjoy the experience - you can brute force a few of these puzzles but if you can’t figure out why you’re stuck on a particular chest, it is likely you haven’t reach the area with the clues needed. Take your time and don’t be afraid to travel back to locations later on. Overall I found this to be a light puzzle adventure with some classic puzzles that made me feel good about solving. There was a puzzle for each member to proudly solve and for others to ask “Wait! How did you get that?” Photos above are property of Virtual Escaping 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Artifact Isle " is an adventure escape room perfect for a group of friends wanting to embrace a classic escape room experience from the comfort of their home. The visual design is clean and effective and the structure of the game guides players while still being non-linear. I found the puzzles are smooth and effective in garnering the delightful “aha!” moments and these puzzles really encourage players to really look around the area to find the hidden secrets. I would say this skews the easier side of puzzling (our group took 41 minutes to solve this) so this is a great introduction to virtual escape rooms or is a great option for a night where you want to have fun with friends without hurting your brain. After playing this, I am definitely interested in trying another one of Virtual Escaping rooms! (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from" ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Virtual Escaping for providing us with a sample of the game. Although complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #JillianRaymond #AtHomeGames #DigitalEscapeGames #PointNClick #VirtualEscaping #Adventure #Netherlands

Photo above is property of Virtual Escaping Company: Virtual Escaping Game: The Saloon Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱 Language: English, Dutch Type of Game: Point-N-Click 🖱️ Genre: Detective, Western Date Played: July 19, 2023 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 6.5/10 Size of Team: Up to 6 Devices Time: 100 Mins. (Average time) Price: $34.40/ team 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Welcome to the wild wild west. You and your posse have just settled in at the Saloon for a quiet night of drinking, gambling, and possibly some light gun slinging, when who should burst through those little swinging doors but Roscoe "Long shot" Conner. He immediately avails you of the fact that you are all now in great and inescapable danger, because right behind him chasing him is none other than the murderous and not-to-be-messed-with Bullet-Tooth Gang, who want him dead or alive for supposedly availing them of their precious loot. He reminds you that obviously you know that he's completely innocent, right?, and that you have an absolutely undeniable good cowboy moral imperative to help save him; but either way either you figure this out or you're dead too. We're in this together now! ha ha...Looking at his pitiable and scraggly face you don't know what to believe. You do know though that you now have but a short time to decide, as the gang which has you now surrounded without any chance of escape has just loudly proclaimed that if you don't deliver that cowardly varmint pronto along with the stolen loot, they are going to burn this here Saloon to this here ground. As you and your gang angrily turn to open a can of whoopass on Conner you suddenly realize that little rascal has vanished without a trace. If you guys are going to survive your only chance is to get to the bottom of his story. Find Conner, find the loot if it does exist, and get answers before it's too late. Video above is property of Virtual Escaping 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 "The Saloon" plays basically like a Telescape game, with all its virtues and vices. In this case you move around the saloon from shot to shot within your first person perspective, observing the objects before you, solving puzzles, entering lock codes, collecting items, possibly manipulating them. It handles quite well and is easy to get into. All in all it is a simulation which aspires to feel like a classic escape room, except online; though I feel like it's closer to a video game like Myst, with its strange logic and esoteric puzzles. There's also a handy dandy in-game video chat function, which helps make the experience of playing with others work pretty seamlessly. And teamwork is to be encouraged, I highly recommend you play this with other people. The game is fairly linear and gated, which is good because this helps limit the range of objects that are relevant to solving the puzzle and makes the whole process a lot more focused. In practice the game is less exploratory, because it isn't really set up for that, more a matter of pondering on just what this puzzle - which is often some kind of numeric lock or numbered sequence - is referring to, and how you can discern the answer from the objects presented to you. In that way it feels alot like your good old classic escape room, along with its good old esoteric puzzles. They are varied, and in one sense quite clever, but I warn you, there is a certain frustration involved in these types of puzzles. It's not about realism, it's about identifying the quirky logic which is cleverly - and this is debatable - embedded in the scene. In terms of the visuals are pretty clear and uncluttered, and the aesthetic is on theme. Overall it resembles something like out of a video game. The story really isn't that important but as the world expands you will need to keep track of developments. The hint system is, mercifully, ready at hand and helpful without giving everything away. 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 There's a good variety of puzzles, some locks, some other classic escape room puzzle formats that you've probably seen before. I can't really fault the puzzles since they are in that classic escape room veine, but their cleverness verges on the absurd. They are approaching that design wherein the creators try and come up with the most abstract, esoteric, and external of logics, you know the ones, where the answer to the lock is the number of lit candles plus the studs on the saloon door minus the number of windows that the sun is directly shining through...which admittedly is not always my favorite. That being said the more you play the more you get attuned to it, and in fact you start to get an appetite and an intuition for them. At first this gave me a sense of ennui, but the more I solved them the less they irked me, and the more I started to like the way they challenged me. It's just that in terms of puzzles that impress me, I prefer those which develop organically out of the story or out of an experience of the reality, as opposed to those which concoct some kind of random connection between puzzle and objects which we are supposed to guess at. Not to mention that the translating of the puzzle and its clues into the final answer often requires the mediation of another assumption which is equally ambiguous, and can make it all the more frustrating. But this is not uncommon at all in escape rooms and in tabletop games, it's just a bit passe in my books. I feel like their cleverness - and thus the genuine novelty of their challenge - is a bit of con, being as abstract as it is, and deriving from out of an external logic as opposed to originating from out of the nature of the reality of the game itself. Photos above are property of Virtual Escaping 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 Overall, on its own the game is fairly standard fair, so I recommend that if you do play you play with other people, because the majority of the fun is going to be working together through what you might find to be clever/hair brained solutions. On the other hand for those familiar with these kinds of puzzles it will not appear one bit strange, and in fact might be right up your alley. You're going to be generating a lot of possible ideas and slowly working through them. Its great fun, and a great cathartic exercise in testing each other's patience and sanity, working together and trying to make sense of the puzzles in all their logical chaos and absurdity. I will admit that by the end I conceded to recognizing more methods than madness in the puzzles and their constructions. They won me over, and I think they will win you over too. So listen here partner, round up your posse, get yourself a game, and get ready to think outside the barn on this one, you'll have one hootin hell of a time. (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from" ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Virtual Escaping for providing us with a sample of the game. Although complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #AndrewWoods #AtHomeGames #DigitalEscapeGames #PointNClick #VirtualEscaping #Detective #Western #Netherlands

Photo above is property of Virtual Escaping Company: Virtual Escaping Game: Detention Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱 Language: English, Dutch Type of Game: Point-N-Click 🖱️ Genre: Adventure Date Played: April 23, 2022 Difficulty (based on 5 players): 5/10 Size of Team: Up to 6 Devices Time: 90 Mins. (Normal version) Price: $28.00/ team 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 As the semester reaches a close, you are feeling the exhaustion of homework, papers, and tests piling up on you. After another all-nighter, you nod off in class thinking it’ll just be a quick resting of the eyes… except when you jolt back awake you find that your classroom looks quite different. As you look around the room, you realise the school has been abandoned! With locked classrooms, chained doors, and no power, you must search the halls to find the clues to help you figure out what has happened and figure out a way to return back to your reality! Video above is property of Virtual Escaping 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Each member of your team is required to sign up on Virtual Escaping's website before inputting the group code provided in an email after you purchase your game. Through their website you will be connected with your group via Jitsi (a video/ audio platform built into the game) once the introduction video plays through - no need for Skype or Zoom! After all the players are logged into the game, you have an option to play an easier version (un-timed) and a harder version (90 mins). This point-n-click adventure takes place across rooms and hallways in an abandoned school with the goal of unlocking various doors and lockers. I couldn’t help but stop and admire the details in the game animation from the rough looking bathroom to the worn out teacher’s desk. Once one member has solved a puzzle, other teammates are notified and have access to whatever was discovered. So make sure to keep everyone in the loop via the built-in communication screens. I also recommend that you have your group spread out across the different scenes to help cover more ground and share information. When you get stuck, there are hints available in the top right corner. Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The puzzles for this game generally consisted of four digit locks and four letter locks but they had a creative way to solve each. In addition, they broke up the patterns with intermingling of puzzles where you also plugged in special codes but they were thematic and relevant to the story. Like the previous game that we played, the game started off gradually with a lot of searching to then having pattern recognition, tracking, and logic puzzles that kept my group moving around the game quite a lot. The key thing to remember is to check all areas of the rooms and to look for visual sign posts that match locks you have seen. Some of the clues needed can be easily missed so don’t be afraid to click away! I really enjoyed the thematic puzzles that used regular items that you would find in schools like phones, games, and filing cabinets. I think we got the most “aha''s from cracking these more challenging puzzles. Overall, I found that this game combination of theme and puzzles was engaging and collaborative for my group! Photos above are property of Virtual Escaping 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Detention " consisted of beautiful animations, an interesting premise, and thematic puzzles that made for an enjoyable experience that consistently had our group stopping to review how each member solved a puzzle. This game is a great option for groups looking for a smooth virtual gaming experience that can easily be completed in an hour (our group took about 40 minutes). Once again, I am impressed with Virtual Escaping games and cannot wait to see what more they offer! (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from" ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Virtual Escaping for providing us with a sample of the game. Although complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #JillianRaymond #AtHomeGames #DigitalEscapeGames #PointNClick #VirtualEscaping #Mystery #Netherlands

Photo above is property of Virtual Escaping Company: Virtual Escaping Game: Merlin's Castle Country: Netherlands 🇳🇱 Language: English, Dutch Type of Game: Point-N-Click 🖱️ Genre: Fantasy Date Played: March 25, 2024 Difficulty (based on 1 player): 5/10 Size of Team: Up to 6 Devices Time: 100 Mins. (Recommended 60 Mins.) Price: $40.00 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Entering Merlin’s Castle, you and your group of adventurers have heard the legends and stories of the wonders hidden away there. Using your wits, knowledge, and cooperation, can you solve the riddles and puzzles to unlock the magic and mystery found in the castle? Video above is property of Virtual Escaping 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Starting up the game, there were many options that could be set up. The first was if I wanted a timer set up that I would have to beat. The other was a full-on in-game messenger and video chat feature that could be used. This way, Zoom or FB Messenger would not be necessary to talk to the rest of the team. In this game, if you played with multiple people, you would all have access to the game, and if one person solved a puzzle, it would update for everyone. After doing all this, I watched an introduction video with great graphics that presented the game to me. The point-and-click style of the game was smooth and easy to play. One thing I liked was that once I solved a puzzle, a video interlude would play to confirm that it was correct. The sound effects add to the fun of the game as well. One tip is to take your time and click everything. I was caught a few times not knowing how to proceed, only to take a hint and realize I missed clicking something. Photos above are property of Virtual Escaping 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 Most puzzles required using the signs and books to guide you in solving them. All the puzzles were well thought out and fit naturally into the story setting. Some of the puzzle types included deduction and decoding ciphers. There was a lot of reading and lore to sort through, some that was not relevant to the puzzles but added depth to the world of Merlin. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Merlin’s Castle " was an enjoyable point and click game. The quality graphics and videos enhanced the immersive experience. The puzzles were fun to complete and were a satisfying mix of different challenges. Though there was not a lot of story at the beginning, as I dove deeper into the text, I could find a lot of lore to explore. Any medieval or magic fan would have fun with this game. I played on my own but found that even for up to 4 people, it would be an entertaining experience. (If you do decide to try this game, please remember to let them know that you heard it from" ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Virtual Escaping for providing us with a sample of the game. Although complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #AtHomeGames #DigitalEscapeGames #PointNClick #VirtualEscaping #Fantasy #Netherlands

LOCATION: Middletown, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Puzzle Theory Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝 ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Kraken's Revenge at Kelpstone Edge Narrows 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 14, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $29.00/pp (depending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Picture this: you step onto a pier near Monterey Bay, excitement bubbling in your chest. You enter the home of Captain Magnus, a legend known for his daring voyages into uncharted waters and encounters with mythical sea creatures. Some folks doubted his tales, but others believed he hid a treasure linked to these creatures. This treasure, rumored to be more than just gold and jewels, might reveal the truth behind his stories and help you escape the rising tides. How cool is that? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE One reason we adore pirate-themed rooms is the immersive set design. It makes you feel like you're aboard an old wooden ship! This escape from reality is what draws us to play escape rooms. And let me tell you, this particular room had some unexpected surprises that you wouldn’t typically find on a standard pirate ship. We faced a thrilling situation that required us to make a "choice" alongside our teammates. Only one or a select few would experience something distinct from the rest. Choose wisely, my friends! While the entrances to the next stages in the game were somewhat predictable, we really appreciated the game set designer's effort. Each entrance was unique and more than just a typical door. It added a special touch! The final puzzle? Oh boy, it was the most challenging one in the game! No amount of preparation could have helped us without all the necessary information. Conquering it was thrilling, and the urgency towards the end? Exhilarating! 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The written clues on the props could use a little sprucing up. A different finish would align them better with the high standard of the rest of the room's set design. From my seasoned player's perspective, some puzzles felt overly straightforward. They lacked logical connections beyond observation and trial with specific locks. However, I can see how beginner players might find this approach quite logical. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT Get ready for an innovative storyline where you're not just playing in an escape room—you’re diving into a story that unfolds within an escape room! We encountered thrilling surprises throughout the game, leading to a truly "unexpected" ending that blew us away with its visual effects. The puzzles struck the perfect balance of challenge, making it ideal for both kids and adults. Wondering if we actually came face-to-face with a Kraken? It's time for YOU to embark on this exciting journey and set sail with Captain Magnus! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Plenty of parking available Lobby area with seating available Merchandise available for purchase 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 Puzzle Theory for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao   #IRLescaperoom  #EscapeRooms #PuzzleTheory #Adventure #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Photo above is property of A/MAZE Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Kidnapped 📅 DATE PLAYED : September 20, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 Players) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CAD $40/ pp (pending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [51:00] 📖 THE STORY You wake up in total darkness, wrists bound, the metallic smell of blood lingering in the air. The news had warned of a string of disappearances across the city — and now you realize you’re the next victim. Every creak of the floorboards above sends chills down your spine as you race to free yourself before your captor returns. The only way out is to stay calm, think fast, and outsmart a twisted mind who loves to play with his prey. 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The room delivers a strong, cohesive aesthetic that leans heavily into the thriller theme without ever becoming overly graphic or disturbing. The set design shines through inspired prop choices — an electric chair, hanging body bags, and effective video clips — all of which combine to create an immersive, high-stakes atmosphere. The lighting and occasional special effects elevate the tension, culminating in a finale that quite literally had us running for our lives. The ending itself was another highlight. It’s simple but cleverly executed, and it gave us the freedom to play along and improvise our own dramatic escape, which made the experience feel personal, energetic, and memorable. We loved starting in opposing cells, which forced communication and teamwork right from the beginning. The separation doesn’t last too long, but it establishes tension and sets a collaborative tone for the rest of the game. The early puzzles are well-calibrated — not too difficult — avoiding the frustration that sometimes comes with split-team starts. The puzzles throughout the experience are solid and well-varied, with a few clever effects triggered by our actions to keep momentum high. Interacting with the environment — from the torture tools to the surveillance gear — made us feel part of the story rather than observers. It’s a fast-paced, dynamic experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Before entering, players are asked to choose between a “scary” or “non-scary” mode, activated by flipping a large switch — a clever and theatrical idea enhanced by accompanying sound effects (either a blood-curdling scream or a mocking chicken cluck). Unfortunately, despite selecting the horror mode, we didn’t encounter any genuine scares or jump moments during the game. While that might be a relief for some groups, those expecting a pulse-raising horror experience may find it a little tame. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We really enjoyed " Kidnapped " and found it to be an exciting, immersive experience with plenty of energy and personality. It’s well-suited for groups of all experience levels, offering intensity without being overwhelming. The game likely plays best with four players — enough to balance the early separation and keep everyone involved. For seasoned teams, the opening split might even add a welcome layer of challenge. Overall, it’s a highly entertaining, cinematic escape that’s easy to recommend. ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO There is no parking available on site. There are some available spots on the surrounding residential streets. There are also good bus links to this location. There is a lobby area with comfortable seating and secure lockers for your belongings. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank A/MAZE for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Thriller #AMAZE #Montreal #Canada

LOCATION: Houston, Texas, USA Photo above is property of Escape It Houston Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Lost in Time 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 30, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 4.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $25.99/ pp (Tues - Thur), $29.99/ pp (Fri - Sun) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY While traveling through time, your time machine malfunctions, creating a rift in the space-time continuum. You have 60 minutes to repair it, or the fracture will destroy the universe, leaving you LOST IN TIME. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE Everyone loves a time travel themed escape room! The room decor captivated us from the start, and the phone booth immediately reminded our UK friends of the TARDIS from Dr. Who. We experienced an incredible "transformation" through space travel as the set design dramatically shifted. The design in the latter part of the game truly immersed us in the feeling of being aboard a spaceship. The final segment of the game focused on repairing mechanical elements, enhancing our experience of being part of the ship's crew. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We noticed some decor that seemed not utilized but could have served as clues or puzzle solutions. One solution required us to revisit something we'd already used, which caused some confusion. The GM could have be more engaging with players, especially when the issue involves "search and find" rather than puzzle-solving. One of the clues for a puzzle might be helpful for beginners, but it confused us by almost directing us to the solution without giving us a chance to engage with the puzzle. Some props need updating. One particular prop kept slipping off, and several of us had to hold it simultaneously. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? The set design was impressive, though the puzzles could be enhanced to provide a more comprehensive experience. This game is perfect for Sci-fi enthusiasts, particularly fans of Dr. Who. While prior knowledge of Dr. Who isn't necessary to successfully escape, those familiar with the series will be thrilled by the numerous Easter Eggs. As the Doctor would say: "Allons-y!" ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Lobby with seating Free parking right in front Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Escape It Houston for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLEscapeRoom #EscapeRoom #EscapeItHouston #SciFi #TimeTravel #Texas #USA

Photo above is property of MysteryLocks Company:    MysteryLocks Game:   The Box Country:    Romania 🇷🇴 Language:     English Type of Game:    DIY Escape Kits 🖨️✂ Genre:   Mystery Date Played:     October 22, 2025 Difficulty (based on 2 players):    6/10 Size of Team:    Unlimited Time:   90 Mins. Price:    $29.00 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Are you seeking an exciting challenge? Discover "The Box" printable escape room game! As a puzzle enthusiast, you'll receive a mysterious package with a complex box and a cryptic letter. Only the sharpest minds can unlock its secrets. With elaborate designs and intricate mechanisms, this game tests your intelligence and problem-solving skills. Embark on a journey filled with twists, challenging puzzles, and mind-bending riddles. Prove your worth and join the secret society by cracking the box. Are you ready for the ultimate challenge? Get "The Box" DIY escape room now! Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ When you purchase a game on MysteryLocks' website, you can immediately download and print the game at your convenience, whether it's a single copy or multiple. This game includes 2 instruction pages (optional for printing) and 10 game material pages. Although the company provided us with a printed copy for review, this option isn't available as an add-on on their website, which would be a valuable feature for players without printer access. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 On each page with game pieces, cut them out along the clear outlines. If assembly or folding is required, you'll see the outlines for that as well. We found that using double-sided tape instead of glue was much easier and less messy. Although the game's instructions were challenging for some assembly parts, following their YouTube instructions made it significantly easier. After assembling everything, you'll need a device to connect to the internet, though there is an offline option if you download it in advance. This will allow you to access the storyline, submit your answers, and get helpful hints if you're stuck. The game featured really cool sci-fi music in the background, and each time we solved a puzzle, we were guided to the next one. One improvement we suggest is for the website to save your game progress, as currently, if the website freezes, you have to re-enter all answers from the start. Having learned from past experiences, we recorded our answers for this one, but re-entering everything remains inconvenient. Having a notepad and pen or pencil is essential for jotting down notes or working through puzzles. Strong organizational skills are important because there will be numerous game pieces once they are cut out. The creator did an excellent job of visually marking which pieces are required for particular puzzles, and most pieces are used just once, allowing you to set them aside afterward. However, we did need to use the main game piece, "The Box," multiple times, which suited the game's theme. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 In the game, we encountered at least nine puzzles that we needed to solve. These puzzles were diverse and captivating in their design. Some required us to assemble various pieces to visualize an outcome that wasn't initially apparent, while others involved using different paper materials to compile all the necessary information. Despite being just a cutout paper box, it felt like we were working on a mechanism akin to a computer motherboard or decoding secret computer languages, enhanced by the storyline. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 Get ready for an exciting adventure with this amazing starter puzzle kit, perfect for new players eager to dive into the world of MysteryLocks ! You'll be amazed at how quickly you can cut and assemble the game, getting you onto the website and into the action in no time. We loved the engaging music and intriguing storyline that accompanied us as we unraveled the secrets of the box. Just like in " The Pyramid " game, it felt like we were peeling back layers of mystery, revealing the hidden wonders inside this mysterious box. The creator even threw in a fun twist towards the end that you'll have to experience for yourself! The mystery is calling...are you ready to answer? (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 MysteryLocks for providing us with a sample of this game. Although complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #AtHomeGames #DigitalGames #PrintNCut #Mystery #MysteryLocks #Romania

LOCATION: Sugar Land, Texas, USA Photo above is property of Escape Again Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Wizard's Tale 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 29, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Adventure, Fantasy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl (Ages 12+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $36.00 - $40.00/ pp (Min. 2 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY The wizarding world is in turmoil. Zadimus Razor has seized control of Dragonfire, and his power is unmatched. Courageous wizards, your mission is clear: apparate into Zadimus's castle, liberate the captured dragon eggs, and reclaim the crown that Zadimus has taken. You are our only hope! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE We were thoroughly impressed by the set design and the twists and turns of this escape experience. It truly felt like stepping into a magical forest from a fairytale storybook. From the outside, you can't gauge the size of this escape room, and each room brought new surprises. With a 90-minute game ahead, we knew we had a challenge, and there was plenty to interact with. We are fans of wizard-themed rooms for their magical elements, and this game delivered perfectly. Talking wizards guided our story, while lights and sound effects marked magical moments, along with secret doors and passageways that transported us into a world reminiscent of Harry Potter. One of our favorite moments in the game was grasping the storyline and knowing exactly what was required to achieve the final goal. The game provided clear guidance on the number of items to collect, what needed to be placed to progress, and offered an engaging interactive experience to complete the final challenge. The game featured a wide range of puzzles, from simple observation tasks to more complex deduction challenges. We thoroughly enjoyed all the challenges and puzzles, and the game truly made us feel like apprentices in a magical wizarding world. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Despite a few minor tech hiccups, we have no significant complaints in this section. We suggest displaying the storytellers' voice instructions on the monitor, as occasionally we miss what's said. If these instructions include puzzle guides, it would be beneficial to have them visible on the screen. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This game is an absolute must-play for fans of the magical world and fantasy lands! Both adults and kids will have an absolute blast diving into this enchanting experience. There's something for every type of player here. If puzzles aren't your thing, you might just discover you're a fantastic searcher. Puzzle enthusiasts will be thrilled, as the game is packed with what feels like endless puzzles. Prepare for countless "wow" moments, especially as you move from one captivating room to another. The interactive elements and hidden compartments truly set this game apart from others we've played, always popping up where you least expect them, yet providing such a satisfying discovery. We highly recommend checking out this company on your next trip to Texas. Every room is filled with surprises, but this one was definitely our favorite! ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking right in front Lobby with seating Merchandise for sale Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Escape Again Rooms for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLEscapeRoom #EscapeRoom #EscapeAgainRooms #Adventure #Fantasy #Texas #USA

Photo above is property of Wolf Escape Games Company: Wolf Escape Games Game: The Pharaoh's Tomb Country: United Kingdom 🇬🇧 Language: English Type of Game: Digital Escape Game 💻 Genre: Adventure, Egyptian Date Played: November 22, 2025 Difficulty (based on 3 players): 5/10 Size of Team: Unlimited (Recommended 1-6 ppl) Time: Unlimited (Approx. 120 Mins.) Price: £31.00 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 Holmes and Watson have returned with a new case! Sparked by a break-in at the British Museum and an unexpected death, Holmes and Watson find themselves thrust into mystery of a missing heiress, a decades old Egyptian expedition, and a journey to an ancient tomb in Egypt that holds deadly secrets. Video above is property of Wolf Escape Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 From the very start, the onboarding was highly detailed. Wolf Escape Games walked us through a full checklist to ensure our Wi-Fi connection was solid, ensuring the whole group was connected properly and even running audio tests to make sure everyone could hear. At its core, The Pharaoh’s Tomb is a point and click adventure, but it is so much more. The art and graphics were beautiful, the cut scenes felt like they came from a movie, the voice actors were professional, and the music was perfectly crafted. All of this elevates the game from a typical puzzle game to an interactive story. One feature that Wolf Escape Games does well is the shared backpack feature. Any relevant and key pieces of information that is encountered along the way pops up in the backpack so that the whole team can review the information independently. What really makes this game shine though is their attention to detail. The sound effects that were added to some of the minor details, a magnifying glass that allows you to take a closer look at items but also helps zoom in on items when you are sharing your screen. And on top of that, they did their homework, as we had an Egyptian knowledge buff who recognized so much as we went through it. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The game had a mix of visual, logic and deduction type puzzles. Something new that was included in this game was what Wolf Escape Games calls Genius Badges. The Genius Badges are earned when you complete a puzzle without using any hints. This was a neat little challenge for us but also allowed us to see what kind of puzzles we excel at and what kind of puzzles were in the game. Their puzzle design is also spot-on, with most puzzles solvable entirely using what is found in the backpack. That means you are not at the mercy of whoever is controlling the screen, which helps every player feel involved in the experience. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 Wolf Escape Games brings the whole package with " The Pharaoh’s Tomb ". Every element is perfectly considered and placed. The artwork, design, puzzles, music and experience feel meticulously crafted to not just bring you a game but create a completely immersive adventure that feels movie-esque and where you get to be a key player in it. We played with three players, but the recommended six could work well and with a game this impressive, you will definitely want to share it with as many people as you can. 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  Wolf Escape Games for providing us with a sample of their game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. . #MatthewLui #AtHomeGames #DigitalGame #PointNClick #WolfEscapeGames #Adventure #Egyptian #UnitedKingdom

LOCATION: Middletown, Connecticut, USA Photo above is property of Puzzle Theory Photos above are property of Puzzle Theory 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Critical Countdown 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 14, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Espionage, War, Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-10 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $29.00/ pp (depending on group size) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You are operatives of the counter-terrorism unit known as the Phoenix Initiative. Your team has information that the Crimson Shadow has infiltrated a decommissioned Russian base, code-named Red Medusa. Our intelligence suggests they are targeting the base's remaining nuclear arsenal. Your mission is to secure the mainframe, regain control of the weapons system, and prevent a global disaster. The urgency is critical as we believe they plan to launch a pre-emptive strike within the next hour. The responsibility lies with you. Good luck, Phoenix Initiates! Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This room exudes a strong bunker vibe as soon as you step in. It feels like a covert underground tunnel operation that has concealed numerous war secrets. The initial puzzles were relatively easy to solve, which was essential because the more challenging puzzles were concentrated towards the latter part of the game. We appreciated this aspect of the puzzle design, as it heightened the sense of urgency towards the end. This room was mostly non-linear, allowing us to tackle some puzzles individually while also enjoying the teamwork required for others. We were impressed by the "tracking" system the puzzle designer incorporated in the latter part of the game. It kept us organized and helped us track which solutions we had already input and which we hadn't. Certain parts of the game felt distinctly "spy-like" as we wired items together, decoded secret messages, and ultimately disarmed a dangerous nuclear launch. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There was a prop in our game that remained unused. We realized it wasn't essential since the game already had plenty of activities, and removing it might reduce confusion. Some clue placements were confusing because we had already solved the puzzle but didn't understand why the clue appeared later on. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you love wartime storylines and enjoy feeling like a spy, this game is perfect for you. You'll not only learn secret message decoding techniques, but also engage in physical activities that reveal hidden surprises. The challenge of disarming a nuclear device at the end through multi-step challenges will undoubtedly keep you on edge. Bring along your strongest and smartest comrades, as this room presents a formidable challenge, especially for newcomers! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Plenty of parking available Lobby area with seating available Merchandise is available for purchase 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 Puzzle Theory for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #PuzzleTheory #Espionage #War #Thriller #Connecticut #USA

LOCATION: Webster, Texas, USA Photo above is property of Break Free Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Forgotten Feature 📅 DATE PLAYED : October 29, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Paranormal 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl (Ages 15+) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $27.00/ pp (Min. 2 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Josie was inadvertently left behind during a school field trip to the movie theater and, despite a town-wide search, was never found. Her spirit is believed to haunt the theater. With the theater scheduled for demolition, you have one hour to liberate her spirit. Can you set her free? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This storyline is very unique and rarely seen in other escape room locations. The theme of investigating a haunted theater immediately captivated us. What could have happened to this little girl? The introductory story unfolded on the big screen, complete with movie theater seats, popcorn, and atmospheric lighting, allowing us to settle in quickly and "enjoy" the movie. We knew exactly what to do once we solved the first puzzle, as certain props would reveal themselves. With numerous similar props scattered around the room, we were ready for the challenge. The puzzles varied, requiring logic, memory, and keen observation. One particularly complex puzzle demanded a combination of all these skills, and a cool prop activated the solution. The game creators skillfully integrated the puzzles into the storyline until the very end. Solving all the puzzles also unraveled the mystery of the missing girl. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This room needs a more intense eerie sound, music, and light ambience to truly capture the "haunted" theater atmosphere. Strategic jump scares can be easily incorporated at key moments. One of the clues had unclear wording, leading to multiple potential solutions. Clarifying this would be great. A prop required a second use, which was the only instance in the room. A subtle hint or clue within the room would prevent players from unnecessarily wasting time or asking GM for hints. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? If you're a film buff, you'll thoroughly enjoy reminiscing about some of the greatest movies of all time displayed throughout the room. The set design authentically captures the feel of a small private theater. We anticipated a touch of eerie ambiance from Josie which would have enhanced the experience but the puzzles, while not overly challenging, require keen association skills to link the various items and decor scattered about. Solving the mystery was incredibly satisfying, akin to a "Nancy Drew" moment, as we finally set Josie free after all these years. What would your movie ending be? ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Locker and seating in the lobby Free parking right outside 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 Break Free Escape Room for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLEscapeRoom #EscapeRoom #BreakFreeEscapeRoom #Horror #Paranormal #Creepy #Texas #USA