Photo above is property of Hidden Studios Company: Hidden Studios Game: Escape CaseOh Language: English Type of Game: Video Game 📱 Genre: Horror Date Played: February 15, 2025 Difficulty (based on 1 player): 5/10 Size of Team:     Up[ to 4 ppl Time: Unlimited (Approx. 1-2 Hrs.) Price: Free 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 It’s time to close the hotel restaurant. After cleaning up, you head over to lock the door but CaseOh comes in looking for food and he does not look happy that the buffet is closed. CaseOh is so hungry that he might eat anything…or anyone… 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 This game was created in collaboration between the Twitch streamer CaseOh and Unreal Labs. It’s a level mod of Fortnite so it can be found on any platform Fortnite is on. At the start, the game eases you in with a few simple tasks to learn the controls but if you are familiar with Fortnite, the controls will be intuitive. As the game progressed, the atmosphere gave off an eerie feel with the dark ambiance and unsettling music. Any game where you need a flashlight, you know something is going to come and scare you. The gameplay was smooth and it was a quick game that could be finished in one sitting. I played the game solo but the multiplayer mode seems like a great way to enjoy the game as well, with friends splitting up to complete the tasks in the scary hotel. Photos above are property of Hidden Studios 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The puzzles were straightforward with a helpful reminder on the screen bottom keeping you on task. The tasks and puzzles had a distinct escape room feel to them. The hotel had plenty of places to explore so keep your wits about you. Depending on how fast and accurate you complete the tasks and the choices you make, the game has 4 endings to find as well as multiple achievements that will keep you coming back for more. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 This entertaining and eerie game from CaseOh is a steal of a deal and well worth the playthrough. It was entertaining to complete and had some nice chuckles added in. The puzzles made me stop and think for a moment but never overstayed its welcome. This is a game for any fans of fun horror or just CaseOh. Whether you play solo or with friends, the experience is just as fun. (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 "!) #MatthewLui #AtHomeGames #VideoGames #Fortnite #HiddenStudios #CaseohGames #Horror #USA

Photo above is property of Wolf Escape Games Company: Wolf Escape Games Game: Miami Bay Country: United Kingdom 🇬🇧 Language: English Type of Game: Digital Escape Game 💻 Genre: Detective Date Played: February 7, 2024 Difficulty (based on 4 players): 7/10 Size of Team: 1-6 Players (Recommended) (Ages 10-80+) Time: Unlimited (Approx. 180 Mins.) Price: £29.00 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 You are a detective tasked - by your hard-nosed police chief - with investigating the murder of a fellow officer, possibly silenced by a conspiracy of crooked cops. A good cop knew too much and now he's dead for it. Grab your badge, your gun, and your shades, and follow the trail of evidence as it takes you on a wild ride through the seedy underbelly of Miami, but be careful, you may find more than you bargained for. Video above is property of Wolf Escape Games 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ We're heading back to the 80's baby! Get out your best white suit and step into the neon wash of the Miami sunset. Is there any better setting for a hard boiled noir. Wolf Escape Games really creates some stunning visual effects in their games! The graphics for " Miami Bay " had an 80's vibe filled with neon colors reminiscent of he 80's era! There was so much detail throughout the game and the quality was top-notch! Photos above are property of Wolf Escape Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 Let me just begin by saying they really nailed the aesthetic, and I think the setting is a great transition from the locale of their last game. The 80s just had it all, and this game is really infused with the humor and cool of the era. The game looks gorgeous. The gameplay has a great format that incorporates not just the various scenes that you will be moving between and investigating, but the unique objects and clues, and especially the design of the puzzles themselves which are often quite ingenious and present you with creative scenarios and mechanics to work through. You start by having to learn how to fly a plane, taking the helm to avert a crash, trying to make sense of its myriad controls - and I thought what a smart scenario, what a natural puzzle. The story is zany, and funny, and campy, in all the right ways. Even the way it's presented to you feels like a movie, it's quite a cinematic production to go alongside the raw puzzling. You can leave and pick it back up whenever you like, ditto people joining and leaving the game, so it's very flexible and convenient to play. Video above is property of Wolf Escape Games Photos above are property of Wolf Escape Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 Right off the bat where you are learning to fly a plane, and later when you're cross referencing databases, and investigating crime scenes, the design of the puzzles, how they are meshed with the scenarios, it all comes together in such a creative and natural way. I was really impressed how they brought together all the key elements that make a good puzzle without it ever really feeling too abstract or far-fetched. They have put together a really well thought out and diverse array of brain teasers. In terms of difficulty I would say it was spot on, stimulating without becoming frustrating especially if you've got the brain trust to work on them together. The on demand hint system is perfect and keeps things flowing without giving them away completely. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 It's a blast, it's a fun ride. I don't think I'm doing it justice here, because it really is an impressive production. A movie-game hybrid, one part great stories and cinematics, the other great scenarios and puzzles. Co-op mystery games are a bit rare so it's always a treat when they come out. Wolf Escape Games has put together a well produced and inspired next entry in their budding series of games. 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. . #AndrewWoods #AtHomeGames #DigitalGame #PointNClick #WolfEscapeGames #Detective #Mystery #UnitedKingdom

Photo above is property of Wolf Escape Games Company: Wolf Escape Games Game: Hallows Hill Country: United Kingdom 🇬🇧 Language: English Type of Game: Digital Escape Game 💻 Genre: Paranormal, Mystery Date Played: January 15, 2022 Difficulty (based on 3 players): 5/10 Size of Team: 1-6 Players Time: 90 Mins (Approximately) Price: £20.00 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 A patient at your nursing home has gone missing. You were able to track her whereabouts to an old manor House, Hallow Hills, but are warned there has always been something…off with this old estate. You don’t know why Mary has travelled back here but you are determined to find out and as you explore this once beautiful home you slowly begin the realize this house holds more than just mysteries… Video above is property of Wolf Escape Games 🆃🅷🅴 ❞🅻🅾🅾🅺🆂❞ One thing I need to set time for is the sheer beauty of this game. I was extremely impressed with the graphics and how smooth they ran. I was playing on my 2017 Macbook Air and it had no issues running the game and continued to provide amazingly clear videos and mechanics. There were countless times, as we progressed each room, that our group had to pause and admire the glamour shots and the gameplay screens. Wolf Escape Rooms really took their time to make the game not just fun to play but immersive through its visuals. It has one of these best graphics I’ve seen in a digital escape room. Photos above are property of Wolf Escape Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 " Hallow Hills " plays much like a computer video game. The game takes a little time to load but once you load the website it will ask you to provide your access code, which will be provided via email. You have the choice between playing the game as a team on the same device or playing separately. The game also offers you a “backpack,” which is really useful if you are playing as a group on one screen (especially if you are playing virtually together). The backpack provides images of various parts of the room you can examine closely on your phone or tablet. You can also view them in the room by hovering your mouse of a white hollow circle before clicking it. If you are playing on your own or each player is using a different screen, the backpack can be great for you to examine artifacts while inputting the correct answer needed elsewhere in the room. The overarching goal is that you are trying to find ways through different doors of the house, and you need to explore and solve puzzles to gain access to the tools needed to open the door. To aid you investigation you have the diary of Mary, your patient. As travel through rooms over the five chapter experience, key pages will be available that will provide clues and narrative to help you move onto the next room. There will be a book icon at the bottom left of the screen and it will flash yellow when new pages become available. Once you’ve moved onto a new section the previous pages will vanish. These pages will also be available using the backpack. If you get stuck, there are hints available in the top right of the screen. Taking a hint does add time to your timer on the top left of the screen so if you’re racing the clock take that into account. Photos above are property of Wolf Escape Games 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The puzzles in " Hallow Hills " are mainly logic and math based in nature. As you explore each room you have different items to examine that will work in tandem to reveal the next room. I found the best methods was a keen eye and a pen and paper for jot notes to help you along. Some rooms are more open ended where your team can divide and conquer while other rooms require your team to band together and solve a puzzle alongside each other. I was happy that when they provided good collaboration puzzles that easily offered teams with ways to work together without it feeling like we’re on top of each other. They made the puzzles fun because the encouraged discussion and the digital platform of the game was really smooth to allow players to move items, jump between images, and examine clues. I will say there is one puzzle I struggled with because of its focus on audio which is tricky if have some struggles with hearing. Overall, the puzzles were well clued and had a good variety to them. They are traditional but with the theme and design of the game they felt appropriate and worked well with the game. It felt clean and there was a progressing story line that worked with puzzles I thoroughly enjoyed. Overall the puzzles seek to draw you into the immersion with a balance of good puzzle clues and clean design that all players can enjoy. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 " Hallow Hills " by Wolf Escape Games is a gorgeous and eerie puzzling experience with a meaningly story and a good structure that aids itself from independent and collaborative puzzling. I loved seeing each room as we explored the house, and the puzzles had a good level of logic and math that both new and experienced player can enjoy. If you love video games, spooky themes, and traditional puzzling I think this is a perfect option! Based off their first game alone, I cannot wait to see what more Wolf Escape Room can offer. 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. #JillianRaymond #AtHomeGames #DigitalGame #PointNClick #WolfEscapeGames #Mystery #Paranormal #UnitedKingdom

LOCATION: Winter Garden, Florida, USA Photo above is property of The Escape Ventures Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Dragon Challenge: A Hero's Choice 📅 DATE PLAYED : February 15, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Fantasy, Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : /10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $35.99/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY In the tranquil village of Oakenshire, a looming disaster threatens your future as a Garzon dragon wreaks havoc across the land. Gathered in Lord Montague's shop, you stand as brave volunteers, poised to make a decision that will forever shape Oakenshire's destiny. Your quest involves discovering the four orbs that will light your path... Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE This room is ideal for larger groups because of the ample space and the fact that nearly all the puzzles are non-linear, ensuring everyone has something to engage with. There's an intriguing contraption that immediately caught our attention upon entering the room. It's not a challenging physical puzzle but is definitely enjoyable to solve. We had to assemble a puzzle that revealed something at the end. We appreciated that all the props were relevant to the time and story, and this solution also resulted in a cool reveal. There's a multi-step puzzle that provided a satisfying conclusion after assembling all the pieces. Even though there weren't many high-tech items in this room, we still experienced a few "wow" moments that we enjoyed from simple light effects. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We encountered a clue on a box we needed to open, which pointed us to four elements we had to examine. The hint was perplexing because it wasn't really about identifying them individually. We recommend removing the prop on those elements as it seemed like a distraction. This room has significant potential due to its "quest" atmosphere. It would be wonderful if Escape Venture could add their unique touch to make it more "quest-like" in terms of set design. There are many usable props, but currently, it feels like one large room without any hidden surprises. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This room was originally created by Escape Goat and was later acquired by Escape Venture. The game flow in this room was significantly improved, and the puzzles were more challenging and innovative compared to " Area 51 ". The quest was clear from the start, and we knew exactly what we needed to find to save the village. The puzzles truly felt like challenges we had to overcome to discover the items necessary to find the 4 orbs and lift the spell. If you enjoy "divide and conquer" gameplay, you'll appreciate this room, as there's plenty to do whether you're in a small or large group. Perhaps the most challenging part was the final decision at the end. Let us know what you chose! Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Lobby with games and seating Lockers available Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, interview with the owners, the room(s) (no puzzle spoilers) and more: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure :   We thank The Escape Ventures 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 #TheEscapeVentures #SciFi #USA #Florida

LOCATION: Amsterdam, Netherlands Photo above is property of Sherlocked Mystery Experiences Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Alchemist 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 4, 2024 🎬 GENRE : Alchemy 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 6/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE : €42 - €114/ pp (depending on # of ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY The great Alchemist, Mary, decided after many wonderful centuries that it was time to move on and ascend to the heavens. However, something went wrong during her ritual…her body has disappeared into the ether, but her soul has yet to properly move on. As alchemists yourselves, you’re here to try to complete the complex ritual to successfully bring her the peace that she deserves. However, you only have 90 minutes before the end of the triple eclipse that makes such a powerful ritual possible. Can you help Mary to move on in time? 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The setting of The Alchemist is simply incredible. It starts with a marvelous tower in the heart of Amsterdam. And what they've created inside is a masterpiece, crafted with breathtaking magnitude, scientific beauty, and intricate authenticity. You'll want to take time to just pause and take it all in. This room utilizes mechanics in novel ways and at a scale that truly brings the story's magic to life. We were blown away by both wondrous dramatic events and smaller moments peppered throughout the experience, culminating in a stunning conclusion that will drop your jaw one more time. The gameplay is fairly linear, with specific stages to progress through. While most of the puzzles are quite approachable, each stage remained engrossing, and there were several clever, novel challenges. There is minimal searching and a nice variety of challenges, with some ability for adaptive difficulty. While hands-on elements are an escape room mainstay, the specific interactions you will have here are beyond the usual in scope and awe factors. The storyline is engaging and refreshingly unique. For those who are looking for more whimsical or magical options, The Alchemist will delight. You will walk away with a particularly cool memento from your visit. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK We unfortunately experienced several technical difficulties during our game. While this is certainly understandable with a game of this magnitude, there could have been some clearer direction and communication from our GM in those moments. We appreciate the inclusion of adaptive difficulty elements, and one puzzle was removed for us, as we were low on time. However, we were left feeling that we still needed to complete that element. Ideally, players are unaware when such modifications are made or, if need be, notified that the puzzle has been completed/bypassed. There was also some very small text that had to be read in one area that wasn't brightly lit, leaving us wishing for a magnifying glass or something similar. (We’ve got old eyes!) 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We are in awe of the magic and craftsmanship of this game. Despite a few hiccups in our visit, it was an incredible experience that we won't forget. We're hard-pressed to think of anyone who would not enjoy " The Alchemist " if given the opportunity to play, from casual families to devoted enthusiasts. The only reason not to recommend it for new players is that it might set an unrealistic bar for other games… Hint : Read all instructions completely and carefully. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO This location is an easy 5 minute walk from Amsterdam's Centraal Station. Players will need to be able to climb steep steps (as in many places in the Netherlands). Bathrooms and a box for your things are available. Your pre-game materials may recommend a cafe next door, just be aware you should check their hours in advance. Photos above are property of Sherlocked Mystery Experiences (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 Sherlocked Mystery Experiences for providing a media discount on the tickets for this game. Although discounted admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #KristaJones #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #Sherlocked #Alchemy #Amsterdam #Netherlands

LOCATION: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of Casa Loma Escape Series Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Escape From The Tower 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 16, 2023 🎬 GENRE : War, Historical 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 10 Players) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 6-12 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. (Plus 15 Min for intro & 15 Min for outro) 💰 PRICE : CAD $42/pp (Thur-Sun), $50/pp (Fri-Sat) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Public 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY During World War II, your group has been tasked by the Anti-Submarine Detection Research Centre to determine the coordinates of the enemy U-Boats. You must make your way up the tower of the research centre to find the coordinates and send them to our Allies on the frontline. Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The brilliant actors that accompanied and participated in the story brought the game to another level. If you were willing to interact with them, they were happy to interact with you. Each actor also stayed in character as they gave subtle hints and nudges throughout the game. Each room was set up in a non-linear manner which allowed for a lot of do for everyone. The puzzles were all also big enough that more than one person could contribute at a time. Being built in one of the towers of Casa Loma, the puzzles were themed well to the story as well as some of the props were cleverly made to blend into the tower décor. The puzzles were a solid mix of tech of non-tech with a few padlocks along the way which never felt out of place. Each room had progressed us to a different location and area of Casa Loma’s tower which made for nice separation throughout the game. The final puzzle made sure everyone was involved and made for a great finish. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The amount of people vs. how much there is to do in the room could feel lopsided at times. There were some puzzles that could take people a shorter time to complete than others, which would result in some standing around and watching for some. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This game was a fun blend of escape room and immersive experience. There was a range of tech and non tech puzzles with very minimal padlocks. The flow of the game and how they incorporated the story worked well with the environment. The actors playing the characters and guiding you though was the highlight of the game. Anyone who is a fan of immersive experiences, actors in escape rooms and World War II would have a great time in the game. Since it is a public booking, if you want to see more of the puzzles, then look for a time with less people. Though, we did play with 10 people and even with this full crowd, we had a great experience playing this game. This would also be a fun, casual experience for many friends if you are willing to book out the whole game. Onwards, upwards, together we win! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Paid parking ($15) You will need to climb a narrow staircase during the game and a few flights of stairs to get to the starting area. Entrance will be on the side of Casa Loma. Look out for the sign. 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 Casa Loma Escape Series (by Secret City Adventures) for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #SecretCity #CasaLomaEscapeSeries #Historical #War #Ontario #Canada

Photos provided by Secret City (Casa Loma Escape Series) Company: Secret City (Casa Loma Escape Series) Game: Murdoch Mysteries: The Secret of Station House No. 4 Country: Canada 🇨🇦 Language: English Type of Game: Remote Escape Room 🗣 Genre: Detective Date Played: 4/2/2021 Difficulty (based on 5 players): 5/10 Size of Team: 4-8 Players Time: 60 Minutes Price: $25/ pp 🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈 It is the 1890s. William Murdoch, Canada's greatest detective has gone missing! You are the new constables at Station House No. 4. Can you uncover its secrets? 🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈 This game was staged in an actual escape room where we utilized a live avatar as our eyes and hands to interact with the items/puzzles in the room. The game was played over the Google Meet interface. The quality of the pictures were not as clear as Zoom and sometimes did lag during the game. But our avatar totally made up for these glitches and bought this online experience to the next level. He knows how to control his camera angles, "fix" unexpected situations (like the internet lags), and cracked us up with his witty jokes, Check out this short documentary he made in regards to being a game master. This is the first time we've used a build-in inventory system from Google Meet. It works similar to Telescape where items in the room will be "transported" to you in image formats so you can have a closer look at the clues. Make sure to note that there are tabs that will take you to different sections of the game. Some items felt like they needed to be enlarged even more as they're quite hard to see. The GM who's in control of putting items in and out of the inventory system did a great job as it's pretty seamless with the GM's actions. One additional feature this game that we haven't seen other games provide was the recap at the end of the game. Our GM took the time to ask if we had any questions on any of the puzzles and did a quick run through on all of them. This was great for teammates who might have missed any puzzles or information during the "divide and conquer" exploration. 🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂 The 360 photos of the rooms were great as we're able to divide and conquer. There was a good amount of searching and some areas were not be visible on camera so Frank did a great job with his subtle nudges. One the of clue images was still hard to see in the inventory and this made it a bit more difficult for us to determine if we're on the right track or not as we didn't realize the correlation of what we figured out and what was on the image. Other than that we're quite happy with the various type of puzzles (Math, Science, logic, etc.) and the spaciousness of the room for us to sleuth around. 🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆄🅶🅷🆃🆂 I never laughed so much throughout a remote escape game. Most of the time we'll be concentrating on solving puzzles but this time I decided to enjoy myself more by sitting back and watching our players interaction with Frank instead. Frank was acting versus game mastering. It's not a skill to be expected in every GM but if you get one that's really good at it, definitely savor everything moment. Since we are unable to enjoy this game in person, our entire experience is put into the hands of GMs. This is a clear case of "a GM can make or break a game". With improvements on the camera feeds, this game could easily make it onto our "favorite games list". ❤ 𝔼𝕊ℂ𝔸ℙ𝔼𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ𝕆𝕆𝕄𝕖𝕣𝕤 ℙ𝕒𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕟❜𝕤 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 Jacqueline G. - Remote escape rooms are my favorite type of online escape rooms because I love to interact with the GM and see their performance. This GM not only put a lot of effort into his character but he never slipped up and went as far as acting with his hands which is something that feels hard to accomplish. He was funny, helpful, and interesting. I can’t say enough good things about this GM. The escape room was both intricate and intriguing. We finished right at the 60 minute mark and we had 5 players figuring things out. The only negative thing I can even say about this room is that the camera quality wasn’t fantastic so it was a bit hard to see some of the things that we needed to find however the GM eased that concern a bit with his camera angles. There were many different puzzles all of varying difficulties and challenges. The theme was one I have not experienced before and they did it very well. I would definitely play more if their games in person or online. Highly recommend. *** 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 Secret City (Casa Loma Escape Series) for comping our tickets for this game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #AtHomeGames #EscapeRooms # SecretCity #CasaLomaEscapeSeries #SecretCity #MurdochMysteries #TheSecretofStationHouseNo4 #Detective #Mystery #Solve #Murder #Remote EscapeRoom #Avatar

LOCATION: Orlando, Florida, USA Photo above is property of Think Escape Games Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Two Can Keep a Secret 📅 DATE PLAYED : February 16, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Mystery 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 5.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : Up to 8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $40.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY In Two Can Keep a Secret, delve into a chilling mystery surrounding a broken family. As a Child Protective Services investigator, you are tasked with checking on Lizzie, a young girl exhibiting unusual behavior since her twin sister Cassie vanished following their parents' murder. Will you piece together this twisted story and ensure Lizzie's safety, or find yourself ensnared in a nightmare? The clock is ticking—can you keep the secret? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The set design's "transformation" was remarkably enlightening. While some changes are typically anticipated, the designers executed multiple transformations that genuinely astonished us. The ingenious use of space for "hidden" areas and jump scares was impressive, providing us with numerous "wow" moments. The players adeptly "pieced" together the puzzles (literally) and unraveled the story of the little girl by solving them. We thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of the game. The props in this escape room were common items found in a child's room, yet the creators skillfully embedded puzzles within them. There was an engaging domino mechanism we activated, which was enjoyable to watch and truly evoked the feeling of being in a child's world. The creators' meticulous attention to detail was evident throughout the room, from clothing to games to small trinkets. Our favorite part was likely towards the end of the game when we discovered some dark secrets hidden within the room. We appreciated how the ending was presented to us using a very fitting item. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK Certain props require updating, as it was unclear whether they were intended as part of a clue or simply needed maintenance. We encountered a puzzle where the clues appeared ambiguous. The connection between the input and the provided clues was uncertain, allowing for multiple interpretations. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? We greatly appreciated the attention to detail in the creation of this room. Think Escape Games mentioned that some of their game masters were involved in its development. It's evident that considerable thought went into it, with various ideas coming together to form the game we see today. This room is brimming with secrets waiting to be discovered. Engage with intricate puzzles that challenge your problem-solving skills and enhance the immersive storyline. Shadows, dim corners, and flickering lights create a spooky atmosphere, requiring caution as spirits may react dangerously if disturbed. Do you have the courage to uncover the truth behind this seemingly innocent girl's world? Most importantly, can you keep a secret? Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking lot in front Merchandise available for purchase Beverages available for purchase Lobby area with seating available Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, an interview with the owner, the room(s) (no puzzle spoilers) and more: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Think Escape Games for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #CiciCao #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #ThinkEscapeGames #Mystery #USA #Florida

LOCATION: Newmarket, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of Crypto Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Cursed Temple 📅 DATE PLAYED : March 12, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Egyptian 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 Players) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : CAD $30.98/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You and your team have been sent into the ancient Temple of Amon Kha, where a famed explorer and his expedition have been cursed. Can you find your way through the ancient ruins, learn its secrets and discover how to break the curse? Video above is property of Crypto Escape Rooms 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The atmosphere and ambiance of the experience is comparable to the magic of Disney, with the larger-than-life design and overall immersion. Even the generator in the room would sputter randomly during the game simply for enhancing the experience. With the all-tech puzzles and grand effects, the challenges could be seen by everyone and most of the time, it would take the entire team to complete them. This made sure everyone was involved and engaged. Though this is Crypto's oldest room, it still holds up today. Even talking with the GM, it’s clear that they continue to maintain and upkeep the room, even adding an additional puzzle to keep it fresh. One of the many standout things Crypto does well is they will subtly direct you towards key elements with lighting to ensure you are looking at what you need. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK This was an amazing room with no misses that we experienced. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? Crypto Escape Rooms always delivers top notch experiences, and this one is no exception. Despite being their oldest, the Cursed Temple still is an amazing game with stunning set design, impressive effects, all-tech puzzles, and so much more. We played with 4 people and found it to be the perfect size for enthusiasts, but the space could hold more if you are looking to bring more. Anyone who loves an intricate set, collaborative puzzles or loves an Egyptian theme room should definitely give this room a try. Photos above are property of Crypto Escape Rooms ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Second floor of the building, above a bowling alley Free parking Lobby area with benches, tables to sit at, snacks for purchase and some videos games to play while waiting. Escape room games such as Exit and Professor Puzzles are for sale If you decide to play more rooms, a $5 discount will be applied to the following rooms They have some 3D printed minis that can be purchased to keep as a souvenir of the rooms Photo above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank Crypto Escape Rooms for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #MatthewLui #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #CryptoEscapeRooms #Egyptian #Ontario #Canada #spy

LOCATION: Orlando, Florida, USA Photo above is property of The Great Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Mountain Top Murders 📅 DATE PLAYED : February 16, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Thriller 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : Up To 8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : $35.00/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Your Nana was always distant, but you tried to stay in touch. She’s elderly and alone in her mountain cabin, insisting she's fine, though you haven't heard from her in a month. Concerned, you visit, arriving at night. Through a broken window, you see red marks at the hall's end. You call out but get no response. Did someone break in? Are those blood stains? What happened to Nana Hannah? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The storyline developed as we progressed through the game. We took pleasure in "discovering" what happened to grandma by examining items both inside and outside the house, all while remaining alert for any movements from the killer. The flickering porch lights, broken fence, and bloody handprints were amazing elements in the set design, effectively creating the creepy atmosphere. If you appreciate a "divide and conquer" approach to puzzle-solving, this game will be appealing, as that was our strategy throughout the entire experience. Certain puzzles ingeniously utilized props that could easily be identified as typical tools or items found in a grandmother's house, but were transformed into clues for a puzzle. We particularly enjoyed the final puzzle, as it cleverly connected a "before" and "after" scenario and instilled a sense of urgency to escape from the ominous woods. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK One of the drawings intended as a clue was unclear about the actions it required. Some shapes seemed like unnecessary distractions. A lock designed for directional use also featured letters and numbers, causing confusion. We recommend altering the puzzle or the lock for clearer input. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? The flickering lights and jump scares heightened anxiety, echoing ominously as we feared the killer's return. The tension was palpable as we navigated the chilling environment, alert to danger. Victory came when we got the rescue phone working, its dial tone a beacon of hope. Relief washed over us, a crucial step towards escape in a game that tested our wits and nerve. Even beginners can navigate the killer's traps by being observant. The game rewards exploration with hints and clues for survival. Every detail, from objects to environmental changes, matters. For those who enjoy an eerie atmosphere and complex murder mysteries, this game is perfect. It combines a haunting setting with intricate puzzles, drawing you into a sinister narrative where every decision counts! ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Street parking Located on the 2nd floor Large lobby with seating area Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure : We thank The Great Escape Room (Orlando) 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 #TheGreatEscapeRoom #Thriller #Florida #USA

LOCATION: Orlando, Florida, USA Photo above is property of The Escape Ventures Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Operation Arctic Storm: The Final Meltdown 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 25, 2023 🎬 GENRE : Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 4 ppl) : 8/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 90 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $52.99 - $57.99/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY You and your friends are researchers stationed at a remote outpost in Siberia. Everything seems to be going smoothly until your AI assistant on the outpost suddenly alerts you of an incoming storm that threatens to wreak havoc and leave your base in ruins. With the storm rapidly approaching, you have just 90 minutes to prepare the storm vehicle for its venture into the tempest in order to ensure the survival of your group. Can you complete the preparations in time? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The size and scale of Operation Arctic Storm: The Final Meltdown are truly immense, spanning multiple rooms and stories. It's one of the most physically demanding rooms in the country, requiring participants to crawl, climb, and navigate through various obstacles, creating an immersive experience that feels like a fight for survival. The puzzles in this game are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, creating a sense of urgency and immersion. Despite being a 90-minute room, our experienced team managed to utilize every moment effectively. The challenges felt like authentic scenarios we might encounter in such a situation, requiring a combination of physical and mental agility to overcome. Every detail of the room is meticulously crafted, transporting players from Florida to the heart of Siberia. While not as frigid as its namesake, the environment feels authentic and immersive, with each element contributing to the realism of the experience. Additionally, there are enjoyable references to other rooms and hidden Easter eggs, adding to the overall enjoyment of the game. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK After much consideration, nothing is needed here. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " Operation Arctic Storm: The Final Meltdown " sets a new standard for immersive escape room experiences. From the moment you step into the room, you're fully immersed in the world it creates. The puzzles are expertly designed to provide a sense of accomplishment without overwhelming players, with each step seamlessly integrated into the narrative. The game is filled with triggers and step-by-step achievements that make you forget you're solving puzzles and instead feel like you're fighting for survival. With so much to do and explore, the 90-minute adventure is jam-packed with excitement and challenges. Like other Escape Ventures rooms, there are opportunities to interact with actors, adding a personal touch to the experience without being intrusive. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to escape rooms, Operation Arctic Storm offers a thrilling and unforgettable journey. Update - February 15, 2025 Brandon and I recently played " Operation Arctic Storm: The Final Meltdown " and all we can say is... Wow, this game was "COOL" (no pun intended)! The moment you step into the mission base, it's like Florida's Sunshine State vanishes, and you're plunged into a thrilling icy adventure. Our main challenge was figuring out how to survive the bone-chilling cold, only to be delightfully surprised by a "lovely" little twist later on. The missions were brilliantly crafted to match the theme and the props used for the puzzles were absolutely ingenious. The Escape Ventures are truly on the cutting edge, seamlessly blending high tech with a sense of reality, turning this fictional world into a breathtakingly real experience. I have no idea how they pull it off, but they keep amazing and thrilling us! We can't wait for their next adventure! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Free Parking Lobby with games For best experience, players must be able to crawl and climb. Accommodations can be made however. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers Check out our YouTube video for a sneak peek of the location, interview with the owners, the room(s) (no puzzle spoilers) and more: Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers (If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from " ESCAPETHEROOMers "!) Disclosure :   We thank The Escape Ventures  for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. Update : ESCAPETHEROOMers also visited The Escape Ventures to play " Operation Arctic Storm: The Final Meltdown " in February '25!! Thank you for hosting us and we had an amazing time in both of the games! #MikeSchnurr #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #TheEscapeVentures #Adventure #USA #Florida

LOCATION: St. Gallen, Switzerland Photo above is property of Escape Company & Bar Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Mystic Temple 2: The Cursed Skull 📅 DATE PLAYED : February 8, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Adventure 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 7/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 3-6 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 75 Mins. 💰 PRICE : CHF 135 - CHF 198 ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes [68:00] 📖 THE STORY Since the legendary skull was stolen from the Mayan temple, strange and ominous events have plagued the Yucatán Peninsula. Mysterious accidents, eerie whispers, and an unsettling sense of doom have gripped the region. The descendants of the Mayans speak in hushed tones of an ancient curse, and even seasoned archaeologists now believe the legends may hold more truth than myth. There is only one way to stop the growing chaos—the skull must be returned to its rightful resting place. Brave the perils of the jungle, unravel the cryptic riddles left by Mayan priests, and restore balance before it’s too late! Note : This is a fully updated version of the original " Mystic Temple " room that was situated in the same game space. However, all riddles are completely new… as are some of the game areas! 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE " Mystic Temple 2: The Cursed Skull " may not look drastically different from its predecessor, as much of the layout and props remain unchanged. However, key upgrades elevate the experience, including a small second-level room and enhanced visual effects that incorporate more dynamic lighting and sound. These additions create a more immersive and adventurous atmosphere, perfectly complementing the jungle-explorer theme. The level of immersion is exceptional. Beyond the technical enhancements, the game boasts impressive set design with high-quality materials. While we knew we weren’t in a real jungle temple, the authenticity of the walls, statues, wood-chip flooring, and lush foliage instantly transported us into the setting—earning an immediate "wow" from our team. The game excels not only in large decorative elements but also in the finer details. We appreciated the subtle environmental touches that deepened the story and added layers of realism. Spotting these small details made the experience even more engaging. The adventure kicks off with a well-produced intro video that is concise yet effective, adding to the narrative without dragging on. It sets the tone perfectly for the journey ahead. One of the standout features is the unique clue-giving system, which adds an extra layer of fun. If you need a hint, you might just have to earn it. The puzzle flow is well-structured, primarily linear but with a mid-game shift that offers three challenges players can tackle in any order — ideal for larger groups looking to divide and conquer. The variety of puzzles is excellent, incorporating light physical tasks, searching, decoding, and team-based challenges that keep players engaged. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK A few areas within the game felt aesthetically unfinished, which stood out more due to the otherwise high production value. While this didn’t detract significantly from the experience, those spots were noticeable against the backdrop of such a well-crafted environment. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? This game is a fantastic choice for families and players who appreciate immersive set designs and hands-on puzzle-solving adventures. As experienced players, we found two to be the ideal team size. However, less experienced groups may benefit from bringing up to four players to help balance the workload. ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is not available on site. There is a central parking garage in the town, only a couple of minutes' walk. Attached to the escape room center is a clean and comfortable bar that serves food as well as drinks. There is also a small selection of boardgames available to play too. Photos above are property of Escape Company & Bar (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 Company & Bar for comping our tickets for this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion of the review whatsoever. #RyanDriver #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #EscapeCompanyandBar #Adventure #StGallen #Switzerland

LOCATION: Orlando, Florida, USA Photo above is property of Edge Escape Room Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Jewel Thief 📅 DATE PLAYED : February 16, 2025 🎬 GENRE : Heist 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 2 ppl) : 5.5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 2-8 ppl 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins. 💰 PRICE : $79.00 (2 ppl) ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY They say money can't buy happiness, but jewels can. You and your team are about to execute a major heist: infiltrating a secure location to steal the legendary jewels of egress. You have 60 minutes before the guard shift changes and your escape window closes. Can you succeed? Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The game master's introduction, combined with the pre-recorded introduction, stood out from the usual introductions found in escape rooms, greatly boosting the immersion experience. The set design featured several ingenious elements, particularly in the middle section, clearly demonstrating the designer's thoughtful creation of a heist atmosphere. The transition from outside to inside during the break-in added a unique depth to the storyline. We encountered a prop for the first time that was later utilized in the game. Its application felt highly realistic, closely mirroring its use in the real world. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK An image puzzle in the game lacked clarity regarding the correspondence between images and their respective clues, ultimately requiring us to make guesses. A sticker on a prop later in the game caused confusion about its purpose. The game master informed us that it was "not in play." We suggest its removal. The finale provided an impressive space for the "wow" moment. We suggest incorporating an additional puzzle in this expansive area that could enhance the "urgency" of the final escape. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? The game seamlessly blended logic and physical puzzles with a heist theme, immersing players in a thrilling narrative. It engaged both mind and body, leading to the successful theft of the crown jewel. Family-friendly and appealing to all ages, it offered diverse puzzles for kids and adults, with physical challenges energizing younger players and intricate puzzles intriguing older ones. Surprising moments and unexpected twists added excitement, with cleverly designed obstacles and concealed clues enhancing the suspenseful atmosphere. The setting, reminiscent of classic heist films, required teamwork and communication, making the experience memorable and leaving players eager to share and return. Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers ℹ️   ADDITIONAL INFO Free parking available Located in a strip mall Lobby area with some seating available Merchandise available for purchase Complimentary water available 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 Edge 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 #EscapeRooms #EdgeEscapeRoom #Heist #Florida #USA

LOCATION: Newmarket, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of Crypto Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : The Extraction 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 7, 2021 🎬 GENRE : Spy, Mission 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 Players) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 4-8 ppl (Recommend 4-5 ppl) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : CAD $30.98/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY What started as a regular trip in an elevator became an investigation into an evil weapons corporation’s lab after the revelation that they may pose a threat to humanity because of some mysterious advancements. A secret intelligence agency has recruited your group of civilians to figure out how this corporation has advanced so far and get out without being seen. Though, you can’t put your finger on it, but you sense something odd is afoot here… 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE The theme for this room was outstanding, down to the little nods in the posters and the movement of the elevator. Some of the set design later in the game were wonderfully surprising and hand done in house! Crypto Escape Rooms excels in creating a well-developed character who will guide you through the rooms and in this case, you get Wilson. Wilson’s overarching tone and expression made him an excellent addition to our team. Puzzles in this game require moving through the different rooms and communicating across distances which is well suited for the family theme this room provides. I found the puzzles to be pretty easy to figure out, though some take a bit more time to maneuver. Certain puzzles can be adjusted in their levels of difficulty to suit players new and experienced alike. The story brought back the fun of a theme I hadn’t seen in a while. The twist in the story was excellent and completely unexpected. I recommend taking a look at the posters after the reveal to see if you notice anything different now that you know… 🧩 MISSED THE MARK The room is a lot smaller than others in the facility, which means a few tight spaces that I wouldn’t recommend for larger groups. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " The Extraction " provides Crypto Escape Rooms a great family friendly room that easily appeals to both young and old. I loved the feel of the rooms and younger audiences will have a blast moving back and forth between rooms. The puzzling is balanced with easy to grasp mechanics but the challenge to execute them correctly – these are the kind of puzzles I thoroughly enjoy because they keep players engaged and focused without getting confused or lost. This is Crypto Escape Room’s newest room and I feel it represents the dedication and creativity of the company once again. If you’re looking for a cool spy mission, something more family friendly, or room with great rewards for progression I recommend trying this out! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is available in front of the store in a shared parking plaza. The facility is on the second floor but there is an elevator. They currently have four other rooms available, " The Extraction " (review), " The Lost Shipwreck " (review), " Kilgore Cabin ", and " The Cursed Temple ". You can rent out their lobby for celebrations and meetings, which offers table seating and a projector. In the back of the lobby is a photo-booth set up to take victory photos after your games that include stylized frames of the room of your choosing. A selection of tabletop escape rooms games are available to purchase as well. Note – this room does have an element of crouching. Photos above are property of Crypto 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 Crypto Escape Rooms for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #JillianRaymond #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #CryptoEscapeRooms #Espionage #Ontario #Canada #spy

LOCATION: Newmarket, Ontario, Canada Photo above is property of Crypto Escape Rooms Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers 📝   ETR DECODER 🔑 GAME : Below Zero 📅 DATE PLAYED : November 7, 2021 🎬 GENRE : Sci-Fi 🧠 DIFFICULTY (Based on 5 Players) : 5/10 👥 TOTAL # OF PLAYERS : 4-8 ppl (Recommend 4-5 ppl) 🕒 LENGTH OF TIME : 60 Mins 💰 PRICE : CAD $30.98/ pp ☎️ BOOKING TYPE : Private 🔓 ESCAPED/ COMPLETED? : Yes 📖 THE STORY Humanity is on the brink of destruction and the world is no longer habitable. Thanks to Ellipsis, those remaining have been cryogenically frozen until it is deemed safe. Surprisingly, you’ve been woken up early by the system’s AI to assist in identifying and fixing damage done to the facility. If you don’t get the power up and running, the facility will fail. No pressure but humanity is relying on you to succeed and make the right choice… Video above is property of Crypto Escape Rooms 🎯 HIT THE BULLSEYE From the moment you walk into the debriefing room for the game you are immersed. Everything fit the theme perfectly and all the puzzles were structured to make sense in the story. There are reveals throughout that further indicate the passion these creators had to take the time and effort to really make you feel like you are on the Ellipsis from beginning to end. The use of the AI to guide you through the rooms kept players focused and motivated. I really enjoyed the character of the BERT (the AI) as he was funny and serious at the same time. He definitely gave off some Portal vibes which I loved but he still felt distinct as a character. Many of the puzzles relied on groups working collectively rather than divide and conquer, which I enjoyed because we all progressed at the same time and didn’t feel we were missing anything. The story was clear and strong with element of plot development, character development, and cohesion. The care in making not just a well themed room but a good story allowed motivated us to act in certain ways. Puzzles are straightforward (we required no hints). Good observation skills and pattern recognition are the key to solving many of the puzzles. 🧩 MISSED THE MARK There is a puzzle that utilized lasers that have a cool effect but there appeared to be no consequence if you touched the lasers. There were two puzzles that were a little repetitive. The made sense in the story but I would have loved the variation as you entered the rooms. 🏹 TAKE A SHOT? " Below Zero " is a beautifully designed and strongly written escape room that turned an escape room into an immersive experience for puzzlers. The collectively puzzling meant there was time to really appreciate the details and development to truly connect to the story. I also found the element of choice in the end was a perfect way to capture to theme. Crypto Escape Rooms shows a real dedication to wanting to push the envelope in their experiences to give players the feel of being in a real video game. I highly recommend if you are in the New Market area (it’s worth the trip from Toronto) to check this game out if you love narrative driven escape rooms, science fiction themes, and collaborative puzzling in your games. This was the first game of the day, and I couldn’t wait to dive into the next one! ℹ️ ADDITIONAL INFO Parking is available in front of the store in a shared parking plaza. The facility is on the second floor but there is an elevator. They currently have four other rooms available, " The Extraction ", " The Lost Shipwreck ", " Kilgore Cabin ", and " The Cursed Temple ". You can rent out their lobby for celebrations and meetings, which offers table seating and a projector. In the back of the lobby is a photo-booth set up to take victory photos after your games that include stylized frames of the room of your choosing. A selection of tabletop escape rooms games are available to purchase as well. Photos above are property of Crypto 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 Crypto Escape Rooms for offering us a media discount for our tickets to this game. Although a media discount was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever. #JillianRaymond #IRLescaperoom #EscapeRooms #CryptoEscapeRooms #SciFi #Ontario #Canada