Journey To OzTreasure Valley Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 4/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). I gave the set/theme 1.5pts. I mean, who doesn't love the Wizard of Oz?? I thought the set captured many of the favorite parts of the movie and the puzzles flowed well with the theme. The puzzles get 1 point. We probably spent too long in the first room. A lesson we haven't learned after 150 rooms - if it's too hard to solve a puzzle, you're probably missing something to solve it! 🤦♀️ This room is made for more than 2 people but with the GMs help, we got through the one puzzle that required more than 2. Otherwise, puzzles were challenging but doable with 2 experienced players. I give my enjoyment 1.5 pts. Just like their Mad Hatter (my favorite!) experience, this room is very well made with intricate details and lots to look at, in addition to staying true to its nostalgic theme.
Enchanted [prev. Warlocked]Redondo Beach [prev. Quest Room]Escape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). This game was filled with surprises at every turn (literally). It was definitely enchanting! The set was off the charts great - 2 pts here! I did not expect this from an escape room hidden in a mall. Each part of the experience was filled with adventure and great special effects. The theme flowed well and ended with a unique and quite humorous ending with fun- loving characters sprinkled in between to assist you. Puzzles got 1.5 pts. They also flowed well with the theme and involved quite a bit of interactive play. Lots to do so it was somewhat challenging for 2 people. Thank goodness for our trusty sidekick! 🐻 I rate my enjoyment 1.5 pts. The only thing that did not go well was that their AC system was broken and my copious amounts of sweat did not feel so enchanting in the middle of summer. Hopefully they've fixed this by now because morning should distract from this amazing room!
Mad HatterTreasure Valley Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). We did an 8 escape room binge in 4 days in LA and Boise, and this room was my fave!! Even though it was hard for a two person team and we didn't escape within the hour time limit (3 minutes over), I absolutely loved it! The set/theme got 2 points. From the beginning to the end, it was a whimsical wonderland masterpiece. I loved how they incorporated all the iconic moments and characters from Alice in Wonderland. There was so much to see which makes it one of those rooms you just want to go back to and soak up all the creativity. The puzzles were tough and a few were time consuming so it's definitely one of those that you need to divide and conquer. A few of the puzzles are designed for more than 2 players so the GM was nice enough to help us thru those puzzles when he knew we had the concept down. But ideally, you'd have more than 2 players. I gave the puzzles 1.5 pts. They were challenging, fun and flowed well with the theme. My enjoyment got 1.5 pts. This room was a master class production that I really enjoyed. I appreciated that the GM gave us more time to finish so we had the full experience because it was truly a wonderland!
Tomb of the PharaohsLabyrinth Escape Games - BoiseEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 4/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). This room was on pointe!! Set/theme get 1.5 pts. You definitely get the feel that you've traveled back in time for an expedition in an underground tomb. The GM adheres strongly to the time travel theme and even the lobby is captivating! The puzzles get 1 pt. Nothing too difficult. They also have hints inside the room on how to solve some of the puzzles which makes it much easier. Although we didn't realize that until much later! 🤦♀️ My enjoyment gets 1.5 pts. I typically don't prefer pharoah themed rooms but this one was a sight to see and a fun experience to boot!
The Lost Mine [prev. Gold Rush]Labyrinth Escape Games - BoiseEscape roomIRLI rate this room a 3.5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). This room was super fun! I gave the set/theme 1 pt. I mean, how much can you really do with an underground coal mine?! But just like the other room we did at this location (Tomb of the pharoahs), the room was thoroughly created to match its theme. The creators definitely don't skimp on their set designs. Puzzles were the highlight for me. They weren't too tricky, were pretty intuitive, and went well with the theme. 1.5 pts in this category. The room also had somewhat of a guide on the puzzles you needed to be working on but didn't offer any clues on how to do them which I appreciated. I give my enjoyment 1pt. I'm not the biggest fan of these types of themes but my hubby who likes them rated it a bit higher so if you like the coal mine theme, this room will definitely leave you satisfied!
Party In VegasClockwise Escape Room - BoiseEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 4/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). Good times were had in this room obviously before 🥴 but definitely after we arrived as well! 😆 It's a hangover theme so has some funny elements. I give the set/theme 1pt. It does feel like you're in a hotel room who's occupants had maybe too much fun the night before. The puzzles were a standout - 1.5 pts in this category. A lot of them were novel and, although not too technical, worked and flowed well with the theme. A few were also interactive and fun to play! I really enjoyed the room so am giving it 1.5 pts in this category as well. It had all the fun elements - karaoke, dancing, race cars, mood lighting and there is a motorcycle involved! Great time!
The AsylumClockwise Escape Room - BoiseEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experiences a 3/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). I've done my fair share of asylum type rooms and they all have the same theme - some wacko doctor or government scientist is testing on human subjects but hiding it as treatment. This one doesn't deviate much from that theme which makes it average. I gave each category (set/theme, puzzles, and enjoyment) 1 point. I almost subtracted a half a point in the puzzles category because a few of them weren't very intuitive. In addition, one was super hard to see in the way they wanted you to. Even after the hint, we didn't really see the full pattern. I would be shocked if most players could come up with this on their own and then implement it correctly. Overall, an average asylum type escape with some tricky, non- intuitive puzzles.
The Dragon's LairMaze Rooms - Culver CityEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 3/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). I give the set/theme 1 pt. It did give the feeling of being in an underground lair. A bit dated but effective. The GM, Meg, did a great job setting the theme. The puzzles were solid so 1 pt for this category. There was one puzzle we completed but didn't know how we came up with the answer. Overall, they were well implemented and went with the theme. This was a solid yet dated escape experience. I give my enjoyment 1pt.
Red RumBreakout Studios - Morgan HillEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 3.5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). I give the set/theme 1.5 pts. The set was very immersive. I definitely felt like I was at a crime scene trying to figure out 'whodunnit'. With that being said, I think the actual story was a bit convoluted and could've been better with a simpler storyline. It also got confusing at the end trying to figure out how to interrogate the suspects and get a confession. Because of this, we weren't quite sure of our accusation at the end and ended up being incorrect in our weapon guess which really could've been what we actually guessed but, again, convoluted story. The puzzles were implemented well enough so 1pt in this category. Most of them fit well with the storyline. This room was actually really fun and immersive but the ending as I mentioned above ended up being a bit of a time sucker and took away from the enjoyment. I give 1pt in this category. The room is pretty new so hopefully they can tighten the story up a bit as more people play. It's definitely got great potential and is worth experiencing.
Scarlet ShutterBreakout Studios - Morgan HillEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 3/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). I give all categories (set/theme, puzzles and enjoyment level) 1pt each. The set/theme was definitely spooky with a couple minor jump scares but nothing unmanageable - for my jumpy husband at least! The puzzles were average and you do use a couple of them more than once which wasn't particularly obvious during play. It was a solid spookily themed room with some creepy moments that made it fun - for me, at least! 😆
Darkcade101 Escape Rooms - Oaks Mall LocationEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 2.5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). The set/theme get 1pt, puzzles get 0.5pt, and enjoyment 1pt. It was a first gen escape room with a pretty basic set and theme, lock heavy, and meh enjoyment. If you're an escape room enthusiast and just desperate for a game, it barely satisfies the itch.
Sherlock MysterySurf City EscapesEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 3.5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). The set/theme got 1 pt, average. It was well crafted but nothing too exciting. It was what you would expect for a Sherlock mystery type theme. The puzzles got 1.5 pts. There were quite a few unique ones that I haven't seen before. They weren't too complicated and flowed well for 2 experienced escapers. I also really appreciated how it was made clear when you solved a puzzle. I give it 1 pt for enjoyment. There were a few little surprises with a story line twist!
Witch's CauldronQuest TavernEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 3/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). I give each category (set/theme, puzzles, experience) one point. The set didn't completely go with the theme, but it created a spooky enough witchy vibe. The puzzles were fun, probably where the room stood out the best, but still pretty average. I enjoyed the experience enough, but there were no real surprise or standout elements. It was my least favorite room of the 4 at this facility, however, that's not necessarily a bad review since the other 3 count as a few of my faves! In addition, the staff were very accommodating and really immerse you in the experience.
Dr. Hader’s Cartoon WorldScenario Escape RoomEscape roomIRLI rate this room a 4/5 (check out my bio for rating system). The set and theme earn 1.5 points. This room fully embraces its comic book aesthetic and does a great job immersing you in its cartoonish world. The storyline is super cute and includes a surprise twist that didn't go where I expected it to. It's also obvious the creators are Gen Xers, with a few fun '90s throwbacks sprinkled throughout. Anyone still have a VCR? 😆 Puzzles get 1 point. Overall, they were enjoyable, and I liked the addition of optional bonus puzzles if you have extra time remaining. My score was lowered a bit because one of the tools in our room wasn't fully functional, which made its corresponding puzzle become a time sucker and frustrating. Especially since it would be a cheap replacement! My enjoyment gets 1.5 points. I had a great time in this room. The surprise ending was a lot of fun, the theme was charming, and the staff were friendly, enthusiastic, and added to the overall experience.
Wizard TrialsPanIQ Room - West HollywoodEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 3.5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). This room was a fun experience overall. The set/theme earned 1 point. It was somewhat immersive but the puzzles are where the room stood out for me - 1.5 pts here. There were a few creative and novel ones - plus, anytime you can use a magic wand, it's always a treat! We needed a couple hints during the escape. One clue prop had a hands off sticker on top of it so it wasn't completely clear to me that you can touch it (you can touch a different part of it). In another one, the pieces didn't seem to fit very well but it was still an enjoyable puzzle base. I give my enjoyment 1 point. This was a cute and creative room, although, I was hoping to see the 'kitty ' at the end. 🐲
Renegade: EP 2 – Rogue in the RiftEscape! at Margarita AdventuresEscape roomIRLI rate parts 2 and 3 of this series a 4/5 (check out my bio for rating system). The set and theme earn 1.5 points. These rooms do an excellent job of selling the fantasy—you truly feel like you're aboard a spaceship. The environment is immersive throughout, and it's clear a lot of thought and effort went into creating the experience. Puzzles also get 1.5 points. As someone who has played a lot of escape rooms, I always appreciate encountering mechanics I haven't seen before, and these rooms delivered. Several puzzles felt fresh, creative, and well integrated into the theme. My enjoyment gets 1 point. While I enjoyed the overall experience, I think the trilogy could have been streamlined. A few puzzles felt more like time-fillers than meaningful additions, and when playing all three chapters back-to-back—as many enthusiasts will—you're spending several hours in essentially the same environment. I think the experience might be even stronger as two larger rooms rather than three separate chapters. That said, these are still highly creative rooms with strong immersion, memorable puzzles, and an engaging story. Even with my pacing critiques, I appreciate the ambition behind the project and the obvious passion that went into creating it.
Renegade: EP 3 – The ReckoningEscape! at Margarita AdventuresEscape roomIRLI rate Parts 2 and 3 of this series a 4/5 (check out my bio for rating system). The set and theme earn 1.5 points. These rooms do an excellent job of selling the fantasy—you truly feel like you're aboard a spaceship. The environment is immersive throughout, and it's clear a lot of thought and effort went into creating the experience. Puzzles also get 1.5 points. As someone who has played a lot of escape rooms, I always appreciate encountering mechanics I haven't seen before, and these rooms delivered. Several puzzles felt fresh, creative, and well integrated into the theme. My enjoyment gets 1 point. While I enjoyed the overall experience, I think the trilogy could have been streamlined. A few puzzles felt more like time-fillers than meaningful additions, and when playing all three chapters back-to-back—as many enthusiasts will—you're spending several hours in essentially the same environment. I think the experience might be even stronger as two larger rooms rather than three separate chapters. That said, these are still highly creative rooms with strong immersion, memorable puzzles, and an engaging story. Even with my pacing critiques, I appreciate the ambition behind the project and the obvious passion that went into creating it.
Operation Mindfall [Outdoor]Puzzle Effect - San Luis ObispoEscape roomOther I rate this escape experience a 1.5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). I give a 0.5 for set/theme. We were asked to walk around San Luis Obispo, stopping occasionally to solve puzzles, but the locations we stopped at had nothing at all to do with the puzzles. The theme of the game was some mind control that we had to stop but really, it didn't seem to have a big connection with the puzzles we had to solve. I would have enjoyed it much more if the locations that we had to visit related to something about the story or the puzzles. I give 0.5 pt to the puzzles. There were some okay puzzles but the disappointing part was that most of the puzzles involved touching the tablet screen and unlocking things on the tablet. I prefer puzzles that aren't fully screen-based. There were a couple of physical puzzles, but mostly we were interacting with the tablet. I give 0.5 pt for my enjoyment level. I didn't hate the experience and it was enjoyable to walk around beautiful downtown SLO with my escape partner. However, I didn't like carrying around a large suitcase, a Bluetooth speaker (not entirely sure why this was necessary!), and a tablet while visiting random locations that had no connection to the puzzles. Outdoor escape experiences just aren't my favorite.
Escape LAHypnotic Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 3.5/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). The best part of this experience was the set and theme. I gave this category 1.5 pts. It captured LA culture including the downfalls of living in LA - gridlock!! 😆 By the end, I re-appreciated all LA has to offer (even though I still wouldn't move back!). Puzzles get 1 point. Fun but nothing particularly novel. My enjoyment gets a point as well. It's a cute room but, unfortunately, was not worth the price you pay for 2 people. The more people, the less you pay pp so it's something to consider. My favorite room at this establishment, Atlantis, was definitely worth the price!
Project 5150Hypnotic Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLI rate this escape experience a 3/5 (ck out my bio for rating system). I give each category 1 point. The set/theme was ok. Psych-type themes which are often set in some type of lab aren't my favorite. There's simply not much creativity to be had. That being said, the surprise element at the end really elevated it. Just not enough to compensate for the ho-hum of the rest of the room, including the puzzles. I enjoyed it enough but was still a pretty average escape.
![Enchanted [prev. Warlocked]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/ebd0c121-9a94-4e12-9b73-b4ce52ab3d30.png)
![The Lost Mine [prev. Gold Rush]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/5d2c250a-412c-4185-a229-46219a5f3734.webp)
![Operation Mindfall [Outdoor]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/6e42d7f6-c9ca-4939-a8ea-7dd0f5f53d46.jpg)
