Crazy Train: The Ballad of Skeemin' PlotzDoldrick's Escape RoomEscape roomIRLIt’s super creative and interactive. I’d take a family so the parents can solve the clues, and have the kids do the interactive portions. Very end dragged on a bit. It’s an entertaining section, but definitely built so the kids can have fun running around.
Dragon RealmMile High Escape OpsEscape roomIRLDragon Realm was an entirely charming room. The props are in perfect condition, the puzzles all make sense, but best of all, you can tell that it was lovingly made. We stayed after to talk to the creator/owner and it was clear she has a passion for puzzles. She told us how her husband and her designed and made all but two elements of the room, and all the ways she’s changed the room over time. I can’t say the sets are as otherworldly as rabbit hole, but that’s not a bad thing, just different. This is definitely on the shortlist of top rooms and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we did.
Ghost LightMyssTic RoomsEscape roomIRLIt’s a great game in a great neighborhood. Unlike other corporate run escape rooms, time and care has been put into making Ghost Light thematic and novel. With hundreds of escape rooms, it’s hard to differentiate; but without spoilers, Ghost Light found several way that are truly one of a kind. Only a handful of traditional locks, lots of tech, and VERY attentive GMs
Lunar EscapeMission EscapesEscape roomIRLOh man. This is something special. First off, the GM is the creator of the rooms and it’s clear that this is his baby. The puzzles are mildly physical, super interactive, and just plain fun. This won’t have the absolute most complex puzzles or microscopically detailed theming, but I promise you, this will be the most fun escape room you’ll ever do.
Room 303 - Chapter 1303 Escape - Denver Escape RoomEscape roomIRLMan was this one fun! Creative puzzles, spoooookkkyyy vibes, and a logical progression. The best part is the game starts the second you walk in. That is to say, you’re not solving puzzles during check in, but you’re immersing yourself from the get go. Haven’t tried chapter 2 yet but this one was so good, I’ve got to give it a go!
Montauk ProjectMyssTic RoomsEscape roomIRLIf you have to pick between rooms, choose this one. Some people were turned off by the stranger things theme; I’ve never seen an episode and it didn’t hamper my experience at all. So from the top, this room was just a collection of really clever puzzles. I wouldn’t say any of them were too hard, or made any thematic sense, but they were just an absolute joy to do. For example, putting X item on Y object shouldn’t progress the plot at all… but it was so much fun that I dot even care. The room was also very spacious and in New York, that’s a welcome asset. 9.5/10 and one of my top 5 I’ve ever done.
The Asylum: PlaytimeLost GamesEscape roomIRLWalk in and get blown away, and then it slowly gets downhill from there. The vibes were great but the room needed a lot of love. Broken props that led to a frustrating experience, knobs that are too fiddly (my pet peeve), and immersion at the expense of gameplay. Had about three clues where broken gameplay slowed the momentum, and I’d say two or so clues where I thought it was a hugggee stretch. People were super nice though. Loved interacting with the staff.
Pandora’s BoxTrapped! Escape Room - Las VegasEscape roomIRLI keep asking, how can we continue to innovate with escape rooms? Where can we go from here? They found a way. Most escape rooms are about getting out; this one is about getting in. You’ll discover an artifact instead of break out of some disaster and it’s so much better this way. The staff interaction is also a very pleasant experience. Top 5 rooms so far.
Timeliner: Train Through TimeThe Escape Game - NYC MidtownEscape roomIRLI’ve got a love/lukewarm relationship with Escape the Game. They’re all very proficient, but for the most part, you’re in a rectangular room doing pattern recognition for an hour. It’s not a spoiler to say in time travelers, you’re going to travel in time. The problem it’s they put 0 effort into immersion. When you arrive to a new place in time, you’re walking through a door with a few posters on the wall. Like an honest to god, standard size door. With posters. There’s some cool elements in there too but you’ll never feel like you’re transported somewhere else. You’ll feel like you’re in midtown, in a basement closet, doing mostly fun puzzles with friends and truly great staff. And that’s good enough.
Dr. FrankensteinMonster Quest Escape RoomEscape roomIRLThe vibe was immaculate and the set pieces were really well done. At the same time, you can tell this is a smaller operation because the props feel cheaper and there’s more technical difficulties. I don’t mean this as a knock: I prefer smaller operations, even with the gremlins that inevitably go with them. No puzzle in particular with knock your socks off, but the staff is awesome, the atmosphere is convincing, and the staff guy was 10/10.
