Monster MashersTales of Torchdale - Monster MashersEscape roomIRLWe played the second room after lunch. For this one, we had to drive to a different location, which actually worked out perfectly for us. Parking was super easy here as well and available right on site. Small tip: Use the provided coordinates and you should find the location straight away. We played what was basically a slightly toned-down version of the Dark Mode. This option was offered to us during our first room earlier that day, and of course we immediately said yes. Looking back, we can totally understand why the Dark Mode is supposed to be much more intense than the Light Mode and why it can only be played after sunset. Even with this small adjustment, we still felt like we got pretty close to the full Dark Mode experience. The beginning was honestly one of the most impressive starts I have experienced in an escape room so far. It was simply insane. The crazy, creepy and at the same time incredibly fun atmosphere from the first room continued straight away. As soon as we met the owner again, the acting started and we were immediately right in the middle of the story. The setting in general is really unusual and fits the story perfectly. The puzzles were also well integrated and nicely balanced. At times, it genuinely felt a bit like being in a real Scooby-Doo movie. His colleague was also really good in his role and added a lot to the overall experience. Unfortunately, we do not remember either of their names, but we still want to say a big thank you to both of you. Your acting made the room even more special for us.
The Toy FactoryTales of Torchdale [prev. Escaperoom Antwerp]Escape roomIRLToday, both rooms from this provider were on our to-do list, and we started with this one. Parking was super easy right in front of the door. As soon as the door opened on time, the acting started immediately. The owner welcomed us already fully in character, and his charisma was amazing. It was a lot of fun interacting with him, and he did a great job of introducing us to the story. The story itself was relatively simple, but that was exactly what made it work so well. The setting was also really cool and nicely done. After the introduction, the game continued without an actor, which is also how it is described on the website. We really enjoyed the puzzles as well. They fit the room and the story very well and offered a good amount of variety. We especially liked that there were a few things we had never seen before in other escape rooms. Everything worked perfectly and, overall, the puzzles were simply a lot of fun. After the game, the owner took plenty of time to talk to us. You could immediately tell how friendly and likeable he is and how passionate he is about escape rooms. We had the chance to ask questions and ended up chatting with him for quite a while afterwards. It was a really nice way to round off the whole experience.
ArbrevilleDe Gouden KooiEscape roomIRLWe visited Arbreville today and were genuinely impressed. The experience actually starts before you even arrive, as you receive an email beforehand that immediately makes you curious about what is waiting for you. We parked in the car park recommended by the provider as an affordable option. Everything worked perfectly and the location was easy to reach from there. When you first enter, everything still feels like a fairly traditional escape room venue. The reception area is quite simple, but it is a nice place to arrive, sit down and take everything in. Although this part is not yet directly connected to the actual story, the acting already starts to slowly prepare you for what is about to come. We were then taken to our “accommodation”, and from that moment on, the experience just kept getting better and better. The rooms are incredibly elaborate. I honestly think Arbreville is one of the most impressive and ambitious experiences we have played so far. At times, you really wonder how much time and effort must have gone into creating all of this. Apparently, they had quite a bit of time during Covid. 😅 Beforehand, we really had no idea what to expect from the story. We mainly decided to visit because of the excellent reviews and feedback from other players. That made the experience even more surprising. The story gradually unfolds and the whole experience keeps building as you progress. We especially liked the fact that, in a way, the immersion already begins before you have even arrived at the location. We played as a team of two and had a great time despite the scale of the experience. That said, we would probably recommend playing with around four people. Considering the size of the rooms and the amount there is to take in, that seems like a very good group size for most teams. During the debrief, we found out that a few smaller puzzles had been skipped during our game. Apparently, the experience is adjusted depending on the group and how quickly they progress. Faster or larger groups may be given some additional smaller puzzles to keep the flow and overall playing time balanced. These are not essential puzzles, though, and at no point did we feel that we had missed anything important. We also want to give special credit to our two game masters/actors. Unfortunately, we forgot to write down their names. Both of them played their roles extremely well and contributed a lot to the overall atmosphere. We also really appreciated being allowed to continue until the very end, even though we eventually finished around 20 minutes beyond the official game time. During the debrief, we were told that our time was actually pretty good for a team of two. That surprised us a little at first, but it also suggests that not every group necessarily finishes within the official time limit. We therefore appreciated it even more that we were able to experience the complete game without being stopped before the end. One of our game masters also took the time afterwards to answer all of our questions in detail. Considering that we had already gone well over the scheduled time, this was certainly not something we took for granted and it was a really nice way to finish the experience. Overall, we can recommend Arbreville without hesitation. The incredibly elaborate set design, the way the experience continuously builds, and the acting all make it something truly special. For us, it was definitely one of the most impressive escape room experiences we have played so far.
Trophäensammler [Trophy Collector]66 MinutenEscape roomIRLOur third room with this company probably had one of the best openings I’ve experienced in an escape room so far. It’s definitely worth paying close attention to the text you receive after booking. I don’t want to say more than that, as I wouldn’t want to spoil anything. Once again, the acting was excellent. Nele played her role very convincingly and pulled us straight into the story. As with our second review, I won’t go into some of the more general aspects again, since we already covered them in more detail in our review of the first room. The puzzles were interesting and varied. What I particularly enjoyed this time, though, was the setting. It fit the story perfectly, and I really like the wonderfully quirky style of these rooms. By the third room at the latest, you realise that the absurdity is simply an essential part of the Anti-Schlabbeck-Force experience. For me, that is also a big part of its charm. My personal highlight, however, was the ending. I thought it was brilliantly done, and it elevated the room for me even further. Overall, it was definitely worth playing this room. Especially as part of the connected Anti-Schlabbeck-Force storyline, it’s one I wouldn’t want to miss.
Leichenschauschmaus [Funeral Feast]66 MinutenEscape roomIRLThis was our second room with this company. We already covered a few general things in our review of the first room, so we won’t go into all of that again here. Once again, we were basically thrown straight into the experience, with the acting starting almost immediately. A special mention has to go to Luisa this time. Her performance was every bit as strong as Nele’s in our first room. You can really tell that this is where their background as a theatre group shines through. Luisa played her role incredibly well and quickly pulled us back into this wonderfully weird world. The room itself has been around for quite a while, and you can notice its age in a few places. That didn’t take away from the fun at all, though. The same mix of quirky, funny and more serious moments was here again. To be honest, I even found some parts a little spooky, which I wasn’t really expecting. It worked really well with the atmosphere, though, and added something extra to the experience. Overall, we really enjoyed the puzzles. One in particular has stuck with me and was definitely a highlight for us. Even though the room is a little older now, we can absolutely recommend it. Especially if you’re following the whole Anti-Schlabbeck-Force storyline, this is definitely one you shouldn’t skip.
Geldrausch [Money Rush]66 MinutenEscape roomIRLThis was our first room with this company. I’d already heard a lot of good things from other people, and the reviews on Morty were very positive as well. I have to admit, though, that the website and flyers were a little off-putting at first. I wasn’t really sure which room we should start with, and the amount of information felt a bit overwhelming. All of the rooms are part of one connected storyline that builds towards a larger finale, so I wanted to make sure we started in the right place. There is some guidance on the website, but the team was also really helpful and recommended the best order to play the rooms in if you want to get the full Anti-Schlabbeck-Force experience. There are trailers for the individual missions too. Personally, I prefer going in as blind as possible because I like being surprised, so I chose not to watch them. But that’s obviously just personal preference. The location fits the concept really well. As soon as we arrived, it already felt like the game had started. I also really liked the fact that every mission has its own entrance. Once we entered the correct code and were let inside, the acting began straight away. Nele deserves a special mention here. Her performance was genuinely excellent. She played the different roles incredibly well and made the whole experience feel much more immersive. The tone was wonderfully weird and quirky, which made it funny and exciting at the same time. There were also a few surprisingly serious moments, and that mix worked really well for us. The room itself was nicely done. The set wasn’t especially elaborate or flashy, but it suited the story perfectly and felt completely right for the experience. We also really enjoyed the puzzles. They were varied, made sense within the story, and were well integrated into the game. I especially liked the more physical side of some of the tasks. It felt a little different from the usual escape room experience and fitted the overall concept really well. We played as a group of four. Two people in our group had very little escape room experience, and they enjoyed it just as much as we did. Overall, we had a great time and are definitely looking forward to seeing how the Anti-Schlabbeck-Force story continues in the other rooms.
Morrah IslandHidden - BraunschweigEscape roomIRLToday, we spontaneously decided to play Morrah Island. Booking on such short notice was completely hassle-free. Within an hour, we received a call letting us know that a game master had agreed to cover a shift, making it possible for us to play. Even though there were only three of us, we were allowed to play the room. We had to pay the price for four players, which we thought was completely fair since they arranged the session especially for us. The room itself was a lot of fun. The atmosphere fit the theme perfectly and was very immersive. The puzzles were varied, well designed, and enjoyable to solve from start to finish. Overall, it was a great experience that we would happily recommend.
LostDream LabsEscape roomIRLWe played Lost, and it was one of the most intense escape rooms I’ve ever experienced. The introduction was typical of the way Dream Labs builds its worlds. The horror theme was integrated perfectly and created an immersive atmosphere right from the start. This room is truly intense and definitely not for the faint-hearted. I’m usually not easily scared, but this experience definitely pushed me to my limits. I never expected an escape room to draw me in so completely, even though I always knew it was just a game. Franz and Maria both delivered an outstanding performance. Their acting took the entire experience to another level and made it even more immersive. Afterwards, we were told that it occasionally happens that individual players decide to leave the room early. However, the team came up with a clever solution that still allows those players to remain part of the overall experience. Franz also took the time after the game to explain some of the behind-the-scenes details and shared how different groups react to certain situations. That was really interesting and made the whole experience even more memorable. To get the full experience, I highly recommend playing Lost as your final room. At the very least, you should have played one of the other two rooms beforehand, as it makes certain connections and details even more rewarding. Overall, Lost is an outstanding escape room and an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys immersive horror experiences.
Tomb HunterFinest EscapeEscape roomIRLFinest Escape Bamberg is definitely worth a visit. We have played both premium rooms, “Das Heilige Grab” and this one. You can also find our review of the other room on my profile. A small tip in advance: The time stated in Lara’s email is already the official game start. By then, the safety briefing, restroom break, and everything else should already be completed. We recommend arriving about 15 minutes early, just as stated in the reminder email. The reception area is beautifully designed and fits the theme of this room perfectly. Our game master was Nina. She did an excellent job guiding us through the experience, and her acting added a lot to the atmosphere. The room itself is very well designed, and we also really enjoyed the story. Make sure to pay close attention to the introduction if you want to fully understand the ending. What impressed us most was the wide variety of puzzles. They are diverse, well thought out, and give every team member the opportunity to contribute. It is obvious that the creators paid great attention to every detail. The room is a bit more physical than most escape rooms, which we found to be a refreshing change. Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and we can highly recommend this room.
Das Heilige GrabFinest EscapeEscape roomIRLThe next room we played at Finest Escape Bamberg was „Das Heilige Grab“. Although the jungle-themed reception area did not perfectly match the theme of this room, it did not bother us at all. It is beautifully designed and immediately creates a welcoming atmosphere. The game started in a truly unique way. Our game master, Thomas, greeted us in costume and was completely immersed in his role from the very first second. What impressed us the most was how naturally he incorporated our small mistakes and spontaneous comments into his performance. It felt incredibly authentic and made the introduction even more immersive. A big compliment to the designers for this idea and to Thomas for bringing it to life so perfectly. We also really appreciated that he took the time after the game to explain the room and its story in greater detail. The room itself is inspired by the history of the Bamberg monastery and the witch trials. Historical events were cleverly combined into a coherent and engaging storyline, which was executed extremely well. The scenery is outstanding, and at no point did we feel like we were inside a former cinema. The puzzles are varied, well designed, and fit seamlessly into the story. Despite the dark theme, there are a few well-placed humorous moments that lighten the mood without breaking the immersion. This balance keeps the experience engaging from beginning to end. Overall, this is one of the best escape rooms we have played so far, and we can highly recommend it.
WäschereiEbbe Und FluchtEscape roomIRLToday we played Wäscherei. The location is truly unique. The escape room is set inside the former crematorium of a hospital, which immediately creates a very special atmosphere and makes it stand out from many other rooms. The existing layout of the building has been used perfectly. The setting feels authentic and fits the theme extremely well. Although the room is around ten years old, that is not a negative point. It represents the classic generation of escape rooms, with plenty of combination locks and linear puzzles—the style that made escape rooms so popular in the first place. The atmosphere is well done, and the puzzles fit naturally into the environment. Compared to modern escape rooms, the focus is less on deep storytelling and cinematic immersion. Instead, this room offers a classic escape room experience in a truly unique setting. If you enjoy traditional escape rooms or want to experience the roots of the genre, you will definitely have a great time here.
PrestigeFinest Escape - NürnbergEscape roomIRLWe played “Prestige” today and absolutely loved it. Since it was my colleagues’ first escape room, I asked beforehand if the game would be suitable for beginners. The advice we received was very friendly and turned out to be spot on. From the welcome to the very end of the game, everything was excellent. The acting and the room design took the immersion to another level—you can really tell how much attention to detail went into creating this experience. A big thank you to Laura and John for the fantastic hosting. Even though it was 37°C outside, the air-conditioned rooms made it a perfect experience. There was just one tiny downside: one effect wasn’t explained to us at the end. But then again, a magician never reveals their secrets. 😅 Highly recommended—we’ll definitely be back!
Story Von Biggs - The Legacy [Story Of Biggs - The Legacy]EXITnowEscape roomIRLThis was our first room with this provider. From the outside, the location appears rather unremarkable, but once you enter the reception area, the impression changes completely. The entrance area is also inviting and a nice place to relax, especially after a longer journey. The room was designed and built in-house, which is clearly reflected in the great attention to detail. The puzzles were varied, and the story was implemented in an engaging way. Our game master Lukas gave us a very good introduction to the story, which made the experience enjoyable right from the start. Overall, it is a well-executed room. As we were told afterwards, they are continuously working on improvements, which will make the experience even better in the future. The trailer on the website is very well done. In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t watch it beforehand, as it preserved the sense of surprise during the game. However, it’s definitely worth watching afterwards—it ultimately comes down to personal preference. At the end, we even received a small keepsake, which nicely rounded off the overall experience.
Madhouse - Entkomme Dem Wahnsinn [Madhouse - Escape the Madness]EXITnowEscape roomIRLIn my first review of the room Biggs – The Legacy, I already described the location, so I will not go into it again here to avoid repetition. As mentioned there, the high quality and attention to detail are immediately noticeable in this room as well. This room was also developed and built in-house. I really enjoyed the room. It engages all the senses and creates a cohesive overall experience. I have to admit that at times I felt quite uneasy and tense, which meant I didn’t fully take in every part of the story. The experience was very intense and nerve-racking in a positive way. After the game, a few aspects were explained to me, which led to a real “aha” moment regarding the story. Our game master Conny was also excellent. You could tell that she truly enjoys her work. As with the first trailer, I didn’t watch this one beforehand either. This enhanced both the sense of discovery and the thrill. However, it is definitely worth watching afterwards—ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. At the end, we once again received a small keepsake, which nicely rounded off the overall experience.
Wasteland - Dr.Scrappy's Junkyard LabsImmersion Escape BremenEscape roomIRLWe played this room today. Since we already have a lot of experience with escape rooms, we were kindly allowed to play it as a team of two. Our game master Lea did an excellent job and guided us attentively throughout the experience. We really enjoyed the room overall. It was obvious that a great deal of effort and attention to detail went into designing and building it. Some of the puzzles were refreshingly different and stood out from the usual tasks. The atmosphere of the room was also very fitting and enhanced the overall experience. In hindsight, we can clearly understand the recommended minimum of three players. We especially appreciated that we were given a few extra minutes and that no excessive hints were provided, allowing us to solve everything independently. After the game, Lea took the time to explain some of the elements and puzzles in more detail, which made for a particularly special ending to the experience. At the end, we even received a lovely little keepsake.
The Prison CellMystery House BremenEscape roomIRLWe played this room spontaneously today and were able to book it without any hassle. Access to the location is at the back of the building. You enter the staircase directly from the parking area behind the building. The room itself had an interesting game logic. Minor spoiler: you are separated right at the beginning and spend most of the time alone in a room. To escape, close cooperation with your teammate is required. Communication clearly takes center stage. We found this concept very well executed. It was a bit warm inside the room, mainly due to the high temperatures outside. At the same time, it actually fit the prison theme quite well.
Die Gasse [The Alley]Rätselraum Ruhrpott [prev. Escape Room Bochum]Escape roomIRLWhen we first entered the building, we thought, “Oh my god, what is this going to be like?” The entrance area of the building felt rather plain and a bit bare, and even the smell in the staircase was not particularly inviting at first. Because of that, we were initially a little skeptical. The actual reception area, however, was completely fine. It was rather small, but had everything necessary. The introduction already took place on our floor. Afterwards, we had to go one floor higher to reach the actual room. The staircase and transition area still felt somewhat plain and not very atmospheric. But after that, it was simply: wow. Tess’s acting performance was absolutely breathtaking. The introduction lasted quite a while and was not even part of the actual game time. Because of that, we were perfectly immersed and fully drawn into the atmosphere before the game had even started. The story was clearly inspired by Harry Potter, which was immediately recognizable. It was very well integrated into the overall experience and was elevated even further by the theatrical performance during the introduction. The room itself was designed with an incredible amount of attention to detail. Fun fact: the creators even included portraits of themselves inside the room. The variety of puzzles was impressive, and the atmosphere throughout the experience was fantastic. Overall, the room is exceptionally well designed. And if you get Tess as your game master, you are definitely in for an amazing experience.
Die Zauberakademie Teil IFinal Escape - Live Escape Game LübeckEscape roomIRLThe entrance area is very nicely designed and immediately creates a positive atmosphere. The introduction to the room was well done and helped immerse us in the experience right away. The rooms themselves are beautifully designed, spacious, and overall very well detailed. What I liked less was that some of the rooms are also used for the second part. Because of this, certain locks and puzzles are not relevant at first. That felt a little unusual at times and slightly affected the flow of the game. The puzzles were generally interesting, although there were one or two that I personally did not enjoy as much. Unfortunately, the storyline did not fully meet my expectations, as it was not very present throughout the experience. Overall, however, it was still a very enjoyable experience with a lot of attention to detail.
Die Splitter der ZeitZum flinken Frettchen Escape RoomEscape roomIRLWe were able to test the room before its official opening. My friend and I are not very familiar with the world of The Dark Eye (DSA), while the other two players are. It was exciting to hear how many loving references and details were included. Even without prior knowledge, we were able to follow the story well. Since we played the room as a test, I am deliberately not evaluating the finished experience. However, we already had a lot of fun with the room at this stage. The story was coherent, the gameplay was convincing, and dressing up—as in the previous room—once again created a great atmosphere. The puzzles were varied and creative. One puzzle in particular has stayed in my memory. Now that the room has been completed, I am sure it has become a truly great experience.
Die Rote Baronin [The Red Baroness]EloriaEscape roomIRLOverall, I really like the concept of Eloria. One major advantage is that the games can be played well on public holidays and in the morning. Based on experience, it is usually less crowded at those times, which significantly improves the overall experience. I have visited when it was quite busy before, and that noticeably reduced the enjoyment. As for the mission itself, the game was, as described, rather simple and therefore ideal for beginners. The underlying logic of the puzzles was often similar, but this was perfectly sufficient for newcomers. It was especially nice to bring my grandparents along. Both are over 80 years old and had a great time as well. They found the experience very enjoyable and enriching. All in all, it is a well-rounded and recommendable mission. However, experienced escape room players might find it somewhat less challenging.