Fox Tail SaloonNorCal Escape Co.Escape roomIRLFox Tail Saloon was a really fun 45-minute escape room and a great experience overall. The atmosphere matched the story of the game really well, and the puzzles felt like they actually belonged in the world of the room instead of being randomly placed there. Everything made sense with the theme, which is something I always appreciate in an escape room. Difficulty-wise, I’d put it around medium at most. The puzzles weren’t overly difficult, but you definitely need a good eye for details and a good feel for the room. Paying attention to your surroundings is a big part of the experience, and there were definitely a few moments where noticing the right little detail made everything click. The room had a nice flow, the puzzles were satisfying, and the 45-minute format worked really well for it. It may not be the hardest room out there, but it was a really enjoyable one. Overall, Fox Tail Saloon is definitely worth playing, especially if you enjoy rooms where the atmosphere, story, and puzzles all work together. If you’ve been thinking about playing it, go while you still can. Sadly, NorCal Escape Co. is closing down by the end of October. ): It’s always sad to see an escape room company close, especially after having such a good experience here. Definitely give Fox Tail Saloon a shot before it’s gone!
Escape TruckNorCal Escape Co.Escape roomIRLEscape Truck was another really fun room at NorCal Escape Co.! What impressed me the most was how well they used such a small space. At first, you might think there’s no way you would need the full hour for a room this size, but trust me—you’d be surprised. They managed to fit a good amount of puzzles, clues, and things to discover without making the room feel overly cramped. Everything felt well placed and within reach. Difficulty-wise, I’d put it around medium. The puzzles weren’t too hard, but there was still enough to keep us thinking and engaged throughout the game. Just like with Fox Tail Saloon, the theme matched the story really well, and the puzzles also fit naturally with the game. Nothing felt randomly thrown in, which made the experience feel more immersive and complete. Overall, Escape Truck was a really enjoyable room with great use of space, solid puzzles, and a theme that worked well from start to finish. Definitely don’t underestimate this room because of its size—there’s more here than you would expect! Give Escape Truck a try while you still can! Sadly, NorCal Escape Co. is closing down by the end of October, so if this one is on your list, play it before it’s gone!
The AttractionPalace GamesEscape roomIRLThe Attraction was absolutely incredible and easily had the best atmosphere I’ve seen in an escape room so far. From the moment the experience starts, the way it draws you into the world of the room is amazing. The set design, atmosphere, and overall presentation made it feel like you were stepping into an entirely different place rather than just playing another escape room. I will say that the puzzles themselves were a little lackluster compared to some of the other Palace Games rooms. However, I honestly look at The Attraction as more of an experience than a traditional puzzle-heavy escape room. The immersion and overall journey are really what make this room special. Having played over 60 escape rooms, The Attraction is definitely one of the best rooms I’ve experienced so far. Even if the puzzles weren’t the strongest part, the atmosphere and immersion more than made up for it and created something extremely memorable. I absolutely loved this room and would highly recommend playing it with friends or family. The Attraction is a must-play experience and easily one of my favorite escape rooms to date. 5/5 – Incredible atmosphere, unforgettable experience, and highly recommended!
The Edison Escape RoomPalace GamesEscape roomIRLThe Edison Escape Room was another amazing experience at Palace Games. The atmosphere matched the story and theme really well, and the puzzles actually made sense with what the room was trying to accomplish. Nothing felt completely out of place, and the puzzles tied nicely into the Edison theme. The **wow factor in this room was especially impressive** because it made perfect sense considering what Thomas Edison was known for. I don’t want to spoil anything, but when those moments happened, they felt earned and fit the theme perfectly rather than just being there for shock value. Another thing I really appreciated was the **use of space**. The room was designed very intelligently, and they knew exactly how to utilize the available space to make the experience feel bigger and more interesting. There were several moments where I was impressed by how creatively the room was laid out. Overall, The Edison Escape Room was definitely another awesome game. Great atmosphere, smart puzzles, excellent use of space, and some really memorable moments. **5/5 – Another amazing Palace Games experience and absolutely worth playing!**
The Roosevelt Escape RoomPalace GamesEscape roomIRLThe Roosevelt Escape Room was another amazing experience at Palace Games. The atmosphere was really cool, and the theme matched the puzzles extremely well. Everything felt like it belonged in the world of the room rather than having puzzles thrown in just for the sake of having them. What really surprised me was the **wow factor later in the game**. I definitely was not expecting it, and when it happened, it completely elevated the experience for me. It was one of those moments that made the room feel much bigger and more impressive than I originally expected. The puzzles were fun, the theming was strong, and the surprises throughout the room made the entire experience feel memorable from beginning to end. Once again, Palace Games delivered **one of the best escape room experiences I’ve had so far**. The Roosevelt Escape Room is absolutely worth playing, especially if you enjoy immersive rooms that build up to some genuinely awesome moments. **5/5 – Another must-play room at Palace Games!**
The Great Houdini Escape RoomPalace GamesEscape roomIRLThe Great Houdini was easily one of the best puzzle-room experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere matched the story perfectly and made the entire experience feel immersive. The puzzles also made sense within the theme, which is something I really appreciate in an escape room. One thing to know going in: there are A LOT of puzzles in this room. My team of seven definitely struggled at times because there was so much to work through, but that honestly made the experience even more memorable. We were constantly communicating, splitting up, and trying to figure out what to tackle next. Even with the moments where we got stuck, we had an absolutely fantastic time. The room kept us busy from beginning to end, and there was rarely a moment where someone didn't have something to work on. Overall, The Great Houdini is one of, if not the best, puzzle-focused escape rooms I’ve ever played. Challenging, immersive, packed with things to do, and incredibly satisfying. If you enjoy rooms with a high puzzle count and love having your entire team constantly engaged, this is an absolute must-play. 5/5 – One of my favorite escape room experiences so far!
Marauder's FlightAdventure Gamez Escape RoomEscape roomIRLMarauder’s Flight was an awesome escape room with a strong atmosphere that made it easy to feel pulled into the experience. The puzzles were fun, interactive, and fit the theme well. The gameplay kept our team engaged, and there were several moments that I genuinely enjoyed. My biggest issue was that the experience felt a little short, especially toward the end. It seemed like the room was building up to something bigger, but then it ended before reaching that final payoff. I feel like the ending could have used a few more puzzles, a stronger final challenge, or a more memorable conclusion to make the experience feel complete. I am not exactly sure what was missing because the room was still amazing and I had a great time playing it. However, it never quite gave me that huge “WOW” feeling that the very best escape rooms have. Overall, Marauder’s Flight was immersive, fun, and definitely worth playing, but a stronger and more developed ending could have made it truly unforgettable.
Bunker 92Adventure Gamez Escape RoomEscape roomIRLBunker 92 was a good and enjoyable escape room overall. The atmosphere matched the bunker theme well, and the puzzles felt like they belonged in the room rather than being randomly added. Everything made sense within the setting, which helped keep the experience immersive. The puzzles were moderately challenging and required a good amount of communication and teamwork. They made us think without feeling unfair or overly confusing. Our team worked well together, everyone contributed, and the strong communication helped us move through the room smoothly. Overall, Bunker 92 was a solid experience with logical puzzles, a fitting atmosphere, and a good level of difficulty. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun room that rewards teamwork without being too easy or frustrating.
Timeliner: Train Through TimeThe Escape Game - RosevilleEscape roomIRLTimeliner: Train Through Time was a good game overall. The atmosphere matched the theme really well, and the puzzles and clues fit nicely with the story, so nothing felt out of place. The train and time-travel concept was fun, and the room did a good job making the experience feel connected from start to finish. The gameplay was pretty linear, but for this type of room, it made sense. Since you’re traveling through different points in time, having the puzzles flow in order helped the game move smoothly and made everything easy to follow. It never felt too confusing or random, which I appreciated. This is definitely a room where observation matters a lot. You really have to pay attention to the details around you because some clues can be easy to miss if you’re not looking carefully. The puzzles weren’t overly difficult, but they were still enjoyable and fit the theme well. Overall, Timeliner: Train Through Time is a solid room. It may not be the craziest or most mind-blowing game, but it was still a fun experience and worth playing if you’re in the area and looking for something to do.
Cash Me If You CanRed Door Escape Room - ConcordEscape roomIRLCash Me If You Can was a good room overall. The theme matched the room, and the puzzles and clues fit well with what the game was going for. Nothing really felt out of place, and there was definitely a lot to do throughout the room. I was honestly really excited for this one because I had heard great things about it, but I did feel like the room was missing a little more decor. I don’t know, it just felt kind of empty to me in some areas. Don’t get me wrong, the game itself had plenty going on puzzle-wise, but when it came to the overall set design, I was expecting a bit more. The ending was also… interesting. I can’t really say much without spoiling it, but it definitely made me go “hmm.” Overall, it was still a good game, just not one of my favorites personally.
Fair GameRed Door Escape Room - ConcordEscape roomIRLFair Game was just okay for me. The atmosphere matched the theme, and the puzzles and clues fit with the room, so it wasn’t like anything felt random or out of place. That being said, the room was kind of meh for me. Not because it was bad, but it just felt mid overall. I do think this room could use some maintenance and retouches, especially later in the game. Some parts made the experience feel a little less exciting than it could’ve been. I also wish there was more decor because a few areas felt kind of empty. The room has a lot of potential, but it feels like it needs a little more care put into it to really stand out. Overall, not a bad room, just not one of my favorites.
The Warrior's WayRed Door Escape Room - ConcordEscape roomIRLThe Warriors Way was an interesting room. The atmosphere matched the theme really well, and the puzzles and clues fit with the story, so nothing felt out of place. One thing I thought was pretty unique about this room was that you had to rely on more than just your eyesight for some of the puzzles. That made the game feel different from other rooms I’ve played. That being said, there were two puzzles I really didn’t like. Without spoiling anything, they involved using other senses, and honestly, they frustrated me a lot. The first room can also be tough if your team’s communication isn’t good. Ours wasn’t the greatest, but we made it work in the end. The coolest part of the room for me was definitely the decor. It really helped sell the theme. Overall, I think the room has some cool ideas, but a few puzzles could use some retouching, and the set could use some maintenance. Not a bad room, but definitely had some parts that took away from the experience for me.
Borderlands: Tannis's LabRed Door Escape Room - ConcordEscape roomIRLBorderlands: Tannis’s Lab was honestly one of the best rooms I’ve played so far at this location. The atmosphere, theme, puzzles, and clues all matched the story really well, especially if you’re already familiar with the Borderlands games. It definitely made the room more fun seeing how everything connected to that world. There were some funny moments and some really cool parts that I enjoyed a lot, but I won’t spoil anything because it’s something you have to experience for yourself. The gameplay also felt different in a good way, which helped the room stand out. The puzzles weren’t too hard, but you do have to pay close attention to certain things or you might miss something important. Overall, this was a very fun room and easily a must-play if you’re in the area.
Last StopRed Door Escape Room - ConcordEscape roomIRLLast Stop was a pretty good room. The theme matched the story really well, and the puzzles and clues all fit with what was going on, so nothing felt random or out of place. The room was on the easier side, but we did get stuck at one part where you really had to pay close attention to the details. Besides that, the game flowed pretty smoothly. Overall, it was a fun room and definitely a good one to play if you’re at Red Door Escape Room.
Haunted HouseEscapology - SacramentoEscape roomIRLHaunted House was a fun spooky room, but I wouldn’t really call it scary. The atmosphere gave off a solid haunted house vibe, but the game itself could have used more horror elements to really make it feel intense. For me, it was more spooky than scary. The puzzles fit the theme well, and nothing felt out of place. They weren’t too difficult either, especially for our team of 8. We ended up escaping in around 29–30 minutes, and the GM told us it was a record escape for this location, which felt really good for our team. Overall, it was a good time. If you’re in the area and looking for a spooky escape room that’s fun without being too scary, Haunted House is worth checking out.
Captain's QuartersEscape Rocklin [prev. Beat the Room]Escape roomIRLCaptain’s Quarters was an okay room overall. The atmosphere matched the name and theme of the game, and the puzzles fit the theme pretty well. I really wanted to like this room, but there were some things I wished it had more of, and it kind of fell short for me. There was one puzzle that took my team some time to figure out, but I think that might have just been user error on our part. Overall, it wasn’t a bad room, but it wasn’t a great one either. Just kind of in the middle for me.
The Initiation: Darkest HourEscape Rocklin [prev. Beat the Room]Escape roomIRLThe Initiation: Darkest Hour was an alright room overall. The atmosphere did its job and matched the name of the game pretty well. The theme, story, and puzzles all fit together with the vibe of the room. Some of the puzzles didn’t really make sense to me, but that could just be me not clicking with them at the time. The story was unique in its own way, which made the room a little different. Overall, it wasn’t a bad room, but it wasn’t amazing either. Just an okay experience for me.
Special Ops: Mysterious MarketThe Escape Game - RosevilleEscape roomIRLSpecial Ops: Mysterious Market was a fun and immersive room. The atmosphere did a great job of making you feel like you were exploring a spice market, and the theme matched the puzzles really well. Nothing felt out of place, which I always appreciate in an escape room. There were also a few puzzles I hadn’t seen before, which was a big plus and helped make the experience feel more unique. The ending had a different take compared to a lot of other escape rooms I’ve done, and it was a nice surprise. The GMs were great as well and answered all the questions we had. Overall, this was a fun, well-themed room that I would definitely recommend.
Freak ShowEscape Fair OaksEscape roomIRLFreak Show was a really fun and unique escape room experience! The atmosphere was super cool and had a style that stood out from other rooms I’ve played. I don’t want to spoil anything, but there was a nice touch that added something different and made the experience more memorable. The flow was good, and I liked that the room was non-linear, so everyone had a chance to work on different puzzles at the same time. The puzzles were fair and enjoyable, though I do think a few more puzzles would have made the room even better. Overall, this is a great room to check out if you’re looking for a fun day or night out in the area. I also can’t wait to see what Jenee, who I believe is the owner, has planned next. You can really tell she put her heart and soul into the set, and her passion for escape rooms shows throughout the experience. I would definitely recommend Freak Show!
Lost CityEscapology - SacramentoEscape roomIRLThe atmosphere was good and reminded me of a temple-style room with an Aztec or Mayan theme. It fit the setting well enough and gave the room a decent adventure feel. The puzzles made sense and matched the theme, which I appreciated. The flow was good overall, and nothing felt too out of place. Overall, it was an okay room to play if you have the time. Not a bad experience, but not one that stood out too much either. 3/5.
