Prof. Kepler and The MachineEscaping Utrecht: Escape Room GamesEscape roomIRLProf. Kepler & the Machine by Escaping was played as part of a work team outing with a team of 6. Most of the group had little or no escape room experience, with me being the only experienced player. Going in, my expectations were fairly low, so I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable the experience turned out to be. The room offers a solid, well-rounded adventure with a nice storyline and, notably, no padlocks at all. The puzzles are fully integrated into the experience, making the gameplay feel modern and accessible. The overall production is fairly simple, but it does what it sets out to do well. It provides an enjoyable experience that is easy to follow and works particularly well for players who are new to escape rooms. If you’re in the Utrecht area and have already played the city’s standout rooms, this is still a good option for a fun hour with friends or colleagues. Recommended for all players, especially beginners. If you’re a seasoned escape room enthusiast, it’s probably one to skip unless, like me, you have a good reason to play it, such as a work outing or introducing newcomers to the hobby.
Tijdmachine [Time Machine]Escaperoom AmersfoortEscape roomIRLTime Machine by Escape Room Amersfoort was my fourth and final game at this location, played together with my partner, while it was the third visit for the other two members of our team. Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable experience. One important thing to know before booking is that this is currently the only room at this location that has not been translated into English. We played it in Dutch, with one member of our team being Dutch, which was sufficient to understand the story elements and solve the puzzles. The room itself was enjoyable, with a nice flow throughout the experience. We did encounter two puzzles that were not functioning exactly as intended, but fortunately we had already understood their solutions, so it didn’t significantly impact our enjoyment or break the immersion. We finished with 14 minutes to spare, having used only one clue, which suggests the room sits on the easier side of the difficulty scale. Overall, this is a good experience suitable for all types of players, from beginners to more experienced teams. Recommended for everyone, but make sure to bring someone who understands Dutch, as there a bit of text involved throughout the game.
Jungle QuestEscape DimensionEscape roomIRLJungle Quest by Escape Dimension was the third game of Day 3 and the 13th room of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. This is the company’s newest game, having been open for around six years, and it is clearly designed to appeal to fans of adventure themes. The atmosphere feels like a blend of Jumanji and Indiana Jones, which immediately worked for me since I have a soft spot for this type of setting. I even managed to recognize most of the music used throughout the experience, which added an extra layer of enjoyment. Overall, the game was simply a lot of fun. Everything was executed to a good standard, from the environment to the puzzles and pacing. While there wasn’t anything particularly groundbreaking or that I hadn’t seen before, it was evident that the room had been designed by people who understand how to keep players engaged and entertained. The puzzles flowed nicely and the experience maintained a good rhythm throughout. There were a couple of technical hiccups involving devices that didn’t function as intended, but the team handled them quickly and seamlessly, allowing the game to continue without breaking immersion or disrupting the flow. This is a solid adventure room that does exactly what it sets out to do: provide an enjoyable and engaging experience. Recommended for all players, especially if you’re in the area and enjoy adventure-themed escape rooms.
DisparitionsEnigma CityEscape roomIRLDisparitions by Enigma City was the third game of Day 2 and the seventh room of our France Escape Tour 2026. This is the oldest experience at the location and, unlike some of their newer games, it has not been translated into English and there are no plans to do so. We played with our usual team of four, joined by a fifth French-speaking friend who helped us with translations. The human interactions were in English, but the written and audio content remained in French. After a fun and engaging briefing, you are immediately welcomed into the world of Enigma City. The first impression is genuinely impressive. Walking into the city feels special, and seeing other groups actively playing the location’s other experiences at the same time makes it feel like a living, breathing environment rather than a traditional escape room. The puzzle flow was excellent, keeping us engaged throughout and making progression feel natural. Everything came together in a way that was both fun and immersive. The concept of Enigma City itself is what really makes this experience stand out. The feeling of being part of a larger world is something quite unique and adds a lot to the overall atmosphere. Highly recommended, provided you have a French speaker in your team. Without one, a significant part of the experience would be difficult to fully appreciate and do.
Oh No ! ZombiesEnigma EscapeEscape roomIRLOh, No Zombies! by Enigma Escape was the first game of Day 3 and the 11th room of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. This room was also a special milestone for me, as it became my 300th escape room, making it a memorable experience regardless of the outcome. It is also a special room in the history of the company, as it was the very first game created by the owners of Enigma Escape and Enigma City. At over 10 years old, it has become something of a classic. Due to lower demand, it now only opens on Saturdays and, from what we were told, it may not remain open for much longer. Despite its age, the room still delivers a fun and engaging experience. The puzzles are solid, with a good flow that keeps the game moving nicely. What makes the room stand out is its unique gameplay mechanic, which constantly keeps the tension alive and fits the zombie theme perfectly. The atmosphere is enhanced by a few well-placed jump scares that add excitement without overwhelming the gameplay. Visually, the room clearly shows its age, but in this particular case that actually works in its favor. The worn look helps reinforce the feeling of surviving in a world affected by a zombie apocalypse, adding to the overall immersion. Overall, this is a fun, fast-paced, and enjoyable room that has aged surprisingly well and remains entertaining more than a decade after opening. Recommended for all players, especially those who enjoy zombie themes or appreciate the opportunity to experience a piece of escape room history before it disappears. For me, it was a fitting & memorable way to celebrate escape room number 300. 🎉🧟♂️🔑
Argent Sale [Dirty Money]Enigma CityEscape roomIRLUnderground, Dirty Money & Blast by Enigma City were the 4th, 5th, and 6th games of Day 2 and collectively the 8th, 9th, and 10th rooms of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. These three missions form what Enigma City calls the full experience, and after completing them back to back, I can fully understand why. We did eventually need a short water break after the first two missions, but what impressed us most was how seamlessly one mission flowed into the next. The transitions were handled so naturally that it often felt like we were simply continuing a larger adventure rather than starting a new game. Each mission takes you to different parts of the city, allowing you to gradually discover more and more of this incredible environment. Every new area feels distinct while still belonging to the same living world. The overall quality remained consistently high throughout all three experiences. The puzzles, environments, sound design, and lighting effects were all excellent, and each mission had its own identity while contributing to the larger narrative. They all had a formula that worked consistently where roleplaying, immersion, exploration, searching, puzzle solving were present, creating a wonderful variety of gameplay styles. What truly makes Enigma City special is the city itself. The environment feels alive, and exploring it across multiple missions was an absolute joy. The deeper we went, the more invested we became in the world and its story. More than once, it felt less like an escape room and more like being inside a movie. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. For me, this is absolutely TERPECA worthy and one of the most ambitious and memorable concepts I have ever encountered in my experience so far (300+). Without a doubt, Enigma City belongs in my personal Top 10 escape room experiences.
UndergroundEnigma CityEscape roomIRLUnderground, Dirty Money & Blast by Enigma City were the 4th, 5th, and 6th games of Day 2 and collectively the 8th, 9th, and 10th rooms of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. These three missions form what Enigma City calls the full experience, and after completing them back to back, I can fully understand why. We did eventually need a short water break after the first two missions, but what impressed us most was how seamlessly one mission flowed into the next. The transitions were handled so naturally that it often felt like we were simply continuing a larger adventure rather than starting a new game. Each mission takes you to different parts of the city, allowing you to gradually discover more and more of this incredible environment. Every new area feels distinct while still belonging to the same living world. The overall quality remained consistently high throughout all three experiences. The puzzles, environments, sound design, and lighting effects were all excellent, and each mission had its own identity while contributing to the larger narrative. They all had a formula that worked consistently where roleplaying, immersion, exploration, searching, puzzle solving were present, creating a wonderful variety of gameplay styles. What truly makes Enigma City special is the city itself. The environment feels alive, and exploring it across multiple missions was an absolute joy. The deeper we went, the more invested we became in the world and its story. More than once, it felt less like an escape room and more like being inside a movie. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. For me, this is absolutely TERPECA worthy and one of the most ambitious and memorable concepts I have ever encountered in my experience so far (300+). Without a doubt, Enigma City belongs in my personal Top 10 escape room experiences.
BlastEnigma CityEscape roomIRLUnderground, Dirty Money & Blast by Enigma City were the 4th, 5th, and 6th games of Day 2 and collectively the 8th, 9th, and 10th rooms of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. These three missions form what Enigma City calls the full experience, and after completing them back to back, I can fully understand why. We did eventually need a short water break after the first two missions, but what impressed us most was how seamlessly one mission flowed into the next. The transitions were handled so naturally that it often felt like we were simply continuing a larger adventure rather than starting a new game. Each mission takes you to different parts of the city, allowing you to gradually discover more and more of this incredible environment. Every new area feels distinct while still belonging to the same living world. The overall quality remained consistently high throughout all three experiences. The puzzles, environments, sound design, and lighting effects were all excellent, and each mission had its own identity while contributing to the larger narrative. They all had a formula that worked consistently where roleplaying, immersion, exploration, searching, puzzle solving were present, creating a wonderful variety of gameplay styles. What truly makes Enigma City special is the city itself. The environment feels alive, and exploring it across multiple missions was an absolute joy. The deeper we went, the more invested we became in the world and its story. More than once, it felt less like an escape room and more like being inside a movie. I cannot recommend this experience highly enough. For me, this is absolutely TERPECA worthy and one of the most ambitious and memorable concepts I have ever encountered in my experience so far (300+). Without a doubt, Enigma City belongs in my personal Top 10 escape room experiences.
La Pierre Maudite [The Cursed Stone]Projet DédaleEscape roomIRLThe Cursed Stone by Project Dédale was the first game of Day 2 and the fifth room of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. This room surprised us in several ways. The first was the sheer size of the experience and the variety of spaces, both in their layout and overall design. The game also has a very unique opening, which immediately sets it apart and draws you into the adventure. This is a puzzle heavy experience, and one that we thoroughly enjoyed. The puzzles were engaging, varied, and well integrated into the game. A few of them introduced ideas that I had never encountered before, which is always a pleasant surprise after playing so many escape rooms. The lighting and sound design were also of a high standard, helping to create a strong atmosphere without ever overshadowing the gameplay. Overall, this is a room that delivers exactly what many enthusiasts look for: great puzzles, interesting spaces, and a strong sense of adventure. Highly recommended for all players, regardless of experience level.
Mysterium L’étrange Manoir WarrenGhostbustersEscape roomIRLMysterium: The Strange Warren Mission by Ghostbusters Live Escape Game was the 4th game of Day 3 and the 14th room of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. By this point in the tour we were already quite tired, and that certainly didn’t help. What should have been an 80 minute experience turned into nearly 120 minutes, partly due to fatigue and partly because of the language barrier we encountered throughout the game. The location is quite a distance from where we started and finished our tour around Lyon, but I still think it was worth making the journey. Even arriving late in the evening after a long day of travelling, we could immediately appreciate the quality of what had been created. The game is particularly impressive from an atmosphere perspective. The lighting, sound effects, and overall visual presentation are excellent and create a memorable environment. The puzzles were also clever and fit the theme very well, making for a satisfying gameplay experience. Where the experience became more difficult for us was with the language. While we were able to progress through the game, all story related audio and written content remained entirely in French. As a result, we understood what we needed to do, but we couldn’t fully connect with the narrative or become emotionally invested in the story being told. This was especially noticeable because the production quality is so high that it makes you want to immerse yourself completely in the world. Unfortunately, without understanding much of the narrative content, part of that immersion was inevitably lost. The GM/host mentioned that their other two games are currently also fully in French, although they hope to have English versions available around the end of summer. Overall, this is a high quality experience with excellent atmosphere, strong puzzles, and impressive production values. Recommended, but ideally with a French-speaking team member. If story and narrative immersion are important to you, you should be aware that you’ll miss a significant part of the experience without understanding French. Personally, I’d love to return once the full English translation is available and experience the story as intended. One final observation: considering the importance of the narrative to the overall experience, I was somewhat surprised to see it ranked in TERPECA while such a large portion of the game remains inaccessible to non-French-speaking players.
SabotageProjet DédaleEscape roomIRLSabotage by Project Dédale was the second game of Day 2 and the sixth room of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. This was our second room with Project Dédale, and we had an absolute blast. At the time of playing, the room had been open for just over a month, making it their newest experience. We were fortunate to have an additional French-speaking friend join us to help with translations, as the human interactions were in English, while the audio and written content remained in French. An English version is planned for the near future, which will make the room even more accessible. As a board gamer, this room felt like it had been made for people like me. The theme is a love letter to board games, and you can feel the passion behind it in every aspect of the experience. The references, atmosphere, puzzles, and overall design all celebrate the hobby in a creative and respectful way. The puzzles were unique, varied, and extremely enjoyable, with several ideas that felt fresh and memorable. The acting was also very well integrated, helping bring the world to life while reinforcing the playful nature of the theme. What impressed me most was how the room goes beyond simply using board games as decoration—it fully embraces the spirit of gaming and translates it into an escape room format in clever and imaginative ways. This is a high quality experience and, in my opinion, absolutely worthy of TERPECA recognition. 100% recommended for all players, whether you’re a board gamer or not. If you are a board gamer, however, there’s a good chance this one will feel extra special. 🎲
Le Secret du Jardin de Firmin [The Secret of Firmin's Garden]La SynapserieEscape roomIRLThe Secret of Fermina Garden by La Synapserie was the first stop of our France Escape Tour 2026, played as a team of 4. This room was originally chosen to help break up the long drive between Lyon and Bordeaux, but it turned out to be a charming experience in its own right. What stands out most is the look and feel of the room. The garden theme is beautifully realized, with a handcrafted quality that makes it clear the experience was created with a lot of care and love. There was also a very original way of communicating the remaining time, although we only fully understood how it worked once the game was over 🫣. The room is quite search-heavy, which occasionally led to moments of frustration. Fortunately, the owner and GM was extremely attentive throughout. His hints were always well timed and precise, helping us stay on track without taking away the satisfaction of solving things ourselves. His support was instrumental in helping us finish on time. The puzzles are mostly mechanical and fit nicely within the theme. While not overly complex in concept, the overall experience felt quite challenging, especially because of the amount of searching required. Recommended if you’re in the area, particularly for players who enjoy exploration-heavy rooms. Newer players will likely have a better experience if accompanied by at least one person with some escape room experience. Bonus tip: there’s an amazing pizza place just five minutes away, making it a perfect stop before or after the game. 🍕
La lettre d’EinsteinLe PassageEscape roomIRLEinstein Letter by Le Passage was the second game of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. This room took me by surprise from the very beginning. The set design feels modern, polished, and surprisingly high tech, creating a strong first impression that immediately draws you into the experience. The story is introduced nicely by the GM, who was very kind, welcoming, and helpful throughout. From the start, we felt immersed in the mission and quickly settled into a good rhythm as a team. The puzzles are definitely on the harder side, which is reflected in the room’s reported 40% success rate. For most of the game, we felt we were collaborating really well and making steady progress. In fact, we had a great time during about 90% of the experience. Unfortunately, there is a particular plot twist later in the game that completely changed how we felt about the experience. While I can appreciate the idea behind it from a design perspective, it simply wasn’t enjoyable for us to go through. It transformed what had been a very satisfying experience into a somewhat disappointing feeling once finished, and ultimately contributed to us not finishing on time. That said, despite our frustration with that specific section, we all agreed that this was the highlight of the four rooms we played that day. The quality of the room, puzzles, and presentation is undeniably strong. I was very close to giving it a heart, and probably would have if not for that plot twist. Still recommended, but go in knowing that one particular design choice may divide opinions. Having at least a couple of experienced players in your team will significantly improve your chances of success.
CultGru Escape RoomEscape roomIRLCult by Gru Escape Room was the third game of the first day of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. This experience was a treat from beginning to end. The first thing that stands out is the high production value. The environment, atmosphere, and overall set design are exceptional and immediately pull you into the world the creators have built. From the start, you are brought into the experience through roleplay in a beautifully decorated bar area, which sets the tone perfectly. From there, the game continuously draws you deeper and deeper into the story and experience, both literally & metaphorically. The sense of progression is one of the strongest aspects of the room. The acting was superb, with the performers doing an excellent job of maintaining tension and immersion throughout. Combined with the environment, it creates a constant feeling of anticipation and suspense. The way the space is distributed and decorated is outstanding. Every area feels purposeful and contributes to the atmosphere, making the experience feel much larger and richer than it might initially appear. The puzzles were challenging enough to remain engaging and satisfying, while fitting naturally within the pacing and tension of the experience. We had a lot of fun, plenty of scares, and left thoroughly impressed. Highly recommended for all players, though those who are not fans of intense or horror themed experiences should be aware that this one can be quite tense. For everyone else, this is an absolute must play.
GaëtanGru Escape RoomEscape roomIRLGaëtan by Gru Escape Room was the fourth and final game of the first day of our France Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of four. Like Cult, this room showcases the high production values that Gru Escape Room is known for. The set design, atmosphere, and acting are all of a very high standard. The actors in particular deserve special praise, as they maintain a strong presence throughout the experience and do a fantastic job of bringing the story to life. That said, while we could clearly appreciate the quality of the room, it didn’t deliver the same level of enjoyment for our group as Cult did. A recurring challenge for us was the amount of searching required. The combination of low lighting, small details, being a middle-aged team with less-than perfect eyesight, and the fatigue from a long first day of touring made it difficult for us to spot important information. This became a repeated obstacle and frequently interrupted the flow of the game. As a result, we ended up taking 25 minutes longer than the official duration. Credit to the owner, who was incredibly kind and generous in allowing us to continue and finish the experience rather than stopping us at the time limit. There was one particular puzzle/activity that stood out as exceptionally fun and unique, providing one of the highlights of the game for our team. During the debrief, the owner mentioned that this is actually a fairly common observation: younger players often have fewer difficulties spotting the details required to progress, while older players tend to struggle more with this aspect of the game. Overall, this is still a high quality experience with excellent acting and atmosphere, but it is worth considering how comfortable your team is with search heavy gameplay before booking. Recommended, especially for players who enjoy immersive experiences and don’t mind a strong focus on observation and searching.
The Lost SkullEscaperoom AmersfoortEscape roomIRLThe Lost Skull by Escape Room Amersfoort was my third game at this location, together with my partner, while it was the second time here for the other two members of our team. This one was quite a lot of fun and it was easy to see that lessons had been learned from their earlier room, The Money Hunters. Overall, this felt like a step up in almost every area. The environment is more immersive, the effects are better integrated, and the puzzles feel more refined and enjoyable. The story is also clearer and easier to follow, helping tie the experience together more effectively. Nothing here is particularly groundbreaking, but that’s not necessarily a criticism. It is simply a well executed, solid escape room that does its job very well. The puzzles sit around a medium difficulty level, providing enough challenge without becoming frustrating. Overall, a good and enjoyable experience that I would happily recommend. Recommended for all players, especially those who haven’t yet played a large number of escape rooms. For seasoned enthusiasts, it may not be a must-play destination room, but it is still a very good game worth considering.
The Money HuntersEscaperoom AmersfoortEscape roomIRLThe Money Hunters by Escape Room Amersfoort was played with a team of 4, as a team we’ve played 30+ rooms together. We truly enjoyed the experience. This is a classic, puzzle-focused escape room, where the emphasis is clearly on gameplay. The environment is still engaging and well presented, supporting the experience without overshadowing the puzzles. This is the 2.0 version, and according to our GM, almost all puzzles have been completely redesigned, with only a couple remaining from the original. Having just reopened in April, it really feels like a fresh experience despite the game’s age (around 12 years). Knowing that House of Twisted Minds is their flagship experience, expectations were balanced, but this room still delivered strongly. Even without having played the original version, it was clear how much care went into the redesign. We finished with 15 minutes to spare, so it leans toward the easier side, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players. Recommended for all players, especially those who enjoy solid, traditional puzzle rooms.
Cabin in the Woods 2.0Escape World - UtrechtEscape roomIRLCabin in the Woods 2.0 by Escape World Utrecht was played with a team of 6, our 4th time playing together. Being with six players really helped us here. The room is challenging, and having a larger, with some experienced players in the team allowed us to progress smoothly without using any clues. The look and feel is a clear highlight. The atmosphere is dark, tense, and properly spooky, supported by strong lighting, sound effects, and attention to detail that bring the theme to life. The puzzles are on the harder side, and that’s something to be aware of. Less experienced players will likely struggle at times. That said, they are well designed, and one in particular stood out as very original, adding a memorable moment to the experience. We finished with just over 3 minutes past the time, and came out feeling very satisfied and having had a lot of fun as a team. Recommended mainly for experienced players, unless you don’t mind a tougher challenge and a bit of frustration along the way. Shout out to Vincent, for being attentive and nice host/GM.
Evil DeadFortis Fortuna AdiuvatEscape roomIRLEvil Dead by Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat was the 3rd game of Day 6 and the 18th and final room of our Athens Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of five. This was a fantastic way to close the tour, and it easily ranks within my Top 5 experiences of the trip. From the very beginning, the game fully embraces the Evil Dead universe, recreating its dark and intense horror tone. The environment, sound, and lighting all support this beautifully, but what truly elevates the experience is the acting. The performance level here is amazing. Unlike many Athens games where actors are partially separated (behind windows or walls), here the acting happens fully in the open, right in front of you. It’s intense, immersive, and incredibly well executed, creating a much more direct and impactful connection with the story. A standout feature are the splatter moments that take the immersion to another level. Highly recommended to use some white t-shirts. Combined with iconic references and scenes from the films, it creates some truly unforgettable moments that fans will especially appreciate. The puzzles are on the easier side, which fits perfectly with the experience, allowing the focus to remain on immersion, acting, and adrenaline. Everything comes together into a high energy, memorable finale to the tour. Highly recommended for horror fans and anyone who enjoys actor driven, fully immersive experiences.
Hell Hole MonasteryShadows Horror Live GamesEscape roomIRLHell Hole Monastery by Shadow Horror Live Games was the 1st game of Day 6 and the 16th room of our Athens Escape Tour 2026, played with the same team of five. This one took all of us by surprise. From the very beginning, the setting and design are on a grand scale, creating a majestically immersive environment supported by excellent lighting and sound effects. The initial impression is a real wow moment that immediately pulls you into the experience. The puzzles were fun and very well integrated into the theme, keeping the flow smooth while maintaining the atmosphere. As expected in Athens, there are well-acted cinematic scenes throughout, with one in particular standing out as truly impressive. Everything comes together to create a memorable and intense experience that stays with you after finishing. A must play for fans of thrillers and jump scare driven games. Truly unforgettable. This one ranks within the top 5 of the tour for me.
![Tijdmachine [Time Machine]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/b63dfc13-c822-490c-9456-802f1214da24.jpg)
![Argent Sale [Dirty Money]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/162067a1-116d-49e4-93dd-30bc2a05fff1.jpg)
![La Pierre Maudite [The Cursed Stone]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/f9307824-fe92-40d1-911c-eba079bf0139.jpg)
![Le Secret du Jardin de Firmin [The Secret of Firmin's Garden]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/ede50300-0e3c-4e1a-9780-c12a99e34991.webp)
