The BirdMyssTic RoomsEscape roomIRLWe absolutely loved our experience in The Bird escape room! The setting was incredibly immersive and felt magical, with some real “wow” factors that took us by surprise. The storyline was well-crafted and engaging, and we were impressed by the fresh concepts that we hadn’t seen before. Everything flowed together seamlessly, and it definitely required attention to detail, adding to the fun and challenge. It was just two of us, and we found that to be plenty of time to finish the puzzles and escape. Overall, it was a top-notch escape room experience, and we’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for something unique and well-designed. Overall rating: 9.5/10
The Poe AdventureThe Secret Chambers - ArlingtonEscape roomIRLThe room was very well-designed and immersive with some surprising and creative concepts. It had a great atmosphere — not exactly creepy, but definitely eerie in a fun and engaging way. The variety of puzzles kept things interesting, and overall, the experience was very enjoyable. Although it’s rated as a 2/5 difficulty, we didn’t find the puzzles too easy. However, some of the concepts weren’t very intuitive. One feature in particular, while a cool concept, felt more like a gimmick that ended up setting us back. It was something we could had solved much faster without that extra step, which made it a little frustrating. We got stuck there and ended up asking the game master for about eight hints, none of which were very helpful. We were doing very well with our pacing, so spending that much time on that particular puzzle was frustrating. That said, the game master should have given us more direction at that specific part; we spent about 20 minutes on something that should have taken two. Unfortunately, that setback cost us the escape. Still, the room itself was fantastic — creative, fun, and atmospheric. The only downside was the game master experience, which detracted a bit from the overall flow. Final thoughts: I’d definitely recommend this escape room. It’s a solid 9.5/10 for design and experience — just wish the game master support matched the quality of the room itself.
Montauk ProjectMyssTic RoomsEscape roomIRLThis escape room was incredibly fun, with a coherent storyline that kept us engaged from start to finish. The pacing was great, and the theme, inspired by Stranger Things, was really cool. Even if you’re not a fan of the show, you’ll still have a blast, but if you are familiar with the series, you’ll definitely catch some fun references and Easter eggs. The puzzles weren’t overly difficult, but they were enjoyable and well-designed, and the mechanics worked seamlessly. It was just the two of us, and we were able to finish with seven minutes to spare. This was actually the first room we did from this company, and it exceeded our expectations. It’s a fantastic choice for both newcomers and seasoned escape rooms enthusiasts alike.
Gold RushThe Escape Game - BrooklynEscape roomIRLWe recently tried the Gold Rush escape room and found it to be pretty basic overall. The puzzles were straightforward and relied heavily on traditional locks, and the storyline didn’t really stand out. The whole setup felt a bit too commercialized—mass-produced, lacking creativity, and designed more for volume than quality. If you’re an escape room enthusiast who values originality, immersion, and clever puzzle design, I wouldn’t recommend this one. It’s fine for casual players or first-timers, but if you’re looking for something more engaging and thoughtfully built, there are much better options out there. Also, keep in mind that this company pairs groups together, so you’ll be with strangers. Overall rating: 4/10
The Haunted HotelBrainXcape Escape Room NYCEscape roomIRLThe Haunted Hotel was an incredibly immersive experience from start to finish; even the introduction caught us off guard in the best way possible. The theming is top-tier, easily one of the best we’ve seen. Every detail, from the set design to the atmosphere, added to a genuinely creepy vibe. The room itself is on the more difficult side, and while most of the puzzles were fine, a few of the solving logics felt like a bit of a stretch. Still, the overall experience more than made up for that. It’s a room that excels in immersion, offering a memorable and eerie challenge for any escape room enthusiast.
MaledictionQuest Room - PlanoEscape roomIRLMalediction was an amazing escape room experience that stood out for its immersion and atmosphere. This room is unique because you interact with in-game characters to solve puzzles, which adds a whole new layer of fun and engagement. The game is beautifully crafted, blending magical and darker elements with humorous moments. Even something as simple as opening a chest felt magical, thanks to the impressive attention to detail. It’s well-rounded and perfect for both newcomers and seasoned escape room enthusiasts. Overall, I’m giving it a solid 9.5 out of 10, and I can’t wait to come back for more!
Killer's CampgroundNorth Texas Escape Rooms - PlanoEscape roomIRLI have to say, I did not enjoy the “Killers Playground” escape room at all—it’s probably the worst escape room I’ve done so far. The concept basically revolved around just getting one combination lock to unlock another, and so on, with very little originality. The puzzles felt repetitive and lacked creativity, and the few mechanics that were present seemed more like gimmicks than meaningful elements. The room was dark and dim, which made the theme feel poorly executed, and overall, the whole experience felt cheap. While there were a few jump scares, they weren’t enough to redeem the experience. This room definitely needs a complete makeover.
The Area 51 AdventureThe Secret Chambers - ArlingtonEscape roomIRLThe Area 51 escape room is a really cool experience. It has a sleek, high-tech vibe with fun elements like drone flying, and a game master who’s integrated into the story in a creative way. This room is definitely on the harder side, with a lot to get through. The first room is quite dark, which makes it tough to see, and a few of the puzzles weren’t very intuitive. My biggest complaint is the amount of reading involved—it slowed things down quite a bit. Some puzzles also seemed designed for three or more players, but since it was just two of us, the game master stepped in to help by adjusting a few things, which was much appreciated. I’d recommend purchasing the extra five-minute option because there’s a lot to get through. Even though we didn’t escape, it was still a fun and memorable experience. I’d rate this room an 8 out of 10 overall.
