Operation NightwalkerKey and Code Escape Rooms - SparksEscape roomIRLGreat set; the actual room, lighting, fog, and sound were all good and added to the overall vibe. The story is interesting and makes sense in the space. The puzzles were good and matched the theme. The room is difficult and I would imagine that casual players will struggle. The signposting is lacking a bit and the low lighting added a bit to the difficulty. The only real complaint though is that it was unclear what triggered upon completion of a puzzle. It’s definitely an above average room and enthusiast will enjoy it and will be challenged. If you’ve done a room with a similar name at MindTrap in SoCal, please note that although both rooms were installed by the same company, they are totally different rooms.
BiohazardDeadline Escape Rooms 2Escape roomIRLI really enjoyed this room. I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t because of the theme and because there were so many locks visible when you first enter, but the story really came through and there was a mix of tech and locks and everything fit the space nicely. There were a few stand out puzzles that really impressed and the set was really well done. Deadline always does a nice job, especially considering that it is all made in-house.
Viking’s Hammer – RagnarökKey and Code Escape Rooms - SparksEscape roomIRLI thoroughly enjoyed this room. The set is really well done and on theme and I kept looking around, enjoying it long after we finished the room. The soundtrack, audio cues, and lighting enhance the experience. The puzzles were all fun and intuitive. I also like the puzzle paths; the first space has one puzzle and then it becomes non-linear with plenty to work on in the second space. These then converge into one puzzle that gets you into another space where it becomes non-linear again, allowing for the team to split up again, until it once again converges for the final puzzle. I love when rooms do this. It allows you to split up and work in multiple puzzles, but then pulls the team back together again at key points in the game. I would say that this is medium in difficulty. Novices may struggle with a couple puzzles, but enthusiasts will probably be fine. This is definitely a top three room in Reno and arguably number one at this point in time. I highly recommend it.
The NemesisMission Escape GamesEscape roomIRLI’ve done a few spaceship themed rooms, but this one stands out from the others. The physical set is really well done and feels like you’d expect a spaceship would be, but this one also did a great job of integrating sounds, video and lighting into the gameplay as well. There are a ton of puzzles, and a couple of them are on the difficult end of the spectrum, so I’m recommending 4-6 for this room, which is more than I usually recommend. The puzzles were all fun, on theme and tough (in a good, clever way). Mali, our GM was great and we chatted about escape rooms prior to our game. I also like the unique hint system in this room; letting you select a level of hint that you’d like. I was genuinely pleased with this room.
13th BasementExit Game OC - AnaheimEscape roomIRLI really enjoyed this room. It was a lot of fun to play a room that poked fun of horror rooms. It has the set of your typical horror themed room without having you feel on edge the entire time…..or at all. I was really curious to see how a spoof on a horror room would go and how they would be able to add humor, but they definitely pulled it off. From the poster in the lobby talking about too much use of black light, way too many directions for the directional lock, crawling for the sake of crawling, etc., (see picture), to the over the top and hilarious intro video, to making fun of the waivers, the jokes came through and it was a ton of fun. All the while being surrounded by a typical gory, horror set. I really enjoyed this. Give it a try if you haven’t played it yet.
Meow! I'm a Cat.Exit Game OC - AnaheimEscape roomIRLI was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this room. The set was cute, the theme and premise are unique and whimsical, and the puzzles were fun, despite being on the easier side. It’s a room designed for beginners and families, but is very enjoyable for enthusiasts. I would not hesitate to recommend this room to anyone. The owner was great to chat with and is very much an enthusiast.
Black DragonEscape Room LAEscape roomIRLWow. The back alley set is really impressive. There are a lot of puzzles in this expansive room and they were definitely more difficult than the average room, and more difficult than other rooms at this location.
Here, Kitty KittyEscape Room LAEscape roomIRLFunny and unique theme. This room is by far their smallest and least impressive, set-wise, but it is fun. It has some interesting puzzles and everything was on theme for an old cat lady. The GM is in the room with you the entire time, which I am not a fan of. It’s just uncomfortable.
The PyramidEscape Room LAEscape roomIRLThere’s a lot to love about this room. The space is expansive and every time that you think that you must be in the last room, you are surprised that it keeps going. The puzzles were multi-layered and on theme and there are so many of them to do. The set is really impressive and most of the props are as well. A few minor complaints are that some of the props are simple laminated paper and it really clashes with the rest of the room which is so well made. Also, like all of their rooms, the GM is in the room with you, which is just awkward.
AtlantisEscape Room LAEscape roomIRLVery impressive room overall. Once you get out of the first space, the set and props are great. This is an expansive space with a lot of unique and challenging puzzles. I highly recommend this room. My only complaint is that the GM is in the room with you the entire time and it’s just uncomfortable.
Flynn's ArcadeBrain Games Escape RoomEscape roomIRLLike totally 80’s dude! Great nostalgia and a killer soundtrack put you in the mood for some really fun and unique puzzles. There are a few small spaces so 3-5 is probably the ideal group size. If you’re a video game fan and are no spring chicken, you will enjoy this room.
Atlantis: The Forgotten CityHypnotic Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLThe Energizer Bunny has nothing on this room as Atlantis keeps going…and going……..and going. The set is great and the space is sprawling and the height of the room, the lighting and soundtrack all contributed to the amazing feel. The puzzles are intuitive and flowed nicely and there are no locks or keys in the room. This room definitely slots into my top 20 rooms. I just need to figure out where.
Big Brain Labs60Out - HollywoodEscape roomIRLThis is definitely not your typical escape room. It is a series of interactive, computer driven puzzles. This room took a minute to warm up to for me, but I ultimately really enjoyed it, especially the ending. I would limit your group size to four.
Wizard's Treasure60Out - HollywoodEscape roomIRLFun and whimsical! This is a very linear, complete the list sort of room, so I would recommend a max of five people. The set is fantastic and I really liked the cuteness overload in the first space. Our GM, Kimberley, was very nice and fun to chat with between games.
Da Vinci's Secret60Out - HollywoodEscape roomIRLI really enjoyed this room. The set was good and felt ‘period’. The puzzles were all really fun and there were a couple really innovative ones that I had not seen before. Our GM, Kimberley, was very friendly.
Project 5150Hypnotic Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLThis room had some really good moments, especially the ending and a very unique early puzzle that I enjoyed, but ultimately, it was just a solid, middle-of-the-pack game for me. Nothing wrong with it, just not enough to give it a heart. Scott, our GM was great and we really enjoyed talking about the industry between games.
Election DayAppleseed AvenueEscape roomIRLThis room is so unique and a ton of fun. I don’t think I stopped smiling the entire game. I would definitely recommend a minimum of four players as you will be split into two groups and work separately a lot if the time.
The Ghost Of MentryvilleArcane Escape RoomsEscape roomIRL𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿This review contains spoilers.Unscramble𓀗
The CourtyardTHE BASEMENT: A Live Escape Room Experience - SylmarEscape roomIRLThis one was frustrating. The set was amazing; truly impressive. However, the lack of signposting and not knowing what a completed puzzle triggered (perhaps in a different room) was frustrating. Also, the live actor interaction was very strange. Do they really want me to do that to her? Hmmmm. Overall, I was disappointed. It still doesn’t deserve a thumbs down, but it could’ve been so much better.
The Elevator ShaftTHE BASEMENT: A Live Escape Room Experience - SylmarEscape roomIRLThe set is incredible. Running water, moving ceiling, smoke and electrical effects, sound effects and the sliding trolley were all amazing. The puzzles, however, were just okay and you didn’t always know if you’d completed a puzzle correctly and what it may have triggered. I have such conflicting opinions on this place. I wish that the puzzles and sign posting matched the level of the set. I still have it a heart as it does stand out and have some great qualities. This is a small space so I would recommend 3-4 players.
