The Mole of The MountainUpside Down Escape GamesEscape roomIRLTLDR: overall positive; excellent scenic design and puzzles but burdensome gameplay. First and foremost the theme and design of the game is (ironically) fresh - players burrow deep into a trash mountain. High marks for creativity and innovation in theme and story. The tone of the room is a pleasing blend of grungy steampunk whimsy. The maximalist set design with dozens of Easter eggs is a delight from an immersion perspective, but proved for frustrating gameplay. Despite being given black lights as an alleged way to help locate what to focus on, many things glowed that were not part of a puzzle. The simple fact was the overwhelming amount of set dressing made it very challenging to determine what was part of a puzzle. We unfortunately spent the vast majority of the game trying to locate what to do next rather than actually working on a puzzle. The style of the set dressing as well as the amount contributed to the problem - very text heavy and many things that have often been used as clues in other rooms. That being said, the puzzles were excellent. Clever ways to force the use of more than one person, creative analog interactivity, and satisfying feedback upon completion. Not too many locks/codes, good balance of tech. The hint system is playful and fun to interact with. I wouldn’t recommend this room for beginners, but enthusiasts and eagle eyed puzzlers will have a blast.
Nocturnal KeepUpside Down Escape GamesEscape roomIRLTLDR: solid, enjoyable introductory room with turnkey vibes. A strong contrast to the Mole of the Mountain with a very tidy medieval design. No extraneous set dressing. Owlazar, the in-game guide and hint system provides a touch of humor. Again a good balance of tech and analog components, all with satisfying feedback upon completion. The predominantly matching and indexing style of play combined with the delightful immersive scenic design and technical elements makes it great for beginners. You won’t necessarily find anything particularly innovative or mind blowing but this room feels like the equivalent of going out for your comfort meal and getting exactly what you needed.
Special Ops: Mysterious MarketThe Escape Game - NYC MidtownEscape 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
VampireThe Puzzle ParlourEscape roomIRLThis is my favorite room at the Puzzle Parlor - one of my favorite complexes. All of the rooms are done really well with excellent eye to detail, set dressing, and puzzle experience. This one just has some really fun moments (no spoilers) and immersion that tip the scales to make it my favorite.
Chloe (Lindon)Alcatraz Escape Games - LindonEscape roomIRLThis room always sticks out in my mind for the expertly done live actor experience - always creepy, some good jump scares, but never felt in danger. Gameplay forced some exhilarating moments.
