Monster in the MuseumRI Riddle RoomEscape roomIRLThis is the newest room at RI Riddle Room, and to be honest I would have much rather they made it into 2-3 escape rooms instead of this one "large" escape room with a lot of empty space. The concept is interesting but several things about the room just annoyed me that may not bother someone else. 1) For a 90-minute room I would expect more puzzles, instead this feels like it has less puzzles than any of their other four 60-minute rooms. 2) Several if not all of the interactive puzzles/props were made inhouse and none of them were made particularly well or built to last. There are wood Screws sticking out that are meant as handles and are already loosening up. A rotation puzzle that doesn't rotate very well given it is wood on PVC not ball bearings or even evenly cut. A platform on rollers that doesn't roll particularly well even though the solution requires finesse. A puzzle with pegs that don't slide very well and even triggered with the wrong solution. I could go on but you get the point. 3) Several aspects of the game are just designed to suck time, so it takes most of the 90 minutes, perhaps so you don't feel cheated if you beat the game in under an hour. Everything from waiting for interactions with the actors (they were great but most of it wasn't needed) to withholding puzzle pieces until they felt you had completed all of the puzzles you had all the pieces for even when members of your team are standing around looking for something to do or waiting on the actors/characters to do something so you can move on to the next thing. In general, these delays didn't feel they added something and many could be accomplished with less actors or even flashing lights. 4) The room is rather empty. For a "large" game it has a lot of blank walls and empty space. other props that are oversized (one almost comically oversized) just to fill the space. There are thankfully very few things in the game that aren't useful but that just means most of the space is dead, but on the plus size there is a very low chance you will be bumping into each other. 5) Overall, the room just feels cheap. Like it was more about keeping costs down than providing a great experience. Multiple rooms would have cost more, maybe not in people as this game has two actors/GMs, but in design and execution. The puzzles being homemade and having multiple design/execution flaws just make it seem that the choice was made to save money more than to do something more customized. In summary, the few puzzles the room had were ok, though fighting with some to work was definitely a negative. The kept commenting about what else they want to add to the room over time as if they knew it wasn't finished but opened anyways. So, while it was entertaining and I am glad I did it and did enjoy it, it isn't up to the quality of their other rooms. I went in very hopeful, and came out entertained but would definitely have trouble recommending it to serious escape room addicts unless they are looking to simple complete every room in the area. I fully expect this room to evolve and keep improving but it just felt incomplete and tired at the same time. The most ironic thing about it is that the monster aspect has very little to do with more than 80 percent of the puzzles, and the game could be reworked with a different theme keeping most of the puzzles while eliminating the actors and taking better advantage of the space. Though the actors were genuinely better than any of the puzzles in the game!
Vanishing at The VelmontRI Riddle RoomEscape roomIRLThis is fun and well-appointed room. Good set dressing, the clues make sense and flow. Though some things seem to have been "fixed" over the years that just don't work as well (ie. objects replaced that no longer fit the same or get stopped from going to far as the other 4). They didn't really cause more than a minute delay/confusion but easily figured out. A couple things didn't want to open as easily as they should. But some of that can be related to years of abuse. Over all the puzzles were fun and made sense. The ending sadly isn't as grand, and you can guess you are done but they need to come in and confirm it. The object you are looking for appears but its securely in place. Some things when unlocked will fall which can definitely cause a reaction. Lots of getting down to interact with things lower in the room. In short this is one of the two best rooms at RI Riddle Room.
Forest of FortuneRI Riddle RoomEscape roomIRLThis a fun room with a good atmosphere. There are a couple puzzles that require almost a scavenger hunt to find everything, but it isn't too tedious. Over all the puzzles are fun and flow really well. There are a couple that are just too exact and take time fiddling with them and another that you have to solve a bigger puzzle/scavenger hunt to get the answer but then you need to use that answer to do something 4 times which is really over kill. This is one of my two favorite rooms there.
The Mr. Rabbit Magic ShowRusty LakeEscape roomVirtual Typical Rusty Lake game with a mix of interesting puzzles and some that a purely trial and error and of course some others that have logic that isn't obvious right away. Definitely not a fan of the ones that are purely trial and error and there were some parts where I kind of felt done with the game but also felt I must be close to the end and kept going. Overall, I enjoyed it but not something I would play again, and would have trouble recommending to someone unless they love puzzles and don't mind some of them being just guess work. Definitely loved all the throwbacks to the past games, granted that was kind of the point of this game as a thank you to the fans so not exactly surprised either. And of course, like all of their games have some scrap paper handy to write down things, trust me you will know when you see what.
Escape from the Future - Puzzle Break - CLOSEDRoyal Caribbean - Anthem of the SeasEscape roomIRLThis was entertaining as a free pop-up style escape "room". There are four double sided floor standing pieces (kind of a foot or two wide and about 6 feet tall) places in the 4 corners of the game area and one center piece in the middle. You are given clues and a piece of paper to fill out using what you find in the various areas to get the final solution. Very makeshift and barebones experience, but it was fun and challenging. The puzzles meet the theme, but its a very portable experience that could be setup in most rooms if they decided to move it. No real set dressing.
Lost CityEscapology - BraintreeEscape roomIRLFun themed room. Having to use flashlights got old fast. Puzzles were decently themed. Could have used a sound trigger one one action but over all it was well done. All staff was extremely nice!
7 Deadly SinsEscapology - BraintreeEscape roomIRLFun puzzles though a little all over the place, but still interesting. Theming of puzzles didn't always seem to fit the theme of the room. There are maps on the walls that are poorly labeled that would definitely be easier with outside knowledge (hard to say if it is required). There the decor/set dressing felt rather cheap like all the money was spent on one prop that didn't seem to fit anyways. Headstones that were cheap and stuck to walls. Pictures that were part of the wallpaper and looked flat and out of place and at weird heights. Staff was super nice. We had a minor issue and they came right in and resolved it.
Cosmic CrisisThe Escape Game - LynnfieldEscape 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 Clock TowerEscape the Room - BostonEscape roomIRLIf I could give this a lower rating, I would. Mostly due to the GM. The absolute worst GM I have ever experienced in well over a hundred escape rooms. I had heard that the company had gone downhill, but this is far worse than I could have ever imagined. The GM was a cross between arrogant and indifferent. I could blame some of it on just poor staffing levels as he seemed to be doing both GM for this and another room (which we could hear when they finished) plus covering the front desk, but it was definitely more than that. It was general lack of caring or customer service. We spent 15-20 minutes literally yelling to get their attention only to with only a few minutes left to get responses that showed they definitely were not paying attention. When the GM came in after we failed the game on the last puzzle (a math puzzle that wasn't clicking after 20 minutes of trying and with nothing to write down on). We complained and their response was "I did tell you that hints were at my discretion." I have had frustration in escape rooms before, but this was aggravation of being ignored and them frankly not caring or even implying it was on purpose when he genuinely was not likely paying attention and perhaps was annoyed by us trying to get their attention. We asked them to explain the last puzzle and then pointed to the clue of a clock and asked us what time it read, we told them and they insulted us stating we obviously don’t know how to read an analog clock (which we had not only done through the entire game multiple times), but after they insisted it read a different time, they did the math wrong and eventually admitted we stated the correct time. It took them several minutes of explaining and changing the explanation before it semi-made sense but it was convoluted. The game itself was alright but had many quirks. Like pulling down things higher than in most escape rooms and felt like you’re breaking something for an early puzzle. But more annoying is there is a fast-cycling screen at the beginning of the first room in a dark area that felt almost seizure inducing. It gave me a headache and made me stick to my stomach to even look near, and it served no purpose for it to do that or be that bright. When doing puzzles near it, it made it harder to see things, and did most things squinting or with my eyes closed when near it. There is also a object painted red in the second room right next to a lock labeled as not part of the game, so it took some time to realize that the red didn’t mean it was in play. There was also a hard to notice door which we were delayed noticing it opened. Some other parts of the room were a little warn and it seems some parts of the puzzles were removed. There is a shelf for 8 objects of which we only found three, and they lead to conflicting answers (one combination says it is something while another said it wasn’t which isn’t very helpful as far as clues go), so you just need to guess or hope, but more likely just feel like you are missing something that isn’t there. There are multiple things that won’t stay in place like the final puzzle in the first room needs to be held until it triggers. Over all the puzzles were decent but some were a mixed bag and very vague. Though how we were treated by the GM means I will not be back to Escape the Room in Boston until it is under new ownership. A good GM can make or break a game and this one took a borderline decent game and turned it to not just a frustrating experience but an aggravating one that made me leave angry. There are far better companies in Boston to spend your money on. I would sooner light mine or fire than to return to another game here, which is sad as I have enjoyed several of their past rooms. It was however that bad of an experience. We had done two other rooms prior to this on in the same day and didn’t experience any of these issues down the street at a competitor.
Unsolved CaseEleven PuzzlesEscape roomVirtual Fun co-op game but rather short and limited. Ended far sooner than I thought it wood and advertise the upcoming "Unboxing the Cryptic Killer", which was released in 2023. Looking forward to playing that next.
Cube Escape: ParadoxRusty LakeEscape roomVirtual Fun game, though some puzzles got tedious, and the extra achievements require you to go back and watch the video and take notes and can only be achieved midway through the game, which means you need to play at least half the game twice.
Samsara RoomRusty LakeEscape roomVirtual Entertaining group of puzzles, using changes to the environment that aren't possible in a physical environment (at least not yet). There are a couple of bonus surprises, though they are harder to find.
Between Timemc2gamesEscape roomVirtual Played the entire series so far. This has very basic back story with an obvious ending. The puzzles are varied. Interface is alright, most of the time. Just looking for floating puzzle pieces or circles to click on for interaction, though some are floating away from their puzzles, and you need to step back to click on them. Hint system is annoying, every puzzle has a single hint that may not be all that helpful. Several puzzles are very vague (but can be brute forced). No option to skip puzzles (I guess you could look for a walkthrough online). The series of escape games are all over the place, but worth playing as long as you don't pay too much for them and are ready for some frustration with overly vague puzzles.
The Lost TempleCU Adventures In Time And Space - OnlineEscape roomVirtual Fun but can be tedious as well. The Good: Interesting, in-depth, and sometimes challenging puzzles. The Bad: Some puzzles are tedious with multiple levels of "arts & crafts" that need to sometimes be more precise than is easy to do while rushing. Things are spread between multiple screens meaning a lot of clicks back and forth on the interface. No communication options for remote players, we used discord. Video clues restart every time you enter the section of the puzzle. Some puzzles are more scavenger hunt in the numerous sections to click on and many need viewing several. The Ugly: The interface does its job, though a lot of back and forth between views, and numerous layers deem of hitting the back button or going down a long path to the destination. There is a list of interactive things you have found ("locks") but they aren't clickable, so you need to navigate to them again for each attempt. Numerous PDF/Printout clues have a line on the side saying to use the hint to see them assembled if you do not have a printer, but we never found these. The hints are only on "locks" and start form a pre-set list of clues until finally offering you the solution. No hints we found had images. If you leave the area of the hint, going back starts then from the beginning, which is fine given there is no other way to back to previous hints. Hints will be the same list even if you have already done most of the steps (annoying but understandable). More annoying is several new unlocks give you a page number from a printout (which you can click on and view) but no reference to it being different from what is show on the screen (some were additional "arts & crafts" needed for a future puzzle in addition to the item picked up for a different "lock"). Overall though an interesting and challenging experience. I would do similar again just would need to be in the right mind set and likely have someone in the same room with me not just over a remote chat/meeting.
The Hero's PhoneboothCurious Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLEntertaining little side activity. A couple other quick puzzles would have been nice but definitely fun.
The Traveler's Guide to Little Sodaburg - CLOSEDMeridian Adventure Co. - OnlineEscape roomVirtual Such a fun online experience. Communication skills definitely needed in your group. Large or multiple monitors recommended if you get confused switching between web browser pages/tabs. Needs a variety of skill sets to complete. Definitely recommend if you get the chance.
The DepthsThe Escape Game - DedhamEscape roomIRLFun, well themed room. Only thing it needed was something to write on (memory and relaying information between areas worked for us). The ending was definitely not what I expected and took some teamwork. It was a pleasant, albeit stressful surprise.
Gold RushThe Escape Game - DedhamEscape roomIRLWell themed fun room. Our progress was in bursts followed by confusion and slow downs in an endless cycle. Realized my aim isn't as good as I thought it was. Flow of the room was nice, and we struck it rich in the end (sadly it isn't real gold and we couldn't keep it).
The Red WirePanIQ Room - BostonEscape roomIRLFun room, well themed. Some puzzles were a little vague and definitely needed us to step back and look at things differently. One tedious challenge took several tries. Another didn't register right away and took some fiddling. Overall, I thought it was a fun room worth checking out.
Atlantis RisingPanIQ Room - BostonEscape roomIRLAs usual with PanIQ rooms it looks fantastic. Puzzles can be a little vague, some feel designed for brute force solutions over providing the information needed to solve it otherwise. This room had no locks or keys, all things automatically triggered, but some didn't trigger the first time and need to be fiddled with. There is a musical clue, which while annoyingly repeating until you solve it isn't clear enough to hear. GM also comes in very quiet and hard to hear over background sounds. Similar with audio instructions can me hard to hear/understand. Puzzles are varied and interesting. Some have obviously been changed over time as things broke. Overall it is a fun game, but be prepared to ask for more hints than you would at other rooms in the area. Mostly because of your inability to hear a clue or something not activating the first time. GM was nice and seemed to fully understand the challenges.
