The Poe AdventureThe Secret Chambers - ArlingtonEscape roomIRLWe tackled this room with just the two of us and had a great time overall. It packs in a lot of puzzles, so there was always something to work on, and we appreciated the variety. There are some fun tech elements mixed in throughout, and fans of Edgar Allan Poe will enjoy the references sprinkled around the room. Even if you're not familiar with his stories, don't let that discourage you. The room is still completely solvable and enjoyable. The hint system was a bit of a mixed bag. You're provided with an iPad containing puzzle solutions, which felt a little immersion-breaking. We tried to avoid using it, but with only two players and the clock winding down, we found ourselves relying on it more than we wanted. There is also an in-character hint system, which we actually preferred in concept, but it was difficult to hear and understand what was being said, so it wasn't as helpful as it could have been. That said, we completed the final puzzle within seconds and I know the staff gave us a bit more time to experience the finale which was appreciated. I think this room really shines with three or four players. It's absolutely doable with two experienced players, but because of the number of puzzles, having an extra person or two would make the experience flow much better. Our biggest disappointment wasn't the room itself but the presentation. The host seemed very matter-of-fact from the moment we arrived, almost like, "Your room is ready, go ahead." We don't expect over-the-top acting, but a little enthusiasm goes a long way in building anticipation before an escape room. The same feeling carried through at the end—we were simply told goodbye, and we actually had to ask if we could take a photo. It wasn't unfriendly, just very routine, and it made the experience feel less memorable than it could have been. That said, the room itself is fun, puzzle-heavy, and worth playing, especially if you enjoy solving a lot of different challenges. With a few updates to the hint system, some improvements to the audio, and a little more energy from the staff, this could easily become an even stronger experience.
The Winery InfiltrationSurf City EscapesEscape roomIRLThis room isn't overly difficult, but it packs in plenty of puzzles that kept our fam of 4 engaged from start to finish. The overall objectives are straightforward, but figuring out how to accomplish each task takes teamwork and some clever puzzle solving, which made the experience really satisfying. The room includes a few live actor moments that occur every now and then, but it's handled in a fun, comedic way rather than being scary. My son gets a little nervous whenever live actors are involved, but this one had us laughing more than anything as we made our way through the mission. There's a feeling of sneaking around and dealing with some playful sabotage, which adds to the charm of the experience. If you're looking for a lighthearted escape room with solid puzzles, fun interactions, and plenty of laughs, Winery Infiltration is definitely worth checking out.
Prison BreakMaui Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLA typical prison escape room with not much to the story but try to get out. The split start is the highlight of the room, so communication between both groups is absolutely essential if you want to make progress. The puzzles were well designed, with a nice mix of straightforward solves and a few that made us stop and think without becoming overly frustrating. Overall, I'd say it's a good room for a wide range of experience levels. The price is definitely on the higher side, but that's pretty much expected for activities in Maui. While we enjoyed the experience, there wasn't anything that really stood out as unique or memorable compared to some other escape rooms we've played. Still, if you're looking for a fun indoor activity on the island, this is probably one of the good ones out here.
Specter InspectorsSurf City EscapesEscape roomIRLWe chose the spooky version and it was the perfect level of spooky. It was fun and atmospheric without taking away from the puzzle solving. Think more spooky Haunted Mansion or my son said, "Luigi's Mansion" than scary. The room is very non-linear, which we loved. There are plenty of puzzles and tasks happening at the same time, making it easy for everyone to split up and contribute. Our group of four stayed busy throughout, and a few of the challenges definitely made us think. There are some fun surprises along the way and a very enjoyable finale. This place has only been open a short time, but it's already shaping up to be a great addition to the Orange County escape room scene. Definitely worth adding to your list.
Super SecretNew Mexico Escape Room - McLeod LocationEscape roomIRLWe played this on a recent trip to New Mexico and had a great time. The comic book theme really shines and makes you feel like you're exploring a superhero's secret lair. The puzzles fit the theme well, and there are some clever tech elements along with a few fun, lighthearted moments throughout. As escape room enthusiasts, we completed it as a team of two, but I'd say 3–4 players is probably the sweet spot. The space is used very well, with a good variety of puzzles that kept us engaged from start to finish. Overall, this is a fun, family-friendly room with a unique theme, solid puzzle design, and plenty of charm. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the Albuquerque area.
Dragon RealmMile High Escape OpsEscape roomIRLThis was an absolute blast and one of those rooms that just puts a smile on your face the entire time. The puzzle flow was excellent and we stayed in a great rhythm throughout the game. There were even a few genuinely funny moments during puzzle solving that had our group laughing, which made the experience even more memorable. You can tell a lot of thought and care was baked into this room because everything felt intentional. The tech and magic elements were integrated really well and added to the experience without feeling gimmicky. The ending was especially fun and gave us one of those satisfying team moments where everyone was smiling afterward. Big shoutout to our GM who was also the owner. She was incredibly personable and friendly, and we ended up hanging around talking escape rooms afterward and swapping recommendations for rooms in CA when her fam comes out our way and for the next time we are back in CO. You can tell they genuinely love what they do. It was a BLAZING good time and definitely a room we'd recommend.
The Tears of FreyaMystic Escape Room - DenverEscape roomIRLThis ended up being our favorite room at this location. We really enjoyed this one from start to finish. The The theme pulled us in right away and the atmosphere did a great job making the world feel immersive. The puzzles were a huge highlight. We had several moments where we ran into things we genuinely hadn’t experienced before, which is always exciting after doing a lot of escape rooms. The tech was really well integrated too and I loved that there were no traditional keys or locks. Everything felt modern, intentional, and fit naturally into the experience. We stayed in a great rhythm through most of the room and always felt like we were uncovering something new. This was one of those rooms where the theme, puzzles, and tech all clicked together really well. Only bummer was after such an awesome experience, we never got a team photo sent over for our memories. Small thing, but after a room this good we definitely would’ve loved having that keepsake.
Nikola Tesla - The Last ExperimentMystic Escape Room - DenverEscape roomIRLIt was a really fun and challenging room with a great invention/technical theme throughout. There was always something for our family of four to work on, and we stayed in a good rhythm most of the game. We did need a couple small nudges at one point, but the puzzles were clever, satisfying, and very well designed overall. Big shoutout to the game master too. Super personable, encouraging, and great to talk with after the game. Definitely looking forward to trying their other room.
Atlantis: The Forgotten CityHypnotic Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLAtlantis is a big, high-production room that really delivers on immersion. We had 5 people and it felt like the right number because there’s a lot going on in a good way. No traditional locks, which keeps the flow smooth and everything feels integrated into the environment. We needed a couple hints, but it felt fair with how much content is packed in. You definitely get your money’s worth here. Great GM too, super friendly and took time to chat after. Highly recommend.
Frost Base ZRabbit Hole Recreation ServicesEscape roomIRLThis is one of those rare rooms where we didn’t escape… and I still have no problem giving it high marks. Right from the start, the immersion is strong. The arctic base setting feels detailed and believable, and it pulls you in immediately. From there, it doesn’t let up. This is a tough room with layered puzzles and a lot to keep track of. There’s a heavy focus on searching and connecting multiple things at once, which can get overwhelming fast. We ran it as a team of two and definitely felt outmatched. We’ve done a lot of rooms together and usually hold our own, but this one really pushed us. There’s just so much going on that having more people to split up tasks and think through puzzles would make a big difference. That said, the puzzles we did get through were really well designed and satisfying to solve. You can tell a lot of thought went into how everything ties together. We didn’t make it out in time, but the experience still felt worth it. Huge credit to the GM Conner for walking us through the remaining puzzles and letting us see how it all ends. That made a big difference and gave us some closure instead of just walking out wondering what we missed.
The Book Of SoulsMystic Escape Room - LittletonEscape roomIRLThe space is compact, yet it’s packed with a solid number of puzzles that keep you engaged the entire time. Nothing felt wasted, every element had a purpose, and the flow kept us moving. The atmosphere is where this room really stands out. The monastery setting is detailed and immersive, and it does a great job pulling you into the story of lifting the century-old curse. It feels cohesive from start to finish, not just a collection of puzzles. That said, there were a couple of hiccups near the end. One of the final puzzles was a bit finicky to trigger. We knew exactly what needed to be done, but getting it to actually activate took longer than it should have, which broke the momentum a bit. On top of that, the finale didn’t trigger for us at all, so we weren’t even sure we had completed the room until the game master came in to confirm. Those issues aside, the overall experience is still strong. It’s a well-designed room with good puzzle variety and a satisfying level of challenge. We completed it with two people and just one hint, which felt like a great balance. 3 people would be good. 4 or more may feel a bit crowded. The ending could use a bit of rework to match the quality of the rest of the experience, but it’s absolutely still worth playing. Don’t let that discourage you, this is a good room and a solid pick if you’re in Denver.
Ruins of the Mystic TempleRabbit Hole Recreation ServicesEscape roomIRLA set design that immediately gives off strong Indiana Jones vibes. The environment feels immersive and well thought out, and it pulls you into the adventure right away. There’s a solid number of puzzles throughout, enough to keep things engaging without feeling overwhelming. We ended up using one hint for a unique puzzle we never experienced before, but overall the challenge felt fair and satisfying. One moment in particular actually startled me, but in a fun way that added to the experience rather than taking away from it. The ending is a highlight. It wraps things up in a way that feels exciting and memorable, which isn’t always the case with escape rooms. This is a great pick for a couple or a small group.
Witch's CauldronQuest TavernEscape roomIRLWe did this as a family of four and had a good time, but overall it felt just okay. The story sounded cool going in, but it didn’t really come through while playing. It felt more like we were just solving puzzles than being in a witch themed room. It’s pretty lock heavy and very puzzle focused. If that’s your thing, you’ll probably enjoy it, but a couple puzzles felt like they could use a little more polish. We got out with about five minutes left using one or two hints, so it flowed pretty well. One puzzle I did not enjoy and could use an update to be more accurate. And when solved it didn’t make much sense. 👃🏽 This place has some really great rooms, and honestly we’d recommend trying those first. This one isn’t bad, just not super memorable.
The Man From BeyondStrange Bird ImmersiveEscape roomIRLThis was such a fun and unique experience. The whole séance storyline around trying to contact Harry Houdini really pulls you in right away, and the acting was honestly really good. It didn’t feel like a typical escape room at all, more like you’re part of a live story. We did get stuck on one puzzle that ate up way more time than we wanted, but we were still able to figure it out and finish. But what makes this stand out is how immersive it is. You’re not just solving puzzles, you’re actually part of what’s going on, and the story takes some really cool turns along the way. I can definitely see why it’s so popular. Overall, super fun experience and definitely worth checking out.
The NemesisMission Escape GamesEscape roomIRLWe played this for my son’s birthday and it definitely did not disappoint. Our game master was very welcoming and did a great job keeping us entertained before the game started, which set the tone for a fun experience right away. The room leans toward the harder side in terms of difficulty, but our family of four happened to be really in sync this time. There are a lot of puzzles packed into the experience and everyone always had something to work on. We were able to split up and divide and conquer throughout the game, which helped a lot. Despite the difficulty, we escaped with about 15 minutes to spare and did it with no hints, which felt great. One thing we loved was that there were no traditional locks or keys. Everything relies on cool mechanisms and tech that fit perfectly with the spaceship theme. The set design is excellent and really makes you feel like you’re aboard a malfunctioning spacecraft. Communication is absolutely key here. The room starts a bit linear but quickly branches out, and teamwork becomes essential. Luckily our group was firing on all cylinders and everything clicked. Overall, this is a really exciting, puzzle-packed room with great theming and satisfying tech. We left very happy with the experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a challenging escape room.
Escape The HydeoutMission Escape GamesEscape roomIRLThis was a fun room overall and we had a good time with it. The puzzles were enjoyable and fairly straightforward without being overly difficult. Our group of four made it out with about 20 minutes to spare, which made it a good pace for experienced escape room players. The puzzles themselves were solid and engaging. There were a few that really got the brain working, which we appreciated. That said, the room could probably benefit from adding a couple more puzzles to help fill out the experience a bit more. The biggest thing that felt a little off was the connection between the puzzles and the story. While the puzzles were fun, the reasoning behind some of them and how they tied into the narrative was a bit confusing. Overall, it is a good room if you enjoy puzzles and want something that is not overly difficult. Enthusiasts will likely move through it fairly quickly, but there are still some satisfying challenges along the way.
Home All AloneCinema Escape Rooms - Los AlamitosEscape roomIRLWe tackled the Home Alone themed room as a family of four and had a really fun time. The room is very linear and easy to follow, which made it great for playing together without stepping on each other’s progress. The set design and callbacks to the Home Alone movies were done well and added a lot of charm. Although the room feels a bit dated, fans of the films will definitely appreciate the little details throughout the experience. Our game master was awesome. Super friendly, welcoming, and made the experience even better from the start. We ended up getting out with over 30 minutes left and didn’t need any hints, so for experienced escape room players it may feel on the easier side. That said, it was still enjoyable and well put together. If anything, we wished there were a few more puzzles or a way to extend the experience for groups that move quickly. Because of that, the price can feel a bit high if you breeze through, so catching a discount would make the value even better. Overall, this is a great beginner friendly room with solid puzzles, fun theming, and a welcoming staff.
Sal's CyberneticsThe Immersive MachineEscape roomIRLSal’s Cybernetics has been on our bucket list for a while, and it did not disappoint. Super immersive, techy, and full cyberpunk vibes. The name "Immersive Machine" fits perfectly. We had the chance to meet the owners, Scott and Kay, and they were awesome. Super friendly, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what they’ve built. We enjoyed talking escape rooms with them and just shooting the shit for a bit. You can tell they take a lot of pride in this experience. The room itself is packed with puzzles. Even as a party of two, we were hustling because there is a lot to do. We came in a little rusty since it had been about six months since our last room, so we needed a bit of help along the way, but we managed to get through. There were also some really unique puzzles we had not experienced before, which is always a huge plus. If you’re in town, this is a must do. We will definitely be back when they create more rooms, and I have no doubt they’ll put the same level of care and detail into future builds as they did with Sal’s. Hands down one of the best rooms in Phoenix and very high on our overall recommendation list.
The Phantom Of The OperaOver The Moon Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLWe did the Phantom of the Opera escape room as a family of four and had a pleasant experience overall. The room had a spooky factor that added to the atmosphere but wasn’t intense or hindering in any way, making it easy to enjoy as a group. Our GM was very inviting and welcoming, which set a great tone from the start. While it wasn’t the most challenging room we’ve done, it was still a solid and enjoyable experience, especially for families or more casual players.
漆黒の悟り [Shadow Zen]Studio Escape Daikoku-choEscape roomIRLFantastic escape room with a strong historic Japan theme and excellent production value. Our family of four had a blast, and we were pleasantly surprised by how immersive and well-designed everything was. I would kind of call it like Jumanji in Japan. The room is very English-friendly, with clear instructions and clever, unique tasks that really encourage teamwork. Not scary, but full of atmosphere and fun surprises. Easily exceeded our expectations and highly recommended if you’re an escape room enthusiast visiting Osaka.
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