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TheBear
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TheBear
The Bear (Fuzzy/Wuzzy) | The Woods
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dpjohnson
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Escape rooms (67)
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7 Deadly Sins
Escapology - Orlando
Escape room
IRL
A unique story and setup that we haven’t seen before, which is why we played it. This was our first game with Escapology after years of “almost” visiting one of their locations, and it was pretty good save for a few obtuse hiccups in logic. The gameplay is pretty standard for any seasoned vets of escape rooms. Most of the puzzles made sense, and were kept relatively in theme, with a few we actually hadn’t seen before. However several seemed to suffer from a logical flow and progression from one to another, which, like a lot of other escape room companies, still seems to be a major issue after all these years. It may make sense to the people designing everything, but to someone seeing a creation for the first time, the “logic” just isn’t there. The decor was actually pretty good given the budget and other spacial limitations. This particular location has something like 10 escape room scenarios and it’s impressive that this one managed to fit as much as it did in the space it was allocated. Save for a few frustrating illogical puzzles, it’s pretty fun and I’d recommend it for intermediate skill level players and newcomers only if they have someone experienced with them.
A Fisherman’s Tale
The Escape Ventures - Winter Garden [prev. Escape Goat]
Escape room
IRL
This one’s just plain fun. Well balanced, great for anyone of any experience level, and doesn’t overstay its welcome. A Fisherman’s Tale has the right vibes all around from beginning to end. Set design and the buildout were actually quite surprising in just how rustic and detailed the space was, and there is a genuine care and attention to detail in every nook and cranny. You can tell this was a real labor of love and they poured their heart into making the most out of the space they had. The gameplay started a tiny bit confusing, but once the logic clicked, the rest all flowed like water. Every puzzle was super on theme and narratively fun. There are some very cool surprises and puzzles. I can’t really say anything but praises for this one. It’s fun, enjoyable, and perfect for everyone. Unfortunately, we know Escape Goat closes later this month, as will this room along with their others. So if you’re interested and in the area, go sooner than later. It’s worth checking out. I also wanted to give a shoutout to our GM who made this experience extra special by having a keen ear, honoring a joke we were making amongst ourselves in the room and surprising us by playing the Spongebob version of “Drunken Sailor” through the speakers, which was hilariously on theme and totally made our day. You are an absolute all time legend 🏴☠️
Crazy Train: The Ballad of Skeemin' Plotz
Doldrick's Escape Room
Escape room
IRL
Alice In Wonderland
Game Over Escape Rooms - Clearwater
Escape room
IRL
I dunno…this one really didn’t do much for me. Felt more like a playground in some kiddy nursery than an escape room. Mixed, weird choices in theming, like featuring various, incongruent versions of Alice in Wonderland characters, including mixing the Disney characters likenesses with other, thematically unrelated ones. Makes the whole thing feel like an expensive bootleg of the story rather than its own original interpretation of the work. The puzzles were more confusing than anything, artificially eating time as opposed to being actually “hard”. Something seems more difficult than it is, just to turn out to be made overly complicated to waste time. The puzzles were more frustrating than anything, save for the finale. I get what they were trying to do with all the types of puzzles, but they were too “out there” to be understood, given how most people will probably interpret them. There are some interesting, novel puzzles, a lot that rely on tech. Overall, it’s not a terrible experience, but it’s not one I’d recommend doing if you have other options. Especially considering there are much better escape rooms in the same building. Probably my least favorite room at this location.
Area 51
The Escape Ventures - Winter Garden [prev. Escape Goat]
Escape room
IRL
A pretty enjoyable and funny time, Area 51 is their most straightforward room with mostly linear progression, and serviceable set dressing/design. It isn’t super intuitive, but when it works, it works really well. There are some bumps on your journey though. Design wise there are some inspired choices and as you progress there’s a handful of very neat surprises. There’s a fair bit of visual storytelling and cute Easter eggs throughout so you’ll want to keep a keen eye for every bit of fun references sneakily on display. As you progress, you’ll also experience a few very cool puzzles, some we haven’t seen before, while others can tend to be pretty standard fare and a bit of a drag that hamper the flow of your enjoyment. It’s really up to you how much you like locks (it’s a room that does show its age because of it). But the inspired choices more than make up for it, and there’s a lot original stuff going on that at least makes it worth checking out. Unfortunately, we know Escape Goat closes later this month, as will this room along with their others. So if you’re interested and in the area, go sooner than later.
Asylum
America's Escape Game - Tampa
Escape room
IRL
Eep! Billed as their scariest room, I can attest that it definitely has some great chills and genuine frights, one that will especially catch you off guard. Atmosphere is serviceable but very effective. That said, it’s unfortunate that many of the puzzles end up being a little too disjointed and the overall flow is hampered by difficult to connect, leap-in-logic style scenarios. Some puzzles also tend to be artificially time consuming instead of really necessary. Most however are delightfully on theme, and the progression and descent into madness and terror is really effective when the flow finally gets going. When it works, it works really well. Overall, it’s worth checking out if you want to freak out your party. Scaredy pants will think this is really scary. I thought it was pretty good. Not the scariest I’ve done, but definitely one of genuinely scary ones. Puzzles could be a little better and less arduous, but it’s still a fun ride while it lasts.
Aunt Suzy's Condo
Check Mate - Land O' Lakes
Escape room
IRL
Just plain awesome. Super fun, light hearted, very inspired, engaging all the way through, and a lot of hilarious and clever surprises. The perfectly enjoyable experience you hope for when doing any escape room. Set decor and theming is great. It’s nothing too overly elaborate, but it’s also not cheap. It makes you feel like you’re in a semi-cartoonish, but relatively believable, lived in space. Lots of very fun surprises and 80s grandma themed decor, stylings and references without feeling forced or “nostalgia-baity”. Gameplay was fun, smooth, logical and went really without any hitch or issues with pacing. Probably one of the smoothest and least stressful experiences I’ve had playing an escape room in some time. Difficulty is also well balanced for beginners and veteran players alike. Like I said, it’s just plain fun the entire time and you’ll probably have a smile on your face for the whole hour like we did. And the 80s music playlist, YES!!! Perfectly integrated. Icing on the cake. Just go play it already!
Bruno's Bistro
Check Mate - Land O' Lakes
Escape room
IRL
Very engaging and immersive from the start, with some pacing and puzzle logic issues toward the end. Bruno’s Bistro has a pretty cool introduction to begin the room, and, once inside, you’re immersed in a surprisingly atmospheric space. Probably Checkmate’s best set design and definitely up there when compared to most others we’ve played. It’s also a deceptively large space. The puzzles and flow started out well, and mostly fun and pretty clever little thematic twists on other puzzles we’ve seen, with a few original puzzles we’ve yet to see too. As it progressed however, we found the leaps in logic became greater and way too obtuse. About halfway through the game, the way certain things in puzzles were supposed to end up connecting with other aspects didn’t really make any logical sense, especially within the context of the story. Overall, it’s worth checking out. It’s definitely got some very good and fun surprises, awesome set design, but the later puzzles will make even seasoned vets want to take advantage of the clue system with this one. Trust me, you’re not getting out of this one quickly without help 🍕
Buried Alive
Intense Escape - Tampa Location
Escape room
IRL
Yowza. What an experience. I’ll start off by saying if you are claustrophobic, don’t like confinement or being in pitch darkness for any period of time, you may want to check this off your list. However, I honestly didn’t think it was too scary or frightening. Once you overcome the initial shock of realizing you’re horizontal, in a small space, in complete darkness (and relative silence) for the next hour or less, it’s actually really fun and peaceful. Call me weird! But it really is a game of mind over matter. I had maybe about 3 seconds of genuine panic and dread set in as the box shut and the primal survival part of the brain took over. Then I calmed down and got right to it. You need to communicate very calmly, clearly and descriptively with your partner to beat this. I don’t want to spoil anything further. It is a clever, fun, unique twist on escape rooms. And, it can be genuinely, mentally terrifying if you let it be. It’s not terribly difficult IF you are very observant and communicate well. Most of the time will be spent communicating and figuring out how describe things to work together. This is a really great test to see how you both operate under stress and pressure! Totally unique, and totally recommended if you’re looking for something different and intense!
Cabin In The Woods
Tampa Bay Escape Room
Escape room
IRL
Always love a moody, cozy, spooky escape room. The game itself is fun, the puzzles “just” challenging enough, but not too difficult, and the overall design engaging, but very focused and limited to just one space. It’s an especially great room for beginners to get their bearings of how escape rooms function, while throwing some fun, unique challenges and a variety of puzzles their way. Great for a small group, as it’s a very small space. Anymore than three and it would feel very cramped, which might hamper enjoyment and make it more of burden to play. The use of tech is inspired, albeit some may think it’s a bit hokey and dated. Overall, they struck the right tone by mixing the “darkness” of the story with a bit of levity and humor. Always appreciate that kind of awareness, leaving you with a “fun” feeling by the end and not a relief it’s over. This one’s a safe bet for a good time!
Clown Town
Intense Escape - Tampa Location
Escape room
IRL
Absolutely crazy. No spoilers. Do this with a group of friends you love. You won’t regret it.
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