Fall Harvest13th Hour Escape Room - WhartonEscape roomIRL13th Hour has long been a staple of the northeast escape room scene, and with Fall Harvest, they have elevated their already impressive line-up to a world class level. From the massive exterior sets to some absolutely jaw dropping effects, this is a game worth traveling for. The set and puzzles interacted perfectly, often requiring careful analysis of the stunning set. The transitions deserve special mention - these were some of the most creative, unusual ones I’ve seen. I can’t recommend Fall Harvest enough - somehow, 13th hour has managed to top all their impressive games with a one of a kind adventure.
The Campground13th Hour Escape Room - WhartonEscape roomIRLThe Campground was one of the most difficult games I’ve played, especially due to the volume of puzzles. However, it wasn’t just a game for puzzle lovers - it was one of, if not the best implantation of a cabin theme I’ve seen. Everything from the unique structure to the set to the unusual storyline made the game an incredible adventure. I particularly enjoyed how we had to traverse the entire layout to solve the puzzles, which were designed as to spread teams throughout the space. In games with large amount of content, it’s easy for puzzles to feel like filler, but each interaction felt of the world and satisfying to solve. There’s a great blend of fast paced, easy solved and more layered, complex challenges, which makes it great for even less experienced groups (as long as they bring more people). If you’re seeking a one-of-kind puzzle fest, you can get much better than The Campground!
The BirdMyssTic RoomsEscape roomIRLThis was a beautiful experience. I absolutely loved how the gameplay and set interacted, especially with how the designers blended analog and tech perfectly. It’s honestly almost comparable to The Alchemist in the way it manages such a beautiful way of capturing the dual nature of mechanical and magical. It’s a challenging game, and the space is small, but if you have a cooperative team or if you can solve well this will be doable. MyssTic is absolutely a company that you must visit, and The Bird is their finest experience.
Ghost LightMyssTic RoomsEscape roomIRLGhost Light was another elegant, almost literary game with a wonderful use of light. It was truly magical how they used various light sources as cluing, from large to small, obvious and subtle. In general, it was an excellent puzzle game - everything flowed so smoothly! If you’re seeking the perfect execution of a classic escape room with some added magic, play Ghost Light!
Montauk ProjectMyssTic RoomsEscape roomIRLI’ve played a few stranger things themed rooms, but none of them blended the quality of gameplay and story on display in Montauk Project. It played well, too - the flow was traditional but every puzzle was clever and tactile. When tasks were contributing to our quest, however, they were especially engaging, coupled with a finale that was a true wow moment. If you’re in the area, stop by and play Montauk Project - especially if you’re a stranger things fan. Nothing else is quite as good at capturing the feeling of the show.
Carbon: 3708Mission Escape GamesEscape roomIRLAs a major fan of Mission Escape Games and their design philosophy, I think Carbon: 3708 is their absolute best game! The game design leaned heavily into analytical solves - everything was presented plainly in a way that eliminated confusion on what to do, just not how to do it. Mixed in were several more fantastical moments, including an incredibly fun physical activity and a transition that just has to be experienced to be believed! Strong puzzle games are increasingly rare (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing), so to encounter a gem like this game is incredible!
The Gate13th Hour Escape Room - WhartonEscape roomIRLAs I understand it, this was a purchased game that was later updated to match the quality of 13th Hour’s other experience. While it isn’t a grand adventure like their flagship games, it’s absolutely a solid entry into their lineup, with a lot of fun interactions and a blend of two gorgeous sets. In particular, the way they interacted with each other was really cool from a game design perspective - it really highlighted the unusual contrast between the two main rooms. Some of the effects were particularly cool as well, which extended to both sides as well. Overall, I would say this is definitely worth a play if you’re at the location!
Haunted HouseEscapology - BraintreeEscape roomIRLHaunted House is probably my favorite game from Escapology so far - it really is a step up in quality. From the more atmospheric, immersive set to the clever effects, it was a great time. I especially loved the ending, which combined a fun aha with a classic effect for a true wow moment. This isn’t necessarily a mindblowing game, but it’s genuinely fun and there’s a good amount of clever stuff embedded within.
Narco - COMING SOONEscapology - BraintreeEscape roomIRLNarco was a pretty average game with a few frustrating flaws - especially in the game design. Scenically, it wasn’t anything particularly special like Haunted House, but the set wasn’t distractingly bad either. It was merely a container for a set of escape room style puzzles, some of which were very ambiguous and I would say next to impossible to solve without a hint. I was also a little confused by the storyline - why would the drug lord give us a choice at the end? - but I do think it’s a cute idea. Overall, this is really only a good game for completionists.
The Blind TigerKey To EscapeEscape roomIRLThe Blind Tiger is genuinely a very challenging game - and I would caution even experienced players to approach the game differently. There’s some really great puzzles in the hard mode, but I think a little more gating could really help the game design. The first task was cool, but it might be a little better if we were confident in interacting with it. A lot of the puzzles and the set were somewhat noisy in the sense that there was some information that may not be directly relevant, which halted momentum even when it was user error. I would say that it’s possible to escape, but the flow is a little off in a way that will either trip you up or not. Either way, I would still recommend checking it out - it has some really satisfying puzzles in it!
SinnersHalloween Horror NightsHauntHaunted houseDoes not capture the movie at all, which unfortunately makes sense given the movie is more of a (excellent) dramatic film with significant horror elements. The worst one by far.
UFO: Go For LaunchThe Bureau Adventure GamesEscape roomIRLThe Bureau does things a lot differently from other companies in gameflow, and UFO was no different. There was a lot to solve, and the solves were unusual and highly tactile. In particular, the use of diegetic props and puzzles was absolutely excellent, forcing you to think differently than most escape rooms. The setting was no less unusual, especially in how it blended distinctive architecture with the fantastical to create a setting I’ve never seen before. Overall, I absolutely loved this game - I’ve played a lot of games so when I can finally see something different I appreciate it.
Haunted HarborThe Escape Ventures - Winter Garden [prev. Escape Goat]Escape roomIRLEscape Ventures truly do not miss. Haunted Harbor was another beautiful, puzzle heavy game that blended theatrical storytelling, fast paced gameplay, and a beautiful set. The scenery is undeniably a star attraction - the first set is small but one of the most creative locations I’ve ever seen in a game. Plus, it’s highly interactive, so you’ll constantly be manipulating it in unusual and fun ways. The puzzles are a rapid fire series of solves that navigate the entire set and feel highly fluid. I loved how we could use props from the set to move through the world of the game, even when the gameplay did veer more into escape room style logic. If you’re in Orlando, don’t miss Haunted Harbor - it’s another crown jewel of what is undeniably the most prolific company in Florida.
Puppet Heist: The Hand Of LifeThe Bureau Adventure GamesEscape roomIRLPuppet Heist was an absolutely stellar game - it took the concept of a puppet museum heist and made something that was absolutely hilarious, novel, and interesting. From the opening interaction to the wonderful, zany set, it was a joy to play. The game flow is absolutely highly unconventional, and as such we had to take some nudges for a few puzzles, but it never felt completely unfair. In particular, I loved the implementation of reuse, which was so whimsical and made for some puzzles I’ve never seen before. If you enjoy unusual games, especially if you’ve played a lot of games, check it out.
Servants of SleightThe Escape Ventures - Clearwater [prev. The Exit Games]Escape roomIRLEscape rooms always feel indebted in some ways to the traditions of stage magic - especially in regard to effects. While I’ve played a few Magic themed games before, I’ve never felt as much like a real magician (in the actual sense of the word) before. From the elegant setting which escalated brilliantly in intrigue to the game design making use of plenty of genuine magic tools, Servants of Sleight was a game as mysterious and sophisticated as it was fun and playful. Our host was excellent and I really appreciate the Escape Ventures for preserving this game in a respectful way - I’m so glad I was able to return and play it!
Galactic Beef: The Cosmic Adventures of Star CowDoldrick's Escape RoomEscape roomIRLDoldrick’s has been pushing the envelope in terms of humor for quite a while, but they really outdid themselves in Galactic Beef. This was essentially like being in a live action cartoon - silly, exaggerated, but with a good heart and a surprisingly structured storyline for an escape room. While listening to extended story segments may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I do think the gameplay built mastery in a compelling way - communication was essential and it was great getting better at certain tasks as we played. Ultimately, I absolutely adored Galactic Beef, even as someone who generally doesn’t go for comedy. If you can let yourself get into the storyline, which can be surprisingly easy, you’ll have a great time.
The Seventh RoomDare 2 EscapeEscape roomIRLThe Seventh Room was an absolute adventure - the set, story, and puzzles facilitated a horror game that was longer and in some places more intense than average. While I wouldn’t say the game was overwhelmingly scary, there were definitely a few moments that were fairly intense - thankfully, you can opt in to these moments. The way the set unfolded was highly novel, which allowed for some uncommon exploration and excellent scene transitions. If you’re in Orlando, stop in - even if you’re horror adverse.
The Blind Pig SpeakeasyGranite State EscapeEscape roomIRLThe Blind Pig is a classic escape room done incredibly well - it really brought me back in the best way. The puzzles were creative - and there was a lot of them, so to maintain a consistent level of quality was very impressive. The owners were nice enough to allow me to solo run and I think for really experienced players this would be a nice challenge - a small team overall is best. I’d highly recommend the is for local players - it’s become one of my favorite local gems!
Versus - Game Show Showdown!Granite State EscapeEscape roomIRLCompetitive games are very rare - and I really enjoyed this one! There was a great variety of puzzles to do, which meant that everyone would have something that they could engage with. In particular, a few puzzles stood out as being quite unusual and very fun (while taking full advantage of the format). The format also allows you to skip puzzles you don’t particularly mesh with, which made it really easy to switch focus and circle back to more challenging interactions. There’s nothing available locally doing this style of gameplay, so I’d highly recommend checking this out!
A Very Merry MysteryProdigy Puzzles Escape Rooms [prev. Mystery Soup Escape Rooms, Lock & Clue]Escape roomIRLWhat an adorable room - the upgrades to the set from the previous game have made the room feel so much more lived in and dynamic. In particular, I loved how the Christmas theme extended to the effects, the set, and the puzzle design. There’s also a highly effective balance in the gameplay - very few games can entertain both beginners and enthusiasts and I think this room’s focus on quantity rather than difficulty means that everyone can engage with it. I genuinely loved this game - even as an enthusiast, I think you’ll find that the joyful energy is contagious.
