Guardians' GroveSure Lock Escapes – Cypher Island (Renton)Escape roomIRLThis was an absolutely delightful room. In full disclosure we would not have escaped without multiple hints but we technically did escape. My 9 year old daughter and I tried the room first by ourselves, and got about halfway through when our time was up-we rebooked and brought another adult. I think having 4 people would have been an ideal number, but it was doable with 3 and a lot of help. The room is unique-with some kinds of puzzles that I've never seen before and the atmosphere was completely immersive. We really did feel like we were in a rain forest/jungle. Each room in this multi-room experience had new and surprising puzzles, and my 9 year old claims it as her favorite escape room ever. Delightful is really the best way to describe this escape room.
Spell StruckThe Escape Artist - West SeattleEscape roomIRLLoved everything about this experience-fun puzzles, great ambience and a great game host who managed to interject with just the right amount of hints when we needed them. We did the puzzle as a group of 2 adults and 1 9-year old. One of the things that I really enjoyed about this is that there were enough puzzles for all of us to be working on things independently, but not so many that we couldn't get through them. The setup was fantastic, it really did feel like we were in an old cabin.
The Lucky Duck SpeakeasyReality Break EscapesEscape roomIRLMy 10 year old daughter and I attempted this escape room as a group of two. We've done a lot of escape rooms together and don't typically expect to escape, and while we did not escape this room either, we had a great time and loved the theme. I loved the blend of puzzle types from logic, e.g. eliminating people from lists, to finding unique ways to find the codes that would open more standard locks. There were just so many puzzles that we could work on at the same time, and so we never got bored. I think if we'd had one more person with us we probably could have escaped but that's okay because we still had a great time. The game master was super friendly as well, giving us hints when we needed them without straight up giving us answers.
Grandpa Jim's CabinEscape Goats Escape RoomEscape roomIRLMy 10 year old daughter and I have done more than 30 escape rooms together. Because we're two people, we don't usually expect to escape and while we did not escape this room we were able to get through many of the puzzles and had an amazing time. The setup felt unique, we loved the theme and all of the references to Sasquatch. There is a lot packed into the room, as others have said not all props are actually used in solving puzzles but they definitely add to the atmosphere and we didn't get thrown off too much. Additionally, the owner is such a nice person and was super understanding when we called with a last minute emergency that made us nearly 20 minutes late. We definitely plan to go back and try to finish the room and also do the others. If you're in the Seattle area I definitely recommend taking a side trip to Monroe for this one.
The Dark RoomCognition EscapesEscape roomIRLI did this room with my 10-year-old daughter, we went into it knowing both that it would be dark and spooky and also difficult with only two people. Despite not escaping we absolutely loved the room and the experience. The story was fascinating and the way that the game master shares clues and lets you know how much time you have left is so unique and just contributes to the atmosphere. The set was definitely one of the more unique ones that I have been in, I would call it haunting. We especially appreciated the fact that even though we didn't escape our GM walked us through the final puzzles including letting my daughter actually do them. It's so fun to go to places like this where the staff are clearly passionate about what they do. We will definitely come back and do another room.
