Dark LullabyEscape Artist Greenville - Hampton StationEscape roomIRLSo much like Starlight Motel, I'll say this wasn't one of my favorites, which is crazy because note all the awards. I still liked it, but similar to Motel, this is as much as "experience". Definitely more puzzles than Motel and if you do all the rooms here, the overarching storyline fits in perfectly, but this story is chilling. There are some SCARY moments and the set is just amazing. It's still a must-do!
The Starlight MotelEscape Artist Greenville - DowntownEscape roomIRLSo we spent my birthday doing all the rooms at EAG's two locations. Now I'll officially go on record and say this room was my least favorite HOWEVER note that I still liked it. That was because I loved some of their other rooms more and this was more of an experience. There were some puzzles, but you definitely spent more time experiencing fear than solving puzzles and playing the game. This is still a must-do, but less to do an escape room and more to go through this event! (No spoilers!). Also, WOW. What a set, looks and feels like an old motel where bad things happen! And Quinn played the motel manager-just perfection!
Quest For The Temple of LightThe Keepers of BalanceEscape roomIRLWow. how do I describe this game? You’re gonna love it. It's an epic adventure across time and space with nods to Indiana Jones, The Goonies, Lord of the Rings and more! Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say that each room in this game is different. All puzzles flow nicely and are intuitive, but that’s not to say they are easy. If you need a hint though, the hint system becomes hilarious! The set. Amazing! This is a huge space, a mini warehouse that you feel goes on forever. It’s all beautifully done too. This company is special and I absolutely cannot wait for the subsequent games. It's people who get it. If you use and love Morty, then THIS is a must-do!
Neighborhood WatcherThe Escape Ventures - OrlandoEscape roomIRLOn paper, this should just be a decent room. You are trapped in the house of a possible serial killer. But this room is special and Escape Ventures has delivered a well-deserved award winning experience. From the story (which sets the players as children) to the way that you first end up in the wrong house, things are golden. Add to that the creepy 80s house and the way the game evolves and you end up really feeling like you better escape or else! Best of all was the in-person actor who plays the disturbing neighbor! She was the key factor in this being a must-do game!
Ruins: Forbidden TreasureThe Escape Game - Berry HillEscape roomIRLThis was a nice setup from The Escape Game. They took the really common theme of "Temple in a Jungle" & somehow kept it fresh and new, which we shouldn't be surprised about. It's TEG! They know what they are doing. For starters, most temple games usually start off inside already or in the jungle. Ruins starts you off in a crashed plane! As always, the flow and puzzling remain tight. Throw in TEG's attention to beautiful set design & you've got another winner on your hands. This might be their best game but there's so many to choose from. There's not any you should skip. So plan a day here!
Operation Arctic Storm: The Final MeltdownThe Escape Ventures - OrlandoEscape roomIRLWHAT A GAME! It's one thing to have a game IN an Arctic research station, but it's next-level to do one where you have to leave the station to go "outside" into the polar depths! Throw in some dark humor & a fantastic in-person actor & this game is a must-do!
NevermoreNocturne AdventuresEscape roomIRLWow, where do I begin? This game lives up to the hype as a Best of Morty game for several years & for us, a wonderful first game of 2025! The set design was a labor of love (the whole game is, actually) with a gorgeous Victorian mansion vibe. The puzzles were all intuitive and flowed perfectly. (Keep an eye out for the sprinkled-in Poe easter eggs!). I've done actually several Edgar Allen Poe rooms, but this is my favorite, hands down. Some other random points of interest: This is a business inside a home! (Which makes sense since no rent, no additional utilities, etc) They worked very hard to keep you immersed the whole time with some unique clue-in system. It wasn't until the end when I really understood our goal that I felt this game was just beautiful. In case you can't tell, I can't recommend this place enough. This is one worth making the trek to Hickory to do. (And yes, that's me rocking the Friends of Morty t-shirt!)
Castle FlüffendorEscape Artist Greenville - Hampton StationEscape roomIRLLet’s get this out-of-the-way: EAG is an amazing company and while I liked all of their rooms, this is, in my mind, the absolute best! A 10/10. It’s their newest one, but I promise you it’s going to be award winning! This now ties for my favorite game ever. Every game at this location is tied together, so given the dark themes of the overarching storyline, as well as the other games, it’s almost startling how this is the opposite. You are in a fairytale kingdom out of a child’s dream, and the puzzles are all perfectly done and themed & the “live actor” interaction STILL makes me laugh out loud & I was bent over hysterical during the game itself! However, that ending. Experiencing that was my a-ha moment, realizing what a special game I was a part of. Looking back at this review, it’s lots of praise, but not a lot of detail. Good. I don’t want to spoil a thing, but this is one that everyone should experience.
RipperNocturne AdventuresEscape roomIRLWait, wait, wait. This is one of those "Escape the Serial Killer's Lair" games & you recommended it as a must-do?? That's right. I've lost count as to how many games I've done with this theme. Some have sucked, some were good and THIS IS THE BEST ONE I'VE EVER DONE. It's a perfect blend of escape game and experience. The puzzles were great with a nice linear flow with even the traditional serial killer themed ones coming off as fresh. The live actors stole the show removing any type of clue system that would take you out of the immersion. Some random things to note: 1. Make sure you ask them about the tally marks on the front of the door before you start the game. 2. Like their other game, there’s no time limit. They just want you to enjoy every moment. Don’t worry, I can assure you that the lack of a timer did not take away in the slightest from the sense of urgency in trying to escape. Just trust me. 3. This is a scary ass game! As I mentioned in the details, you can choose the rated R version versus the slightly tamer version, but I think this has to do more with cursing and a naked picture. I don’t think it has anything to do with the fear factor. 4. There’s an extra moment or two that I will not spoil that’s just a little something that makes this even more terrifying, and all in all, and even more wonderful experience. 5. This is a business that is actually in the basement of someone’s home. Don’t let that deter you in the least. The game is smooth and as professional and operation as you could want. If you love escape rooms (and don’t mind being scared), you’ll love this game. If you love horror experiences, you’ll definitely love this game. Like their other game, this is worth making the trek to Hickory. Take the time and do both. You’ll be glad you did.
Cutthroat Cavern13th Gate EscapeEscape roomIRLCutthroat Cavern was the 4th game we did at 13th Gate. This was the one I had been waiting for. I've done so many pirate rooms, yet this room was what people talked about. The company is known for their amazing set design and after doing Tomb of Anubis, could anything top that? In short, YES. Cutthroat Cavern is THE most impressive massive set I've ever played in a game. Most pirate games take place in a room on a ship. The best ones (ahem, Captain Spoopy Bones) take place across an entire ship. Then there's this game. Sure there was a ship, but there's also a jungle temple and a whole cove. IT'S HUGE. Also, lots of real sand. We dumped it out of our shoes on the way home. The puzzles were definitely not easy but they were somewhat intuitive. 13th Gate uses an "automated" clue system that they bake into most of their rooms. Someone, like a cat in Spellbound or another victim in The Collector, gives you a pre-recorded clue when you need help. In this game, of course, it's a parrot. The effect works surprisingly well and the gamemaster stays on top of things to jump in if the automated response isn't helpful. The only issue in this game was that you could only hear the parrot in certain rooms. We encountered the same issue in Asylum. There was a nice flow as well. I will say that out of all their games, Cavern had a amazing plot twist storyline which I really found heartwarming. Didn't see that coming. And honestly, this didn't come across as your typical pirate game. This was more of an homage to Indiana Jones as well as the Goonies then Pirates of the Caribbean. This game had one big issue that ALL of 13th Gate's games have. These are 60 minute rooms that really need to be 75 minute rooms. There's a LOT of puzzling to be done. We were a group of 4 and we ran over and they let us keep going. Come to 13th Gate for pretty much any & all of the games here. Put Cutthroat as a must-do experience (along with Anubis and Flight 13). This company is worth the 90 minute drive from New Orleans. If you are coming out, plan to spend the whole day there & do all of their games. .
