Cornstalkers: Lost in the MaizeThe Escape Ventures - OrlandoEscape roomIRLI have been looking forward to visiting Escape Ventures and they did not disappoint. We were from out of town and played all 6 of their escape rooms in one day. It was such a great time and I cannot thank the team enough for treating us so well and making us laugh, chasing us around, and giving us the best experience of a lifetime. Now for Cornstalkers: Lost in the Maize Don’t read the reviews before you do it or you might just psych yourself out like me. It’s scary. Yes, you will be chased by a scarecrow. In a maze. In the dark. Did I mention that it was scary? Cornstalkers was easily the most memorable room for me from Escape Ventures after Neighborhood Watcher. Maybe it’s the adrenaline running through my veins after? The immersion and the set are quite breathtaking and that might be enough for some us who are scaredy cats to exercise a little bravery to experience this room. It was just me and my hubby doing this room and I knew I had to be brave. Best decision I have ever made and I can already see this room getting awards in the future.
Ghost PatrolTrivium GamesEscape roomIRLIf I could describe Ghost Patrol in one word, it would be “whimsical.” There is an emphasis on detail and mental stimulation that makes their puzzles different from others. The room works to highlight the puzzles and I can’t wait for Trivium Games to come out with another room. I would recommend this room for puzzle-lovers with a moderate amount of escape room experience.
The Man From BeyondStrange Bird ImmersiveEscape roomIRLI don’t even know how to describe this experience but if I had to try, transcendental is the word I would choose. Escape rooms are designed to entertain. But this experience was designed to transcend, to reflect, to heal. This is probably the first room that I cried in. Deeply moving story and the puzzles were on point. Although, by the end of it, you’ll realize that the puzzles were the story all along. Strange Bird Immersive, thank you for this special moment. I will cherish these 90 minutes with the people in that room forever.
The Cairo ConnectionEleventh Hour EnigmaEscape roomIRLWe were visiting from out of town and the staff made sure to help us schedule all three rooms with the tight schedule we had! Thank you so much for the hospitality and for sharing the best of Tulsa as well. We love local recommendations. As for the room itself, this was a solid room and a blast from start to finish. I will forever remember the camel! It’s hard to be a standout with all of the Egyptian themed escape rooms but the direction that they took here and the game master getting to be part of the game did it for us. I heard this was their newest room in this location and I am confident that they are heading in the right direction. Folks will definitely enjoy the story and the immersion!
RobotopiaOmescape - SunnyvaleEscape roomIRLYou know you’re having a good time when the escape room is designed for two hours and the first hour flies by! The production value is insane - doors move and change the room completely. It literally transforms and the way that it does is completely out of this world. We did this with a group of 6 and it was so much fun - the room is hard but not impossible! There is also a live actor component that blends well with the theme and is not scary at all. Highly recommend and our game master was nice and answered all our questions after the experience!
Hope EndThe Ministry Of PeculiaritiesEscape roomIRLHope's End is a masterclass in immersive storytelling. Your experience starts the minute you walk in the door. Every nook and cranny of the lobby tells a story. You will leave with memories that will linger for a lifetime. We had a group of 12, and everyone walked away with a personalized memory that they will remember forever. Without revealing too much, they split us up into two groups and from there, we were transported into a world that is part theater and part escape room. The narrative that they share with you will tug at your heart strings, and it truly is nothing like I've experienced before. Parking is super easy. Finding the entrance of the building may be difficult, but don't be deterred if you see what looks like an abandoned door. You're probably in the right place.
Neighborhood WatcherThe Escape Ventures - OrlandoEscape roomIRLI have been looking forward to visiting Escape Ventures and they did not disappoint. We were from out of town and played all 6 of their escape rooms in one day. It was such a great time and I cannot thank the team enough for treating us so well and making us laugh, chasing us around, and giving us the best experience of a lifetime. Now for Neighborhood Watcher: Our experience was 100000% so much better because of our actor. This room deserves all the accolades and I remember thinking, if this is how I’m going to die, it’s probably for the best. The live actor added to the thrill of the experience because you were never really sure how much time you had to work on each puzzle. The puzzles were thematic and their pacing felt just right. You could request to have less jump scares, but somehow we forgot to ask and we ended up getting through the experience. This is definitely a divide and conquer situation and the references felt nostalgic for the 90’s kids in us.
The StorykeeperLocurioEscape roomIRLStorykeeper is one of those rare rooms where you feel like you’re being drawn to a fantasy world and you forget that you’re playing a game. I know escape rooms aspire for this immersion but Storyteller actually executes this transition. There was one physical puzzle that took us a while to do but other than that, the other puzzles were intuitive. The live acting kept us emotionally invested - it would not have been the same experience otherwise and they administer hints in such fun ways that you have to interact with them. If you’re looking for a room with the right amount of theater, precision of puzzles, and production value, come to Locurio’s Storykeeper!
Operation GryaznayavodaIn Search Of An ExitEscape roomIRLOperation Gryaznayavoda or OG is a memorable eclectic room in Portland. The storyline is unique, our game master is hilarious, and the puzzles feel rewarding to solve. There are only 2 rooms in this location so if you have to choose one, choose this one! Highly recommend getting a group of 3-4 for this room. We did it with a group of 3 and it took all of us. Parking is limited so get there early. The location may be tricky to find too but it’s all part of the experience.
40 ThievesMindTrap Escape Room - TemeculaEscape roomIRL40 Thieves is a masterclass in escape room design. From the minute I walked in, I felt like I was about to experience something incredible. And I did. From the intro “cut scene” to the interactions with the shopkeepers to the collaborative puzzles that get your party to look around the premises and communicate, they did such a good job with everything. I could see why this room earned its spot in the TERPECA awards. This is worth the drive if you’re coming from LA like we were. I would also recommend getting a bigger group because there are so many puzzles to do!
