Past Forward404 Escape RoomEscape roomIRLFor an avid lover of solving puzzles and exploring mysterious and mind bending escape rooms, 404 Escape Room is a goldmine. Tucked away in the up and coming Irvington neighborhood of Fremont, this unassuming spot took me and my 2 friends by surprise. As we walked in, we were greeted by a boisterous group of people who were celebrating a bday party and were thrilled with excitement having solved the mystery game just in time, that energy was contagious. The escape room crew were super awesome and gave us a mystifying introduction which amp’ed up our excitement. The game “Past Forward” that the 3 of us signed up for, was not merely a nostalgic visual delight, but an absolute masterpiece that gives time travel a new definition. The transcendental experience takes you into dawn of time, something we only read in books giving you a first hand experience of what past looked like. The puzzles were so much fun to solve, some mathematically enchanting and some visually appealing. The difficulty is real…. I think 3 of us were too few and we barely made it out in time even after seeking clues. We are surely gonna come back for their other game “Stabbin Cabin”. If you are looking for the next great escape room experience, 404 Escape Room is going to give you a run for your money.
Stabbin Cabin404 Escape RoomEscape roomIRLStabbin Cabin is an absolute blast from start to finish. The 80s horror spoof theme is executed perfectly — the cabin set design is immersive, creepy, and surprisingly funny all at once. You genuinely feel like you’ve stumbled into a cheesy slasher film, which is exactly the vibe they’re going for. The puzzles are clever without being frustrating — each one felt satisfying to crack, and nothing seemed arbitrary or out of place. Our group had a great dynamic going, and the room really encourages everyone to contribute rather than one person steamrolling through it. We escaped with literal seconds to spare, which made it all the more memorable. The game master was fantastic — engaged, encouraging, and added to the fun without giving anything away too easily.
