PlaygroundThe Escape Game - AustinEscape roomIRLCool game. It's designed for larger groups, and gets harder with fewer people. We did it with just the two of us, and we were huffing by the end.
Prison BreakThe Escape Game - AustinEscape roomIRLThis is my favorite game at this location, it's also their hardest. I played this a few years ago (2021, I think?), and it's had some small updates since then. But it's pretty challenging, and you have to be on your toes during it, especially at the beginning. You start in adjoining rooms and have to go from there.
20,000 Leagues Under the SeaNovel EscapeEscape roomIRLThis game has some of the best designed puzzles of any escape room I've played. They're well thought out, challenging, and work with the theme of the room. If you're in Austin, and are an escape room or puzzle enthusiast, then this is the room I recommend that you do. Hands down.
Special Ops: Mysterious MarketThe Escape Game - The GalleriaEscape roomIRLMission Ops is a thematic sequel to another game that The Escape Game used to run called Classified. I played Classified in Austin, and was unsure if this would be different. It only looks the same, though. All the puzzles are different. Had a good time. Loved the progression of the story and the change in atmosphere.
The Poe AdventureThe Secret Chambers - ArlingtonEscape roomIRLI asked someone who has designed multiple escape room what his favorite room was, and he said this one. So I had to try it when I was in Dallas. It's very cool. There's lots of neat things to find, and the puzzles are innovative.
Rugrats: Search For The Losted Toys - CLOSEDThe Escape Game - Las Vegas Forum ShopsEscape roomIRLSo, this company operates nationally. The Rugrats game is their Playground game with a different theme. I had played Playground, but was curious to see what was different. There were one or two different things, but if you've done Playground, this one will be familiar. The Rugrats theme was fine, though it didn't really add anything for me.
Don't Look Under The Bed [prev. Third Gate Hotel]Third Gate EscapeEscape roomIRLHad not intended on doing this on Halloween, but it worked out. Sadly, I can't give a positive review, though. It felt like the darkness and jump scares were just there to hide over some poor puzzle design. There were puzzles that didn't really make much sense, and some where they were duplicating the puzzle (which was meant to help, but ended up being confusing). There was one point where one of us was isolated from the other with nothing to do.
ChainedNumber One Escape RoomEscape roomIRLIt's really neat being in a room specifically designed for two people. Great use of space in where they put it, and we had fun. You're "chained" to a chair facing opposite directions, and have to work together to find solutions. We had a great time.
The Fortune TellerLost GamesEscape roomIRLThis was amazing. It wasn't a typical escape room, as you weren't looking around for puzzles. They were all on the wall, but you encountered them as you went through the game. The puzzles were fantastic, and the story was fun. There is an actor in it, which I usually find to be cheesy or annoying, but it wasn't in this case. He's not there the whole time, but is good when he was. Absolutely loved it, and would highly recommend it.
Omega Mart [Immersive Art]Meow WolfEscape roomOther So this is not an escape room. It does have some simple puzzles for you to solve, but not a lot, and that's not the reason that you should go. But you should go because it's very cool, and it does give you that sense of discovery that you get from escape rooms. If you want to go and just take some cool pictures or selfies, that's definitely an option. And that's what I thought it was before I went. But when I got there, I found that there was a whole story (multiple stories, in fact) to discover as you went around. I ended up staying for 4 hours, but wish I had started in the morning so I could have stayed all day. In those 4 hours, I didn't even get to the second floor because I got so caught up in it. There's a lot to see and experience, and if you like that discovery, then there's a TON for you to find. Pay the extra like $5 for the bloop card; it's worth it.
The Asylum: PlaytimeLost GamesEscape roomIRLPlayed this while visiting and did all three of their rooms. It's billed as "chapter 2", but you don't really need to do them in order. The story connecting them is pretty thin, but that's not a bad thing. There were some great and clever bits in this.
The Asylum: The Doctor's SecretLost GamesEscape roomIRLCool game. Did this with the second part, but you don't need to do them in order, and the story connecting them isn't important. There is interaction with actors, especially at the beginning, but it was fine. Progression through the story was cool with different elements as you went.
The CabinNumber One Escape RoomEscape roomIRLPretty good. Did this as a two parter with the other room. Don't feel like you need to. They can be done in any order, and you'll be fine. Creepy atmosphere, but no jump scares or people in the room with you. I felt like it ended abruptly, but it was cool.
Lab Rats - CLOSEDEscape Hour AustinEscape roomIRLThis is a nice big room where you have to have a larger group. I'm used to being able to do rooms with just 2 people, but this one needs at *least* 3, and I'd recommend 6. There's three areas, so it's good to have 2 in each. It's an older room, but is very cool.
Ruins: Forbidden TreasureThe Escape Game - Berry HillEscape roomIRLGreat room. Expansive, immersive, well-made, interesting, good story. They said that it's only in their Nashville location because it's too expensive to build out elsewhere. That lines up with what we experienced. Definitely worth trying out.
Timeliner: Train Through TimeThe Escape Game - DowntownEscape roomIRLAmazing concept: a time traveling train! Production was fantastic, as usual with The Escape Game. We had a good time.
SabotageThe Escape Game - Opry MillsEscape roomIRLThis is a cool, innovative room. It's set up as a competition between teams, which is different from most rooms. The design is neat with how new puzzles are revealed, and how you send and receive challenges between teams. Because it's competitive, you probably want more people than normal for the room. Two teams of 3 is probably ideal.
Mission: Mars - CLOSEDThe Escape Game - Berry HillEscape roomIRLExtremely cool game. Lots of things to find and explore, good puzzles, well made. They said it was one of their older games, but it totally holds up.
The CryptEscape Hour AustinEscape roomIRLThe production on this room is on par with one of the national escape room companies. Really great. Puzzle design was good, and the components and atmosphere was great. It's a large room with lots to discover. I'm used to doing rooms with just 2, and this one was too big for us. Our only failure to escape. But they offer a 50% discount on replays, so we went back to experience the last part of the room. I'd highly recommend a team of at least 4 for this one, even if you're used to doing rooms with 2.
Da Vinci's Secret60Out - HollywoodEscape roomIRLVery cool room. Excellent puzzles. Lots of fun stuff to discover, and well designed. Definitely should be on your list.
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