Ghost LightMyssTic RoomsEscape roomIRLThis was such a cool escape room. If you like theater, especially if you like backstage, you will really enjoy this room. If you could take or leave theater but enjoy escape rooms, this one had some really cool and creative elements that you’ll enjoy. It wasn’t too easy, but not too difficult either. I wouldn’t play this room with more than 4 players. It was perfect for 2 experienced players.
The DepthsThe Escape Game - MinneapolisEscape roomIRLI really enjoyed this room. There were screens with effects that really helped make it feel like you were in a sub descending underwater. We found the puzzles very easy as a group of very experienced escape room players. I wouldn’t recommend this room for more than 4, especially if you have escape room experience. But it was very fun and the ending is one of my favorite things I’ve seen in an escape room.
Escape from CamelotNo Escape IowaEscape roomIRLThis room isn’t top quality, but for being at a local Iowa escape room it was pretty good. Definitely the best room at No Escape Iowa. Experienced escape room players probably won’t be impressed, but this room would be entertaining and not too difficult for beginners.
Operation: Dead DropEscape PointEscape roomIRLThis room has a few unintuitive puzzles and an unoriginal theme that you can find anywhere. There were a few cool moments that made this room enjoyable, and if you really like the spy theme then you’ll like this. But if you’re just looking for a fun escape room to do at this location, you’ll probably like one of the other rooms better.
Prison BreakThe Escape Game - MinneapolisEscape roomIRLWe really liked this room. It was super immersive, it had a really good prison feel. The game masters were really nice and helpful, they were ready to give us a hint when we needed one to help push us forward. We definitely will be coming back.
UtopiaLock and Key EscapeEscape roomIRLI’ve done over 40 escape rooms and Utopia is one of my absolute favorites. My friends and I decided to play it after finishing a different room here and we’re so glad we did. The theme was creative, the teamwork required was great, and the adrenaline to escape in the last few seconds made it that much more exciting. It’s definitely a hard room, and we could escape with 4 experienced players but I would recommend 6 for most groups.
The Cursed Carnival [Abandoned Carnival]Lock and Key EscapeEscape roomIRLThe story of this room was unique and engaging, and served to uplift the experience as a whole. The room itself has some fun nods to the carnival theme, but could definitely do better at actually making you feel like you’re at a carnival. The ending was fun. I was on edge the whole time but there was nothing legitimately scary.
Special Ops: Mysterious MarketThe Escape Game - MinneapolisEscape roomIRLWe enjoyed this room. The secret agent theme is not particularly original, but the story of this one impressed us and put a fun twist on the typical theme. The location of this at the Mall of America probably contributed to some space constraints. We were a bit cramped and it would have been worse with more people. But overall we had a lot of fun, and the game masters here are always super friendly.
Back in the 50sLocked Room OmahaEscape roomIRLI could tell a lot of love went into this room, but it definitely looks homemade. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but if you’re looking for something more high tech or “impressive” this isn’t really it. That said, it’s a good group for beginners. I found it really easy, but I played with some people new to escape rooms and they thought it was great.
Pirates Of The Spanish Main - CLOSEDEnigma Adventures - Maple GroveEscape roomIRLThe aesthetics of this room are super impressive and will continue to wow you each step of the way.
The DungeonPuzzleWorksEscape roomIRLIf you’re a fan of dungeons and dragons, fantasy, or medieval themes, you’ll like this room. The aesthetics make you feel like you’re in a fantasy prison. You will need a minimum of three people, but I recommend more, and make sure they’re people you communicate well with because you will need it. This room is definitely more challenging, but it looks great and has fun puzzles for everyone to enjoy.
ClueBreakout Games - Des MoinesEscape roomIRLIf you like the game Clue you’ll like this room. It truly feels like you’re in the middle of the game. The puzzles are fun but nothing super noteworthy. The theme and aesthetics are what really sell this room, and they do it so well.
The Istanbul Gambit - CLOSEDEnigma Adventures - Maple GroveEscape roomIRLSecret agent rooms are so common, and the story of this room doesn’t offer anything particularly interesting to the genre. But the gameplay itself was interesting and enjoyable. There’s a subplot going on the whole time with optional puzzles you don’t have to solve to win, which is a pretty cool aspect.
The ApothecaryThe Lodge of Lazarus CroweEscape roomIRLThe Lodge of Lazarus Crowe as a whole is so fun. The Apothecary in particular is a well put together and on theme for what it’s supposed to be. It’s a bit small and not too difficult so I wouldn’t recommend it for very large groups. I did it with 3 and thought it was good, it would also be very doable with 2.
Wild WestBreakout Games - Des MoinesEscape roomIRLWild West is one of my favorite escape rooms I’ve ever done. The story was woven through the room so well, and there were moments in the middle of the room where we really had to keep one step ahead of the sheriff whose office we were trying to escape from. The puzzles were creative and enjoyable. We played it with three and it was a perfect size, but we all have a lot of experience so a less experienced group might like a slightly larger group but too many people would make the room feel too cramped. If you’re wondering if you should do this room the answer is yes.
Wizard's TowerTrapped Puzzle Rooms - Saint PaulEscape roomIRLIf you’re a fan of Harry Potter you will like this room. If you’re not… you’ll have a fine time but would probably prefer something better. Pretty average as far as rooms go, nothing particularly exciting but nothing to really complain about.
CryosleepSpare Time Entertainment - Des MoinesEscape roomIRLThis was definitely an easier room, perfect for its location, with a bowling alley and lazer tag nearby. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for more experienced groups, but it’s a great starting room or for younger groups. Any room that starts you in individual cells is always fun, and the puzzles were creative and satisfying.
Nightmare at the MuseumPuzzleWorksEscape roomIRLThis is Puzzleworks newest room and we were so excited when it opened. We were lucky enough to get to beta test, so there have been some significant changes since we played. But what I can say is that we absolutely loved it. A scary escape room is hard to pull off, because it’s hard to control the level of adrenaline when people may start and stop with puzzles. This room was able to keep that level of scariness up the whole time in such a great way. If you really hate scary things this probably isn’t the room for you, but even those of us who don’t prefer scariness had a lot of fun. There are no live actors, which made me feel safe while still keeping my adrenaline up. This is one of the best escape rooms I’ve ever done, and I recommend it to everyone. We definitely plan on going back sometime to see the updates that have been made since we last played.
Level 1: PurgatoryThe Slaughterhouse Escape RoomEscape roomIRLThis is more haunted house than escape room. If you’re like me and you think I don’t like scary things but I love escape rooms so I’ll do it, don’t do it. This is my warning to you. If you like scary things and solving puzzles, you’ll probably have a pretty good time. Just know what it is going in. It’s scary.
Game OnNo Escape IowaEscape roomIRLThis experience is just a room with white walls and some games scattered around. Nothing was particularly interesting or exciting about it, except the British grocery in the lobby of the escape room business. I would not recommend this room.
![The Cursed Carnival [Abandoned Carnival]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/89672fa6-0476-4725-9664-5c26a323cbeb.jpeg)
