Club Drosselmeyer 1942 [Immersive Experience]Greendoor LabsEscape roomOther If you like any one of: immersive theater, solving puzzles, dancing (especially Lindy hopping), The Nutcracker, great cocktails, a fantastic band, seeing an aerialist, dressing up in 1940s period attire, or just having fun, you will like Club Drosselmeyer. If you like most or all of those things (which I do), then this might very well be the most entertaining thing you do all year. I fly up from Atlanta to Boston just for this show and it is 10,000% totally worth it.
The AlchemistSherlockedEscape roomIRLThe two things an escape room needs to be memorable are a beginning that hooks you right away and an ending that leaves you in awe of what you just accomplished. This room has both. It turns out that everything between the beginning and the ending is also great. The level of craft and engineering that went into the set and the props is incredible. There are at least two elements of this room that I have never seen done in an escape room and I think I am unlikely ever to see them done anywhere else. This is simply a must-play.
The Lost CabinetSherlockedEscape roomPortableThis is a tabletop experience, but it has the feel of a good escape room — there are puzzles, of course, but there are also secrets to find and even somewhat of a scavenger hunt element as you will frequently find necessary objects in surprising places. As I am sure many folks have noted, the cabinet itself is reminiscent of “The Room” games brought to life. The craftwork is top-notch and every place it might be possible to cram in another compartment, they found a way to do just that. Technically a prequel to “The Alchemist” but given the logistics of coordinating to play this (unless you are in town the day before an REA tour arrives, ha) it surely isn’t a must-play for story purposes, but it does hint at what is to come. We had a great time with this experience and would certainly recommend it. The only rough spot was a couple of compartments being sticky to open: the box is unique, and it got its start being taken to people’s homes, so it has accumulated a bit of wear and tear. But this is easily remedied by just asking your host if you should do the thing you want to do, just with a bit more force, and the answer is likely to be yes. :) Highly recommended.
Rise of the FungiHeadlock Escape Rooms OnlineEscape roomVirtual This “prequel” might best be enjoyed after playing “The Keeper and the Fungus Among Us” as it contains a number of easter eggs and nods to the other game, but I don’t think it really matters what order you play them in. This game is just as much fun and just as whimsical. Highest recommendation.
The Keeper And The Fungus Among UsHeadlock Escape Rooms OnlineEscape roomVirtual Simply delightful. An escape room inside of an immersive story that was built specifically to be played via Zoom. Not terribly difficult but the puzzles are clever and the way everything takes place inside the game world is fantastic. Includes some laugh-out-loud moments. Highest recommendation.
The ObservatoryThe Gate EscapeEscape roomIRLFull review TK but this room has one of the most jaw-dropping moments I have ever experienced in an escape room. It is a pure puzzlefest from start to finish.
13th BasementExit Game OC - AnaheimEscape roomIRLIt’s fun, it’s funny, it’s self-aware in the best way. Highly recommended.
The Last SupperQuest TavernEscape roomIRLI will write more later but for now I am just noting that this is a must-play. Really unique concept and executed at a high level. The entire room hinges on your interactions with a live actor. For us the actor was phenomenal and thus so was the experience.
Hope EndThe Ministry Of PeculiaritiesEscape roomIRLI will write more later but for now will just say that this is a must-play. Really delightful.
Lab RatHatch EscapesEscape roomIRLThis is one of the most unique escape rooms I’ve ever played. Don’t look for spoilers other than what they tell you on the website. The puzzles are good, the in-game and environmental jokes are quite funny, the set design is excellent, and the theme is surely unique. Highest recommendation.