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Reviews

Reviews

Scooby-Doo™ and the Spooky Castle Adventure

Scooby-Doo™ and the Spooky Castle Adventure

Escapology - Universal City

  • Escape room
  • IRL
A decent escape room that can be good for beginners or families but marred from broken technology and unenthusiastic staff. The greatest highlight for this room is how it incorporates decent set design with the Scooby Doo theme. The cartoony and colorful props sometimes feel ripped out of the show itself, all punctuated with voice acting from the real voice actors themselves. Fans of the series will gleefully recognize callbacks to familiar monsters and locations. Sadly, the entire experience is bogged down by shoddy equipment and unenthusiastic staff. At least 3 times during our escape, a lock failed to open or trigger after a successful solve. This led to a lot of wasted time and confusion, and sometimes we weren't even sure if we were correct or if a prop just came apart. Some staff members seemed like they didn't want to be there at all. The one who walked us into the room sped by the rules so fast as if it was a waste of time explaining them at all. Not all the staff felt like this though. Some were really nice and helpful. The puzzles didn't feel like they connected or made sense story-wise. Some were creative, but they existed for the sake of existing. A few of them felt illogical - spoiler alert, but we needed to stick a prop into a fireplace, and there was nothing indicating that was necessary. Story was sort of stapled together, nothing enticing or intriguing. It was fun to hear the Scooby Gang, though. Since this company is prominently featured at Universal City Walk, it can be a great introduction for newcomers to the world of escape rooms, but if they continue to neglect the quality of their rooms, they'll do more harm than good for the community in turning away potential fans. And at $50 a pop, they should offer better experiences.
Inksidious

Inksidious - CLOSED

Escape Room 66 - Los Angeles

  • Escape room
  • IRL
A creative and entertaining romp that puts you directly into the pages of a comic, Inksidious is a fun escape room that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Inksidious is a home run on all fronts. It's got tons of inventive puzzles, an easy-to-follow yet intriguing story, and excellent set design. What seems like a simple experience slowly progresses into so much more. There are enough puzzles to occupy every member of your group, and each one is unique enough so they don't feel repetitive. The story has an interesting twist after its first act, which reveals a set that is lovingly crafted with details and fun props. This room is a labor of love, and it shows. While those who have color blindness might have difficulty during the first half of the experience, they will find an accessible experience during the last half, which makes this a great room for those who have it. Additionally, the theme, story, and puzzles make this a great room for families to enjoy together. So much of the room was tactile, allowing those with shorter attention spans to feel more engaged and interactive. Outside of the room, Jules and Tuesday were excellent hosts. My group and I felt genuinely welcomed, and we had an easy time talking to both of them. This room is a family-operated business, and I love to see more getting attention and attendance, especially when you can tell that they were created by passionate people who love the craft, like Inksidious, here. I highly recommend this room to everyone who enjoys a fun atmosphere filled with tons of puzzles and great story.
The Mush Room

The Mush Room - CLOSED

Escape Room 66 - Los Angeles

  • Escape room
  • IRL
If you're craving a lovingly crafted whimsical experience, make sure you play the Mush Room. Much like their other escape room at this location, Inksidious, Mush Room made me feel like a kid in a candy store. The vibrant colors, imaginative puzzles, fun story, and cheeky humor hit all the right notes for me. There were things done in this escape room that I haven't seen done anywhere else. It amazes me how well Escape Room 66 utilizes the small space that they have - every nook and cranny was worthy of exploration, and my group found ourselves investigating every inch of the space for clues. Furthermore, the story, difficulty, and amount of puzzles makes this a great room for families. All of your senses are put to good use, keeping even little ones entertained and engaged. Jules and Tuesday, our hosts, were wonderful people, who genuinely welcomed us and were happy to see us. Escape Room 66 is a family-owned business, and I feel that we, as a community of escape room enthusiasts, should support more of them, especially when they produce high quality rooms that are clearly a labor of love. I look forward to seeing more from them.
Black Dragon

Black Dragon

Escape Room LA

  • Escape room
  • IRL

𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿

Irvine School Of Wizardry And The Dragon Wand

Irvine School Of Wizardry And The Dragon Wand

Hidden Donkey

  • Escape room
  • IRL

𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿

Atlantis: The Forgotten City

Atlantis: The Forgotten City

Hypnotic Escape Rooms

  • Escape room
  • IRL
Note: I played the game in Feb 2024 but reviewed in Aug 2024, so details may be fuzzy. Prior to starting the game, I was not prepared for the grand adventure that awaited me and my group. What unfolded was a beautifully detailed experience that submerged me in a world bubbling with mystery, excitement, and puzzles! The breathtaking set design and effects blew me away and stick out in my mind most of all, even after all these months. Large caverns and claustrophobic corridors were brought to life with meticulous detailing and gorgeous set pieces. The game excels at immersing the player into another world. Puzzles abound, spread out over wide areas, which makes this game perfect for large teams and is a great room for company related team bonding (which is how I experienced this room). I recommend bringing a team that is good at communicating amongst each other. Our game master (forgive me for I have forgotten his name) was excellent and deeply cares about the escape room scene. He was friendly and quick to give recommendations around the area. Bonus points for his kindness as he offered coins to me for the street parking meters when I told him I didn't have any. For a great underwater adventure, make sure to dive into this aquatic escape room while you can!
The Hex Room

The Hex Room

Cross Roads Escape Games

  • Escape room
  • IRL
It took my group and I 8+ years to finally do the Hex Room. After ages of hearing about how great it was, does the room live up to its hype and legendary status, given its age? Short answer: Yes. It. Does. What more can I say that hasn't been said already? The room is a perfect combination of creepy atmosphere, lovingly detailed set design, inventive puzzles, and thrilling story elements. Combine this with unique character driven gameplay, and you've got a game that can last a lifetime with strong replay value. Perfect for a group of 6, make sure to bring your strongest communicators. Team work is an absolute must. It also helps to bring friends who are willing to dive completely into their characters (dress up, roleplaying, the whole nine yards - what you put in is what you get, so may as well make the most it. Besides, who wouldn't want to live out as a tropey horror movie character?) As someone who has played many rooms across different generations since their inception, I am happy to report that Hex Room still lives up to its reputation and is one that can be enjoyed time and time again. So strap in, study up, and get ready - can you survive in a horror movie? Get your scream queen on and put your knowledge to the test against... The Hex Room!
Dr. Hader’s Cartoon World

Dr. Hader’s Cartoon World

Scenario Escape Room

  • Escape room
  • IRL
A wonderful and unique experience, Dr. Hader's Cartoon World is a standout room with an indie feel full of creativity and story. What immediately sets Dr. Hader's apart from other rooms is its unique premise. Sitting proudly at a separate table during lunch hour away from the tried-and-true tropes of prisons and aliens, Cartoon World boasts a story intermixing lost love with comic book hijinks. The experience has an engaging plotline filled with details that carries throughout the entire room. Unfortunately, to get the true ending, a group must be fast enough to not only escape in time but to finish a series of bonus puzzles at the end (more on this later). The scenery emits a strong creative spirit that feels homemade and filled with love, something akin to top tier home haunts during the Halloween season. The animated sound effects and cartoon inspired visuals strengthen the experience. However, the room suffers some drawbacks, mainly in its deteriorating technology. Multiple props and machinery in the room were unfortunately broken or unreliable. At several points, our group had successfully solved a puzzle but wasted a few moments until we were told via hint system to try again. Some doors that were supposed to open automatically did not. Sound was a little low, making it hard to hear key audio clues. The room also features a series of bonus puzzles, which are to be attempted after completing the main quest. I love the idea of bonus puzzles, but this was somewhat of a mixed bag amongst our group. While hiding the "true ending" behind the bonuses is fair, we were told that a group needs somewhere between 15 - 20 minutes of extra time to complete the entire bonus set, which seemed a bit excessive for me considering that the main quest had tons to do already. This makes this room perfect for larger groups, but for our group of 4, it was sadly out of reach. Overall, I highly recommend this room for its uniqueness and creativity alone. If your group is looking for something a bit more animated, make sure to give the good Doctor a visit.
Wizard's Treasure

Wizard's Treasure

60Out - Hollywood

  • Escape room
  • IRL
Wizard's Treasure was one of the most magical experiences I've had in an escape room, with its incredible theming, creativity, story, and puzzles forming a potent potion of delight. Set design, lighting, and sound work together to create an incredible atmosphere reminiscent of the impeccable detailing of Disneyland. From the moment my group and I started the game, we were whisked into a magical world brimming with detail. Bringing the world to life are various characters (with actual names!), fully voiced and having different personalities. Lighting and sound play important roles and add a depth of immersion to the sets. The room evokes a playful mood throughout its entire run, making for a joyful experience. On the topic of playfulness, all puzzles in this room were fun to interact with and solve. Each one was unique and fit perfectly into the story; no prop or puzzle felt out of place. Puzzles are non-linear and can be solved with more than one person, which makes this room great for larger groups. This is a perfect room for beginners wishing to step into the world of escape rooms, as well as families wishing to try out rooms with their little ones. Puzzles flow smoothly and are not too difficult, making for a smoother experience, and the themes are family-friendly. The sights and sounds are sure to keep younger players engaged. Be warned, however, that this room can be incredibly easy for more experienced players. Those looking for more of a challenge might want to consider other rooms, but I encourage all enthusiasts to give this one a go for the sake of the experience alone. Alex, our game master, was a delight to work with. Our group finished in 20 minutes, but Alex allowed us to spend our remaining time in the room trying out puzzles that some of us missed. This was much appreciated and was the first time I experienced that. This 60Out location is also one of the most entertaining ones, with secret puzzles that can be found in the lobby and elsewhere (I won't spoil the surprise here)! For those looking to embark on a whimsical adventure with extremely strong theming, look no further - Wizard's Treasure is sure to satisfy that itch.
Time Machine

Time Machine

60Out - Koreatown

  • Escape room
  • IRL
At times, the room felt like a class lecture on scientific topics. This is not a con, and for this reviewer, I applaud its efforts at fusing learning with play. The room does a fantastic job at demonstrating the various science experiments and lets players interact with them, somewhat like a hands-on science museum. Little placards with background information on each experiment imparts knowledge to those wishing to learn more. Puzzle design leans toward the stronger side, with many of them sticking to the theme of the room. Difficulty varies between easy and medium, but none of them struck me as too difficult. High praise goes to the efforts at making the room more accessible for those with disabilities. One color-based puzzle had the colors paired with numbers, making the puzzle solvable for those with color blindness. I hope to see this trend continue so more people can enjoy these games. However, plot and set design are relegated to the background. The introduction to the story was fun but afterwards didn't really play a part in the room until the very end. The sparsely decorated rooms felt somewhat appropriate, but did not feel lived-in. Props and puzzles jut out as the only decorations in the room, further detaching the players from any immersion. One aspect of rooms I don't like is when they rely on small items that can be easily lost, and sadly this room is guilty of that. One key item of the game is about the diameter of a pencil eraser and can easily be lost if a group is not careful. I recommend smaller groups for this game, as most puzzles are large enough for only 1 or 2 people to operate at a given time. The room is also fairly small, making it harder to move around with more people. Tucker, our gamemaster, was welcoming and friendly. He was attentive during our gameplay; for example, he fixed a malfunctioning prop immediately, saving us from wasted time. He also engaged with my group and I in friendly banter before and after the game, making us feel welcomed. Time Machine is worth a try if you are more interested in puzzles and/or learning and don't mind the lack of atmosphere or decor.
The Hide

The Hide

Escape Room Era - Anaheim

  • Escape room
  • IRL

𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿

Malediction

Malediction - CLOSED

Quest Room - Koreatown

  • Escape room
  • IRL
Questroom offers 3 versions of the same room: Spell Breakers (kid friendly version), Malediction (adult version), and Malediction Dark Mode (adult version with mature R-rated humor and interactions). My group and I played Malediction Dark Mode, which is what this review is based on. Malediction Dark Mode is a thoroughly enjoyable game for groups looking to let loose and indulge in adult level antics. Fair warning: this is not for the easily offended or sensitive. All players in the group should be aware that they will be participating in tasks that heavily invade personal space, plenty of which are sexual in nature, so make sure to play with people you are comfortable with. Also, this is a task-focused game; rather than relying on puzzles, groups must complete small activities to advance. For those still willing to take on the challenge and appreciate this type of humor, you will be rewarded with a fun and fulfilling time. The dialogue is hilarious, and you will be roasted while having the opportunity to throw back some shade yourself. While the set design is spectacular, the story is pretty straightforward, allowing the banter and interactions between players and characters to take center stage as the stars of this show. The more you are willing to give, the more you will get. These types of theatrical games are few and far between, so make sure to try this one out if you are ready to embark on a profanity-laden adventure.
Da Vinci's Challenge

Da Vinci's Challenge - CLOSED

Quest Room - Koreatown

  • Escape room
  • IRL
Da Vinci's Challenge was advertised as Questroom's most difficult room until it was recently overthrown by Cannibal's Den 2.0. Nevertheless, it deserves its reputation and was terrifically tough while maintaining a fun and exciting atmosphere. There were numerous puzzles spread across a spacious area, making this a great room to tackle with a larger group. Difficulty level for each puzzle varied widely, from easy to complex. Groups will have to utilize strong observational, deduction, and communication skills to complete each one. Other than 1 puzzle, I enjoyed each one for its creativity and how it fit into the overall story and theme. Set design is strong, immersing the players into a believable Renaissance-era workshop. There are plenty of details, just enough to enhance the experience without overwhelming the player or throwing red herrings. I want to give a special shoutout to our GM, who welcomed us warmly and fully threw himself into the character while giving us our introductions. His presence enhanced our experience ten fold. If you are craving a challenge, try pitting your mind against the great Da Vinci himself and prove you are worthy of becoming his pupil.
Wicked Witch

Wicked Witch

60Out - Silver Lake

  • Escape room
  • IRL

𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿

The Curse Of The Black Knight

The Curse Of The Black Knight

EscapeX Rooms - Irvine

  • Escape room
  • IRL
Formidable challenges, dimly lit halls, and deadly weapons (that are actually real) culminate into a thrilling experience that takes you back to the medieval era. The inspiring use of space heightened the feel of adventure as we snaked our way up and down flights of stairs to traverse multiple rooms. Puzzles blended in well into the story and environment, keeping the immersion alive. Each one varied in difficulty, but all were solvable without too much trouble. Be warned that space is tight and requires a lot of movement, and the room is extremely linear, so this room is perfect for small groups. Those with limited mobility or those who have trouble navigating dark spaces may want to avoid this one. The room also has no hint system, so while the puzzles were logical and solvable, it might be best for newcomers to skip this and come back once they have more experience under their belts. Go forth, brave knights, and face the curse of the black knight head-on!
The Dragon's Lair

The Dragon's Lair

Maze Rooms - Culver City

  • Escape room
  • IRL

𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿

Avalanche

Avalanche

Maze Rooms - Robertson Blvd

  • Escape room
  • IRL

𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿

Area 51

Area 51

Maze Rooms - Robertson Blvd

  • Escape room
  • IRL

𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 �𓅝𓃄 �𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿 𓆜𓋘𓄁 𓊛𓇙𓋸𓌤𓌥 𓌦 𓅐𓆢 𓆣 𓀉𓆤 𓆥 𓅑𓆘 𓆙 𓅒𓄙 𓄚 𓄛 𓅓𓃺 𓃻 𓅔 𓅕 𓃕 𓃖 𓃗 𓎷 𓄁𓎸𓅖 𓅽 𓅾 𓅿𓅗 𓅘 𓇆 𓇇𓅙 𓅚 𓁵 𓁶𓂵 𓂶𓃝𓋲 𓋳𓀬 𓅛𓁃 𓂺𓅜 𓂨𓅝𓃄 𓄁𓅞𓂙 𓅟𓂿

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