Bermuda EscapeMindshift Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLBermuda Escape was an enjoyable and surprisingly challenging room that reminded us quite a lot of Adventure Rooms in Adelaide. It has a relatively traditional escape-room style, with plenty of searching, combination locks and puzzles requiring both logical and lateral thinking. Whether the reliance on locks is a positive or negative will largely come down to personal preference; for us, it occasionally became frustrating simply because the subdued lighting made some locks and clues difficult to see. To their credit, the staff were very accommodating and provided us with a penlight and lantern, which certainly helped. The premise has your team awakening on a mysterious island within the Bermuda Triangle with no memory of how you arrived. Evidence suggests others have been there before, and you have limited time to unravel what happened and find your way back to your own reality. It is a simple but effective setup that suits the room well and gives some purpose to what you are trying to accomplish. We started strongly, but the difficulty increased considerably as we progressed. Several puzzles required some genuinely out-of-the-box thinking, and although we always prefer to solve everything ourselves, we ultimately needed assistance on a number of occasions. One clue we had simply overlooked because of the low lighting, but there were also a few puzzles where, even afterwards, we weren’t convinced we would have reached the solution independently. Observation is particularly important in this room. We occasionally overlooked things that were right in front of us, so carefully examining your surroundings is just as important as solving the puzzles themselves. Fortunately, our game master judged the timing of the hints very well. The assistance was useful without simply giving everything away and generally put us back on the right track. We played as a group of six, including four people experiencing an escape room for the first time, and that felt about right. I personally wouldn’t want a larger group in the space, as it could begin to feel crowded. Although we were naturally disappointed not to escape, everyone still came away having enjoyed the experience, and the first-timers in our group had a much better understanding of what escape rooms are all about. Bermuda Escape isn’t the most elaborate room we’ve played, but it provided a solid challenge and a satisfying introduction for our newer players. Combined with Mindshift’s attentive customer service, it left us very willing to return and try another of their rooms.
The ObservatoriumRoyal Caribbean - Navigator of the Seas ShipEscape roomIRLThe Observatorium aboard the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas is an impressively designed escape room experience that delivers genuinely challenging puzzles and a strong sense of immersion. The room itself looks fantastic, and the puzzle design stands out for requiring creative, out-of-the-box thinking rather than relying on straightforward logic alone. Many of the challenges felt rewarding to solve, particularly because teamwork played such an important role throughout the experience. As with many cruise ship escape rooms, the group dynamic significantly affects gameplay. Since players are often combined with strangers, the experience can vary depending on how cooperative the team is. Fortunately, most of our group worked well together, shared ideas openly, and contributed positively. However, with a larger group of around twelve people, communication occasionally became chaotic and it was easy for players to unintentionally work over one another or become distracted by competing ideas. The room likely would feel more balanced and manageable with a smaller team size. The game master handled hints appropriately during our session, only stepping in when requested, which helped preserve the challenge. Although the pre-game organisation felt slightly rushed due to delays with the briefing and technical issues with the introduction video, these were relatively minor frustrations compared to the overall quality of the room itself. Despite some logistical limitations that come with the cruise ship format, The Observatorium remains a worthwhile and memorable escape room experience with clever puzzles, excellent production value, and a satisfying level of difficulty.
Scooby-Doo™ and the Spooky Castle AdventureEscapology - ScottsdaleEscape roomIRLScooby Doo and the Spooky Castle Adventure is a colourful and entertaining experience that captures the playful spirit of the cartoon while still offering enough challenge to keep adult players engaged. From the moment we arrived, the experience felt welcoming thanks to the friendly staff and the venue’s polished ambience. Our group had six players, and while the opening section felt a little cramped at that size, the game itself flowed well once we settled in. Four players would probably be the ideal number for comfort and pacing. The room initially gives the impression that it may be quite straightforward, but the difficulty develops nicely as the game progresses. Later puzzles required solid communication and logical thinking, balancing lighter tasks with more satisfying problem-solving moments. The design consistently made sense within the theme, which helped maintain immersion throughout. What stood out most was the atmosphere. The colourful sets, music, and character interactions genuinely created the feeling of stepping into a Scooby Doo episode. Despite the family-friendly theme, the experience never felt childish, and our all-adult group still had a great time. We escaped with very little time remaining, which made for a satisfying finish to a thoroughly enjoyable game.
Wild West SaloonFox In A Box AdelaideEscape roomIRLWild West Saloon is a thoroughly enjoyable escape room that delivers a strong sense of fun through engaging staff, solid theming, and varied puzzles. While it may not reach full immersion compared to some high-end experiences, it succeeds where it matters most: clear storytelling, good puzzle flow, and an atmosphere that keeps the group entertained from start to finish. This is a well-rounded room that feels welcoming, well-run, and thoughtfully designed.
The Inside Job [prev. The Jubilee Heist]The Great Escape Klemzig [prev. Escaplex]Escape roomIRLThis was our second visit to The Great Escape Klemzig, and once again the experience was excellent. The Inside Job is a well-constructed, immersive room that makes great use of the venue’s space. The heist theme was engaging from the start, and the transition between rooms gave the feeling of moving through a real mansion. The puzzles were logical, varied, and well-paced — we appreciated that the design didn’t rely on endless padlocks, and that everything was clearly lit and intuitive to interact with. Our group of seven worked well together, with each person’s strengths contributing to the team effort. The game master provided a clear briefing and monitored our progress closely, stepping in with concise hints when needed. A few small touches, such as the “boss” calling to give instructions, added to the immersion without feeling gimmicky. Overall, this was another well-run and satisfying experience, and we’ll definitely be back to try a third room.
Mastermind: A Heist StoryFox In A Box AdelaideEscape roomIRLWe had an enjoyable time with Mastermind: A Heist Story. The puzzles started out fairly easy, giving us a strong start, but they became progressively more challenging as the game unfolded. By the third room, the difficulty was definitely high — we doubted we could have solved some puzzles even with more time. The clue system through the in-room tablet added to the immersion, making it feel like we were contacting our criminal boss for lifelines. There were a couple of moments where we felt unsure how much we were allowed to touch, but overall the flow kept us engaged. The sirens in the background ramped up the urgency and made us feel like the police were closing in. We’d recommend this one for experienced players and teams of around four people to get the most out of it.
The Other SideFox In A Box AdelaideEscape roomIRLI have mixed feelings about The Other Side at Fox in a Box Adelaide. The venue was easy to find, with a welcoming reception area that had games to pass the time and plenty of seating. Our game master was friendly, gave a solid briefing, and even stepped into character to set the scene, which really helped with immersion. The rooms themselves made a strong first impression — well-decorated, polished, and immersive without being cluttered or cheap-looking. The atmosphere was enhanced by music, a progressive darkness mechanic, and a sleek clue system where hints appeared visually on a screen within a minute of pressing the “panic” button. This setup felt intuitive and helped us stay in the flow. Gameplay, however, was a mixed bag. Some puzzles were logical and satisfying, but others felt vague or unclear, leaving us uncertain whether we had completed them or not. The increasing darkness added tension but also led to practical issues — one player with the torch could move ahead, while the other was left literally in the dark. The final section, in particular, was confusing; we needed more GM assistance than usual, and the ending lacked impact. Instead of escaping through a final dramatic moment, the conclusion felt a bit “meh,” with music playing but no clear resolution. Difficulty-wise, this is a hard room that I would only recommend for experienced players. Team size felt manageable for two, but it would probably flow better with 3–4 players (though more than that might become overwhelming). Despite the frustrations, we did enjoy ourselves overall — the set design, immersive atmosphere, and supportive GM carried the experience, even if the puzzle clarity sometimes let it down.
EnigmistaEscape Reality - Escape Rooms NewcastleEscape roomIRLOn our recent visit to Escape Reality Newcastle, we were greeted straight away by two friendly and accommodating games masters who instantly made us feel welcome. The venue itself has a great setup — a cosy waiting area complete with games to play while you wait, which really helps set the mood. We took on Enigmista, Escape Reality’s horror-themed room. While it’s spooky and atmospheric, it never felt too scary — instead, it delivered a gripping storyline about escaping the lair of a serial killer. Our enthusiastic games master Caleb brought the narrative to life brilliantly, which helped immerse us in the experience right from the start. The game kicked off in dramatic fashion, with us being blindfolded and handcuffed, but I won’t spoil the rest. What I can say is that the puzzles were excellent: a creative mix of audio challenges, lock-based tasks, and clever electronic elements. The addition of a live actor gave the room an extra edge, heightening the tension and atmosphere while also stepping in to guide us when needed. We had a team of four, which felt like the perfect number — enough hands and brains to tackle everything without feeling overcrowded. The puzzles flowed nicely in a linear way, which made progress satisfying, though a few of us may have been guilty of overthinking! We also appreciated that the puzzles were diverse and never repetitive. Another thing I liked about the game was the clue system, where the players are handed a mini iPad which can be used to scan an individual puzzle if you ever get stuck. The teams are given a certain number of clues per game but it was really helpful if you felt particularly challenged by a certain puzzle. Although we didn’t escape this time (we were just 90 seconds away!), we later learned the room only has a 35% success rate, so we still felt proud of how close we came. A sweet little bonus at the end was being handed chocolate, which made us smile after all the adrenaline! More importantly, the experience was so much fun that we left buzzing and already talking about which room to try next.
Blades Out - A Deadly DinnerThe Great Escape Klemzig [prev. Escaplex]Escape roomIRLThis was our first visit to the Great Escape in Klemzig, and we were immediately impressed by the venue. The interior felt modern and welcoming, with a comfortable waiting area and even a games room to enjoy beforehand. Our game master was fantastic—friendly, accommodating, and very understanding when one of our group arrived late due to traffic. We chose Blades Out – A Deadly Dinner because the storyline sounded unique, and it did not disappoint. Instead of the usual “escape before time runs out” format, we stepped into the roles of detectives tasked with unraveling a complex crime. Our mission was to piece together the mystery and reveal the truth, which made the experience feel more like a real investigation than a standard escape room. The set design was excellent—stylish, immersive, and far from the “cheap” look some escape rooms can have. We especially appreciated how well-lit the rooms were and the fact that the puzzles didn’t rely on fiddly locks. Instead, the challenges required plenty of teamwork and creative thinking, keeping everyone involved and engaged. The clue system was another highlight. Rather than staring at a monitor, we could press a “help” button when needed. Hints came via an automated voice paired with atmospheric background music, which kept us immersed in the story while also giving timely updates and countdowns. The addition of an electronic sketch pad for note-taking was brilliant—it meant we could track details without relying on memory alone. We managed to complete the room in time, only asking for three clues, which made us feel pretty proud of ourselves! Overall, this escape room ticked all the boxes: strong storytelling, clever puzzles, immersive design, and excellent hosting. Blades Out – A Deadly Dinner was a truly enjoyable experience that left us feeling like detectives inside a real mystery.
The SpeakeasyAdventure Rooms Adelaide - Escape Rooms and BarEscape roomIRLThe Speakeasy was one of the most enjoyable rooms we’ve played at Adventure Rooms. Even though we didn’t manage to escape, we didn’t feel discouraged — the low success rate of this room speaks for itself! Compared to The Black Queen, which we found too lock-heavy, The Speakeasy offered a more balanced mix of challenges. Good lighting definitely came in handy in certain areas, which added to the sense of immersion without being frustrating. There were a few red herrings that tripped us up, but that’s all part of the fun and challenge. The puzzles themselves were very clever. At times we knew what to do but stumbled a little in execution, so the occasional hint from our games master helped us keep momentum. Speaking of which, our games master was fantastic — friendly, enthusiastic, and thorough in the pre-game briefing. We learned quickly not to dismiss anything in the room, as almost everything could prove useful. Our group’s logical thinkers shone in some moments, but one of the best parts of this room is how valuable a fresh pair of eyes can be — sometimes it was just spotting a detail or double-checking an input that moved us forward. In terms of design, the first room felt a bit plain and small, but the second and third spaces were much more immersive, with décor that pulled us into the story beautifully. The overall atmosphere was excellent, and even when we hit dead ends, the game stayed engaging and fun. We came incredibly close to escaping, even with an extra ten minutes generously offered by our games master. The final puzzles were particularly tough and kept us guessing until the very end, which made the experience memorable. Overall: The Speakeasy is a well-crafted, immersive, and challenging escape room that we’d happily recommend. With its clever puzzles, engaging atmosphere, and thoughtful design, it’s a standout at Adventure Rooms and a great choice for groups looking for a real test of teamwork and logic.
The Black QueenAdventure Rooms Adelaide - Escape Rooms and BarEscape roomIRLThis was my third visit to Adventure Rooms in Adelaide, and while we still had fun, some aspects fell short compared to my previous experiences. This time, we tried The Black Queen, which is advertised as one of their easier rooms—and ironically, it was the first time I didn’t manage to escape. I’d say the difficulty wasn’t so much in the puzzles themselves, but in the lack of clue access and the low lighting, which made progress slower. The staff were friendly and welcoming, but I did have some feedback afterwards. Our game introduction was rushed; the staff member spoke so quickly that we had to ask him to repeat several things. When I asked about the storyline (which I think really helps set the atmosphere), he simply said, “Oh okay, I’ll play the introduction video for you.” This surprised me, as I thought a proper introduction would be a standard part of any escape room experience. The game itself had a clear, linear structure, which we enjoyed, but it relied heavily on multiple locks. We weren’t told beforehand that we couldn’t request clues, so when we tried, we got no response. Clues did eventually appear, but a couple of them came after we had already solved those particular puzzles. Another challenge was the low lighting. Many locks were hard to read, and without our phones (which we left outside, as is standard), we wished we had some kind of torch. This made progress trickier than it needed to be. Unfortunately, we didn’t escape this time—which was disappointing given how close we felt we were. As my past visits to Adventure Rooms have been excellent, I do think this was more of an off day. Our games master was kind and polite, and my feedback is only intended to help fine-tune the experience so it’s as smooth and enjoyable as possible. I’d still recommend Adventure Rooms as a whole, but I think The Black Queen could benefit from clearer instructions, better clue timing, and improved lighting.
The Missing Professor - CLOSEDUrban Mysteries CoEscape roomIRLWe loved this venue. Even though it’s classed as a Mystery Room not an escape room, the gameplay is still very similar. The furnishings of the room were great and the story was really interesting. Our only grievance was that one lock was tricky to open! But the best part is that, if you finish early, you can use the extra time to solve additional puzzles in the room. Very well made game 👍🏻
The Abandoned CabinAdventure Rooms Adelaide - Escape Rooms and BarEscape roomIRLAdventure Rooms is a really great venue and our team had a lot of fun playing this. The GM did need to help us out when a cupboard door opened with the next clue…and none of us noticed! A very well made game
The Gaol BreakAdventure Rooms Adelaide - Escape Rooms and BarEscape roomIRLThis was our first time going to Adventure Rooms and we loved it. They did forget to leave one clue right at the beginning but the GM realised his mistake and fixed it straight away. But it didn’t deter from the game at all. The funny thing is that we thought we’d succeeded at one stage…only to realise we still weren’t out yet! Overall a great game
In Memoriam - CLOSEDEnigma RoomEscape roomIRLThis place was really fun! The GMs were really kind and this was the first time we played a vs game (flight attendants vs pilots). The only problem was that our GM was a tad too enthusiastic and tended to give us clues when we didn’t ask for them. But the storyline was really good. It is so sad that this venue became a victim of COVID and had to close not long after 😕
Abandoned Military Bunker on the Rocks - CLOSEDPaniq Room SydneyEscape roomIRLThis was my first ever escape room and I remembered thinking that the staff were not particularly enthusiastic. We did have a good time though.
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