Freakshow

The theme here is a rundown circus… evil showman, fading glamour, and the threat that if you don’t move fast enough, you’ll become part of the act. That said, this isn’t a scary room. Yes, the ringmaster has threatened to make you part of the show, and the circus is falling apart, and the set immerses you in this reality, but there aren’t any moments where you feel in danger. Overall, this is the best room at Deadline and it’s tied for my favorite in Reno, alongside Dragon Alley at Keystone. + The opening split start gets players cooperating at the beginning of the game. The game also layers some of this early information into later puzzles. + Probably the most immersive set in Reno. The lights are fading. Wallpaper is stained. Props look used, neglected, and left behind. Things feel abandoned and look like they have seen better days. + We completed the room with three players (two enthusiasts and one regular), but needed a few hints to stay on schedule. Three experienced players will be fine. Less experienced groups should consider bringing more. The room can comfortably support more than four players. + The puzzles are layered and varied, allowing different skills to shine. Observers, logic-focused players, communicators, and those who enjoy physical puzzles will all be able to make meaningful contributions. + The room asks you to reexplore earlier spaces and helps the room feel even larger than it is. + The optional challenge mode adds layers to an existing puzzle rather than replacing it. It’s clever, fair, fun, and well-integrated. Teams of four or more should strongly consider adding it. +/– The entry space is immersive and effective, but it feels slightly separate from the game. With a small adjustment, it could become the opening and give the narrative more cohesion. +/– All the puzzles are on theme, but many feel incidental to the story. With light tweaks, the room could more actively tell its story instead of relying on atmosphere alone. – The ringmaster, positioned as the central threat, largely disappears by the end. The finale feels anticlimactic compared to how strong the rest of the experience is. –Every solve relies on combo locks or keys. Alternative solve methods would better match the creativity of the space. My rankings for the games at Deadline (all are worth playing): 1. Freak Show 2. Witch Doctor 3. Camp Ruby Lake: Lady of the Lake 4. Camp Ruby Lake: Blood Moon 5. Dead Silence 6. Noir Episode 1 7. Noir Episode 2

We have done almost every escape room in the Reno Sparks area, and without exception DEADLINE is our favorite. We had a group of seven tackle this, and was hilarious, challenging, and fun - even to the tiniest detail. I highly recommend you take the challenge and escape Freakshow.

Really cool theme/story and unique puzzles enjoyed the escape room. We did it with 6 people and I found my self frustrated with how linear the puzzles/ progression was half way though the room. Recommend doing it with 4 experienced players.

Simply amazing experience! The theming and design was great, the puzzles all fit the theme really well too. Everything flowed together and they used the room very well. While nothing was used more than once, you had to revisit rooms multiple times for different clues and puzzles which was great. Had an awesome time and would recommend to anyone!

Gorgeous room that can accommodate a lot of players. I don't think I'd do it with more than six though - some people might not have enough to do. The puzzles were all interesting and very tied to the theme. Note that there is a Challenge Mode for this room that adds a few puzzles, but even including that I would say this is a middle difficulty room. Super well designed and flowed well, so I highly recommend.

The room was decorated nicely but the puzzles are a little easy. One of the puzzles broke causing us to have to skip two puzzles which was a bummer.

Absolutely my favorite room to date! All of the puzzles were nostalgic and the room flowed effortlessly. Didn’t have to ask for any hints because all the puzzles made sense! We did this room with 5 people, and also did it in Challenge Mode (meaning there were additional puzzles compared to standard), and everyone was able to be doing something! Highly, highly recommend!

Wow, what an amazing room. The theme of escaping from a circus blended well throughout. Puzzles were well designed and all made sense. This room had a challenge mode I’d suggest trying if your group is experienced with escape rooms.

Very good room. All the props were amazing. I went in a group of 5 and we thought that the puzzles were fun but a little too easy

Had a minor issue with one of the puzzles which screwed us up. Over reliance on keys/locks IMHO. Our game master was great though. Theme was fun, but none of the puzzles were my favorite.