Monster Mashers

We played the second room after lunch. For this one, we had to drive to a different location, which actually worked out perfectly for us. Parking was super easy here as well and available right on site. Small tip: Use the provided coordinates and you should find the location straight away. We played what was basically a slightly toned-down version of the Dark Mode. This option was offered to us during our first room earlier that day, and of course we immediately said yes. Looking back, we can totally understand why the Dark Mode is supposed to be much more intense than the Light Mode and why it can only be played after sunset. Even with this small adjustment, we still felt like we got pretty close to the full Dark Mode experience. The beginning was honestly one of the most impressive starts I have experienced in an escape room so far. It was simply insane. The crazy, creepy and at the same time incredibly fun atmosphere from the first room continued straight away. As soon as we met the owner again, the acting started and we were immediately right in the middle of the story. The setting in general is really unusual and fits the story perfectly. The puzzles were also well integrated and nicely balanced. At times, it genuinely felt a bit like being in a real Scooby-Doo movie. His colleague was also really good in his role and added a lot to the overall experience. Unfortunately, we do not remember either of their names, but we still want to say a big thank you to both of you. Your acting made the room even more special for us.

This is exactly the kin of spooky fun that I like best. So silly in the best way possible, a marvel

We played in dark mode and this was one of the most memorable game starts I have ever experienced! This was a terrific game with lots of fun scenes, character interactions, quality puzzling, and a super fun set. Lots of humorous moments. I would consider this a fun spooky game, not really meant to be scary, just more campy fun like if the gang from Scooby-Doo cartoon created an escape game! Highly recommend as one of my all-time favorites!

There are moments in the life of an escape room enthusiast when you think you’ve seen it all. And then you step into the mysterious realm of Tales of Torchdale in Belgium to play "Monster Mashers." What unfolded over the next two hours defies rational description—it was an emotional rollercoaster ride ranging from sheer panic and hysterical laughter to pure, childlike wonder. The whimsical opening scenario alone knocks the ground out from under you: you’re sneaking into the kitchen in your socks at night, hear smacking sounds coming from the fridge, and catch a real-life monster devouring yesterday’s cold pizza leftovers. Yet, what begins like an absurd cartoon rapidly evolves into a totally immersive "ghost-hunting experience" that inhabits the brilliant no-man's-land between "Ghostbusters" and "Scooby-Doo". Every inch of the room oozes atmosphere. The automated puzzles and sensory effects mesh so seamlessly that the line between reality and the game blurs completely. Tales of Torchdale works a kind of magic, sending adrenaline surging through your body while simultaneously making you laugh until you cry. The transitions between phases of intense exploration, challenging puzzles, and absolutely chaotic physical fun are masterfully balanced. This isn't just an ordinary game; it’s a cinematic adventure that elevates the entire genre to a new, unparalleled level. To miss this is to miss out on one of the best immersive experiences Europe currently has to offer.

This game sucked in the best way possible 😉

I did this game on Dark(?) Mode as part of a 2-person group. This has one of the greatest opening puzzle sequences I’ve seen in an escape room, and the game as a whole shines in the set design, unique tech, and game master interactions (Yuri really made our experience special). Amazing game, can’t recommend it enough

For me personally, this is by far the best escape room (yes, almost even better than Magnifico's Circus!). The introduction and, above all, the start of the game are absolutely amazing. I really hope every group gets Wout as their GM! The puzzles are tricky but solvable. The location and the storyline are brilliant. Even in Light Mode, the game is a bit spooky because of the setting, but it’s totally manageable. An absolute must-try! :)

Right off the bat things looked like it was going to be a totally different experience. Once we got into the flow of the game, the format was similar to traditional rooms with a few moments that had us saying "how did they do that?". Definitely a fun experience. Unfortunately we only were able to book light mode. You need to book waaaay ahead of time to get dark mode. This was a fun ride. 9.2/10

Monster Mashers (Dark Mode) by Tales of Torchdale was the 3rd room of the day and the 9th game of our NL/BE Escape Tour 2026. Seeing that it’s already sitting at #3 in TERPECA 2025 (at the time of writing) tells you a lot, but experiencing it explains why. This is unusually fun in a way that’s hard to describe without smiling while thinking about it. We were a team of 4 and from start to finish, the room keeps surprising you. There are constant wow moments, clever reveals, and theatrical beats that make it feel closer to a live production than a traditional escape room. The acting is superb. The atmosphere fully commits to the story, and the lighting and sound design elevate everything into something cinematic. The “scary” element is very manageable. My wife, who normally gets scared quite easily, was completely fine throughout. The tone balances tension and playfulness brilliantly. The puzzles lean toward the easier side, which is to be expected with the type of experience. The focus here is immersion and spectacle, but the gameplay remains enjoyable and satisfying. This is one of those rooms that reminds you why you love escape rooms in the first place. I cannot recommend it enough.

We really wanted to do midnight mode, but unfortunately was not possible to book that time. I can imagine how great it would be to do the game after dark. Very impressive idea of the game and set. It was not scary and our group enjoyed experience a lot. I would recommend to plan few hours for that experience! Definitely recommend when visiting Belgium.