Month: January 2019

We Didn’t Sign Up for This – Room: The Experiment – June 2, 2018

~ Mike K.

THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you ever wanted to work in a high-tech lab.

Avoid if… being in a white room for an extended period of time may remind you of your stint in a mental institution.

THE BASICS

One Way Out Escape Rooms:

Address: 2264 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24501 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 434-329-7329
https://www.lynchburgescape.com

The Room – The Experiment:

Description (from the company website): Dr. Prescott Joule, Physicist, has hired your team to look after his lab while he is away on a scientific mission! The moment you enter the lab you’re confident that something strange is going on. You may be in for more than you bargained for! Can you figure out what he is up to?

Difficulty: Medium

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $18 per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-10

Staging Area: a very large lobby with a reception desk, small fridge with bottled water (free to players) and some seating along the walls.

Metro Access/Parking: in Lynchburg, so you’ll have to drive or figure out the public transit system.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: You are in a high-tech lab with lots of scientific gizmos and doodads.

Understanding of the Mission: You and your team are hired to look after a lab for a wacky scientist. Little did you know that YOU have become part of his scientific research. Can you figure out what the experiment is and escape within 60 minutes?

Did We Escape: yes

Time Remaining: 13:00

Our Suggested Party Size: We had 3, which seemed to fit our group (but we’re good friends and work together pretty well). We’d likely recommend 4-5.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Rohan

A professor thought he’d experiment on The Escape Room Guys. The Guys messed with his results.

Worth the time and money? yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

We Ended Up on the Naughty List – Room: Escape Santa’s Workshop – December 9, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… Christmas songs are on your radio or playlist as soon as HALLOWEEN is over.

Avoid if… you ever got coal for Christmas, which led to a deep loathing of the man in the red suit (Claus, not Satan).

THE BASICS

Exit Plan:

Address: 201 Royal St SE, Suite F, Leesburg, VA 20147 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-777-4710
https://exitplanva.com

The Room – Escape Santa’s Workshop:

Description (from the company website): The Elves have gone on strike. They are tired of the long hours and low pay and have hopped a plane to Palm Beach before completing the final gifts for delivery.

You have 45 minutes to complete the remaining toys and save Christmas. It is not that simple, though. These elves were particularly vindictive and have created a series of puzzles to prevent anyone from being able to finish what they started. It is up to you!

Difficulty (1-10): 6/10

Time Limit: 45 minutes

Cost: $29 per person – Use ERGUYS15 to get 15% off per person when booking your reservation for any of their rooms

Identifier: T1 – temporary theme for the holidays

Party Size: 2-8

Staging Area: EXIT Plan has a great reception area (two, actually) with lots of chairs. There is a large flight of stairs to reach the main lobby. Note: this escape room experience is not in their main location, but in a small office that is next to the main parking lot.

Metro Access/Parking: This spot is in downtown Leesburg in the historic district. Lots of street parking, and there is a small lot right behind Macdowell Brew Kitchen.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: You enter Santa’s workshop, complete with presents, Christmas tree, fireplace, and package wrapping area, along with a live “elf” sitting in a chair by the door.

Understanding of the Mission: Find the components to the remaining presents and get them into Santa’s bag before Christmas is ruined.

Did We Escape: No

Time Remaining: 0 – we probably needed another minute or two

Our Suggested Party Size: This room is rated 2-8 people, and we had 4 experienced people, which should have been enough.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Heather and Steph

The Escape Room Guys attempted to save Christmas, and failed to complete the last task. Damn those dastardly elves!

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

Haven’t We Done This Before? – Room: Save the White House 2 – September 13, 2018

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you love books or movies about computer-based terrorism or hacker attacks.

Avoid if… the thought of hackers gaining control of our nuclear arsenal makes you lose sleep at night.

THE BASICS

Room Escape DC

Address: 3949A University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-865-4178
[email protected]
https://roomescapedc.com/escape-rooms/save-the-white-house/

Room – Save the White House 2:

Description (from the company website): A group of renegade hackers has taken control of the United States nuclear arsenal and have ordered a strike on several major US cities…you’d think it’d be more secure than that, but that’s not the point. As the Secret Service’s ranking agents, it falls upon you to disarm the attack before tragedy strikes.

Use your knowledge and skills to get the job done. The fate of the country depends on you. Good luck, Agents!

Note: If you played Save the White House prior to June 2018, this is a completely different room with new decorations, puzzles and story.

Difficulty (1-10): 2 of 3

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $27 per person plus tax, but use ERG15 to save 15% on rooms booked for Mondays thru Thursdays

Identifier: R2 (replaced Save the White House)

Party Size: 2-10

Staging Area: Room Escape DC has a lobby with multiple tables, couches/chairs, vending machines, a sign-in station and two restrooms.

Metro Access/Parking: No metro access, so you’ll have to drive or Lyft/Uber. But there’s plenty of parking in adjacent garages.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the Facebook Live video before we entered the room:

This is the Facebook Live video just after we completed the room:

Logistics:

Description of the room: You enter an L-shaped room with the front part mimicking the Oval Office. There is a desk, some other furniture, and artwork and photos along the walls.

Understanding of the Mission: Hackers have taken control of the U.S.’ nuclear arsenal and are attempting to deploy missiles. As ranking Secret Service agents, it is up to us to figure out how to stop them.

Did We Escape: Yes and damn proud of it.

Time Remaining: About 18 minutes

Our Suggested Party Size: Having done the first version of this room, we were delighted when they offered us to come in and review the new version. We’d say 4-ish would be fine for this.

Did the room challenge the entire team? As with the original, there was a lot of back and forth with this room. Thankfully, it was a little easier (in that respect) this time. Yes, though.

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Just us

Jason and Mike donned their best Secret Service identities and stopped hackers from nuking the US.

Worth the time and money? Yeah

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

It’s OK to Hear Voices… Issues Only Start When You Start Answering Them Back – Room: Voices – November 8, 2018

~ Jason ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy horror, children, and horror movies with children in them.

Avoid if… you don’t like kids, dislike being scared, or have any sort of mental illness.

THE BASICS

Twisted Exit:

Address: 44920 Valley Central Way, Unit 106, Lancaster, CA 93536 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 661-547-8602
http://twistedexit.com/contact.html

Room – Voices:

Description (from the company website): Thirty years ago, the Richardsons moved into this house only to be driven away by pure evil. Upon putting boxes in the attic, the Richardsons’ daughter Evilyn, stumbled across a beautiful doll. In the weeks following their move into the new home, the family started being terrorized by a spirit trapped in the doll. But little Evilyn refused to be parted from it. Fed up, her parents decided to do away with the doll, but soon realized they had made a grave mistake.

One night the Richardsons went into their daughter’s room to say good night and found her dead at her vanity. In shock and – as they cradled the lifeless body of their daughter – they heard a distant voice whispering “I told you not to throw me away.” They ran from the house leaving everything behind and never returned.

​You and your team will have to summon all your courage to rid the house of the evil that has held it for the last three decades. But the task won’t be easy. You need to find the spirit’s name to chase it from the house, but you have to work quick. When the spirit gets bored or thinks you may be getting too close to revealing its name, you may not be able to leave the house. You may join Evilyn and be trapped for the next 30 years. (ERG note: edited for case, grammar and punctuation).

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $25 (Use code ERG10 for 10% off your booking)

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 10

Staging Area: Small area with counter and several chairs.

Metro Access/Parking: This location is in a shopping center, but this was my first visit to CA so I drove everywhere.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start off in the Richardsons’ living room (tv, lamps, couch, coffee table, etc.) and have to make your way through a locked door to Evilyn’s room. That’s where it gets weird…

Understanding of the Mission: Figure out who the spirit really is and why she’s haunting the house. Then, of course, get out, unless you want to remain trapped for eternity with her.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 10 minutes even

Our Suggested Party Size: I would say 4-6 is fine. While 10 will by no means be cramped, some of you may get bored.

Did the room challenge the entire team? It was only me (Jason), so yeah.

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Just Jason. (I did not take a picture at this room. Totally forgot because I was talking with Greg for a while.)

Worth the time and money? Yes. Absolutely.

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

I Needed an Actual Vacation After this Room… – Room: A Colorado Slaycation – November 7, 2019

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy horror and suspense, like cheap thrills, and find farts funny.

Avoid if… you don’t like dismemberment, are claustrophobic, or have no sense of humor.

THE BASICS

Deadline Escape Room Games:

Address: 4758 N. Chestnut, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 719-313-9261
https://www.planetdeadline.com/

The Room – A Colorado Slaycation:

Description (from the company website): Welcome to Jay Jayson’s Colorado Vacations, enjoy your slay…

The place is Colorado and the time is now. You and a group of your friends and family find a slammin’ deal on a rental vacation home nestled deep in the Colorado mountains. You imagine all of the s’mores you are going to make under the stars with your loved ones and without thinking twice you book your stay. After all, how could this possibly be the worst decision you ever make?

Shortly after arriving something doesn’t seem right, a menacing note left by the property manager reveals his true intentions and you begin to realize that your life is in danger. However, you are not alone. The spirits of his previous victims remain in the house, and they want to help you to escape Jay’s trap. Can you identify the forgotten belongings of his victims and follow their clues to safety? Or will you meet your fate at the hands of Jay Jayson? Only time will tell…

In A Colorado Slaycation, you and your team will have to work together and stay focused under pressure in order to escape. This type of room is something we like to call a “funnel puzzle” where the objects you find throughout the room all contribute to your escape. Funnel puzzles are great for larger groups as it includes all of the players in the experience. We have incorporated many custom built puzzles, traps, and special effects into this room for the ultimate experience. Will you be able to escape the full size guillotine trap? Can you decipher the electric chair puzzle? Book now to seal your fate and witness a truly memorable escape experience!

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $30

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-8

Staging Area: Lobby is mostly standing room, but there’s a water cooler and plenty to keep your eyes busy.

Metro Access/Parking: Parking lot is more than sufficient.

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

This is the video we took just after we completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.

Logistics:

Description of the room: The room starts out… small. It’s a super tight squeeze. But it certainly looks like a cabin in the woods.

Understanding of the Mission: Escape the vacation home with your lives by using items and clues left behind by previous victims (and their spirits).

Did We Escape: BARELY

Time Remaining: 30.25 seconds

Our Suggested Party Size: 4, maybe 5/6 (it can get cramped for 5-6 people, but depending on your team, 4 may not be enough brainpower)

Did the room challenge the entire team? Absolutely

We escaped from Jay Jayson, but not before having some leftovers...
We escaped from Jay Jayson, but not before having some leftovers…

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph D, Aaron, Andrea, Kera, Seth

Worth the time and money? 100% yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

We Were Named to a List of Top Escape Room Bloggers – News – January 7, 2019

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM NEWS:

Hello all!

We just found out that we were named to a list of the Top 48 Escape Room Bloggers to Follow in 2019, being ranked #11 by an escape room marketing and seo (search engine optimization) company called SEO ORB. The top 48 were chosen from over 300 escape room blogging websites.

Check out the write up on us!

Obviously, we’re honored to have made the list, which features a number of other great blogging sites. We worked hard on establishing our grading rubric to ensure that we covered all rooms we do consistently and fairly, and spend hours trying to write our reviews to provide an accurate representation of our experience, while not giving away spoilers to ruin the experience for others.

This blog started off as a hobby in February 2016… an experiment (if you will), to see if we could provide a service to the emerging escape room community and help grow the popularity of this type of event. It was also a way for us to refine our way of thinking of what escape rooms should contain to give that overall great experience., and we continue to refine as we go.

We ended 2018 with 4x the number of unique visitors and hits to the website than we had the previous year, so it’s encouraging and exciting to see how our little experiment is taking off, and we’re looking forward to what the future might bring. Thank you to all of our readers, whether you are new to the site, or are a frequent visitor.