Colorado

No fish and chips, just death and taxes… – Room: Murder in London – November 29, 2020

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy solving murders, want to be a Bobby, and like climbing through windows..

Avoid if… you dislike telephone booths, bars, or alleyways.

THE BASICS

Time Emporium Escape Rooms:

Address: 391 Denver Ave, Loveland, CO 80537 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 970-619-8639
https://time-emporium.com

The Room – Wizard’s Tower:

Description (from the company website): There’s been a series of murders in the dark alleyways of London. We think it has to do with another time medallion that we’ve located. The murderer might even be in possession of this medallion. A Scotland Yard detective was murdered on the corner of Commercial and Hanbury streets. Start by searching there for any evidence the police may have missed.

Difficulty (1-10): Medium

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 8 Max

Staging Area: Small waiting area with merch and a couch.

Metro Access/Parking: There’s a parking lot for the facility and the adjacent store. Unsure about metro access.

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:

As I’ve said a few times in recent memory, I’m apparently forgetting to do the post room video.

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 an alley along side a bar, brick walls, windows, and all.

Understanding of the Mission: Retrieve the Time Medallion by solving this murder mystery before you become the next victim.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: A few minutes, IIRC.

Our Suggested Party Size: 6ish would work.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

We tried are darnedest to call home, but there was nowhere to put a quarter.

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

Wizarding 101: Pay. Attention. To Your Surroundings! – Room: Wizard’s Tower – November 29, 2020

You do have to pull the sword from some stone, but she didn't kill me!
~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy magic (think Harry Potter), castles, wizards (fantasy in general).

Avoid if… you dislike rats, potions, and towers.

THE BASICS

Time Emporium Escape Rooms:

Address: 391 Denver Ave, Loveland, CO 80537 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 970-619-8639
https://time-emporium.com

The Room – Wizard’s Tower:

Description (from the company website): Explore a fantastical world where things aren’t always what they seem. In this exciting new adventure, you will travel back to the age of swords and sorcery. Can you harness all five elemental runes, unlock the mysteries of the Wizard’s Tower, and prove yourself worthy of the challenge? But be wary, brave puzzle-solvers, because if the crystals fall into the wrong hands, the entire world will be in danger.

Difficulty (1-10): Hard

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 6 Max

Staging Area: Small waiting area with merch and a couch.

Metro Access/Parking: There’s a parking lot for the facility and the adjacent store. Unsure about metro access.

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: I did the post FB Live for this and trailed into the Pre-room FB Live video of room 2, so sorry for the abrupt ending here as I split the video. ~J

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’re in a freaking Wizard’s Tower. I will say nothing more.

Understanding of the Mission: Retrieve the Time Medallion by solving all the puzzles of the Wizard, whose tower we have encroached upon.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 0:55!

Our Suggested Party Size: This room is listed 6 max, but 4 would be a sweet spot. This would be incredibly challenging for 1 person due to the amount of things to do, IMHO.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

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Worth the time and money? Absolutely

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

Interview with Time Emporium (Loveland, CO) – December 5, 2020

Video ~ ~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

The gentlemen at the Time-Emporium in Loveland, Colorado genuinely love the escape room industry. Co-owners Jeff and Noah were on location in Florida installing there 3 rooms (Secrets of the Pharaohs, Murder in London, and Wizards Tower) in 2 new locations there and they took the time (again as this was take 2 since the audio never recorded the first time) to talk to Jason about all things escape rooms. Take 1 was originally done after escaping the Wizards Tower and before escaping Murder in London. Their immersion factor is off the charts! See what they had to say about their facility, and the industry in general, in the interview below.

Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.

Stay tuned for Jason’s reviews of the Wizards Tower and Murder in London. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.

Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at [email protected] and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels:

Not Sure if This Was Better or Worse Than Montezuma’s Revenge… Room: Pharaoh’s Revenge – October 16, 2020

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy Egyptian themes, pharaohs fascinate you, or you “enjoy” being entombed.

Avoid if… none of the above speaks to you or you are afraid of the ancient dead.

THE BASICS

The 47 Seals

Address: 1513 E Mulberry St, Fort Collins, CO 80524 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 970-472-8000
https://www.the47seals.com

The Room – Pharaoh’s Revenge:

Description (from the company website): You’re part of a large archeological dig team that’s looking for lost artifacts near the Valley of the Kings. After a routine supply run, you return and realize something went terribly wrong. The other members who stayed behind at the dig site are lying outside of the field office, barely conscious and near death. Now it’s up to you to figure out what caused this sickness and help the team before it’s too late.

Your time inside the room is limited. Do you have what it takes to solve the clues and puzzles to save your team?

Difficulty (1-10): Easy to Moderate

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $20

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-10

Staging Area: The 47 Seals’ rooms are within Fort Fun. From the entrance to Fort Fun, go straight past the counter to the staircase in the back and up said stairs to find the rooms. There’s a small waiting area with lockers and couches (but take your stuff in the room since one key opens ALL the lockers, meaning you don’t get to keep the key with you, the GM does).

Metro Access/Parking: There is a large parking lot for the Fort Fun facility.

OUR EXPERIENCE

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

I am not entirely sure why this one recorded the way it did. Sorry. ~Jason

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

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start in a room with a center pillar and symbols on all the walls. Plenty of space for a larger group if you have one. It’s a very clean-looking room; feels like there should have been some sand on the floor.

Understanding of the Mission: Solve all the puzzles to figure out what caused your colleagues to fall ill and cure them before it’s too late.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 15…ish

Our Suggested Party Size: This is one of the few rooms rated up to 10 people that could actually FIT 10 people comfortably. However, I still wouldn’t recommend more than 6, 8 people tops. There wouldn’t be enough to do (though there IS the space).

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph D (And we forgot to take a photo after…)

Worth the time and money? Yes.

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Can’t We All Just Get Oolong??? – Room: A Spot of Tea – an Iris Trenton Memoir – August 9, 2020

Fancy a spot of tea?
~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if…you enjoy an English breakfast or quaint village eateries.

Avoid if… you don’t like to sit down on the job.

THE BASICS

Enter the Enigma:

Address: 3540 N. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 719-309-6862
https://www.entertheenigma.com/

The Room – A Spot of Tea: An Iris Trenton Memoir:

Description (from the company website): After the worldwide publicity from your impressive capture of the famed thief, Iris Trenton, you needed a vacation.

While strolling the streets of London you happen across a little hole in the wall cafe/tea room that intrigues you. Taking a seat you are admiring the decor when you here that familiar voice…..

“Greetings Detective….Welcome to Siri’s”. Iris Trenton stands before you dressed as a waitress. At this moment you receive a phone call from Scotland Yard informing you that Iris has broken out of prison and that all signs point to her being in London to steal the Crown Jewels. Obviously, this was a trap.

Can you best the master criminal again or will she prove your first encounter inside The Attic was pure luck?

For a more detailed story, go to Enter the Enigma’s Facebook page.

Difficulty (1-10): You’ll have the option of Medium or Hard when you enter, but it’s listed as “Very Hard 8/10”

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R2 (this room is a true sequel to The Attic)

Party Size: 2-6

Staging Area: Small lobby area with lockers and a water cooler. With Covid-19, this actually works since you won’t have to sit around and wait for people (unless they’re in your party).

Metro Access/Parking: This is a sort of strip mall, so plenty of parking.

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:

Never took one. I will dish on it in the review itself.

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 is laid out as a small café, complete with dessert display case and tables/chairs.

Understanding of the Mission: describe our understanding of what we needed to do

Did We Escape: Yes, technically (see below)

Time Remaining: After discussing it with Don, we agreed upon a whole 1 SECOND REMAINING! (Read on for explanation.) Also, LEADERBOARD!

Our Suggested Party Size: 2-4; you can pull off 6, but it might be a bit crowded.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

Fancy a spot of tea?
Fancy a spot of tea? And yes, that’s Rico.

We didn’t take a picture; we were too busy discussing the room with the owners. But this is one we were sent to use.

Worth the time and money? Yes, especially if you’re a mental masochist.

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: We ended up just heading home after, but there’s some good restaurants nearby. Continue reading →

It Was Dinner and a Show…And MURDER… – Room: Homicide Hotel – Room 303 – June 7, 2020

A look at your lodging...
~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy horror movies, are intrigued by whodunits, and love a good thriller.

Avoid if… you dislike confined spaces, scare easily, or feel like somebody’s watching you…

THE BASICS

303 Escape

Address: 8805 Fox Dr, #100, Thornton, CO 80260 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 303-568-9861
https://303escape.com

The Room – Room 303:

Description (from the company website): When Robert Quinlan identified his newest victim, Room 303 was the room he always checked them into. To an unsuspecting guest, the room looked like any other ordinary vintage hotel room. However, it was one part of the hotel that Robert had specially modified to allow him to spy on his guests through hidden peepholes and secret passageways.

You are Robert’s next victim and have found yourself in the room where so many before you started their final horrifying journey.

Can you escape the clutches of this Psycho or will you meet the same torturous fate as Robert’s 19 other victims?

Room 303 is where your nightmare begins.

A look at your lodging...
A look at your lodging… (Picture provided by 303 Escape)

Difficulty (1-10): None listed, but 11% escape rate with 0 clues

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: Variable ($40pp for 2, $35pp for 3-4, $30pp for 5-6)

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-6

Staging Area: The lobby looks like a hotel lobby. There’s plenty of seating considering there’s only 1 room currently open. (And plenty of hand sanitizer because, you know, COVID-19.)

Metro Access/Parking: We drove from the Colorado Springs area, so we can’t tell you about Metro access, but there is ample parking in the lot. (And FYI, looking at the building, it’s around back on the end. We walked down the grassy hill, but you’ll find it easier to take the actual sidewalk…)

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:

Jason forgot to take one, but you will be able to read his thoughts below.

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 is designed as a hotel room, complete with passageways and peepholes. It looks like a hotel room, it FEELS like a hotel room.

Understanding of the Mission: Solve the puzzles to escape through Robert Quinlan’s labyrinth and exit into the lobby. OR DIE.

Did We Escape: Yes!

Time Remaining: 5:49 remaining (What can I say, we were rusty!)

Our Suggested Party Size: I wouldn’t go over 4 but you can definitely fit 6 in here.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

We (all of us) forgot to take a picture after escaping. 🙁

Worth the time and money? Absolutely

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

Interview with 303 Escape (Denver, CO) – June 7, 2020

Video ~ ~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

With a dear friend in town, and the quarantines lifting, we embarked on a journey through the mind of a psychopath and ventured forth to 303 Escape up in Thornton, Colorado, a Denver suburb. Having read an article on Westword, and absolutely LOVING horror themes, I felt it was my duty as an Escape Room Guy to shoot Tim an email and see what this escape room was all about. There’s currently only one room available, but the 2nd room in this horror trilogy should be ready around Halloween (how fitting!) and I CANNOT WAIT to check it out!

Additionally, if you book 7 days in advance and use code 7DAY, you’ll save 7% off your booking.

Have YOU escaped the Homicide Hotel’s Room 303?? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.

Stay tuned for the review of Room 303. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.

Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at [email protected] and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels:

Abracapocus! Hocus Cadabra! – Room: KAZAM! – February 17, 2019

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you had a magic kit as a kid

Avoid if… you are always trying to find the spoiler behind the trick.

THE BASICS

Puzzah! – Denver location:

Address: 1440 Blake St, #150, Denver, CO 80202 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 303-534-5477
https://www.puzzah.com/denver/

The Room – Kazam!:

Description (from the company website): Welcome to Kellar Kazam’s attic, filled with clocks and magical delights. Armed with only a pair of special glasses, you have to unravel the mystery of Kazam’s disappearance. Skilled apprentices may unlock bonus challenges concealed among his personal effects. Are you worthy of carrying on his legacy?

Mission Objectives:

    • Standard – Open the secret clock
    • Advanced – Solve Kazam’s mystery
    • Expert – Reveal bonus puzzles

Difficulty (1-10): Medium-Hard

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $27

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-5

Staging Area: This place has a nice entryway and desk that opens to a large lobby with tables and seating. Restrooms are towards the back of the main room.

Metro Access/Parking: We don’t purport to know anything about the public transit system, but there is a municipal lot on the corner and street parking if you can get it.

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: A small room that looks like an attic that is filled with magical memorabilia.

Understanding of the Mission: Find out what happened to Kellar Kazam, who disappeared during his final show, and prove yourselves worthy of being his apprentices.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 4:55 remaining, however, we solved ALL of the bonus puzzles (aka BUZZLES!!)

Our Suggested Party Size: 4-5, the recommendation, was good. It got a little crowded at times, but we made it work.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Greg, Heather, and Steph D.

Worth the time and money? Absolutely!

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

Interview with Sly Fox Escapes (Colorado Springs, CO) – February 18, 2019

Video ~ ~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

Closing out our long weekend in Colorado, we wanted to check out one final escape room location. We contacted Sly Fox Escapes and they invited us in to  play the room they recommend for enthusiasts, C’thulu Awakens, and to set up a video interview.

After playing the room, we got to sit down with Richard, the owner and our Game Master, to hear more about how Sly Fox designs their rooms, offers a choice of difficulty levels (on the fly), and what advice they have for other escape room owners.

Richard also provided our readers with a discount code to use when booking a room at his location. Use ERG15 to take 15% off your tickets through May 2019.

Check out the video interview below:

Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.

Stay tuned for our review of C’thulu Awakens. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.

Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at [email protected] and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels:

Interview with Time to Escape (Lakewood, CO) – February 17, 2019

Video ~ ~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

In preparation for enjoying a nice long, holiday weekend out in Colorado (mostly in Colorado Springs), we were recommended by the owner of another escape room company to check out Time to Escape on our way back from Denver. So, we reached out to Arianna, who invited us to check out her location in Lakewood, and we stopped in to see what Time to Escape was all about.

While we were there, we played throughThe Burning Castle, a theme that involved time travel and the infamous Vlad Tepes (a.k.a. Dracula), himself. Afterwards, we sat down with Arianna and found out how she came up with the inspiration for the rooms themselves.

Additionally, she’s offered our readers a $5 discount on tickets when using the code ERG5D ($5 off per ticket) when booking the rooms.

Check out the video interview below [and apologies for the audio; Jason forgot his recording equipment on this trip]:

Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.

Stay tuned for our review of the Burning Castle. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.

Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at [email protected] and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels: