Croatia

Heavy is the Head That Wears the Crown – Room: Robin Hood – August 11, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve ever pretended to be Robin Hood (or an archer)

Avoid if… you hate despots.

THE BASICS

Escape Art Zagreb:

Address: Draškovićeva 2nd floor ul. 53, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 011 (if dialing from outside Croatia), then 385 91 923 1248
www.escapeart.hr

Room – Robin Hood:

Description (from the company website): Be the hero. Save the Kingdom!

The Sherwood forest

Nature’s little gem, located in Nottinghamshire. If you ever find yourself there, you may stumble upon a man in green, armed with a longbow. If you are honest and humble, have no fear, you won’t be hurt. Au contraire, you’ll be invited to share a meal. But, if you are greedy and sneaky, be careful when riding through the woods, because you might end up riding your horse backwards back to town. Buck naked, and penniless.

Who does that, you might ask? A rebel in lincoln green tights, Robin Hood. And his unavoidable band of Merry Men. Well, techincally, Robin might be a thief, but he is no common criminal. “No honor among thieves” does not apply to this rebel. He takes from the rich and gives to the poor. Although an outlaw, he is a strong supporter of the rightful king. Especially king Richard the Lionhearted.

But, to make things even more interesting, every kingdom has to have some bad guys. In this case, the culprits are greedy, corrupted Sheriff and prince John, conniving usurper brother of the king. Those two often keep Robin occupied, with their tireless plots and attempts of stealing the crown and taking the throne.

Robin Hood

A witty heroic outlaw. Highly skilled archer and swordsman. Takes from the rich and gives to the poor. Usually seen hanging out with his gang, the Merry Men, near hollow oak trees. Very much in love in lady Marion. All together, a good guy.

King Richard the Lionhearted

A valiant, competent military fighter. Wise and noble ruler. Courageous and generous. The ideal king – kind and considerate of his subjects. Compassionate man who takes good care of his whole kingdom. Also a good guy.

The Sheriff of Nottingham

Robin’s archnemesis. Greedy bastard, who abuses his authority. Rotten apple of the kingdom. Pompous, arrogant and manipulative. Also in love with Marion, the love od Robin Hood’s life. Definitely not a good guy.

The Merry Men

Robin’s band of outlaws. Trained fighters. Loyal and jolly.

Little John: Robin’s right hand. The tallest man in the group.

Friar Tuck: A Holy man who eats a lot, drinks a lot and swears a lot.

Will Scarlett: A musical, fashion obsessed dandy. Trusted friend and a merciless fighter.

Maid Marion: Beautiful, skilled swordswoman, trustworthy spy. Robin Hood’s true love.

Much, The Miller’s Son: Young, innocent and not too bright. Loyal to the bone.

The crown is stolen!

This is not the case of whodunit, because we already know who to blame for this – those two little weasels, Prince John and his shifty pal, Sheriff of Nottingham. Rumor has it that the crown is hidden somewhere in Sheriff’s office. Unfortunately, Robin is not in town at the moment, so it is up to you, his band of Merry Men, to fight this fight and make things right.

Luckily for you, those two are hungry little bastards, and they went out to the nearest tavern for lunch, to celebrate. But they’ll be back in 60 minutes! Get your detective cape on and jump into this window of opportunity!

Find the crown. Save the Kingdom!

No pressure.

Difficulty: 3 of 3 stars

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: Cost: Cash only in Croatian kuna is accepted
150 kuna per person for 2 people, about $23.14 each
100 kuna per person for 3-4 people, about $15.43 each
90 kuna per person for 4 people, about $13.89 each
75 kuna per person for 5 people, about $11.57 each

Languages: Offered both in Croatian and English

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2–6 people

Staging Area: A very comfortable seating area, and you are offered a beverage before you go in the room.

Metro Access/Parking: This location is on the second floor of a building down in the city center. Uber works well in Zagreb.

OUR EXPERIENCE

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 Sheriff of Nottingham’s office, complete with medieval weapons, barrels, a desk, and some heavy doors. Check out the photos (found on Escape Art Zagreb’s website) below:

Understanding of the Mission: Prince John and his sycophant, The Sheriff of Nottingham, have stolen King Richard’s crown while he’s off fighting in the crusades. As a King Richard loyalist, you have to rescue the crown before it gives Prince John any ideas of seizing full control of the kingdom as well (and not simply acting as regent).

Did We Escape: yes… and no (see below)

Time Remaining: not applicable – we essentially did a walkthrough of this room where we played the room, but got hinted right away or told the solution (if it was a math puzzle or required a lot of calculation) since we had another room booked at a different location, but really, really wanted to check this out before we left. We’re glad we did.

Our Suggested Party Size: 6 would work fine

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: There are lots of places within walking distance, so we recommend you use Google or TripAdvisor (or ask for a recommendation!)

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The Sky is Falling! – Room: Tesla’s Legacy – August 11, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you are a science nerd or love your gadgets.

Avoid if… you don’t know the difference between alternating current and direct current.

THE BASICS

ExitGames – Escape Room Zagreb:

Address: Petrinjska ul. 7, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 011 (if dialing from outside Croatia), then 385 91 536 7376
http://www.exitgames.hr/en/
[email protected]

Room – Tesla’s Legacy:

Description (from the company website):

“Only one hour is left until a total world annihilation. Your team of experts is humanity’s only hope for survival. Will you have enough courage and cunning to save us all?”

Don’t worry, you are not alone. You have one of the greatest minds in history on your side, Nikola Tesla. Tesla’s legacy adventure offers a rich setting intertwined with specially designed puzzles submerging you into a wondrous world of fascinating mechanical devices. Strange noises and lights, weird contraptions and fun gadgets will both guide and distract you on your way to becoming a hero.

Choose this ExitGames adventure if you want to learn about one of history’s most fascinating minds and uncover some of his secrets that enabled him to invent machines light years ahead of his time and literally bring light to the world.

Difficulty: none given

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: Cost: Cash only in Croatian kuna is accepted
350 kuna for 2-3 people, about $47.10 per group ($23.55 or $15.70 per person)
450 kuna for 4-5 people, about $60.56 per group ($15.14 or $12.11 per person)
500 kuna for 6-7 people, about $67.29 per group ($11.22 or $9.61 per person)

Languages: Offered both in Croatian and English

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2–7 people

Staging Area: A very comfortable lobby with plenty of seating.

Metro Access/Parking: This location is directly in the city center, right near Ban Jelačić Square. Uber works well in Zagreb.

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:

Logistics:

Description of the room: A large laboratory with tons of gadgets, a huge bookcase, and what appears to be a bar (it’s not… no liquor) on the side of the room. There is also a very large door on one side of the room.

Understanding of the Mission: There is a meteor hurtling towards Earth, with enough mass to produce a force upon contact that will destroy the entire planet. All nations of the world have banded together to try and stop it, to no avail.

There is only one hope left. Nikola Tesla

Did We Escape: Yes… with some help

Time Remaining: Technically 0:00, but the meteor “slowed down” as it approached Earth, giving us some extra time to solve the last few puzzles (they gave us some extra time since it was just the two of us)

Our Suggested Party Size: 4-6 would be a good number for your team

Did the room challenge the entire team? Oh. My. God. YES!!

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

Mike and Heather infiltrated Tesla’s laboratory in search of one of his experiments to save the Earth.

Worth the time and money? Absolutely, yes!

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: There are lots of places within walking distance, so we recommend you use Google or TripAdvisor (or ask for a recommendation!)

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Hey, I Didn’t Agree to That Blood Donation! – Room: Dracula’s Chambers – August 11, 2018

~ Mike K. ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve always wanted to visit Dracula’s Castle.

Avoid if… the color red makes you, um, see red.

THE BASICS

Escape Art Zagreb:

Address: Draškovićeva 2nd floor ul. 53, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 011 (if dialing from outside Croatia), then 385 91 923 1248
www.escapeart.hr

Room – Dracula’s Chambers:

Description (from the company website):

Welcome to mystical castles of Transylvania

Eternal residences of deadly, unholy, humanlike creatures. Locally known as moroi or strigoi, but you may know them simply as… Vampires.

Bloodsucking bastards, who traded warmth of the day for cold blackness of the night. Pale, bloodthirsty monsters who enjoy the sound of fresh blood rushing through your young, pumped veins. Sophisticated alluring devils who can only be defeated by wooden stakes with silver tips, sunlight, or garlic.

Legends say there are a few ways to become one. If you are born with extra hair or a tail, if you are the 7th child in the family, if you die an unnatural death or get bitten by one – beware. Maybe your favourite drink will become Bloody Mary, Stacy, Tom or Whoever Smells Nice.

The Glorious Madman Called Dracula

Long long time ago, in the 15th century, in his medieval castle, lived a cruel, cruel ruler named Vlad Dracula. Some might say he was one of the greatest Romanian rulers. Great at conquering, but with not so great personality. He was well known and feared across the land, because he had a nasty habit of impaling people who wronged him. Hence, the nickname Vlad The Impaler, or Vlad Tepes.

He was not very tall, but was strong as hell. His cold, terrible appearance would cast a shadow of fear in every room he stepped into. His pale skin and piercing green eyes could freeze your blood. Even when he was in a good mood, his thick, black eyebrows made him look threatening.

He vanquished lots of land, impaled lots of people, and finally, after a long reign of terror, Vlad The Dragon died an unnatural death in battle. Well, eventually, every life has to come to an end. Or does it?

500 years later…

You are a member of a team of curious wildlife explorers who are on a mission in Transylvania. It’s starting to get dark, and you know you all should head home, but… You see a monumental castle lurking behind the tall dark trees and, of course, go and have a closer look. Carefully walking around the castle, you see an opportunity – an open door. You go into the castle and snoop around a little more. Oh, another door! You slide them open and enter the room. There is a big painting hanging on the wall. Wait, that’s a portrait of Dracula! A set up table, with no dust on. Hmmm. What’s on the menu? If you don’t want it to be you, you better run!

Bam! Door slams shut. Panic. No way out. It is getting darker by the minute. Panic again.

Tick-tock! Only 60 minutes left until Count Dracula wakes up. Probably hungry. And we all know what’s his favourite food.

Get out or get sucked!

 

Difficulty: 2 of 3 stars

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: Cost: Cash only in Croatian kuna is accepted
150 kuna per person for 2 people, about $23.14 each
100 kuna per person for 3-4 people, about $15.43 each
90 kuna per person for 4 people, about $13.89 each
75 kuna per person for 5 people, about $11.57 each

Languages: Offered both in Croatian and English

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2–6 people

Staging Area: A very comfortable seating area, and you are offered a beverage before you go in the room.

Metro Access/Parking: This location is on the second floor of a building down in the city center. Uber works well in Zagreb.

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: We 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, dimly lit parlor decorated in red and black, with a slight mist floating in the air. There is a desk with mirror, a large cabinet, and a small table, along with some bookshelves, and a large door.

Understanding of the Mission: You have stumbled into Dracula’s castle, and have one hour until sunset to find the key and escape before ending up as Dracula’s breakfast.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 2:46 remaining

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 should work fine

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

Did Heather and Mike escape Dracula’s chambers, or do they now have an eternal thirst for the red liquid (no, I’m not talking about Cabernet Sauvignon… that thirst already existed)?

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: There are lots of places within walking distance, so we recommend you use Google or TripAdvisor (or ask for a recommendation!)

Continue reading →

We Drink and We Know Things… – Room: Save King’s Landing – August 5, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… chills go up your spine every time you hear “The Rains of Castamere”

Avoid if… you are clumsy (wildfire is a VERY fickle potion).

THE BASICS

Dubrovnik Escape Room:

Address: Josipa Kosora 22, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 011 (if dialing from the U.S.), then 385 97 644 2145
www.dubrovnikescaperoom.com

Room – Save King’s Landing:

Description (from the company website): The enemy fleet is attacking the city! The only way to save it is to use the wildfire, a potion so powerful it burn and melts everything once it is set on fire. But damned keister Hallyne, the pyromancer, disappeared, so the King’s Hand (Tyrion Lannister) sent you – his most loyal guards – to find the potion in the alchemy lab and save the kingdom!

Can you make it in time?

Difficulty: 4/5

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Languages: English and Croatian

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-5 players

Cost: Cash only in Croatian kuna is accepted – USE ERG20 to save 20% off your ticket prices.
230 kuna per person for 2 people, about $36.10 each
215 kuna per person for 3 people, about $33.75 each
200 kuna per person for 4 people, about $31.40 each
185 kuna per person for 5 people, about $29.04 each

Note on booking: for most European escape rooms, you book the room by the number of people in your party as a private room. Your overall price per person is cheaper the more people you book for (so, if you book the room for 2 people, it will be more expensive per person than booking the room for 5 or 6). In any event, your room will be just your party and strangers will not be placed in with you.

Staging Area: a nice-sized lobby with some comfy couches. Restrooms are located to the left of the lobby.

Metro Access/Parking: parking is available out front. The location is about a 25-minute walk from the Old Town, or a 5-minute Uber (hint: take Uber).

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:

Logistics:

Description of the room: you enter the meister’s alchemy lab. The meister is nowhere to be found.

Understanding of the Mission: find the wildfire hidden in the meister’s alchemy lab before the enemy fleet conquers your forces that are defending King’s Landing.

Did We Escape: yes!

Time Remaining: 4:36

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 would be good, although 2 works if you’ve both done a lot of rooms.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Absolutely

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

Worth the time and money? HELL-FREAKIN-YEAH!

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: lots of places in Dubrovnik, so pick your poison (Tears of Lys reference)

Continue reading →

Interview with ExitGames Zagreb (Zagreb, Croatia) – August 11, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

The ERG’s first  international room!

I (Mike) was on vacation in Croatia for 8 days with my girlfriend in early August, and we decided to do a few rooms (well, I asked and she agreed). At our last stop in Zagreb, Croatia, I was fortunate to snag an interview with Luca, one of the owners of ExitGames Zagreb, after we had completed Tesla’s Legacy at this location (stay tuned for the review).

It was really cool to hear the similarities and differences of Escape Rooms in Europe vs. the United States. Check out the video 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 Mike’s review of Tesla’s Legacy. 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!

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