Illinois

This Room Conjured Up More Than Just Memories… – Room: The Conjuring – February 8, 2020

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy horror, being spooked, and/or The Conjuring movies.

Avoid if… you jump easily, don’t like being scared, or are claustrophobic.

THE BASICS

Panic Escape Room:

Address: 990 Grand Canyon Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 224-268-3947
https://www.panicescaperoom.com
[email protected]

The Room – The Conjuring:

Description (from the company website): A desperate cry for help falls on deaf ears as you and your group take up the challenge to save this poor girl. Your journey begins in the infamous Warren’s Occult museum as you search for clues as to what was taken and what has caused the neighbors and their young daughter vanished without a trace . Remember everything in the Warren’s is possessed or cursed so avoid taking anything with you!

Difficulty (1-10): Not listed, but has a 26% escape rate as of this writing (as per the website)

Time Limit: 65 minutes (Note: When this room was first booked, it was listed as 75 minutes. After that, I was told it was 65, as now listed. When we got there, we were given 60 minutes, plus a few extra, as you’ll read.)

Cost: $29.99

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Listed as up to 10, the booking page says minimum 3, but once you click Book, you are told minimum 4, max of 12. If you have less than 4, I’d recommend calling.

Staging Area: The location is (appropriately for the theme) in the basement of an office building. There’s a bench in the corner and a water cooler. Standing room otherwise.
Metro Access/Parking: This room was not in our home location, so we 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 at a discount, 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 initial room this escape starts in is cramped. Pretty much to be expected if you’ve seen the movies, as you’re supposed to be in the Warren’s Occult Museum.

Understanding of the Mission: Find the stolen items and figure out why the neighbors and their daughter have disappeared.

Did We Escape: Nope.

Time Remaining: 🙁 Even with the extra time.

Our Suggested Party Size: 4-8, though 8 will be a tight fit.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph D, Aaron, Andrea, Mary Jo, Liam, and 3 others whose names I have, unfortunately, forgotten.

We did not take a photo after this failure. Not that we didn’t want to, but we weren’t asked.

Worth the time and money? Yes and no.

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: We didn’t go anywhere after (nearby), so no recommendation here. Sorry.

Continue reading →

You Don’t Know Jack… literally… – Room: Jack the Ripper – February 7/8, 2020

Steph and Jason helped Scotland Yard discover the identity of Jack the Ripper! (Or did they...........)
~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve ever wondered who Jack the Ripper really was.

Avoid if… shows about serial killers give you nightmares… or ideas.

THE BASICS

Odyssey Escape Game:

Address: 1111 Alderman Drive, Suite 210, Alpharetta, GA 30005 (click address for Google Map)
999 N Plaza Drive, Suite 111, Schaumburg, IL 60173 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 770-559-7548 (Alpharetta, GA), 847-285-1281 (Schaumburg, IL)
https://www.odysseyescapegame.com/

The Room

Description (from the company website): It’s November 9th, 1888. You are Scotland Yard’s finest detectives and you’re responding to a crime scene at 13 Miller’s Court in London’s Whitechapel district. You step inside the boarding room of Mary Kelly, the Ripper’s latest victim. Your objectives are to search for clues, collect the evidence and end the Ripper’s reign of terror. After returning to Scotland Yard, you must piece together the evidence, contact eyewitnesses and determine the true identity of England’s most notorious serial killer. You only have 60 minutes before the Ripper flees London forever, depriving Great Britain of the truth…who is Jack the Ripper?

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28, but use ERG15 to save 15% off when booking online at either of their locations

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

Staging Area: In the GA location, they have a nice-sized waiting room with lots of comfortable seating, a check-in desk, bathrooms off the lobby, and a party/conference room for private parties.

In the IL location, they look like they just opened. It’s a large, open floor plan. There’s a check-in lobby, then there’s a waiting room, plenty of seating, and a conference room.

Metro Access/Parking: We drove (in both instances).

OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video Mike took before he entered the room:

This is the video Jason took before they entered the room:

This is the video Mike took after he completed the room:

This is the video Jason took after they completed the room:

Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room in each location 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 boarding house room of Mary Kelly, Jack the Ripper’s latest victim. It’s a humble abode, sparsely decorated, with indications that a murder has recently taken place.

Understanding of the Mission: Investigate Mary Kelly’s room for clues, make your way to Scotland Yard to gather investigative tools, and piece together the clues to give you the true identity of Jack the Ripper before he catches on that you’re on his trail and leaves Great Britain forever.

Did We Escape: Mike: Yes; Jason: No.

Time Remaining: Mike: 31 seconds

Our Suggested Party Size: 4+

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Mike was by himself; Jason was with Steph D

Steph and Jason helped Scotland Yard discover the identity of Jack the Ripper! (Or did they...........)

Worth the time and money? Absolutely

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Alpharetta – it’s in an office park, but there are restaurants within a 5 minute drive, so use Google. But Mellow Mushroom was recommended to me.
  • Schaumburg – It’s right by a mall, so there were plenty of places there.

Continue reading →

Interview with Odyssey Escape Game (Alpharetta, GA) – February 07, 2020

Video ~ ~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

While on a business trip to Georgia, Mike stopped by Odyssey Escape Game in Alpharetta, GA to check out their location. Owner Mike and manager Kyle offered a peek at the 4 rooms they have and agreed to an interview.

We talked about advice for those wishing to enter the escape room industry. We shared some funny stories, and learned about where they get their inspiration for their rooms. They were also kind enough to create a discount code for our readers, so use ERG15 to save 15% off when booking online at either of their locations!

Then, Mike was off to play the Jack the Ripper room… solo! Did he make it out?

Now, as a random coincidence, Jason was passing through Odyssey’s other location in Schaumburg, IL, and decided to play Jack the Ripper as well. So, we’ll be able to bring you the dual perspective from the same room, but at two different locations!

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 upcoming reviews of Jack the Ripper. 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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Interview with PanIQ Escape Room Chicago (Chicago, IL) – March 14, 2019

Video ~ ~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

While visiting Chicago, IL on a work trip (during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, of all times), Mike convinced a few of his co-workers to check out The Mob room at PanIQ Escape Room Chicago, an escape room franchise with a sister location in DC). After completing the room, he sat down with Game Master Drew, and delved more into the rooms and themes at this location.

Unfortunately, his manager Heidi couldn’t join us for the interview, but she offered our readers a 15% discount when using the code ERG15 while booking any of the rooms at their Chicago locations (new one opening soon!).

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 The Mob. 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: