New Jersey

We Ended Up on the Wrong Side of the Tracks – Room: The Great Train Heist – May 25, 2019 – FAILED!

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you wish you were a gun-slinging, train-robbing, son of a gun.

Avoid if… you get motion sickness (from the trains, of course) or you’re a goody two-shoes.

THE BASICS

Amazing Escape Room (Freehold):

Address: 2 Monmouth Avenue, Freehold NJ 07728 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 732-333-0448
https://amazingescaperoom.com/freehold/

The Room: The Great Train Heist:

Description (from the company website): The year is 1865 and you’re in the height of the Railroad Boom. The big tycoon and well known snake oil salesman, Thomas “Doc” Durant, has just come through your small town promising everyone vast riches and the cure to all their woes.

Doc is a real swindler and has secretly robbed the town’s bank, leaving everyone penniless. Tonight, he plans to sneak out of town on his personal train right after the big poker game at the Phoenix Saloon. You have 60 minutes to break into Durant’s train and save the town by taking back the cash.

Difficulty (1-10): N/A but we were told it was their hardest one

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R1

Party Size: up to 10

Staging Area: Lobby is mostly standing room but plenty of space. There is a mini-game on one of the walls that will essentially teach you how to use most of the locks you may encounter.

Metro Access/Parking: There is a parking lot for the facility (and the other stores there). We suggest driving or Uber/Lyft.

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 car of a train fully equipped with a bar, some seating and tables, and paraphernalia you would expect in an old west saloon.

Understanding of the Mission: Solve all the puzzles left behind to determine the whereabouts of the money stolen so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

Did We Escape: NO, and we’re still pretty pissed about it.

Time Remaining: 🙁

Our Suggested Party Size: There’s definitely enough room for 10 but we suggest you limit your group to 6-8.

Did the room challenge the entire team? For the most part

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Val, Steph, and 4 strangers

Worth the time and money? If they clean up the inconsistencies and tighten the clues, then yes.

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Chili’s – we went there for a quick bite and some drinks after; it’s 5 minutes away

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This Great Room… Wasn’t. – Room: The Great Room – November 21, 2018 – FAILED!

~ Jason ~ 3 Comments

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy solving murders and holding hands.

Avoid if… you have bad knees or crippling fear of the unknown (or the dark).

THE BASICS

13th Hour Haunted House and Escape Rooms:

Address: 105 W Dewey Ave, Wharton, NJ 07885 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 862-244-4454
https://13thhour.com/escape-rooms/

Room: The Great Room:

Description (from the company website): This is the Hayden family’s room of murders. This section of the farmhouse is known as the Great Room. This massive section of the farmhouse will challenge your wits in all fashions. Multiple sections, secret passage ways, and puzzles you’ve never experienced before will have your team running mad. What terrible secrets lie within the Great Room? Just what were the Hayden family members up to? Just be warned you have only 60 minutes to complete the Great Room and save yourselves. Do you have what it takes? (ERG note: edited for grammar and punctuation).

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $29

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 10

Staging Area: There isn’t much of a lobby here, so essentially when you walk in there’s a small area with a reception booth, and this is where we had our security briefing.

Metro Access/Parking: This is in Northern NJ in a warehouse, so you’ll need to drive in some way.

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: There’s a 2-story room you start in with a large table, columns holding up the upstairs, and a few doors.

Understanding of the Mission: “Save yourselves”

Did We Escape: No, and let me tell you why…

Time Remaining: See above

Our Suggested Party Size: 4-6 is more than enough.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph, Val, Stu (No picture was taken)

Worth the time and money? Yes and no. Again, let me tell you why…

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • This location is in the middle of nowhere (almost literally) so I have no idea. It was 10pm (ish) so we just went home.

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Pretty Sure This Was a Spaghetti Western… – Room: Wild West – May 12, 2018

~ Jason ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy one whiskey, one scotch, one beer.

Avoid if… you hated Back to the Future or think time travel is stupid.

THE BASICS

Amazing Escape Room:

Address: 2 Monmouth Avenue, Freehold, NJ 07728 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 732-333-0448
https://amazingescaperoom.com/freehold/

Room – Wild West:

Description (from the company website): Step on through the swingin’ doors and transport yerselves back to the late 1800’s town of Santa Fe. The American frontier held much promise for those who could make their way to the other side of the Mississippi. Survival of the fittest is the law of the land in these here parts. But something feels off in the Old West. Figure out what ain’t right and skedaddle before time runs out. Ready those quick reflexes and that sharp wit, ’cause this duel at high noon ain’t yer normal showdown.

Difficulty (1-10): Not rated

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

Staging Area: The lobby has a bench, a water cooler, and a handful of locks on the wall with a story that somewhat teaches you how to use them.

Metro Access/Parking: It’s in NJ. Drive or get a cab/Uber/Lyft.

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: The room looks like a saloon, wanted posters and all, but is severely lacking in bar-room furniture (other than the 3 bar stools).

Understanding of the Mission: Find your way into a mad scientist’s lab and disarm a bomb. (Wait, what?)

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: Under 10 minutes (watch the videos)

Our Suggested Party Size: No more than 4. The room is rated up to 8, but really you can do this with 2-4 easily.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Not particularly.

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

Just the 2 of us this time, Jason and Valerie.

Worth the time and money? Yes and no

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • There are a bunch of restaurants nearby (Japanese, Chili’s, tex-mex); Google Maps to the rescue!

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We Definitely Weren’t in Kansas Anymore… – Room: F5 Tornado – September 23, 2017

We made it out of the tornado alive!!!
~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy getting a little physical or tornadoes fascinate you.

Avoid if… you’ve experienced one in real life.

THE BASICS

Trap Door Escape:

Address: 34 A Speedwell Ave, Morristown, NJ 07960 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 973-971-9800
https://www.trapdoorescape.com/locations/f5

The Room – F5 Tornado:

Description (from the company website): A tornado is quickly approaching! Can your team make it to the barn in time to ride out this epic storm? You will have to crawl, climb, push, pull, and of course, think your way through this obstacle course escape experience.

IMPORTANT: F5 is a physical game! This experience involves obstacles and physical activity. Players should be able to climb over and crawl through obstacles, as well as crawl on the ground (with the help of teammates!).

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $35

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 10

Staging Area: The storefront is on a main street in Morristown; there’s plenty of space to spread out and relax (there’s a coupla couches).

Metro Access/Parking: It’s in NJ; drive or Lyft/Uber.

OUR EXPERIENCE

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

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

Logistics:

Description of the room: You’re in a…field. There’s wind. And a barn. I’m saying literally 0 more about it.

Understanding of the Mission: There’s a twister coming and you need to find a safe place to hide. Break into the barn, then into the storm cellar and wait it out.

Did We Escape: Yep

Time Remaining: 13:28 (This would have been like 30 had we not struggled with one puzzle…you’ll know what I’m talking about when you keep reading.)

Our Suggested Party Size: I think 6 is pretty perfect here, though you could definitely do it with 4 skilled escapers.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Karyn, Valerie, Kim, Amanda, and Mike

Worth the time and money? HELL YES

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Horseshoe Tavern – we went here between rooms. Food was good; service…not so much. :/

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