Virginia

Was it the Red Queen, or the Dead Queen? – Room: Tomb of the Red Queen – February 1, 2019

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve ever wanted to explore an ancient Mayan tomb.

Avoid if… you remember that ancient civilizations were advanced with mathematics and maps… and you’re not good at either.

THE BASICS

Rush Hour Live Escape Games:

Address: 1, Towne Centre Blvd #3100, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 540-684-6695
rushhourliveescapes.com

The Room – Tomb of the Red Queen:

Description (from the company website): A voice from the grave commands you!

As a team of archaeologists, you are studying the ancient Mayan ruins of Palenque. Shortly after entering the dig, you find the entrance locked behind you. King Pakal commands you to complete the burial rituals to allow the soul of his beloved wife to join him in the heavens!

Can you find your way out of the temple before he arrives to have his revenge?

Difficulty: Difficult

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $25 per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 6-8 players

Staging Area: There is a huge lobby with plenty of couches to relax before your experience. There are also lockers for your convenience to store your stuff while you are in the rooms.

Metro Access/Parking: Plenty of parking since the location is in a shopping center.

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 find your party split into two different antechambers with weird sigils on the walls.

Understanding of the Mission: To find your way to the mummy of King Pakal’s Queen, complete the burial ritual that will free her soul from her mortal body, and escape the ruins before the ghost of Pakal arrives to seek his revenge.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 8:05 remaining

Our Suggested Party Size: We had 7 and that may have been 2 too many (but our team was all pretty experienced so enthusiast teams would probably do better with 4-5 and novice teams would probably be able to work with 8 quite well).

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Brittany, Heather, Tara, Steph D, and Eric

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: We didn’t have time to grab food or drinks, but you’re in a shopping center, so you have plenty of options.

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Interview with Bond’s Escape Room Arlington (Arlington, VA) – July 31, 2019

Video ~ ~ Mike K. ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

We’ve been fans of Room Escape DC (Fairfax) for a while now, and we heard that they had opened up a second location in Arlington. Their themes looked pretty cool (very fantasy-based).

Their new location is called Bond’s Escape Room, which will eventually become the official name of the both (and all future) locations.

We were contacted by their digital marketing admin and they invited us in to try out one of their new rooms, so we also made sure we got to spend some time talking with Andrew, their General Manager and puzzle designer extraordinaire.

Check out the video below and find out what makes Bond’s Escape Room a bit different from some of the other locations in the DC area.

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 review of the Enchanted 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:

By the Pricking of Our Thumbs… – Room: Something Wicked – February 1, 2019

~ Mike K. ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy the spookiness of camping out at night.

Avoid if… the smallest noise when camping overnight causes you to lie awake in terror.

THE BASICS

Rush Hour Live Escape Games:

Address: 1, Towne Centre Blvd #3100, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 540-684-6695
rushhourliveescapes.com

The Room – Something Wicked:

Description (from the company website): A malevolent evil radiates from the woods of Deep Creek Forest. People are disappearing without explanation, including a team of paranormal investigators who were sent in. You and your team have been called in to find the source of this supernatural power that has been inhabiting the forest. Be prepared, because all indications show that something WICKED has moved in!

You have 60 minutes!

(Website description above has been merged from two sightly different descriptions on the website.)

Difficulty: Difficult

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $25 per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 6-8 players

Staging Area: There is a huge lobby with plenty of couches to relax before your experience. There are also lockers for your convenience to store your stuff while you are in the rooms.

Metro Access/Parking: Plenty of parking since the location is in a shopping center.

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 a forest that has a small campground surrounded by trees, a small cemetery, a wood cabin, and fenced-in garden. It’s dark and creepy.

Understanding of the Mission: Find the source of the evil that has been inhabiting the woods and if there is a way to banish it.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 15:30 remaining

Our Suggested Party Size: We had 7 and that seemed to work just fine

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph D., Brittany, Heather, Tara and EricWorth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: We didn’t have time to grab food or drinks, but you’re in a shopping center, so you have plenty of options.

Continue reading →

We’ll Take that Coding Error Any Day – Room: Glitch – December 1, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoyed the first Matrix movie and aren’t turned off by stark white rooms.

Avoid if… you get anxious being in a stark white room that doesn’t have a lot to look at.

THE BASICS

Escape Room Arlington:

Address: 2301 Columbia Pike, Suite C, Arlington, VA 22204 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-232-2546
https://www.escaperoomarlington.com

The Room

Description (from the company website): Have you ever had a dream, that you were stuck in an escape room, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream and unable to escape? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the escape room you’re trapped in? Jump down the rabbit hole and find out.

Difficulty: Not rated

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8 players

Staging Area: There is a large lobby with very comfy couches and the check-in desk. There are also tables with chairs along the hallway. Sodas and waters are complimentary.

Metro Access/Parking: Pentagon City Metro is 1.6 miles away, so we suggest you take the bus, Uber, or Lyft. However, there is a parking garage and some on-street parking if you decide to drive.

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 you enter is stark white, has a number of panels along the walls, and some framed artwork. There is also a table in the center. Very minimalist.

Understanding of the Mission: You are trapped in a computer program and have to figure out how to crash it so you can escape back to “reality”.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 15 minutes

Our Suggested Party Size: We had a full contingent for the room (party size of 8) and that actually worked pretty well. There is a lot more to this room than meets the eye.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes, and we had a mixture of veterans and Escape Room Newbies (ERNs)

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Lisa and her team

Did the Escape Room Guys and their team find their way out of the digital world?

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: You’re on the main strip of Columbia Pike, so there are a lot of restaurant and bar options to choose from.

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What’s the Point of Being Tomb Raiders without Lara Croft? – Adventure: Tomb – February 3, 2019

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you ever regretted not becoming an archaeologist.

Avoid if… dark tombs just make you think of curses.

THE BASICS

5 Wits Adventures – Arlington:

Address: Ballston Quarter Mall, 3rd Floor, 4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-997-9694
https://5-wits.com/arlington/

The Room – Tomb:

Description (from the company website):

The original 5 Wits adventure, Tomb has thrilled more than a million guests since it first appeared in Boston in 2004.

Your group takes on the role of a team of archaeologists, tasked with unsealing the newly-discovered tomb of a long forgotten Pharaoh. Once inside its pitch black halls, you’ll have only your wits and a flashlight to guide you. But tread carefully – the mighty Pharaoh is not happy with your intrusion into his resting place!

This tomb is filled with ancient riddles, deathtraps to outsmart, and tests of skill and courage. It’s up to you solve Pharaoh’s challenges, find his burial chamber, and set his spirit free… or fail, and face his wrath.

Difficulty (1-10): none given

Time Limit: 30 minutes

Cost: is based on how many adventures you purchase:

    • 3 adventures: $39.99 per person (can use over different days/doesn’t expire)
    • 2 adventures: $36.99 per person
    • 1 adventure: $29.99 per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Minimum of 2; maximum of 12

Staging Area: There is a very large lobby where you can check out previous groups’ scores and buy some merchandise. Additionally, they have party rooms for corporate/private events.

Metro Access/Parking: It’s in Ballston Quarter Mall so you can take the metro to the Ballston-MU Station, or drive and park in the parking lot (or on the street).

OUR EXPERIENCE

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

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

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

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start off outside a tomb entrance and have to find your way inside. Once you do, you are in a large antechamber that is sparsely decorated with items.

Understanding of the Mission: Figure out how to enter the tomb, make your way through the tomb by solving the Pharaoh’s riddles, and find a way to release the Pharaoh’s trapped spirit… or spend eternity trapped with him.

Did We Escape: Yes

Scores: 99% with two secrets found

Our Suggested Party Size: 8 worked okay, but you can probably do 6 if you are all experienced players

Did the adventure challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Heather, Brittany, Corey, Tara, Eric, and Steph D.

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Punch Bowl Social – it’s less than a 30 second walk from 5 Wits and has good food and drinks and more games, if you haven’t had enough

Continue reading →

Interview with Escape Quest Alexandria (Alexandria, VA) – February 26, 2019

Video ~ ~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

It had been awhile since we were at Escape Quest’s location in Alexandria, VA, so Jason reached out to them to see if they’d be interested in doing an updated interview. Tierney, the Creative Director, invited us over to brief us on what has been going on at Escape Quest, and how they’ve adjusted their design process over the last few years.

She also provided our readers with a discount code to use when booking any rooms at their locations (they are expecting to open in Bethesda sometime in mid-2019).. Use ERG25 to take a whopping 25% off your ticket price!

Due to the revamping of some of the rooms, we may have to head back and check out what’s changed…

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.

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:

Secret Agent Men… – Adventure: Espionage – January 21, 2019

~ Mike K. ~ 4 Comments

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you love the James Bond (or Austin Powers) franchise.

Avoid if… you waffle on making important decisions in a timely manner.

THE BASICS

5 Wits Adventures – Arlington:

Address: Ballston Quarter Mall, 3rd Floor, 4238 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-997-9694
https://5-wits.com/arlington/

The Room – Espionage:

Description (from the company website):

Espionage is a covert spy thriller, placing you in the role of a secret agent.

The evil CABAL Corporation is threatening to launch a false flag event, inciting worldwide chaos… unless your team of agents can stop them! Your mission: dodge lasers, crawl through real air ducts, hack their computer system, and put a stop to their nefarious plan; and think before you act — with several possible endings to your mission, your mistakes could have global consequences.

Difficulty (1-10): none given

Time Limit: 30 minutes

Cost: is based on how many adventures you purchase:

    • 3 adventures: $39.99 per person (can use over different days/doesn’t expire)
    • 2 adventures: $36.99 per person
    • 1 adventure: $29.99 per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Minimum of 2; maximum of 12

Staging Area: There is a very large lobby where you can check out previous groups’ scores and buy some merchandise. Additionally, they have party rooms for corporate/private events.

Metro Access/Parking: It’s in Ballston Quarter Mall so you can take the metro to the Ballston-MU Station, or drive and park in the parking lot (or on the street).

OUR EXPERIENCE

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

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

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

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start off outside in an alleyway with graffiti on the walls. You need to find your way into the experience, and then have your choice of entrances for the first room.

Understanding of the Mission: Infiltrate the safe house, find a way to disarm the missiles, and escape the safe house without being captured.

Did We Escape: Yes, in multiple ways (and multiple times)

Scores: 93%, 96% and 97% (our best score to date)

Our Suggested Party Size: 6 is good

Did the adventure challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Heather, Brittany, Tara, and Chris

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Punch Bowl Social – it’s less than a 30 second walk from 5 Wits and has good food and drinks and more games, if you haven’t had enough

Continue reading →

Interview with Rush Hour Live Escape Games (Fredericksburg, VA) – February 1, 2019

Video ~ ~ Mike K. ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

When the opportunity came up to try out a few new rooms at a location we hadn’t done before, we – of course – jumped at the opportunity.

We braved the traffic going South on I-95 from Alexandria, VA on a Friday night to Fredericksburg, VA to visit Rush Hour Live Escape Games. We completed two of their rooms, Something Wicked and Tomb of the Red Queen, and had the opportunity to chat with Paul, one of the owners, about his location, rooms, and how they create great experiences for their customers.

Check out the video interview below:

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

Stay tuned for our reviews of Something Wicked and Tomb of the Red Queen. 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 5 Wits Adventures Arlington (Arlington, VA) – January 24, 2019

Video ~ ~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

As part of our due diligence of keeping track of all the escape rooms in the metro DC area, Jason started a conversation with Zephyr, the Sales and Marketing manager at 5 Wits Adventures in Arlington, VA. He wanted to check on their timetable for the grand opening of their new location in Ballston Quarter. After a few months, Zephyr confirmed that they were ready to do a soft opening and invited us in to check out some of their experiences.

While we were there, Jason was also able to spend some time with Dawn, their Operations Manager, and find out what makes an experience at 5 Wits Adventures a bit different from your typical escape room, and how they came up with their design philosophy.

Check out the video interview below:

Please note that 5 Wits Adventures prefers not to be listed as Escape Rooms, but Adventures (they are a very different breed of interactive experience), but for purposes of consistency within our blog, this is tagged as an Escape Room Interview.

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

Stay tuned for our review of Espionage and the other adventures after we get a chance to do them. 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:

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 →