Not Sure How I Mixed Up ‘Darkness’ and ‘Niagara’… – Room: Darkness Falls – June 16, 2018

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’re a fan of slasher flicks and/or camping.

Avoid if… you’re scared of the dark, Friday the 13th, and/or Jason Voorhees.

THE BASICS

Locked In Escapes:

Address: 2760 N Academy Blvd, Suite 301, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: (719) 424-7066
https://lockedinescapes.com

Room – Darkness Falls:

Description (from the company website): People go missing. It is a fact of life in our chaotic world. This is especially true of The Rocky Mountain National Forest. Such a vast and open area of land is bound to swallow the lost, injured, and scared. But something has been different lately, especially around the stories that have been making their way out of the forest. Some say that there is something living in the forest, a mythical creature that kidnaps hunters and hikers. Others speculate that strange weather patterns are the cause of these missing people.

To you and your team of investigative journalists, it is all hogwash. Just tall tales. You report on facts, not fiction. Your phone rings, one of your journalists has found a lead. Finally, something that makes sense! It’s a tip indicating a location in the Rocky Mountain National Forest. Rousing your team, you all pack into a car and head out. Arriving you are surprised to find an old abandoned cabin. Walking inside your team begins to look around. Wrapped up in the excitement of the discovery of the cabin, you forgot to grab your camera and notepad. Making your way back to the door you grab the handle to open it. But it doesn’t open. It won’t even budge. Locked. Who could’ve locked it?

There is more to this cabin than you first thought, it must be the epicenter of the mysterious disappearances. With only 60 minutes until the sun sets, you and your team start searching for the clues. Can you escape before darkness falls?

Note: The room gets progressively darker as the timer ticks down.

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $30

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 6

Staging Area: Small lobby with couches and lockers for your personal items

Metro Access/Parking: Don’t know much about public transit out in Colorado Springs, but there’s plenty of parking in the lot.

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 is a woodsy cabin, complete with taxadermied animal heads, a fireplace, and a typewriter. Looks like someone rented it out so they could write the next great American novel. Then didn’t.

Understanding of the Mission: One of your colleagues has found a lead on what’s going on with all the missing hikers and such in the forest. You gather your things and get together with the rest of the lot and head on out to what you find to be an abandoned cabin. But…then you get locked inside, and you have 60 minutes before you are trapped forever.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 4:35 remaining

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 is sufficient, however you could do this with 2 if you had experienced gamers.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Mostly

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Marco, Holly, Wendy

We were able to save ourselves and radio to the Park Rangers to come get us!

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • We didn’t go anywhere after, so can’t give a recommendation.

Continue reading →

That’s One Way to Avoid Future Gas Hikes – Room: Death Row – June 15, 2018

~ Jason ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you like to play detective.

Avoid if… you have an issue with capital punishment.

THE BASICS

Pike’s Peak Escape Rooms:

Address: 1826 East Platte Avenue, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 719-799-6661
https://www.pikespeakescaperooms.com

Room – Death Row:

Description (from the company website): Bobby Ray will be executed in one hour for a horrible crime. He claims he is INNOCENT! The Governor wants to get to the bottom and summons YOU to investigate.

Will YOU save an innocent life?

Difficulty (1-10): 8/10

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $30

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

Staging Area: Small lobby with a few chairs and some…memorabilia.

Metro Access/Parking: Large lot behind the building, plenty of street 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:

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: Sheriffs office (desk, chairs, table), gas chamber.

Understanding of the Mission: Find all the evidence and figure out if Bobby Ray did it. And if not, who did.

Did We Escape: Yes, including solving the murder

Time Remaining: 11:22

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 would be a good spot for this.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes, but any more than 4 people and they may get bored.

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Marco and Holly

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • We went somewhere closer to home, so nothing to suggest here.

Continue reading →

We’ve Been Living “Shuttered” Lives – Room: The Shuttered Room – June 2, 2018

~ Mike K. ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you ever wanted to be one of the “Ghost Hunters”.

Avoid if… old dolls creep you out. (Note: Mike did not know this prior to entering the room.)

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

Room – The Shuttered Room: RETIRED

Description (from the company website): The Shuttered Room is a murder mystery where you play the part of a paranormal investigation team that’s been called in to investigate a creepy old mansion under new ownership. The new owners got more than they bargained for in the purchase. They’re at their wits’ end and you’re their only hope.

During your investigation you’ve discovered a hidden room in the cellar that seems to be the source of the disturbance. You’ll need to uncover the clues and solve the mystery before time runs out. Are you up for the challenge?

Difficulty: Hard

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $18 per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-6

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:

Logistics:

Description of the room: You are in a creepy hidden room in the basement of a house with old toys and junk strewn around the room.

Understanding of the Mission: You are a team of paranormal experts who have been hired by the new owners of a very old house to find out what all the spooky disturbances are and how to get them to stop.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 10:35

Our Suggested Party Size: We had 3, which seemed to fit for our group (but we’re good friends and work together pretty well). We’d likely recommend at least 4.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

We solved the murder and were able to put the soul to rest.
We solved the mystery of the room and were able to put the soul to rest.

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

What Once Was Lost… – Room: The Lost Kingdom – June 15, 2018

~ Jason ~ 2 Comments

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy archaeology or a good adventure.

Avoid if… you don’t like getting your hands dirty. Or monkeys.

THE BASICS

Pikes Peak Escape Rooms:

Address: 1826 East Platte Avenue, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 719-799-6661
https://www.pikespeakescaperooms.com

Room – The Lost Kingdom:

Description (from the company website): Dr. Bonedigger went missing four years ago while searching for a Lost Kingdom in the Mediterranean. His family summons YOU to solve the myster of his disappearance.

Will YOU bring his family closure?

Difficulty (1-10): 7/10

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $30, but discounted for the summer.

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

Staging Area: Small lobby with seating and some…antiques…

Metro Access/Parking: No public transport that I know of (it’s in Colorado Springs), but there was ample parking and you can get a Lyft/Uber if you so choose.

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 at a very rough looking campsite with the bare necessities and everything you need to get your adventure started. If you wanted to take a quick nap, there’s a cot for you to do so.

Understanding of the Mission: Once getting to the campsite, you have to use Dr. Bonedigger’s journal to decipher clues and find your way to the hidden temple, and then make your way home.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 4:18

Our Suggested Party Size: Minimum of 4

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Holly and Marco

We found the Professor and survived to tell the tale!
We found the Professor and survived to tell the tale!

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • We went out closer to their place after, so I can’t recommend anything. :/

Continue reading →

He Lost Something, But It Wasn’t His Mind… – Room: Search for the Lost Professor – June 2, 2018

~ Mike K. ~ 2 Comments

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve ever wanted to explore an ancient Maya/Aztec/Incan ruin.

Avoid if… you truly believed that the world was going to end on December 21, 2012 (the end of the 5,125 year Maya calendar).

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

Room – Search for the Lost Professor:

Description (from the company website): World renowned archaeologist, Professor Wayne Marshall, went missing in the 50s and you have just come across his old research notes hidden in the old Archaeology building on campus. Rumors have circulated around the college since his disappearance.

Reading through the Professor’s notes you find evidence of a major discovery deep in a South American jungle. With this information, you’ve packed your bags, plotted a course for a long-lost temple. If you can find it and what happened to Professor Marshall you will add your names to the pages of history, but only if you make it out alive.

Difficulty: Easy

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: This is 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 enter a very dimly lit stone-walled tomb with artifacts all around. The website tells you that the room will be very dark, so if you wear glasses make sure and bring them.

Understanding of the Mission: Find out what happened to Professor Marshall and escape within 60 minutes to make names for yourselves as renowned archaeologists, or be trapped in the tomb forever.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 19:40

Our Suggested Party Size: We had 3, which may be too few based on the number and complexity of the puzzles. 5-6 would be a good fit.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →

Chasing the White Rabbit Almost Got Us Killed – Room: Return from Wonderland – May 26, 2018

~ Mike K. ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve ever fantasized about the fantastical world of Wonderland.

Avoid if… you don’t know a spade from a club.

THE BASICS

Room Escape Williamsburg:

Address: 1215 Mount Vernon Ave, Suite E, Williamsburg, VA 23185 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 757-229-1215
http://www.roomescapewilliamsburg.com
[email protected]

Room – Return from Wonderland:

Description (from the company website): You’ve fallen down the rabbit hole just like Alice.  What strange creatures and environments will you encounter down there? You have 60 minutes to find your way out or you might be stuck in this strange world forever! Curiouser and curiouser…

Difficulty: Success Rate is 32.2%; average escape time is 48.51

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $27 per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-6

Staging Area: A small lobby with a few stools and games to play on. There is an ante-room where you get your video briefing.

Metro Access/Parking: It’s in Williamsburg, VA, so no direct public transportation as far as we know. But, there is 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:

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start off in a room with multiple doors and not much else…

Understanding of the Mission: Like Alice, you’ve followed the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole and found yourselves in Wonderland. Unfortunately, getting into Wonderland is much easier than getting out. There is one portal that will allow you to return to the real world, but it closes in 60 minutes. Can you navigate through Wonderland, find the portal, and return home?

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 12:07 remaining

Our Suggested Party Size: We did well with 4 people, all of whom have done multiple rooms, but there is enough for 6 people to do.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Antonio’s Italian Restaurant – we ate here before going to the room, and it was EXCELLENT!
  • You’re in Colonial Williamsburg. Tons of shops and restaurants to choose from.

Continue reading →

What Zodiac Sign Is Assigned to Most Serial Killers? – Room: The Zodiac – September 9, 2017

~ Mike K. ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy screaming ‘bloody murder!’

Avoid if… the Zodiac Killer still haunts your dreams.

THE BASICS

Get A Clue Games:

Address: 8019 Corporate Dr Suite J, Nottingham, MD 21236 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 410-931-0580
[email protected]
https://www.getacluegames.com

Room – The Zodiac:

Description (from the company website): You finally got a lucky break as a journalist when you received a tip about the whereabouts of an active serial killer with a passion for the arts, especially photography. You’re eager to confirm this lead, warn the authorities and write an amazing follow up story. But you know this type of work proves beyond dangerous, so you chose not to go alone. Turns out your gut feeling was right. You weren’t the only one tipped off. The killer has been taunting the police and the press for years with unsolved riddles that lead nowhere and now you’re stuck right in the middle of it. After running through the forest for hours, you finally stumble upon what appears to be a cozy cabin. However, once inside, you realize you made a mistake. You hope your instincts can save you in time. Will you be able to find the right clues and get out before the killer returns?

Difficulty (1-10): n/a

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28 (+ tax per person)

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 10

Staging Area: Small lobby area with space for photos; conference room where room briefings are done.

Metro Access/Parking: This is over by White Marsh in a strip mall. Plenty of parking, but no 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:

Logistics:

Description of the room: Starts out as the outside of a cabin in the woods; then moves inside and looks like someone’s house.

Understanding of the Mission: We were to break into the house and find evidence to corroborate the lead we found.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 4:45

Our Suggested Party Size: We think the room can be done with 6-8. We had 6 with two Escape Room Virgins (ERVs)

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Eric, Devon, Heather, and Ress

Team Disturbed Friends (Jason, Eric, Devon, Mike and Heather) escaped the Zodiac serial killer with some time to spare!

Worth the time and money? Leaning toward no on this one. Read on.

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • We stopped at Chick-fil-a but there are a good number of sit down and fast food restaurants nearby.

Continue reading →

Interview with Red Door Escape Room (Plano, TX) – June 30, 2018

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM INTERVIEW:

I (Jason) was vacationing in Texas the other weekend with my girlfriend, visiting a friend I haven’t seen in 10 years, and found that he (and his wife and kids) has never done an escape room before! (GASP!!!) Obviously this grievous offense had to be corrected.

I reached out to Red Door Escape Room in Plano to see if they had a kid-friendly room we could do and they recommended the Lost Ruins (a competitive, 6v6 room). Challenge Accepted! (Of course, I also asked if I could interview a manager or owner, hence this post.)

Had a great talk manager Christian, who was rounding out his time at the Plano location while they prep to open a new set of rooms in Ft Worth. You can see 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 Jason’s review of The Lost Ruins. 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:

Dispatch by Breakout Games: On the Run, Box 2 – Game Review – May 15, 2018

Video ~ ~ Mike K.

ESCAPE GAME REVIEW:

Dispatch by Breakout Games – Game Subscription

On the Run – Box 2

Cost: Varies. Monthly payment options and box sets available on the website.

So, this review is based on Box 2 of a series that explores the continuing saga of your childhood friend, James, who is on the run after being accused of the murder of his wife, the heiress of a powerful family, during their honeymoon. James has been reaching out to you through a series of boxes sent to your address, which evolves the mystery. This is a pretty cool premise because while this isn’t an actual escape room, the mere method of tying in the delivery of the boxes to you starts the immersive experience.

We liked the second box as much as the first one. It required a lot of reading (like the first) and solving a lot of different clues using items in the box as well as your phones.

This one took us about 35-40 minutes, and was done by the same group of us (Mike, Jason, and our Escaptern Mark)

Watch our video review and comment on this post.

Are you playing this subscription? What do you think?

—————————————————————————————————————-

Are there games, 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:

Well, That Was Certainly Fishy – Room: Bowl Voyage – April 30, 2018

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you have one of those lights in your bedroom that makes it seem like you’re sleeping under the ocean.

Avoid if… shimmering lights make you queasy.

THE BASICS

Room Escape DC:

Address: 3949A University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 703-270-0377
https://roomescapedc.com/

Room – Bowl Voyage:

Description (from the company website):You and your teammates are the prized collection of Wilfred Larium, senior citizen and rare fish collector. You live happily in his aquarium, for fish, but stormy waters are on their way: Larium’s rambunctious granddaughter, Lily, is on her way to his house for a visit. The last time she visited, Wilfred gave her a choice of any of his fish to take home with her. You never saw the last pick once he was selected, but the look of horror on his face when placed in the energetic hands of Lily will haunt you forever.

The only way to escape is to find a way to get Wilfred to take you out of the tank so you can make make your way into the sewer line before Lily arrives. Do you have what it takes to escape the chaotic kid before you’re sleeping with the fishes?

Difficulty (1-10): 1/3

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $27 per person, but use ERG15 to save 15% off your price on games booked between Mondays and Thursdays

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-4 people

Staging Area: Small-ish lobby with plenty of seating and vending machines

Metro Access/Parking: No metro access, but ample garage/lot 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:

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 small room that has swimming lights and is decorated like a fish tank.

Understanding of the Mission: Find out a way to have your owner take you out of the aquarium so you can escape before his granddaughter, Lily (squisher of animals), claims you as a new pet, thereby shortening your already short life span.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 22:30

Our Suggested Party Size: 2 was good

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): None

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading →