“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”
Your room has just been hit by a tornado and you’ve barely survived. But there is no time to rest! The weather authority has just reported that another tornado is heading your way! You have 60 minutes to escape the rubble before the next storm hits and finishes you off. You better act fast because…
This room will blow you away.
BONUS MISSION:
Guess who forgot to put a first-aid kit in the storm shelter? Yep, that would be you. You and your team have suffered injuries from the first storm and need medical attention! Find a first-aid kit to patch yourselves up before you exit. It would be a real shame if the storm shelter became your tomb.
Difficulty: not rated, but the escape rate for the room is 35%, and the success rate for securing the bonus is 15%
Time Limit: 60 minutes
Cost: $25 per person (plus a booking fee)
Identifier: R1
Party Size: Up to 8.
Staging Area: there is a small lobby that is located just outside the Game Masters’ control center and next to a hallway that leads to all of their rooms. Plenty of seating for small parties as they wait to enter the rooms.
Metro Access/Parking: there is a large parking lot outside, so drive away!
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 your house, which has been decimated by a previous tornado. Things are strewn everywhere and walls have even collapsed. How will you find what you need and escape before the next tornado hits?
Understanding of the Mission: pick your way through your destroyed house and escape before the next tornado hits.
Did We Escape: yes
Time Remaining: 7:43 (broke the current record by about 3 minutes)
Our Suggested Party Size: 6 was good
Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes
Members of our team (other than the ERG): Alex, Mark, Dylan, Erin, and Heather
We (Alex, Mark, Dylan, Erin, Mike and Heather) escaped the second tornado!
Worth the time and money? absolutely
Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:
Quaker Steak & Lube – great restaurant with some awesome happy hour specials (drink discounts and half-priced appetizers) and a huge selection of wing sauces and dry rubs
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.
Description (from the company website): You’re a team of paranormal investigators who have been requested by a hotel owner to investigate strange happenings inside the mysterious room 213. As soon as you enter the room you can sense that something else is going on. Before you can ask, your host has quickly left the room. As you hear the door lock, you realize you’ve been trapped. Can your team uncover the Mystery of Room 213?
Difficulty (1-10): 6/10 and not recommended for children under 13
Time Limit: 60 minutes
Cost: $28
Identifier: R1
Party Size: 4-6
Staging Area: A pretty large lobby with a few bar tables and chairs, and a lounge with couches and chairs and tables.
Metro Access/Parking: It’s in Herndon so you’re better off driving.
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 a hotel room that is supposedly haunted… where the occupants end up missing.
Understanding of the Mission: Pretty simple… figure out if the room is truly haunted and what happened to the former guests.
Did We Escape: Yes
Time Remaining: 3 minutes
Our Suggested Party Size: 6 was pretty good
Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes
Members of our team (other than the ERG): Heather and Steph D., plus 2 random people (not pictured)
Worth the time and money? Hell, yes! (Anything that can scare Jason into jumping is definitely worth doing LOL)
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.
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!)
Description (from the company website): Trust no one.
Question everything.
Uncover the truth.
Step inside of a thrilling mystery centered around some of the greatest conspiracies of our time. Players will need to piece together the clues and connect the dots before time runs and the truth is lost forever. Strap on your tin foil hats and uncover the truth beneath the lies.
Difficulty: Intermediate/Expert
Time Limit: 60 minutes
Cost: $31 per person, but use ERG15 to take 15% off your games booked (not valid on Saturdays)
Identifier: R1
Party Size: 4-8
Staging Area: A small waiting room with a reception desk, and small fridge with water (don’t they have a fridge here???) and some small puzzles to work on while you wait.
Metro Access/Parking: It’s in the historic part of downtown Frederick, so if you’re going to visit from DC, you’re gonna need to drive. There is a parking lot right next to the building, or ample street parking nearby.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We actually forgot to do the pre- and post-videos because we had such a good time talking (at length) with the owner. W0mp W0mp
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 walk into a room with 2 tables, a bunch of string-pointed diagrams on the walls, and what we could only guess to be a clean room in the back.
Understanding of the Mission: Uncover the clues in Icarus’ hideout, determine where he hid all the information, and get out with it before the Feds find you there.
Did We Escape: Yes
Time Remaining: 3:30
Our Suggested Party Size: We had 4 with one novice and one escape room virgin (ERV), and that was tough. We’d likely recommend 5-6.
Did the room challenge the entire team? Absolutely
Members of our team (other than the ERG): Alex and Anna
Worth the time and money? Yes
Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: You’re in downtown Frederick in the historic district. Lots of places nearby to eat and drink (we don’t have a recommendation because we didn’t stop anywhere).
Detective thriller in a psychiatric hospital.
Investigate the mystery, but don’t lose your mind…
The early 1970s. You are a group of journalists sent to investigate strange things that happen around St. Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital…
An unsettling atmosphere of a mental asylum and unexpected scenario twists in the new thriller detective escape room “The Patient.”
Difficulty (1-10): 9/10
Time Limit: 60 minutes
Cost: $29/per person
Identifier: R1
Party Size: 2-8
Staging Area: The staging area was basically a lobby with a few couches and a coat rack. Note: this part of their location is located DOWNSTAIRS to the left of the main entrance..
Metro Access/Parking: The nearest Metro stop is either Tenleytown or Woodley Park metro (and then a bus), so it’s likely easier to drive/cab/Lyft in. There is street parking and one or two garages nearby.
OUR EXPERIENCE
This is the video we took before we entered the room:
Logistics:
Description of the room: A small office in what appears to be a mental institution.
Understanding of the Mission: Using our journalistic investigative skills, figure out what’s happening at St. Elizabeth’s Psychiatric Hospital.
Did We Escape: Yes
Time Remaining: About 4 minutes.
Our Suggested Party Size: 4 if you’re all experienced; otherwise, 6 will work fine.
Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes
Members of our team (other than the ERG): Ethan, Steph D., and Heather
Worth the time and money? This room is billed as their best and hardest room, and it was challenging (but not impossible).
Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:
Old Europe. Authentic German food a few minutes walk. Been there twice.
Glover Park Brewery – A good brewery with a nice selection of beers. No food, but they cycle in food trucks so you can get some grub.
Description (from the company website): A perfect library with floor to ceiling bookshelves. The smell of old books that lingers here is distinctive, but it is hard to know exactly what creates the nostalgic aroma. The room looks like the place where Goldfinger would stockpile gold reserves. Oh, wait… Have I just said gold?
Well, that is right. Probably you have heard that the Order of the Alchemists has finally created the Philosopher’s Stone. The secret gathering of the Order is arranged to take control of the World with this powerful artifact. You are sneaking into the library of the Master of the Order just 60 minutes before the Order members will start arriving. You are the last hope of mankind, you have to stop them.
Our escape room could be filled with enough comfy chairs and reading material to call itself DC’s best-hidden library but you will not have time for such mundane activities anyway. This is the place where the Order of the Alchemist keeps their secret documents and your task it to find the Stone.
The Alchemist is an innovative escape room here in DC. Once you and a group of your friends cross the threshold, you are transported into a different world. Can you escape the library before the members of the Order come for you? Can you find the Stone before it is too late?
Difficulty (1-10):9/10
Time Limit: 60 minutes
Cost: $29/per person
Identifier: R1
Party Size: 2-8
Staging Area: The staging area was basically a lobby with a couch, coat closet, and a water cooler.
Metro Access/Parking: The nearest Metro stop is either Tenleytown or Woodley Park metro (and then a bus), so it’s likely easier to drive/cab/Lyft in. There is street parking and one or two garages nearby.
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: Instead of describing it, we have a picture! (posted with permission from Insomnia Escape DC)
This is a view of the room from the entryway.
Understanding of the Mission: Pretty straightforward. Find the hidden Philosopher’s Stone before he comes back and catches you.
Did We Escape: Yes
Time Remaining: 13 minutes.
Our Suggested Party Size: We had 6; 4-6 should be perfect.
Did the room challenge the entire team? Not particularly
Members of the team (other than the ERG): Steph D, Heather, Rosemary, and Don
Worth the time and money? This room had previously been billed as their best and hardest room. We can tell you it’s certainly not the hardest.
Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:
Old Europe. Authentic German food a few minutes walk. Been there twice.
Description (from the company website): You’ve received a rather cryptic journal from your missing graduate professor, Dr. Summerlee. Gather your classmates, travel to his last known coordinates and locate him before the jungle… or, perhaps something worse, claims him.
Difficulty (1-10): Medium
Time Limit: 60 minutes
Cost: $32
Identifier: R1
Party Size: Up to 6v6
Staging Area: Lobby has plenty of seating, some games to keep your hands busy, and a brain teaser that, if I recall correctly, nets you 10% off.
Metro Access/Parking: It’s in a shopping center, but I don’t know anything about the public transit system down there. Drive or call a Lyft/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 (apologies for the wind):
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 your (competitive) adventure in the remnants of a crash site and need to find your way out and through the series of rooms before the other team.
Understanding of the Mission: Find your Professor, or what he was searching before, before it’s too late and you become one with the jungle.
Did We Escape: Yes. We both won and lost, too. Read on.
Time Remaining: I don’t actually know but the other team beat us out of the room, but because they used a 4th clue (you only get 3), they lost 3 minutes off their time. So, we beat them, time-wise, by 90 seconds. (And we only used 2 clues.)
Our Suggested Party Size: We were a group of 6 (with 4 ERVs) against a group of 4 novices. I would highly recommend 4 as your minimum.
Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes
Members of our team (other than the ERG): John, Rosemary, Jayden, Julian, Steph D.
Description (from the company website): Your friends have come over to play your newest video game, but once you get to the basement you see your mom has locked up all your gaming gear until you finish your homework. You and your friends have 60 minutes to find all your gear and put it back together before your mom kicks them out and they all go over to Wade’s house.
Staging Area: A pretty large lobby with a few bar tables and chairs, and a lounge with couches and chairs and tables.
Metro Access/Parking: It’s in Herndon so you’re better off driving. However, this place is in a shopping center so 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:
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: It’s the basement from what was likely your parents’ house back from the early 80s, with shag carpeting, wood paneling, and an old, comfy couch. There are tons of different toys around and a few gaming systems. [There is literally the same wood paneling from my basement growing up. -Jason]
Understanding of the Mission: You didn’t do your homework, so your mom dismantled your new game system. Figure out how to re-assemble it before your friends arrive; if it’s not “ready, player one,” they’re gonna go over to Wade’s house. (And seriously, screw Wade.)
Did We Escape: Yes
Time Remaining: 7:25
Our Suggested Party Size: 4-6 (their recommendation is spot on)
Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes
Members of our team (other than the ERG): Heather, Valerie, and Steph D.
We found all the games and didn’t lose our friends to “Wade”.
“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!)
