Escape Room Review

Where are Mel Gibson and Julia Roberts When You Need Them? – Room: Conspiracy X – June 23, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you truly still believe that Elvis is alive or the pyramids were built .by aliens.

Avoid if…you have a friend who is a conspiracy theorist who is always trying to get you to believe his/her stories (our condolences).

THE BASICS

Cville Escape Room: (MOVED TO NEW LOCATION June 1, 2018)

Address: 310 E. Main St., Charlottesville, VA

Contact and Website: 434-566-9499
https://www.cvilleescaperoom.com

Room – Conspiracy X:

Description (from the company website): Obsessed with conspiracy theories, a friend sends a final desperate message: one of his theories is true! Separate fact from fiction before time runs out! An intriguing mystery for up to 8 investigators.

(image taken from Cville Escape Room’s website)

Difficulty (1-10): unlisted

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $25 + tax per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

Staging Area: They put us in a small waiting room with chairs and then came in to give us the briefing. It’s cool that Cville Escape Room has a Lock & Key Club for players who have done 4 rooms at this location. Once you hit your 4th room, you get your name on a ribbon attached to an antique key, and for every successive room, you get a small key pin added to the ribbon.

Metro Access/Parking: There’s a pay-parking lot about 1.5 blocks away and street parking, if you can find it.

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 is a cluttered apartment littered with stuff all around, and tons of posters, newspaper articles, and other stuff on the walls.

Understanding of the Mission: We have to explore the different conspiracy theories of a friend of ours (who has since gone into hiding) to determine which conspiracy theory is correct.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 4:47

Our Suggested Party Size: 6 was good, but only if you have experienced people with you (there is a LOT to do in this room… see below).

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: It’s downtown Charlottesville right off the main pedestrian walkway, so there are tons of options. We ate dinner at the place below.

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We Played… Wisely – Room: Quest for the Holy Grail – May 27, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you ever fantasized about being one of King Arthur’s Knights of the Roundtable

Avoid if… you hate drafty castles.

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 – Quest for the Holy Grail:

Description (from the company website): You’ve heard word of a legend, a mystical cup that can give you eternal youth! You’ve got one hour to traverse this medieval castle and find the Holy Grail. Can you find it while you’re still young, or will you be doomed to age like everyone else?

Difficulty: Success Rate is 38%; average escape time is 52:16

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, 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 enter a castle room, with tapestries on the walls, a table with symbols and swords embedded into it, and some other furniture.

Understanding of the Mission: You are a group of archaeologists who believe that they’ve stumbled upon the legendary castle of King Arthur! You find clues that the Holy Grail is possibly inside. Unfortunately, you’ve triggered a trap where the castle will crumble to the ground with you in it, so you only have 60 minutes to find the Holy Grail and escape!

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 16:07

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 worked pretty well

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

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.

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We Got Out With Our Lives, But The Mummy…Not So Much – Room: Egypt Tomb – August 18, 2018

~ Jason

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you like anything Egypt, Indiana Jones, or digging for treasure.

Avoid if… mummies freak you out or the thought of getting trapped in a tomb makes you hyperventilate.

THE BASICS

Glenwood Escape Room:

Address: 918 Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 970-945-7529
https://www.glenwoodescape.com/

Room – Egypt Room:

Description (from the company website): You and your team of treasure hunters have just discovered riches beyond measure in an ancient Egyptian tomb, but word has gotten out to nearby tomb robbers who are desperate to have it for themselves. Find encrypted clues, solve heiroglyphic puzzles and crack the code within an hour, or be captured by the robbers and locked within the tomb forever!

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $29 (All bookings are private)

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-8

Staging Area: Lobby has a couch and some puzzle games to play with. Water is available.

Metro Access/Parking: Glenwood Springs is a little touristy and a few hours from Colorado Springs, so you’re probably driving there. Plenty of street parking, though.

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 supposed to be an archaeological dig site. You start in a giant tent and make your way to the hidden tomb. Nothing is really hidden from you except where the tomb is.

Understanding of the Mission: Find the hidden Pharaoh’s tomb, escape with your life

Did We Escape: Yep!

Time Remaining: 10:29

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 is sufficient

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

We found the Pharaoh’s tomb and escaped before it was pillaged.

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Smoke Modern BBQ – We went here before because we were super hungry after the hot springs. The food was great as was the service.

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I’ve Found Worse Things In Worse Places… – Room: The Attic – August 17th, 2018

~ Jason ~ 2 Comments

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you like solving mysteries.

Avoid if… you don’t like dark, dank, dusty attics (in theory).

THE BASICS

Enter the Enigma:

Address: 3540 N Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 719-309-6862
https://www.entertheenigma.com

Room – The Attic:

Description (from the company website): Iris Trenton, a famed thief and escape artist, has eluded capture for over six years. Known for her trademark puzzles left at each scene, many failed attempts have been made in cracking these clues. The latest puzzle has finally slid across your desk and as a young detective you are eager to prove yourself. Burning both ends of the candle you are about to call it for the night when you spill your coffee on the puzzle. Words begin to appear. It’s an address! Wasting no time you jump up and assemble a small police force to accompany you wherever this address may lead.

Arriving at a large mansion your team moves swiftly through the residence when a bang sounds from above. Racing into the attic the lights dim and door slams shut behind you. Surveying the room you see a letter
Greetings Detective…….

Difficulty (1-10): Hard

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $30

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-6

Staging Area: Small front room before the hallway where the rooms are.

Metro Access/Parking: This is in Colorado Springs, CO, so either drive or get 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:

 

Logistics:

Description of the room: The room was sparsely decorated, but what was there felt like it would be in a weird attic.

Understanding of the Mission: Iris has been a step ahead of the police forever and you randomly stumble upon a lead. You follow it and come to a mansion. Upon entering, you hear a noise from the attic, which you investigate. After the door slams, you turn around and see a note from Iris.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: ~15:30 (Leaderboard, bitches!) (Though we’ve been replaced already I think.)

Our Suggested Party Size: 2-4

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

Jason and Steph were able to stop Iris in her tracks!

Worth the time and money? Yes

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We Drink and We Know Things… – Room: Save King’s Landing – August 5, 2018

~ Mike K.

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… chills go up your spine every time you hear “The Rains of Castamere”

Avoid if… you are clumsy (wildfire is a VERY fickle potion).

THE BASICS

Dubrovnik Escape Room:

Address: Josipa Kosora 22, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 011 (if dialing from the U.S.), then 385 97 644 2145
www.dubrovnikescaperoom.com

Room – Save King’s Landing:

Description (from the company website): The enemy fleet is attacking the city! The only way to save it is to use the wildfire, a potion so powerful it burn and melts everything once it is set on fire. But damned keister Hallyne, the pyromancer, disappeared, so the King’s Hand (Tyrion Lannister) sent you – his most loyal guards – to find the potion in the alchemy lab and save the kingdom!

Can you make it in time?

Difficulty: 4/5

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Languages: English and Croatian

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-5 players

Cost: Cash only in Croatian kuna is accepted – USE ERG20 to save 20% off your ticket prices.
230 kuna per person for 2 people, about $36.10 each
215 kuna per person for 3 people, about $33.75 each
200 kuna per person for 4 people, about $31.40 each
185 kuna per person for 5 people, about $29.04 each

Note on booking: for most European escape rooms, you book the room by the number of people in your party as a private room. Your overall price per person is cheaper the more people you book for (so, if you book the room for 2 people, it will be more expensive per person than booking the room for 5 or 6). In any event, your room will be just your party and strangers will not be placed in with you.

Staging Area: a nice-sized lobby with some comfy couches. Restrooms are located to the left of the lobby.

Metro Access/Parking: parking is available out front. The location is about a 25-minute walk from the Old Town, or a 5-minute Uber (hint: take 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:

Logistics:

Description of the room: you enter the meister’s alchemy lab. The meister is nowhere to be found.

Understanding of the Mission: find the wildfire hidden in the meister’s alchemy lab before the enemy fleet conquers your forces that are defending King’s Landing.

Did We Escape: yes!

Time Remaining: 4:36

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 would be good, although 2 works if you’ve both done a lot of rooms.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Absolutely

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

Worth the time and money? HELL-FREAKIN-YEAH!

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: lots of places in Dubrovnik, so pick your poison (Tears of Lys reference)

Continue reading →

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. :/

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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 →