Jason-Only Review

Reviews of rooms that only Jason has done

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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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.

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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 →

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 →

We Were Cured of the Disease in this Room, but What about the Rest of My Problems…? – Room: Antidote – May 21, 2018

~ Jason ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’re looking forward to the Zombie Apocalypse.

Avoid if… you hate needles and anything scientific.

THE BASICS

Escapology:

Address: 930 Old Monrovia Rd NW, Huntsville, AL 35806 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: [email protected]
https://www.escapology.com/en/huntsville-al/

Room – Antidote:

Description (from the company website):

Nevada Desert, United States, May 25th, 2015.

Dr. Walter Brandt is a high-ranking chemical weapons specialist for the United States government, part of a secret department that is only recognized by a series of mysterious numbers and letters. He has been developing powerful viruses capable of eradicating enemy forces with swift pace and deadly accuracy.

Foreign powers have noted Dr. Brandt’s work and have recruited him to develop a powerful virus capable of killing their enemies in hours. He has gone rogue and has become a threat to the US and potentially the entire human race.

You are a team of scientists investigating Dr. Brandt’s abandoned laboratory. You’ve been tasked with finding the only known antidote to virus TS-51 before it gets passed into enemy hands.

However, during the investigation a clumsy member of your team bumps into a shelf, sending vials of the highly contagious virus crashing to the ground. One of them breaks and sends plumes of deadly vapour into the air.

Immediately, everyone is infected but that isn’t your biggest problem. The chemical detection sensor has picked up the threat and shutdown the facility. Total decontamination will begin in 60 minutes (eliminating all biological organisms inside)!

Your only chance of survival is to scour Dr. Brandt’s laboratory to find the antidote. He has hidden it from the government through a series of riddles, puzzles and codes that only the smartest can figure out.

If you do not find the security override code and antidote within 1 hour the facility will self-destruct, and there will be no escape.

Rely on your team, intellect, and keen sense of observation to solve the riddles and unlock the secrets to find the antidote and to escape the facility.

Time is of the essence. Do you have what it takes to defeat Dr. Brandt and save yourselves and the World from destructive chemical warfare?

Difficulty (1-10): 6.8/10

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $29

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-6 (not actually listed, but you can’t do this with only 1 person)

Staging Area: Stars and Strikes is a bowling alley with a small arcade, bar, private party rooms, and 3 escape rooms in the back (by the bar)

Metro Access/Parking: This place is in Huntsville, AL. I don’t recall seeing any public transit, so you’re going to want to drive. Large parking lot, though.

OUR EXPERIENCE

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

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

Logistics:

Description of the room: The room is essentially a lab. There are cabinets, rolling carts, transparencies, tubes, beakers, etc. Felt like we were actually in a lab.

Understanding of the Mission: You’re investigating the Doctor’s lab to find the only known antidote to the virus he created and someone on your team accidentally exposes everyone. You now find it even more urgent to find the antidote and escape.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 2:07 remaining

Our Suggested Party Size: 4

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

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Dwayne, Patrick, Mike, Jeff

Worth the time and money? Yep

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • We didn’t go anywhere: There was a bar outside the escape room.

Continue reading →

The Kingdom May Have Been Shattered, but My Soul Wasn’t… – Room: Shattered Kingdom – August 26, 2017

~ Jason ~ 2 Comments

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’ve always wanted to rule your own kingdom.

Avoid if… you suffer from delusions of grandeur.

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 – Shattered Kingdom:

Description (from the company website): It was on this day, almost a year ago, when the bell tolled signaling the king’s death. Ever since, the kingdom has become violently fractured. Thieves rule the marketplace. Vagabonds litter the streets. Even the wealthiest nobles have been reduced to rags. Lords are fighting to claim territory all across the realm. It seems that there is no end to the chaos. If the kingdom remains this way any longer, it will surely shatter. A proclamation from the castle rings through the streets; the king’s last will and testament is being read in the public square. The royal herald clears his throat and begins, “The kingdom will be united by the discovery of the foretold objects. Whosoever finds these objects and restores the family crest triumphantly shall be crowned King of the Realm. Any person may attempt the quest, beggar or lord, but know that the price of failure is death.” Running as fast as your feet can carry you, you race to gather a worthy band of comrades to attempt the late king’s Royal Quest. Arriving at the castle you discover that you and your comrades only have 60 minutes to complete the trial and seize the throne. If you are not successful, the guards will find you and execute you. May the gods be with you.

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $30

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

Staging Area: Small staging area with lockers. This is one of the few places I’ve been that requires you to lock up your devices and such.

Metro Access/Parking: There is a parking lot for the building Locked In Escapes is in, so plenty of room.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Logistics:

Description of the room: You start out in a small chamber, almost a servants quarters, scarcely decorated but for a table and an ornate trinket.

Understanding of the Mission: As the Kings final decree, anyone who can solve the riddles in the throne-room can claim the throne. So you and your friends have gathered at the castle to try and do just that, becoming the kingdom’s new rulers in the process.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 10-ish minutes

Our Suggested Party Size: We were 7; I would say there is enough to do for the allotted size of 8, but 5/6 might be the sweet spot.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Marco, Holly, and 4 other folks

Worth the time and money? Yes, if for nothing other than how you exit the room…

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Rocco’s Italian is the closest place (but we didn’t go there).
  • There’s a Carl’s Jr close by as well (but we didn’t go there either; I think we just went home).

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

~ Jason ~ 1 Comment

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

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

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

THE BASICS

Amazing Escape Room:

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

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

Room – Wild West:

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

Difficulty (1-10): Not rated

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

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

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

OUR EXPERIENCE

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

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

Logistics:

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

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

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: Under 10 minutes (watch the videos)

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

Did the room challenge the entire team? Not particularly.

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

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

Worth the time and money? Yes and no

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

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

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

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

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

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

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

THE BASICS

Trap Door Escape:

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

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

The Room – F5 Tornado:

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

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

Difficulty (1-10): N/A

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $35

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 10

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

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

OUR EXPERIENCE

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

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

Logistics:

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

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

Did We Escape: Yep

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

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

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

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

Worth the time and money? HELL YES

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

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

Continue reading →