Gord

Puzzle Post: The Dupe (Play at Home)

We love the concept of Puzzle Post and really enjoyed playing this game. As soon as we have a reason for sending this to someone, Puzzle Post will be our first choice. It’s on the easier side, but that doesn’t detract from the fun

Eleven Puzzles: Unboxing the Mind of a Cryptic Killer (Play at Home)

The more I look back on this game, the more I realise how much I enjoyed it. I don’t know if they’re planning on making another one, but I really hope they do! Fun puzzles, a great interface, and just a really enjoyable game to play

Theory 11 / Neil Patrick Harris: BoxONE (Play at Home)

Everything about BoxONE is top quality, and it was truly a delight to play. Enthusiasts won’t find it overly challenging but don’t let that stop you, it was a true delight

Locurio: The Vanishing Act (Play at Home)

Perfectly modified from a real-life game, The Vanishing Act is a masterpiece in online game design. An inventory system that both helped and added extra challenges, a great gamesmaster, and an overall slickness that is rare in online games, make this a must play!

Trapped Puzzle Rooms: The Heist (Play at Home)

Some really unique puzzles and a good use of Telescape helped make this one of the few ‘Heist’ rooms that we have enjoyed. The real life room is possibly better, but the online version is sure to entertain

Fast Familiar: National Elf Service (Play at Home)

National Elf Service is an interactive Christmas audio adventure, perfect for a holiday celebration unlike any in recent memory. Bonus points if you gather your team and play on Christmas Eve, as I really can’t think of a better way to get into the holiday spirit, and save Christmas

Sara Lee Trust: The Detective that Saved Christmas (Play at Home)

This won’t keep enthusiasts busy for long, but apparently inexperienced teams often take an hour to finish it. It’s a cute little game with a fun ending and a good option if you’re looking for a festive ‘whodunnit’

Mystery Mail: Catch me if you Can (Play at Home)

As a system, Mystery Mail is solid and a great way to deliver a message to a friend (while making them work for it). This wasn’t our favourite of their games, but it did have the most serious theme so probably not the best for Christmas.

Headlock Escape Rooms: Cracking Christmas (Play at Home)

This is 100% a family friendly game, and if you’re looking for some festive fun to get you in the Christmas mood, then this will make for a Cracking Christmas (see what we did there?)

The Locked Room: Operation Code Black (Play at Home)

This game is a step-up on their previous game but we found ourselves being more frustrated rather than enjoying it. With a bit of tweaking to the interface, a few enhancements to the puzzles, and a better and more graduated clue system, then this could be a decent game thanks to the sheer amount of content it contains.

Clue HQ: The Hunt for the Clueminati – Part 4: Genesis (Play at Home)

Genesis is another solid offering from Clue HQ, presented in the same format as the earlier games in the series. If you’re on the lookout for something that can be played remotely with ease, you can’t go wrong with any of games in The Hunt for the Clueminati series.

Hounds Escape Game Experiences: Questionable Ethics (Crawley)

Hounds Escape have managed to take everything that I’ve loved about other venues I’ve visited and games I’ve played and put them all under one roof. Questionable Ethics is a superb game

RC Escapes: The Curse of Amberly Manor (Play at Home)

This was a fun game, although we enjoyed their first game more. Decent puzzles, a creepy vibe, and some clever interactions made it enjoyable, although don’t forget, you really only have 60 minutes

Emergency Exit Escape Rooms: The Virtual Exorcist (Play at Home)

We loved everything about this game, and strangely lost all concept of time. We knew we had a time limit but we were so captivated by the game that time became a foreign concept. Exceptional hosting, great puzzles, and full on immersion

Mystery Mansion: Night Terrors (Play at Home)

Nothing about this room terrorised us, we loved it. A good use of Telescape and live video made for a slick and seamless game. The star of the show though was our avatar who brought the character to life and really made this game special.

Russ Builds: Airlock (Play at Home)

A very different experience to other live games, Russ is creating experiences that keep getting better. A fun score system, challenging puzzles and impressive props – if you can get a slot, you won’t be disappointed

Escape Rooms Middlemoor: Peaky Blinders (Highbridge)

Our experience of this room was equal parts frustration and enjoyment, I’m not sure which won out in the end. A few minor tweaks to the game and I think it would be a lot better. Bring your search A-game!

CU Adventures: Floor 13 (Play at Home)

This is a game that we thoroughly enjoyed, I can’t decide if we enjoyed it as much as The Lost Temple, but it was pretty close. That’ll be two CU Adventures games we’re now recommending! Skip Netflix, this is a great way to spend your night!

M4 Escapes: Dino Deadlock (Chippenham)

If you’re a fan of dinosaurs and escape rooms then this is a room you must try. A beautiful set, decent puzzles, and a really fun ending made our detour 100% worth it!

The Escape Game: Truth Seekers (Play at Home)

For a free game, this was fun. The room was up to the usual ‘The Escape Game’ standards and the puzzles were really rather satisfying. Our avatar slowed the pace which ruined our flow a little, but if you get a chance to get a slot for this game, do it.

DarkPark: Witchery Spell (Play at Home)

This is probably one of the most immersive play at home games we have played so far. It carries a premium price, but I doubt you will find anything else like it out there. We felt like it promised a bit more magic than it actually delivered, but it was still a delight to play.

Houdini’s: Extinct (Escape from Jurassic Island ) (Southampton)

Extinct is a must-play game. From the moment you start, it’s an adventure, straight through to the heart-pounding conclusion. With an awesome set, tactile and pleasing puzzles, and an intricate narrative, Extinct (Escape from Jurassic Island) is everything I want an escape room to be.

Houdini’s: Escape from Alcatraz (Southampton)

Prison break rooms are probably one of the most common themed rooms out there, but this is one of the better ones. Quite a search heavy room at times, but the puzzles were fair and the signposting was decent

Escape Hunt: Enola Holmes (Play at Home)

Theming is probably the biggest strength of this game. The imagery was beautiful and the story was woven into it well but the puzzles were weak. Worth playing, but print in black and white to save some money

The Adventure is REAL: Agent Venture Episode 3 – B.A.D. Side of the Moon (Play-at-Home)

The first games were great, this game was even greater. It was harder, more intense, slicker, and just generally another top quality game. This game will get the adrenaline going for sure!

Lock and Code: The Music Box (Weston-Super-Mare)

While The Music Box isn’t my favourite game from Lock & Code (that honour goes to Dead on the Hour), it’s a solid game. I’d be more inclined to recommend it to escape room newcomers, but even from an enthusiast standpoint, it’s worth a go if you’re in the area.

Lock and Code: Homecoming (Taunton)

Homecoming takes place in a massive space and plays out in a mostly linear fashion. You’re unlikely to be blown away by the set, but you may see a puzzle or two that you haven’t seen before.

Armchair Escapist: Dragon Egg Quest (for Kids) (Play at Home)

For £3 (and some printing) you really can’t go wrong with this game. Spend some time setting it up like a real quest and I can imagine that kids will love it. The story is solid, the artwork is very good, and there’s even a certificate at the end of the quest

Clue Cracker: Temple Quest (Tunbridge Wells)

There is no doubt that this room is going into both of our Top 10’s, it was great. Great is the word to describe it, great puzzles, great design, great hosts, great fun!

clueQuest: timeQuest Kids, The Earlybirds (Play at Home)

If you have kids who want to try out escape rooms (from home), then this is 100% the one you should try. It’s beautifully assembled, has fun puzzles, offers a mental challenge and has delightful physical interactions. Why didn’t this type of thing exist when I was a kid?!

60out: Orion’s Ridiculous Revenge (Play at Home)

Even if it wasn’t free, this would have been a good game. It was hilarious from start to end and had us in hysterics throughout. The puzzles were good fun, but really came second to the humour, innuendos, and story.

Hourglass Escapes: Ghostly Galleon (Play at Home)

The Ghostly Galleon was a really fun pirate themed room, that was enhanced by a great gamesmaster. For us, it was not quite as good as their Evil Dead II room, but they did set the bar very high with that game. Any way you look at it, this is a good game

Swamp Motel: The Mermaid’s Tongue (Play at Home)

As with Plymouth Point, the less we say about this game, the better it will be for you. Just go into this game expecting mystery, intrigue, sleuthing, and twists and turns a plenty.

Puzzalogical: The Secret of the Vault (Bracknell)

A good use of tech, and two tools/props that were very satisfying to use will give us something to remember this room by. A couple of ‘trial-and-error’ puzzles are ones we’d rather forget.

Exit The Room: Prison (Play at Home)

A jovial host probably made this game a bit better than it could have been, but a few tweaks are needed to the game to make it translate well into a well-rounded online experience

MindTrap: Operation Nightwalker (Play at Home)

Top quality acting from our avatar, combined with a wonderful set and puzzles make this room an instant hit. Horror with a pinch of humour, or humour with a pinch of horror, I’m not sure which – just play it and see.

The Escape Game: Hanna Unlocked (Play at Home)

Yet another solid game from The Escape Game. You don’t need any knowledge from the series ‘Hanna’ to play and succeed with Hanna Unlocked, plus it’s free, so really what do you have to lose by giving it a try?

Sinapsis: Smile (Play at Home)

This game further blurs the line between video games and escape rooms, probably swaying more to the former rather than the latter. If you want a laptop killing and challenging communication heavy game, then this one could be worth a try – plus it’s really rather cheap ($4 at time of writing)

Control the Escape: Villainous Vaccine Ventures (Play at Home)

A basic but generally enjoyable point-and-click game. This game has a DIY feel about it but it’s better than some ‘professional’ games we’ve played. We’re looking forward to seeing what comes next from Control the Escape, hopefully a little more signposting.

Edaqa’s Room: Prototype (Play at Home)

If you’re looking for a light-hearted point-and-click escape room then they probably don’t come much more light-hearted than Edaqa’s room: Prototype. It kept us occupied and entertained for around 50 minutes and managed to provide puzzles we hadn’t seen before

QuestVenture: Cocktails, Spies and Murder (Play at Home)

If you’re looking for a game that you can play with the family and get everyone involved, then this is a strong contender for your choice. It’s well put together and has fun puzzles, plus an online leaderboard to give you something to aim for (if you care about those things)

Oblivity Podcast: The Profoctor Predicament (Play at Home)

A story driven game that takes a while to play because of all the narrative. If you’re looking for a quick game that you can rush through, then this probably isn’t one for you. However, if you want a game that sucks you into a new world, then give this one a try

Swamp Motel: Plymouth Point (Play at Home)

This game had twists and turns aplenty! Play Plymouth Point without knowing what to expect, and an open mind and you are in for a good time. This isn’t your typical online game, this is like being in your own immersive online thriller movie!

Mystery Mansion: Detective’s Office (Play at Home)

An office space is unlikely to blow you away with its set design, but solid puzzles and great games mastering makes this a fun family-friendly experience

Legendary Quests: Project Avatar

If I had to use one word to describe this experience it would be ‘bonkers’. This was a whirlwind from start to end and was a lot more fun than I expected it to be. If you can get over the very high price point, then it is worth giving it a try just to experience something different

Puzzle Post: The Missed Flight (Play at Home)

Puzzle Post is a great concept, perfectly delivered (no pun intended) and has so many uses. Party invitation? Pregnancy reveal? Happy Birthday message? So many options!

Return of Old Maid Milly, Escape from the Room (Epsom)

This was our first post-lockdown physical escape room, and it was a good one. Escape from the Room have upped their game and we would have no problems recommending this room

Next Level Escape: Temporal Tangle (Play at Home)

I loved this game, so much so that I played it twice. If you’re looking for a digital game that has subtle humour, a strong story, and great puzzles, then this is the game for you

Trapped: The Bank Job (Escape Box)

Christmas? Family holiday? Friends over? This could be what you’re looking for if you want a night of play at home escape room fun. Trapped takes the escape room out of the box and firmly plants it in your home. Experienced puzzlers won’t struggle with this game but there may be a few puzzles that have you scratching your heads for a few minutes

Hysteria: The Forgotten Realm II (Play at Home)

Ignoring some questionable accents, this was a fun game and arguably the best online game we’ve played by Hysteria so far. I could easily see this game being a family favourite

MindTrap: Gold Rush (Play at Home)

This is a must play room. It’s as simple as that. A wonderful host, a beautiful set that seems to keep surprising you, and a hugely satisfying ending

Complex Rooms: Legends of Canada (Play at Home)

We enjoyed this game as it felt like good clean fun, it was a bonus to learn some Canadian history. Canadians will likely have an easier time with this game, but non-Canadians should still enjoy

The Escape Game: The Heist – Vol. 1: Chasing Hahn (Play at Home)

Chasing Hahn was put together very well (as we expected from TEG), with solid puzzles, a clean interface, and a great hint system, this is a great collaborative game to play with friends

Sinapsis: Diabolic Escape (Play at Home)

This was possibly more video game than escape room, and very nearly killed our computers. If you’re looking for different, this is certainly that!

Vortex Escapes: N.O.O.M Project (Play at Home)

This game went beyond our expectations of a 3€ game and gave us nearly an hour of fun. If you like point-and-click games, this is a good option

Marvo Mysteries: M.A.R.V.O Archives Phase Two (Play at Home)

Phase One lacked puzzles and felt like a warm up act for something bigger. Phase Two was the headliner, and delivered on the earlier promises

CodeBreakers: Hunting a Killer (Play at Home)

This was a really fun way to spend nearly an hour, time literally flew by! Some good puzzles and mechanisms meant we managed to be surprised on more than one occasion

ESC The Game: ESC From Cell 126 (Play at Home)

A really enjoyable game that kept us occupied for longer than it probably should have. A good interface, decent puzzles, and generally just a fun game

Live Escape Salisbury: POD (Play at Home)

This was a really fun room and is very reasonably priced. With great signposting, clever puzzles, and a really fun set, it is worth doing! Get it booked before it is gone!

Society of Curiosities: Mysterious Map Heist (Play at Home)

Mysterious Map Heist is a fantastic little intro to the world of the Society of Curiosities and, filled with real-world interaction plus one moment of nail-biting suspense, managed to create a surprising amount of realism I simply was not expecting from a free game

Improbable Escapes: Neverland: Heist on the High Seas (Play at Home)

This game was as fun as it was beautiful and is an instant favourite of ours. The use of technology to push forward the story was inspired and something we haven’t seen before in a room. This is one room that we would recommend without any hesitation!

Roobicks: Escape The Basement (Play at Home)

If you want to find out who has the best escape room team amongst your friends then this is the game for you! Well hosted, fun puzzles, and the competitive aspect adds something extra

Hysteria: Project Blue Book (Play at Home)

A few frustrating puzzles and a weak clue system meant that at times we were annoyed and our enjoyment waned. However, looking back at this game we can see that some puzzles were actually quite clever and our perseverance paid off to make a mostly enjoyable experience

CoDecode: Oldervik Online – Chapter 2, Operative Onboard (Play at Home)

This game improved on the first and those subtle changes made for a smoother experience. If you’re looking for a print and play that is slightly different to the rest, then this is it

Escape from Home: Grand Diamond Heist (Play at Home)

As an escape room this isn’t good, but as a game for a family activity then it’s probably not too bad. We enjoyed one puzzle, but only one

Escape from Home: History Re-Written (Play at Home)

Excluding one questionable mission, this was an interesting way to learn a bit of history but having to break for printing really ruined the enjoyment for us. We’ve played worse games, but we’ve also played better.

Escape Hunt: Level Up (Play at Home)

Escape Hunt have certainly “Leveled Up” with this game. If you’re looking for a fun nostalgic way to spend an hour, Level Up could be just what you’re looking for

Marvo Mysteries: M.A.R.V.O Archives Phase One (Play at Home)

This was a good game, but it could have been great. We felt like it ended just as it was getting going and felt a bit miffed when it was over. It’s definitely worth playing as it is beautifully put together and is a wonder to behold, but I wouldn’t set aside much time to complete it.

Get Lost Dover: Operation Paranormal Research Anomaly Taskforce (Play at Home)

This game put puzzles and fun ahead of everything else and created a really fun, family-friendly game. The websites are rough around the edges but functional and everything worked as it should. Well done Get Lost!

Clue HQ: The Hunt for the Clueminati – Part 3: Orpheus (Play at Home)

Fans of Astra and Chronicle won’t be disappointed by the latest offering from Clue HQ, and if you’re looking for a digital multiplayer experience that also manages to be non-linear, look no further.

RC Escapes: The Sapphire Project (Play at Home)

A firm 60 minute time limit makes this game different and adds more pressure, but it’s a really enjoyable game and the ending is so much fun!

Bruum Escape: The Search for the Magical Artifact (Play at Home)

This game is different, it has no bells and whistles like inventories, yet it still stands out as a special experience thanks to an excellent gamesmaster and a beautifully decorated space. If I could get to Italy, this game would be on my ‘must play’ list

Help Us Escape: Stanley’s Toy Box (Play at Home)

We really wanted to like this game, but I think we ended up hating it. It wasted nearly two hours of our life that we will never get back. You may enjoy it, we didn’t

Lee Ballan: The Pyramid (Play at Home)

Easily one of the hardest online games we’ve played to date. If you want a game that is heavy on communication and is a real challenge then this is the game for you

Elgin Escape: Murder Mansion (Play at Home)

We were pleasantly surprised by this game, ok the puzzles were on the easier side but the way we could both interact with the puzzles made for an enjoyable half an hour

Twinwoods Adventure: Morse Code (Play at Home)

This room went beyond our expectations with a great avatar, fun puzzles, good set design and a one-of-a-kind ending. If you get a chance, play this game!

Puzzle Punks: Secret Treasure of Dubrovnik (Play at Home)

A simpler room, but filled with history and intrigue and still managed to pack in a few surprises thanks to the use of tech. Our guide, Ivan, did a great job in bringing the theme to life.

The Panic Room: Mainstage Mayhem (Play at Home)

A fun room but probably one of the easier games by the Panic Room. With decent theming, storyline and puzzles, it will keep you entertained for a little while

The Panic Room: CSI: Mafia Murders (Play at Home)

With lots of evidence to work through, decent puzzles, and a solid ending; if you want a game that will make you feel like a detective, then this game is a good shout.

Trapt: Project G.O.D Particle (Play at Home)

This game was really well put together and was clearly designed to make it an enjoyable experience with the user in mind. Don’t be daunted by all the information that greets you, just get stuck in!

Enchambered: Together Apart (Play at Home)

Together Apart is a beautifully designed game and at (a minimum donation of) $5 it is a bargain, it would even be good at twice the price. Bring your communication ‘A’ game!

Rock Ave Escapes: Ready Mayor Two – A Matter of Time (Play at Home)

Don’t let first impressions fool you with this room. What looks like a basic room opens up to be so much more and the way it uses technology is one of its strengths.

CU Adventures: The Lost Temple (Play at Home)

This game instantly goes in as one of our favourite print and play games. The interface was the real star of the show, but it was backed up by a great story and strong puzzles. We have no problems recommending this game to anyone, and chances are we will recommend it to everyone!

Clue HQ: The Hunt for the Clueminati – Part 1: Astra (Play at Home)

ClueHQ have done a great job in providing an online escape experience that teams can all participate in at the same time and solve puzzles simultaneously. With a couple of tweaks to how you interact with the puzzles it would be pretty close to perfect

The Escape Game: Ruins – Forbidden Treasure (Play at Home)

This room stands out above the rest on set design, but strong puzzles and a good inventory system make it pretty close to perfect. If you can’t get to Nashville, get online now!

What are Online Escape Games?

Online escape games (sometimes known as online escape rooms) are a bit of a new phenomenon that have grown out of the Covid-19 pandemic. But what are they?

Escape Hunt: Murder at the Mansion (Play at Home)

I am never going to be a fan of games that are giant logic puzzles as I prefer a more diverse range of puzzles, but saying that, if you’re looking for a decent game to play with friends (remotely) then this should keep you occupied for a while

clueQuest: Print+Cut+Escape – Episode 2: Alpha Brain System (Play at Home)

clueQuest have turned the difficulty up to 11 for this game and that will likely give you love/hate feelings towards it. We loved it and it kept us occupied for nearly 2 hours, which for £12 is a bargain. If you want a challenge, give it a try!

Safarka Escape Rooms: Dream Gallery (Play at Home)

We liked the premise behind this room and felt it had a strong start and a lovely end, but there were a few areas where it needed improving

Crime Runners: Back to the Congressman (Play at Home)

We very much enjoyed this game and came away with the same type of buzz that we get when we complete a physical escape room. We were truly immersed in the story and were saddened when we reached the end. For now, we’ll just have to wait for the sequel

Clue Cracker: Fairground Felony (Play at Home)

In terms of difficulty this is a step (or five) up from their other online experiences but it still features the same quality of story throughout, and has puzzles that will give your brain a good workout

The Escapement: The Network (Play at Home)

With a well thought out story, great puzzles, and beautifully curated parts, The Network gets you as close to immersion as possible for a play at home game.

Escape Kit: The Mysterious Murder (Play at home)

This game doesn’t really scratch the escape room itch, but if you wanted a party game where you can have multiple teams completing the game either simultaneously or one-after-another then this would certainly be suitable

CoDecode: Oldervik Online: Chapter 1 – A Jewel In Jeopardy (Play at Home)

While playing this game, one of our team proclaimed “this is the most like a real escape room experience we have had so far”, and to be honest I think it is a good call

Bewilder Box & Eltham Escape: Sector X: The B.R.U.C.E. Project – Part 1

Take a pinch of Bewilder Box, a dash of Eltham Escapes and mix it together with a healthy dollop of fun. Throw in a perfectly blended use of technology, and you have the recipe for a great time.

Escape Reading: Blown Away (Reading)

Despite not being ‘blown away’ by this room, it was an enjoyable experience and kept us engaged well. Take your communication ‘A-game’ with you and you’ll have a good time.

The Panic Room: The Tomb (Harlow)

The Tomb had promise to be great, and it probably once was. For us, it needed some TLC to bring back those past glories. Still a room that will be a hit with the kids

The Panic Room: CSI – The Mafia Murders (Harlow)

A bit run down in places and we think it used to do more than it currently does, CSI will keep you busy and isn’t a bad way to spend your hour, but one puzzle needs ‘fixing’

Escape Nation: Incognito’s Secret Lair (Stafford)

We chose Incognito’s Secret Lair to be our 200th room, so no pressure. This room had a good mix of puzzles and we can easily see this being a family favourite (equally good as a two though!)

Escape in the Towers: The Comms Room (Canterbury)

We can’t say enough how much we loved this room. We never felt like we were playing a game, it actually felt as though we were saving War-era Canterbury, and the epic conclusion here is one not to be missed!

TimeQuest: The Quest to Save Camelot (Paddock Wood)

Going into this room I didn’t expect it to be my favourite at TimeQuest, but it was. The outside-of-the-box thinking and the heavy search element made this very enjoyable for us, and the attention to detail was also refreshing.

TimeQuest: Reset (Paddock Wood)

This is a very different offering to the others at TimeQuest and those looking for a tech heavy room that mostly steers away from padlocks should be in their element

Escape Hub: The Curse of Curawood’s Garden (Maidstone)

We have absolutely no reservations adding The Curse of Curawood’s Garden to the list of rooms that would be enjoyed by players of all ages, young and old alike. Play it, and get lost in Curawood’s world

Escape Hub: Inbound (Maidstone)

A massive step in quality over the earlier games at Escape Hub. Inbound has great set design, good puzzles, and a wonderful journey through the streets of ‘York’

Escape Hub: The Laughing Lair (Maidstone)

This wasn’t a bad room, and we actually had a fun time (especially with the ending). But with a few too many padlocks and a little too much wear-and-tear we feel like this room may be slightly past its prime.

Mythologic: Hypnos (Gillingham)

Hypnos is darker than their other room but has interesting and challenging puzzles. A number of padlocks around the place but a good use of tech breaks them up nicely and keeps it engaging

Get Lost: Director’s Cut (Dover)

Perhaps we’re biased because Get Lost’s room always seem to ‘click’ with us, but we thoroughly enjoyed this room and thought the set design was very impressive. Always love a uniquely themed room!

Hysteria: Aftermath (Chatham)

For us, this room felt like an odd crossover between Jurassic Park and a zombie film – and it worked! Good puzzles in a variety of styles and great set design to boot

Deadlocked: The Time Machine (Reading)

With only 60 seconds to fix the time machine, this isn’t your ordinary room. Technically a 90 minute experience, sci-fi fans will likely find lots to love about The Time Machine (we did)

Hysteria: Motel California (Chatham)

Motel California is a fun room at a company run by enthusiastic and passionate owners. While there is nothing stand out about this room, we enjoyed every minute we spent in it.

Clue HQ: Detonation (Somerton)

A room that won’t blow you away (no pun intended) and is very padlock heavy, but if your observational skills are on point then you’ll likely have a good time.

Lock and Code: Can Opener (Taunton)

A few too many red herrings and generally puzzles that just didn’t click with us meant that we didn’t particularly enjoy our time in this prison van – but that’s the idea of prison vans, right?

The Panic Room: Carnevil (Harlow)

A fun room that’s a full-on assault on the senses! We had a great time in Carnevil and particularly enjoyed the more physical aspects of the room. Possibly one of our favourite ‘Panic Room’ rooms.

Red House Mysteries: The Strange Disappearance of Arthur Moon (Torquay)

The theming for this room was fun but weak puzzles that were easily bypassed and a lack of atmosphere took away from the excitement we should have experienced, and one GM for multiple rooms is never a good way to go.

Red House Mysteries: The Heist (Exeter)

A room with a solid premise but ultimately the execution was lacking. Couple that with a distracted GM and it doesn’t make for the best experience

AIM Escape: Psychopath’s Den (London)

Good set design and a mix of puzzles that has plenty to keep you going. We felt let down by our GM but if your GM is on the ball then you’re sure to enjoy your time in ‘the den’

Escape Plan Ltd: Roll Out the Barrel (London)

We loved Battle for Britain and although this room didn’t quite reach the greatness of that room, it’s a good room which we thoroughly enjoyed. Puzzles were logical, it was fun to be in, the ending was strong and the hosting was spot-on

Live Escape Salisbury: Spectre (Salisbury)

People often visit Salisbury due to the proximity of some ‘large standing rocks’, but ditch the rocks and make Live Escape your destination, you won’t regret it.

Trapp’d: Molten Creek Mine (Northampton)

Yet another fun room from Trapp’d, not their best, but equally not their worst. Be prepared to get dirty so make sure you don’t do this room before a night out! A fun use of tech and on-theme puzzles made this an enjoyable room

Trapp’d: 46 Below (Billing Aquadrome)

A fun room with strong set design and a good story to follow. Families (particularly kids) will love this room! A bit of wear-and-tear that needs to be fixed, but we enjoyed it regardless

Trapp’d: Exordium (Billing Aquadrome)

A good warm-up room for enthusiasts or a great family room. On the easier side so enthusiasts will probably fly through it, but it’s enjoyable and has some nice design touches that we haven’t seen elsewhere

Hour Escape Rooms: Stranger Things (Peterborough)

A fun room with some nice 80s touches. Decent puzzles but ultimately let down by red herrings and an over abundance of sign-posting. A few tweaks to the puzzles, and perhaps the clue system and this could be a great room

Escape Peterborough: The Great Wine Cellar Swindle (Peterborough)

This room won’t blow you away but we did have fun, just not as much as at their other location. The star of the show was the vault itself, the room was an acceptable way to spend 30 minutes

Escape Peterborough: Escape the Seven Seas (Peterborough)

If you’ve done rooms at Escape Peterborough before then this room will be nothing like them. They’ve really upped their game with this room and the only rival for it there is The Cabin. Good theming, decent puzzles (although padlock heavy), but swash-buckling fun

Tricky Escape: The Damned (Clacton-on-Sea)

The Damned has firmly staked out its place as a horror room, but with friendly owners you can probably tone this down if you’re not a fan of jump scares and live actors. Ignoring the horror bits, it’s a solid room with flowing puzzles and fun from the very start to the end.

Tricky Escape: A Race Against Time (Clacton-on-Sea)

This felt like the weakest of the rooms at this location. It could really do with a refresh as it is very worn in a number of places, but if you like the 80s then you’ll probably have fun.

XscapeNow: Sweeney Todd (Telford)

A ’fun’ take on the rather grim Sweeney Todd story. Decent puzzles, good design, and a good flow. We struggled, but we’re not really sure why

Incarcerated: The Tortured Soul (Swindon)

This room was much better than we expected and as a creepy (not really horror) room, it was good fun. The only bit that was lacking was the ending. I’m sure it’s not easy to make exiting into a corridor fun, but it was just a bit anticlimactic

M4 Escapes: The Bunker (Chippenham)

A beautiful room (in places) but the generally weak puzzles let it down. A confusing journey and too many red herrings made us more annoyed than anything else

Trapp’d: Dead Man’s Cove (Kettering)

This room was the highlight of the day for me. I know VX2.0 seems to be getting more love right now, but this room is fun, traditional, and just generally well put together

Trapp’d: VX 2.0 (Kettering)

You’ve got to give Trapp’d credit for what they’ve done with this room. They’ve tried to do something different, and they have. If it wasn’t for a jumpy GM we’d have probably enjoyed this room more than we did

The Cult Experience

If you’re a fan of horror experiences and have 2.5 hours to spare then it could be worth giving this a try. It’s very different to the Exit Games and we found that if we didn’t mark the book then the experience is reusable

Paradox Parlours: Missing in Action (Dorking)

We loved this room and enjoyed every moment in it. It’s a cracker of a room and even in a team of five there was plenty to keep us all busy

Access Escape: Dark Magik (London)

The key selling point of this room is the darkness. Take that away and you’ll be disappointed. But as it is, it’s a room that’s worth doing just to really test yourself. Try it, you’ll be surprised.

Trapp’d: Motel (Corby)

This was a straight-up horror room, there’s no denying that. But the puzzles flowed and we had fun, even with the live actor tormenting us at every turn. Horror fans will love it

Trapp’d: Maine State Prison (Corby)

When it was new this was probably a decent room. Unfortunately in its old age it has lost its way and become a bit frustrating. Couple the frustration with tired props and it’s good it’s set for retirement.

Trapp’d: Reanimation (Corby)

A decent room that is definitely good for beginners and has enough fun to keep you going. Decent puzzles and theming made for an enjoyable experience.

Pressure Point: Broken (Ashford)

A solid room where you’re trying to barricade yourself in rather than escape. I preferred their other rooms but this was still a good room with decent puzzles and a solid ending.

Time Run Presents: Sherlock: The Game Is Now (London)

This was a fun experience, but for us at least it wasn’t worth the money and was over-hyped. Sherlock enthusiasts will probably love it, escape room enthusiasts will probably find it like Marmite.

Time Lock: Deutschland ‘89 (Worthing)

Everyone knows Brighton has good rooms, it’s nice to see that Worthing can hold its own too. This is a solid room with a great team behind it and it’s 100% worth trekking out from Brighton to do

Pier Pressure: Raver Quest (Brighton)

Pier Pressure have created a room that is 100% fun and if you like some classic old school tunes, you’ll have a great time. Fun puzzles and a top soundtrack will give you a time to remember.

Containment: The Sub (Worplesdon)

A room that’s strongest point was it’s theming, it does well to include relevant props and decor that help immerse you. Tricky at times but doable, this was our preferred room of the three at this venue

Clue Cracker: Jail Break (Tunbridge Wells)

We don’t normally detour to venues with just one room, but as we’d heard good things about Jail Break at Clue Cracker we decided to make an exception and swing by Tunbridge Wells – it was worth it.

Clever Dilemma: Murder at the Wild Wild Quest Saloon (Faversham)

Fun puzzles, a beautiful set, and a story that keeps you guessing right up to the end – get to Faversham and do this room! Certainly one of the best wild west rooms around!

Trapped: The Bletchley Blueprints (Okehampton)

This is one of those rooms that is difficult to review. It’s a good room, but I didn’t overly enjoy it and I’m not sure why. Give it a try and make up your own mind

Adventox: Mission X (London)

Out of the three rooms at Adventox this is by far the weakest. Feeling tired and dated it could do with a bit of a revamp. Couple that with weak puzzles and it’s not a room we’ll be recommending unless you’re really desperate for that escape room fix.

Adventox: Haunted – The Curse of Dr Stevens (London)

Tucked away in a mall overshadowed by Westfields, ‘Haunted’ by Adventox was our favourite room at this location. Solid set design and a fun flow – it’s worth checking out

Mission Breakout: Codebreakers (London)

This room promised a lot but ultimately fell flat in many areas. Perhaps one wow moment in the entire game but even that couldn’t help this room rank higher for us.

Paradox Parlours: Venus (Guildford)

This room instantly went into our Top 10 and it will be there for some time. Strong puzzles, hilarity, and wonderful GM, this is a room not to miss. Flash Gordon for the win!

TimeTrap: Imaginarium (Reading)

A really fun room that encapsulates the spirit of Alice in Wonderland perfectly. Puzzles on theme, set looking great, generally just a good room all round

Ready Escape Rooms: Escape the Vault (Brighton)

A 40 minute room that won’t challenge enthusiasts (we got out in 12 minutes) but it is a whole lot of fun and we thoroughly enjoyed it. A great warm-up or cool-down room and definitely one to add to the list if you’re in Brighton!

The Curious Cabin, Knockout Escape Rooms (Reading)

This is one of those rooms that you enter and think you know what you’re getting but then it finds ways to surprise you and fill you with excitement. On the surface it looks like a simple room but behind the scenes there is a lot of tech working hard to keep you on your toes

The Phoenix Research, Deadlocked (Reading)

In places this was a very hard room, at times it was frustrating, but in the end it was fun. A lot of time was spent on immersing you in the story, and the ending was something a little different

Lucardo: Espionage (Manchester)

This room certainly won’t give you any surprises, nor will it wow you, but it is still a decent room. For us though, this was the weakest of the rooms at Lucardo (Manchester) – but they had set the bar high.

Lucardo: University of Magic: The Entrance Exam (Manchester)

Due to bad experiences in the past we tend to stay away from magic themed rooms, but this one has restored our faith. Now we need to head to the Lucardo Rawtenstall branch to check out the sequel!

Lucardo: Gem Runner (Manchester)

Gem Runner is heavy on the ‘traditional’ escape room puzzles, with plenty of padlocks, codes, and searching and is not a tech heavy room. I could easily see this being a favourite with family groups, or even two person enthusiast groups like us.

Escape Experience Windsor: Area 51 (Windsor)

We got possibly our quickest ever escape time in this room, partially because the puzzles just clicked, but also because there wasn’t that many of them. A fun room but don’t do it in a large group or you may not have much to do

Ten Top Tips for Escape Room Success

Each time we do a room we learn something new, but there are a few things we stick to each time and so far it has seen us keeping a 100% escape rate (famous last words). Here are our ten top tips for completing an escape room

Lock & Code: Dead on the Hour (Taunton)

Lock & Code rooms won’t blow you away but they are solid rooms that will give you an hour of fun. Dead on the Hour was fun, and at times challenging, but once again we left Lock & Code with smiles on our faces

Escapologic: Crypt-ic (Nottingham)

“Like real-life Indiana Jones” that’s what we were promised. It was certainly an adventure through a dark, creepy crypt, but luckily for us (and Indy) there were no snakes

Escapologic: Heistakes (Nottingham)

This is a fun room, but due to how linear it is and the lack of puzzles we probably wouldn’t advise it for large teams, especially if those teams are experienced. It’s definitely a room to give a go though as it is visually impressive.

Escapologic: Butcher (Nottingham)

This room is not one for the faint hearted and if you’re of a nervous disposition it’s probably one to avoid. However, if you want a room that it a bit different and will not only challenge your mind but also your bladder control, then give it a go!

LetsXcape: The Rig (Newark)

You’ll be hard pushed to find a room with a better story, and you definitely won’t find a better setting for a room. This room lived up to it’s impressive venue and is well worth a visit/detour

Escape Rooms: Room 33 (London)

This room won’t blow you away but if you want a solid room that will give you an hours entertainment, then this is that (added bonus: free sweets!)

Escapologic: Curio (Nottingham)

This room delivers something that you probably won’t have seen anywhere else. No spoilers – a fun room with some very impressive room design and definitely one you won’t forget

Bewilder Box: Judgement D.A.V.E (Brighton)

The rooms at The Bewilder Box are more than just escape rooms, they are experiences where everything works together to immerse you in their world. Each time you think you know what to expect they do something different, wonderful, and unexpected.

Tulleys Escape Rooms: Dodge City (Crawley)

Another beautiful Tulleys room but ultimately let down by reset issues. Give the room a try, but probably wait a while for them to get it running smoothly – we should have waited.

Eltham Escape Rooms: Keep Calm! (London)

Enthusiasts shouldn’t struggle with this room and probably won’t find anything they haven’t seen before in terms of puzzles, but it’s worth doing if for no other reason than the final challenge.

Escape60: Serial Killer’s Lair (Folkestone)

A fun room but generally nothing exciting to reflect on. Probably a good beginners room but enthusiasts will have seen better.

Get Lost Escape Rooms: The Abandoned Cottage (Dover)

Get Lost Dover currently have three rooms and each is fun in their own way. This was my least favourite of their rooms, but don’t let that fool you, it’s worth doing and does enough to keep you on your toes

Get Lost Escape Rooms: The World Fair Hotel (Dover)

Have you ever done a room where every puzzle just clicked for you? Like you were in the mind of the room’s designer? That’s exactly what happened for us in this room and we enjoyed every minute of it

Escape Plan: Battle For Britain (London)

Do you ever put off doing something because you really want to do it but you feel that the expectation may not live up to the hype? That is why it has taken us so long to do Battle for Britain, now I wish we’d done it sooner!

The MacGuffin Project: The Magician (Bournemouth)

A short and arguably easy room that should probably be a 45 min experience rather than 60. A pretty average room with above average GMs but a weak ending. We expected more from MacGuffin.

Thinking Outside the Box: Retro (Peterborough)

I loved this room, I really did. Retrogaming memories are my weakness and this room exploited them to the max

Clever Dilemma: Dracula’s Chamber (Faversham)

A great room with welcoming hosts and a very good GM. Faversham is beautiful, but this room really makes it worth visiting

Escape Peterborough: Contagion (Peterborough)

If you’re lucky enough to get a good GM then this is a solid room and one we would happily recommend to enthusiasts

Escape Peterborough: Witchcraft & Wizardry (Peterborough)

If things were running smoothly this is probably an ok room, particularly for children or new players. But if you’re an enthusiast I think you’ll find this room rather lacking and one to avoid.

Escape Peterborough: Espionage (Peterborough)

While we did escape, it was only just managed, and we were left feeling a bit deflated, due to both the quality of the puzzles and the attentiveness of the GM

Trapp’d: Madame Curio’s Cirque Delirium (Peterborough)

Lacking in backstory this room makes up for it in the excitement it delivers at all points. Easier puzzles but good for all ages (except maybe the really old).

Tulleys Escape Rooms: The Outfitters (Crawley)

Probably the third best room at Tulleys, strangely we found this one harder than Nethercott Manor despite this being classed as easier by Tulleys

Incarcerated: Cops and Robbers (Swindon)

If you’re looking for a corporate team building exercise then this is probably a good room. If you’re an enthusiast then it isn’t

Co-decode: Professor Dunstan and the Search for the Ancient Statuette (Swindon)

Don’t wait to be passing by Swindon to do this room. Make it your destination, it’s worth it!

Ctrl Alt Esc: Spacescape (Margate)

A tech heavy room that has a very impressive ending. One of the many rooms that is worth doing in Margate

The Escapement: The Pit (Margate)

Even when you’re receiving the briefing for this room you know it is going to be something special. This isn’t just a 60 minute experience, this is a game changer.

The Escapement: Pirates of Polaris (Margate)

This room is beautiful, it really is, and when a room uses genuine artifacts there is no doubt you are in for a treat

Mountain Room Escapes: Escape the Cabin (Big Bear)

If you’re in Big Bear you should probably get out in nature, but if the weather is bad then this is a great room to do.

Mountain Room Escapes: Alpine Ski Lodge (Big Bear)

A friend had recommended Big Bear as a must-see so we thought this was a good excuse to go.

Escape Games at the River: The Secret of Dragon’s Spire (Palm Springs)

Some great wow moments and so much fun all around. Definitely worth doing!

Escape Games at the River: The Forgotten Pharaoh (Palm Springs)

Although not the best room at this location, it is still the second best room we did in Palm Springs

Escape Room Palm Springs: Bank Heist (Palm Springs)

Our third and fortunately final room at Escape Palm Springs was ‘Bank Heist’

Escape Room Palm Springs: Merlin’s Magic School (Palm Springs)

A room that tries to hard to be special and has a very strange GM setup. I’m not sure this room ever had any ‘magic’

Escape Room Palm Springs: Titanic (Palm Springs)

‘Titanic’ where you have to find the last hidden life boat before the ship goes down.

Stash House (Los Angeles)

Everything just works in the way it is meant to and you find yourself just moving from one puzzle to the next without a care in the world.

Hatch Escapes: Lab Rat (Los Angeles)

If you’re in Los Angeles and there is a room that has been ranked number eight in the world then really it would be rude not to try it out.

Mission Escapes: Escape the Hideout (Los Angeles)

Just around the corner from Disneyland is Mission Escapes, and what better than to do an escape room after Disney closes?

Epsom Escapes: Challenge Chambers (London)

Every single puzzle involved a padlock in one way or another, I don’t mind a good padlock but this took that to the extreme

Omescape: The Penitentiary (London)

Despite this room being a little creepy, it is in no way scary so I wouldn’t let that put you off.

The Panic Room: Defective Detective (Gravesend)

This room didn’t feel up to the same level as the other Panic Room rooms, and although it was fun, we left feeling a bit flat

The Panic Room: The Sacrifice (Gravesend)

A great introductory room for inexperienced players, or a nice little warm-up / cool-down after a long weekend of full length escape rooms.

The Panic Room: Wizard Of Oz (Gravesend)

Don’t be fooled by the theme, this room will give both families and enthusiasts entertainment, and is challenging enough for both.

The Panic Room: The Dollhouse (Gravesend)

Although this room is creepy, and it certainly is creepy, I wouldn’t really call it a scary room and it is definitely fun

The Panic Room: Mind Pod (Gravesend)

£5 per team 10 minutes of your life = a wonderfully relaxing alternative to a traditional escape room.

The Panic Room: Loop (Gravesend)

What a room! This room is not just a must-do room in Gravesend, but definitely one of the top rooms in the country.

The Panic Room: Secret Of Pocahontas (Gravesend)

Although not the most advanced or impressive room in The Panic Room’s arsenal it’s still a solid room and one that’s definitely worth doing.

Operation Escape: WW2 Scoop of the Century (London)

If Operation Escape start taking feedback on board then I think they could have a chance at survival in an already tough market, if they don’t then I fear they won’t be around for much longer.

Lock and Code: The Night before Christmas (Weston-Super-Mare)

We were on for a record time, then we encountered a puzzle we couldn’t solve, but apparently kids can!

Lock and Code: The League of Superheroes (Weston-Super-Mare)

A fun room that is perhaps past its prime and they need to do some maintenance to get it running as it should.

Lock and Code: Breakout (Weston-Super-Mare)

This was a really enjoyable room, a little bit rough around the edges in places but had a good mixture of finding things and solving things.

Puzzlair: The Cold War Catch (Yeovil)

If you like more traditional rooms, or want an introduction to escape rooms then this is a good room to go for. We didn’t rate their other room in Yeovil but this one was the standout winner of the day.

Puzzlair: The Lost Artworks (Yeovil)

This room is probably a love/hate type of room and I’m sure some people will love in. In fact looking at TripAdvisor you can see that many people do, but for us it is one that we’d advise our friends to avoid.

Mostly Harmless Games: Phobos-17 (London)

I saw that Phobos-17 was closing down at the end of the year and as it had such positive reviews we just had to fit it in before it went, so we did.

clueQuest: Operation Blacksheep (London)

A slick operation with a solid room and good story to follow. Not cheap, but worth it.

XScream Escapes: Satan’s Grotto (Ashford)

This 45 minute room shouldn’t be a hard, but for us it was. If you’re looking for a slightly different Christmas room then this one is a lot of fun.

XScream Escapes: Bedlam: Escape the Asylum (Ashford)

With a background in Thorpe Park Fright Nights you’d expect this to be a scary room, it isn’t. It’s creepy but I wouldn’t class this as a scare room (or it wasn’t when we did it)

Clue Adventures: 2 Tickets 2 Ride (London)

What this room lacks in space it makes up for in fun. As soon as you’re in you’re working on puzzles, then you’re on the tube with more puzzles, then you’re off the tube with more puzzles, and just when you think you are done and home free, there’s another puzzles!