Review the Room

UK based Escape Room Blog

Liz

Compendium: UI-55 (Bury)

Never have I ever seen this many puzzles crammed into a room. UI-55 isn’t your traditional escape room, but if you’re in the mood for puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles, mixed with an insane amount of fun, you can’t go wrong with this game.

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Compendium: Bedlam (Bury) 

With excellent set design, fantastic game flow, and satisfying puzzles, Bedlam stands out amongst its peers as my favourite game at Compendium. (Okay, maybe it’s tied with UI-55, but that game is an entirely different beast, and not quite your traditional escape room.) 

Lucardo: Corruption (Rawtenstall)

Lucardo have hit it out of the park once again. Corruption was full of fantastic puzzles, immersive touches, and all surrounded by a fantastic set. Prison in Manchester used to be my favourite Lucardo game, but this one may have surpassed it.

Adrenaline: Kidnapped (Wigan)    

Of all the games at Adrenaline, this is probably the one I would recommend most to the enthusiast community, or I suppose anyone up for a challenge. As far as kidnapping/serial killer themed rooms go it is well done, but what really makes it special is the bonus level if you have time to spare and are up for testing your skills

Adrenaline: Lab 3436 (Wigan)

With solid puzzles, some fun with science, and one rather amazing thing to lend weight to the time travel theme, Lab 3436 had me feeling like a genius when we escaped.

Extremescape: The Lost Tomb (Disley)  

Tomb Raiding Adventures are perhaps my favourite type of escape, and The Lost Tomb at Extremescape sits amongst some of the best I have ever played. While I can’t really choose which of the three games at Extremescape is the “best,” this is without a doubt my personal favourite

Deadlocked: Vault Squad (Loughborough)

Vault Squad had one of the most unique openings to a standard “heist” theme that I’ve seen, and the amuusement it provided (particualrly when we tripped up) set the tone for the entire game. If you’re in Loughborough, skipping Deadlocked Escape Rooms would be a mistake

Break Escape: Boiling Point (Loughborough)

While Boiling Point is probably not the game that I would be most likely to recommend to anyone that only had time for one Break Escape game, it was my second favourite of the four we played at the venue, and would be my recommendation for those that love a decent puzzle game, provided you don’t mind a slightly odd story line.

Top Escape Rooms: The Dentist (Worcester)

I am overdue for a visit to the dentist, but I don’t think The Dentist at Top Escape Rooms is the best place for a check up. But if you’re looking for solid puzzles and a few thrills and chills, then it might just be what you’re looking for.

Top Escape Rooms: Jingle Joyride (Worcester)

It’s no surprise that Top Escape Rooms are claiming Jingle Joyride is proving to be one of their most popular games.  I think after the year we’ve had, we could all use a little Christmas Cheer, even in the midst of summer, and Jingle Joyride truly was a joy to play

Palace Games: The Sapphire Palace (Play at Home)

I loved everything about The Sapphire Palace, from the interface to the puzzles, and the format to the story. But at $20.00 per player for a game without a live host, I’m going to have a hard time recommending this game to the majority of escapers, even though it is fantastic. But if you’ve got the budget, go for it!

Deadlocked: Tunnelling Through Time (Play at Home)

Based on actual(ish) events, Tunnelling Through Time combines a bit of time travel with pleasing puzzles, and the magic of the movies to deliver a digital escape like no other. With 100% of the proceeds going directly to The Brunel Museum, I can’t think of a better way to  have fun, learn something, and support a great cause; can you?

District 3: Haunted (Play at Home)

Haunted is one of those games that I wish we had actually had the opportunity to play in person, if only to experience the set first hand. But the format adopted by District 3 to bring Haunted online ensures that nothing missed and other aspects are enhanced

The Panic Room: The Book of Grimm (Play at Home)

Escapers looking for a tangible play at home game that won’t break the bank and isn’t an Exit box would do well to look at the range of Puzzle Books from The Panic Room. The Book of Grimm had some solid puzzles and kept us entertained for well over an hour, while providing a nice dose of nostalgia for some favourite childhood stories

Emergency Exit Escape Rooms: The Beast (Play at Home)

Horror or supernatural-themed games (zombies excluded) are not often my first choice when choosing  a game, and yet, The Virtual Exorcist is possibly my favourite online-avatar game that we’ve played to date, with The Beast close behind. Play them both – you won’t regret it.

Omescape: Pursuit of the Assassin Artist (Play at Home)

Unique, funny, surprising, clever, and occasionally shocking, Pursuit of the Assassin Artist was something I didn’t even realise was possible, let alone needed, in an escape game. If companies continue to create games like this, online escape games will persist long after we’re allowed to play in person once again. And I for one, will welcome it

AIM Escape: Patient Zero 2150 (Play at Home)

We had a fantastic time playing Patient Zero 2150 online, but sometimes you play an online avatar escape game, and wish that you could have played it in person. I’m honestly not sure which experience would have been better, so if you can’t make it to London, you won’t be disappointed playing online

UNLOCKED: The Return of the Magician (Play at Home)

The Return of the Magician incorporated magic and just a bit of mystery to bring to life a thoroughly enjoyable game with wonderfully satisfying puzzles, suitable for the whole family, or just a group of friends that want to get together for a digital adventure.

ESC The Game: ESC From Sub TXI (Play at Home)

We were impressed with ESC the Game’s first offering to the world of online escaping, and ESC From Sub TXI is equally as enjoyable, if not more so. With an arguably near-perfect online interface for remote teams, coupled with clever puzzles and a nice game flow, Sub TXI is one to consider

Clue Cracker: Diamond Dogs (Tunbridge Wells)

Diamond Dogs has shown that it’s true you should never judge a book by its cover, proving that a heist game can be adrenaline-fuelled, immersive and exciting; full of twists and turns, inventive puzzles, and with a strong story. TL; DR – this game is fantastic

clueQuest: Halloween Survival Escape Training (Play at Home)

It’s incredibly important to be able to correctly identify the various creatures that go bump in the night, and know how to respond accordingly. With excellent Halloween theming, family friendly content, clever puzzles, and beautiful artwork, clueQuest’s Halloween Survival Escape Training is a delightful way to to get into the mood for the Spookiest Time of Year

Hourglass Escapes: Evil Dead 2 (Play at Home)

Even if you have never seen Evil Dead 2, or even if you have and are not a fan, this experience is truly exceptional. No, really; there’s a reason this is regarded as one of the best remote games out there right now, even with the relatively hefty price tag.

Exit the Room: Zombie Apocalypse (Play at Home)

With a few tweaks to up the immersion factor, Zombie Apocalypse could be a fun way to spend an hour online, but with a price tag of £109, the game really should have been something spectacular. Unfortunately, it’s just not there yet, and despite the efforts of our lovely avatar, our experience just fell a bit flat

Russ Builds: Endgame (Play at Home)

Although the design is basic, the puzzles are solid and the game is good fun. Considering it is currently free to play (although donations are gratefully received and will be used for the next build), it’s well worth a go. But be quick – Endgame is departing mid-October to make way for a new remote escape experience

The Panic Room:  The Exorcism of Isabelle (Play-at Home)

The Exorcism of Isabelle was our first foray into the world of The Panic Room’s puzzle book/print and play options, and it was not a disappointment. With some mechanics that were vaguely reminiscent of the games in the Exit the Game series, and satisfying puzzles, The Exorcism of Isabelle could be a perfect choice for a game night.

Trapped: Carnival (Play at Home)

As the easiest of the games on offer from Trapped, Carnival is a perfect choice for the whole family (aged 8+ according to Trapped). Thanks to the format and the puzzle styles, I can see this being a great hit at a children’s birthday party, or even the next family reunion

Epic Escapes: Hijack, Piracy, and Crime (Play at Home)

The games from Epic Escapes are one of the only play-at-home experiences we’ve found that, when played correctly, can accurately and easily transport an escape room into your living room. If you’re looking for something to spice up your usual boardgame night, look no further

Escape One Algarve: Final Call (Play at Home)

Final Call was full of humour, pleasing puzzles, and of course, Zombies. But it was the finale that really made it something special, and has firmly cemented the game in my mind as one of the most unique experiences we’ve had while escaping online

District 3: The Cabin (Play at Home)

The Cabin was fun, and David a good host. At $27.00 CAD per person, it is well priced for a live-avatar style escape, and would be a decent choice for anyone looking to try out the format for the first time

Tick Tock: A Tale for Two (Play at Home)

Tick Tock: A Tale for Two is a beautifully designed game, with gorgeous graphics and clever puzzles, and will satisfy even the pickiest customer looking for a virtual escape room style experience

Clue Cracker: The Haunting of Harlequin House (Play at Home)

The Haunting of Harlequin House is the most complex of the Clue Cracker online games filled with more intricate and multi-layered puzzles. This, plus the slightly more sinister theme, may mean it’s one to skip if you often play with very young children, but definitely not one to miss if you don’t (or once you’ve put them to bed if you do)

Pentargo: Quarantine (Play at Home)

Not without its flaws, but with a mixture of complex, varied, and engaging puzzles, and over two hours of content, that can be played in one sitting or broken into multiple chapters, at $2.50 per person, it’s incredibly good value, and worth playing if you’re up for a challenge.

The Panic Room: Mansion Impossible (Play at Home)

Mansion Impossible is a fun, family-friendly way to spend an hour or two. With a lovely little homage to live escape games that made me giggle with delight, this was my second favourite of the digital games on offer from The Panic Room, but it only just missed out on being my favourite.

Modern Fables: Medogan, Chapter 1 & 2 (Play at Home)

The text-adventure game design means that Medogan may not be for everyone, but I enjoyed the narrative-driven, imagination-invoking adventure, and will definitely be on the lookout for Episode 3. If the strength of Modern Fables’ text game is anything to go on, then I can’t wait to finally make it out to their live games when the world restarts

Escape One Algarve: The Laboratory (Play at Home)

Nothing is ever going to be quite the same as playing a physical escape room in person, but the virtual version of The Laboratory came close, and was everything I could ask for in a game: good theming, clever puzzles, and a great host. I’m only sad that I won’t get to play it in person

Escape Hunt: Stolen (Play at Home)

I have loved logic puzzles for as long as I can remember and that love allowed me to enjoy Stolen a bit more than I might have otherwise. It’s not a bad game, but it was let down by the lack of a clear, or really any form of, conclusion

Enchambered: Alone Together (Play at Home)

Often in live escape games, the communication challenges can be some of the most difficult tasks teams come across. Alone Together is a great little game to hone your communication skills so you can impress the GM once we can finally play outside again!

Deadlocked: The Insiders (Play at Home)

If you haven’t already been convinced to try The Insiders, I don’t know what else I can say. It is without a doubt the best play at home game we have taken on to date. The Insiders is surprisingly immersive, incredibly clever, and just downright fun

TimeTrap: Pudding Lane (Reading)

We enjoyed Imaginarium, and loved Station X, but Pudding Lane is by far one of our favourite games on offer at TimeTrap, cementing itself a place in Liz’s Top Ten Escape Rooms list

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The Panic Room: The Panic Room (Harlow)

Is it the most amazing game I’ve ever played? No. Is it fun, and a reminder of the sort of experiences that I had at the start of my escaping career that made me fall in love with this crazy hobby in the first place? Absolutely

The Panic Room: Strikeforce (Harlow)

Strikeforce isn’t likely to win any awards for design or creativity, but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this room to teams looking to play for the first time. It’s a solid room, but I do think that your GM could make it or break it for you. Fortunately, ours made it

Escape Nation: The Citadel (Stafford)

With an impressive narrative driving the game forward, tasks hinted at what might have befallen the Citadel. Strong puzzles, great GMs and strong narrative, The Citadel was incredibly enjoyable.

Mythologic: The Game (Gillingham)

Great fun for adults and kids, but between the theme, the set, and the types of puzzles and tasks throughout The Game, this room is one of our top picks if you’re looking for something the entire family can get involved with

Clue Adventures: Jet 2 Space (London)

Whether you’re an escape enthusiast or it’s your first time,  if you’re looking for a two-player game in London, or just looking for something a bit outside the norm for date night, you can’t go wrong with Jet 2 Space

Clue HQ: Cell Block C (Somerton)

We haven’t done many but this was the best ClueHQ room we’ve done so far. Good room design and only one annoying puzzle, not a bad way to spend an hour

Escape Plan Ltd: The Adventure Begins (London)

The Adventure Begins is a fantastic game with clever puzzles, a great set, and some really fun moments. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this room to teams that are trying to find their first escape room or to enthusiasts, particularly those that want to try their hand at their first room as a team of two.

Trapp’d: Monosphere (Northampton)

The Monosphere probably won’t be winning any awards, but we found it enjoyable. What we were most impressed by is how Trapp’d have managed to keep it so clean given the amount of white in a room located next door to Molten Creek Mine!

Escape Peterborough: The Hunt (Peterborough)

I would encourage enthusiasts to tackle this in smaller groups, or some of the team will likely find that they miss out on much of the action. However, the linear structure, and the more traditional escape room-style logic and observational puzzles make this an ideal room for new players

Escape Peterborough: The Cabin (Peterborough)

Even standing in the hallway, it’s clear that the set design for this game is leagues above the games we had played here previously. The Cabin is a solid, well thought out room, and worth playing if you’re planning to visit Peterborough.

Doomsday Games: Pathogen (Colchester)

In a market filled with 60-minute games, Pathogen is one of the rarer 90-minute experiences, and it certainly sets the bar high. The game was highly immersive, with excellent theming, and clever puzzles

The Extraction Room: Extraction (Maidstone)

I was impressed with Extraction. It was a fun, and interesting If the first game from the Extraction Room team is anything to go by, if they decide to expand and design more games, I can only wait with anticipation to see what they come up with.

Co-decode: Sub Terra (Swindon)

Sub Terra was a delight from start to finish. With a strong story that’s reenforced by a fantastic set, and great puzzles, it has firmly secured a place on my list of Top Ten Favourite rooms (to date). If you haven’t made the trip to Co-Decode yet, what are you waiting for?

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Containment: The Lab (Worplesdon)

‘Difficulty by Darkness’ is how we’d describe this room. In addition to the darkness, the game felt as though it had a number of red-herrings, with several things in the room that we never did find combinations or keys for

Containment: The Bomb (Worplesdon)

Sadly, this room just didn’t live up to our expectations from the Sub; it was fun to play, and while there are no obvious problems with the game, it just lacked any sort of wow-factor.

Adventox: Alcatraz (London)

Alcatraz was a solid, enjoyable game, but it ultimately fell a bit flat for us. It’s tough to put a finger on exactly what it was; whether it was the ending in general, or just the fact that it wasn’t quite as much fun as their other room, ‘Haunted’

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Mission Breakout: The Lost Passenger (London)

Mission Breakout’s website proclaims their games to be the most immersive in London. While the set and integrated puzzles certainly lend weight to that claim, we don’t feel like we can agree

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TimeTrap: Station X (Reading)

TimeTrap have created an excellent experience with clever puzzles, excellent set design, and a massive amount of fun. I’m only disappointed that it took us so long to make it to Reading; Station X is one not to miss!

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Deadlocked: The Testing Chamber (Reading)

There are no less than four ways this game could end, depending entirely on the choices made by the players, which could cause many to have a love/hate relationship with this room, and some might find that the existential dilemma created for them by the room is perhaps the most difficult aspect.

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Lucardo: The Prison (Manchester)

A prison break is nothing new theme-wise, but this game was immersive and realistic and on a completely different level to not only to other similarly themed games, but also everything else on offer at Lucardo.

Lucardo: Virginia House (Manchester)

With the types of puzzles and the design choices, I would say this game is perfectly suited to small groups of enthusiasts (perhaps those that want to try their first room as a two) or larger groups of new players.

LetsXcape: Sacred (Newark)

Costumes, puzzles, and one of the nicest owner/GMs you’ll ever meet. We preferred The Rig but Sacred is a very good room and has plenty to keep you occupied

clueQuest: CQoriGENES (London)

This room has almost everything I look for in an escape room: beautiful set design, clever puzzles, enough narrative to drive the game forward, and just a bit of humour

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City Mazes: The Runner (Bristol)

Despite being billed as one of the company’s more challenging rooms, we breezed through this room as a team of four, obliterating the current record and topping the leaderboard.

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Clue Adventures: The Book of Secrets (London)

Despite the sheer volume of puzzles, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this game to newbies, provided they have a larger team. For enthusiasts, it’s a solid room and a good choice if you like a plethora of puzzles.

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Escape Key: Plague (Newcastle)

I was expecting something that was more of an escape room combined with a history lesson. This was not that, but it was still good fun, although we did definitely start to feel the pressure towards the end!

Mystery Cube (London)

Only a 15 minute walk from the Underground, on the Northern Line, and there is no way to describe it other than “Fun.” Do it. You won’t regret it.

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