The description for this game describes a ‘frantic hour of puzzling’, and that’s exactly what it is. This is a game that will appeal to enthusiasts as the aim is not to get out quickly, but to solve as many puzzles as possible.
North
List of the rooms we have reviewed in the North. In date order from newest to oldest
Escapable: Outatime (Wakefield)
If you’re a fan of a certain 1985 film that features a DeLorean, a teen in a red gilet, and a doc, then look no further, you’ve found the room for you. Fun puzzles, a lovely set, and an ending that is one you’re sure to remember for a long time.
Escapable: Avast (Wakefield)
Our time in Avast was short, but enjoyable. This is probably the easiest of the games at Escapable but that would make it good for beginners. Even then, I think enthusiasts would still have a good time.
Enigma Rooms Wakefield: Escape from Wonderland (Wakefield)
Escape from Wonderland is a fun game full of whimsy. Although not overly taxing, the puzzles were enjoyable and satisfying to solve. We were apprehensive about playing at Enigma as it’s part of a (small) chain, but those fears were not warranted and it felt more like an independent venue.
Escapable: The Great Loudini (Wakefield)
Part magic show, part escape room, The Great Loudini was an experience unlike any other. I’m still utterly baffled by how they managed to do some of the things that they did, and honestly, the only explanation I have is magic.
Escape Quest: Mr Copplestone’s Curiosity Shoppe (Macclesfield)
Now we understand what the fuss is about, and we need to plan many more trips to Macclesfield to play their other games as and when they’re open.
The Escaporium: Area 51 1/2 (Halifax)
There’s a reason everyone is talking about The Escaporium in general, and Area 51 ½ in particular, and it’s not just because people love aliens. Area 51 ½ is charming, beautifully designed, and full of puzzle perfection.
The Escaporium: A Christmas Advent-ure (Halifax)
Normally, we at Review the Room do not mesh well with games themed around the jolly holidays, but Christmas Advent-ure doesn’t feel like your typical Christmas game
The Escaporium: Operation Moonshine (Halifax)
Operation Moonshine was a lovely game with solid puzzles and a set that felt ‘right’. It’s a game that starts off small but soon opens up into a larger space with an abundance of puzzles.
The Escaporium: Crux Codicillus (Halifax)
I don’t know what I was expecting from Crux Codicillus (other than crocodiles, which it definitely does not have), but what I got was a thoroughly satisfying who dunnit mystery in an absolutely stunning building.
The Escaporium: The Haligonian (Halifax)
Yes, there’s more to Halifax than just the bank and the Haligonian is the perfect place to learn about it while having a great time solving puzzles!
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.
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.)
Compendium: Laboratory (Bury)
A nice and bright room that felt very different to the other offerings at Compendium. This is a large space that could handle bigger teams, and has some really satisfying puzzles. Good fun.
Compendium: Wrong Turn (Bury)
A creepy room with good set design and some nicely challenging puzzles. Perhaps a bit gruesome for the family, but those of you who seek out horror rooms will likely enjoy (especially if you get the live actor version)
Lucardo: Gem Runner (Rawtenstall)
We enjoyed Gem Runner in Manchester, and we had the same feeling in Rawtenstall. A fun game that will remind you of all the things you first loved about escape rooms.
Lucardo: University of Magic – Dragons Heart (Rawtenstall)
It’s been so long since we played Entrance Exam that I can’t really confirm or deny the rumours that say Dragon’s Heart is even better, but I can confirm that Dragon’s Heart is definitely superb and well worth the trip to Rawtenstall.
Lucardo: Safe House (Rawtenstall)
Yet another fun room by Lucardo. We’d been holding off playing the online avatar version of this game as we wanted to play it in real life, and we’re glad we did. We enjoyed Corruption a bit more than Safe House, but this game is unlikely to disappoint.
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.
Lockdown: The Ministry (Ormskirk)
Although Lockdown are new to the escape room scene, they have brought three strong games to the table, with (minor hiccups aside) The Ministry being a highlight of the venue. If their first games are any indication of their skills, I look forward to seeing what comes next!
Lockdown: The Institution (Ormskirk)
This room had some good moments and certainly threw a few surprises our way with some theatrical elements that we weren’t expecting. With the exception of one puzzle, we enjoyed this game but I feel confident that this puzzle will be tweaked to make it better, so if you play, you may not have the same frustration that we did.
Lockdown: The Lodge (Ormskirk)
Perhaps on the easier side, The Lodge would be a great entry level game for those thinking of trying an escape room. Even enthusiasts should have a good time as the puzzles are decent and the theming is spot on.
Wirral Escape Rooms: The Curse of the Golden Lion (Liverpool)
If Disney made an escape room, this would be it. Ignoring the fact that the game is great and beautiful, there are so many easter eggs lovingly placed in the room that it is like an extra puzzle to spot and identify them all (we missed many)
Adrenaline: Nebula (Wigan)
Nebula was easily our favourite room at Adrenaline, and if this is a sign of things to come then they’re a venue to watch. This room really clicked with us and we found the puzzles a joy to solve and the room a pleasant place to be
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.
Adrenaline: Labyrinth (Wigan)
This room certainly felt like a labyrinth, with twists and turns meaning we didn’t know which way we would be headed next. With decent puzzles and a good flow to the game, we enjoyed our time in the Labyrinth
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: 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.
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 Rooms Durham: Lab Heist (Durham)
There isn’t much to this room and it’s very much what-you-see-is-what-you-get but we found there was enough in there to keep us occupied
The Escape Key: Armageddon (Newcastle)
A strong room with impressive set design and puzzles we’ve not seen anywhere else.
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!