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Every now and then a game appears out of nowhere and destroys all of the benchmarks for what I consider to be a truly exceptional online game. Showdown from 66 Minuten was one such game.

Citizen is the third game in the series by RussBuilds, and we once again had a good time. Getting a slot is like trying to get into an exclusive club, but if you do get in, you should have a great time.

Arguably the hardest of the games that we’ve played by District 3, but also one of the more satisfying ones. With clever puzzles, a wacky story, and a game-changing decision – this is a game to play if you’re looking for something challenging and different from the rest.

Interrogation Room is on the tougher side, and was not at all what I was expecting story wise, but still full of the satisfying, and solid puzzles, and fun that I have come to expect from District 3.

This was a really well put together game and wasn’t at all what we were expecting. I guess you could loosely class this as a horror room, but really it would be great for all the family.

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

While I did enjoy Contraption more when we played in person, the online-avatar adaptation was still great fun, and well worth considering for your next remote escape.

Fox in a Box exceeded our expectations with this room and we had an enjoyable experience. Probably a great room for those new to online escape rooms, but those who have played a few may find this on the easier side.

Our first virtual trip to Ireland was a fun one and The Beach Bar was a great choice. A simple looking room but with added extras that make it fun from start to the end – just be warned, you may get a song or two stuck in your head after this!

Thanks to the adapted gameplay and story, this game translated really well to the online world. Escapologic are perfectionists and that shows in everything they do. It’s great to have more UK based avatar games coming online, this would be a good choice if you’re looking for a fun avatar game.

With the 360 view, the inventory, and Sir Dontos, we had everything we needed to have an enjoyable stay in King’s Landing and came away from this game with that wonderful escape room buzz.

Can you have wholesome family friendly zombie fun? Apparently you can at Improbable Escapes. Unless of course, you’re concerned about a few severed limbs. I have little doubt that Cure for the Common Zombie would be better in person than remotely, but even online it was still good fun.

There is no doubt this was an impressive set with a strong story, but we felt it was lacking in puzzles. With a lot of waiting and simplified puzzles, this game left us wanting more from our time in the Vault, either way, we’ll certainly give the ‘real’ room a try in real life when the world allows.

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.

This is a game that would be amazing in real life, even online it was really good fun. Some really clever technology and fun puzzles made this an enjoyable choice for Liz’s birthday game. This is a game that deserves to be played

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

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

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!

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.

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

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?)

Does the perfect Christmas game exist? Well, I can’t say for sure, but if it isn’t, then The Hot Chocolate Incident comes pretty close, and I can’t think of a more perfect way to get into the holiday spirit

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

If you’re thinking about trying your first (or even your 101st) online avatar game, I heartily recommend giving The Mystic Ruins a try. It’s an exceptional game, with a wonderful host that is perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike

DTF is delightful, campy fun, made even better by the interaction with FloBot. Filled with laughs aplenty, satisfying puzzles, and all the glitz and glamour  I expect from a drag show

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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

Gather your closest friends (or enemies), put your own tiny humans to bed (if you have any), and get ready to accept a remote “babysitting job.” Seen really is no ordinary experience

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

I didn’t realise that it was possible to have more fun than I did playing The Heist, but Cyborg Island has surpassed its predecessor. Well done TAiR, well done

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

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

I often see requests for games that are “family-friendly,” and I wholeheartedly recommend Atlantis! In fact, I would recommend it even if your family doesn’t contain any children

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

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

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! 

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!

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

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

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!

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.

An immersive, audio-led, choose your own adventure, high-stakes heist, Agent Venture isn’t truly an online escape room; in fact it’s so much more. If you’re looking for something different to do, look no further, and book your adventure now

Ready Mayor One was full of surprises and some great ‘Ah-Ha!’ moments; the interaction with A.L.I. and Mayor Rob was just the icing on the cake, making an already good game great

If you’re looking for a great room to play from the comfort of your own home, we have to agree with the recommendation we received: This game is definitely one of the best we’ve played

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.

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!

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

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