It’s hard to compare this to the first game we played at Secret Studio as it’s been a while, and that one was our first. However, The Emerald Phantom is a fun game and still has those lovely little touches that make it part of the Secret Studio experience.
London
ScreamWorks: The Haunted House (London)
The Haunted House was an interesting experience and I think it would be fascinating to see how it is run with the maximum 48 players. One thing that was clear from our experience was that ScreamWorks are constantly experimenting and developing their offering, so there is a good chance that your experience could be slightly different to ours.
clueQuest: Revenge of the Sheep (London)
Despite being an older game, Revenge of the Sheep is still in very good condition and not showing its age at all. Puzzles were solid, the tech was impressive, and set design was the high standard we’ve come to expect. If you’re looking for escape rooms in London, then clueQuest is always a contender and any of their games are a good choice.
clueQuest: Plan 52 (London)
Plan 52 is clueQuest’s first game, and while it is no longer anything groundbreaking, it still holds up as a solid game that is a delight to play, making it enjoyable for enthusiasts and perfect for first time players.
Escape from the Room: The Mixed up Mind of Mr Crabheal (Epsom)
Escape from the Room have created a game here that should be enjoyed by not only the general public, but also enthusiasts, which is not always an easy feat. It’s great to see a growing trend where escape rooms are designed to keep you in the game for as close to 60 minutes as possible.
Chronos One Escape Rooms: Temple of the Forbidden Idol (Eltham)
I enjoyed Eltham Escape’s previous temple themed game, but The Temple of the Forbidden Idol has definitely surpassed its predecessor. The Temple of the Forbidden Idol was filled with satisfyingly chunky and tactile puzzles, and just enough adventure to thrill my temple loving heart
Chronos One Escape Rooms: Return to Neverland (Eltham)
This game was a joy to play and was beautifully put together. The puzzles were fun and the game had a little bit of magic that made it a wonderful space to be. If you’re a fan of the Disney experience, get booked in!
Chronos One Escape Rooms: Nightmare on Ripper Street (Eltham)
The story felt like it was missing something in this game, but the set design was spot on. Some questionable tech as well as some sneaky searching left us feeling a bit confused at times, and like we were guessing more than solving things.
Phantom Peak (London)
Phantom Peak is a wacky place that has a strange obsession with Platypuses, and it works. The cool Wild West Steampunk vibe, cool machines, great cast, and obscure missions all come together to form the perfect family/friend/work/romantic experience. We didn’t know what to expect, but we will be back, and probably more than once. We’ve now got a new favourite attraction in London.
Mission Breakout: Underground 2099 (London)
Underground 2099 has some cool moments and a good sense of adventure, but I’d like a little more signposting and definitely more light to make this a truly fun experience.
Escape from the Room: Return of Old Maid Milly (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
Chronos One Escape Rooms: The Temple of the Lost Spirit (London)
Eltham Escape Rooms have clearly upped their game in terms of set design with this room, aiming for full immersion, with an impressively decorated set and the more tactile puzzles, allowing the game to become a true adventure.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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’
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
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.
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!)
Chronos One 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.
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!
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
Archimedes Inspiration: Project Delta (London)
AI Escapes are really going for full immersion with Project Delta, and have spent a lot of time to truly bring you into the world
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.
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.
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.
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!
Do Stuff Escape Games: Pie & Mash Shop (London)
A fun room, and one that may be a little easy for enthusiasts, a good challenge for beginners, but a great room to do regardless.
Clue HQ Kingston: The Experiments (London)
A mediocre room let down even more by a terrible GM.
Omescape: The Joker (London)
Our first experience with Omescape and turning up at this dodgy looking building just north of King’s Cross did nothing to put our nerves at ease, entering the waiting room did even less for that!
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.
Do Stuff Escape Games: Hostage Hideout (London)
This was a fun room and although basic at times it still has enough to keep you going, although I wouldn’t recommend playing with a large group
Escape from the Room: The Curse of Old Maid Milly (Cheam)
For an enthusiast built room it is really rather good. OK, it isn’t as polished around the edges as some big money rooms but it works and is definitely still fun and worth doing.
Escape from the Room: The Cabin in the Woods (Cheam)
This room really has so much to keep you going, and such variety that there is no chance you’ll get bored. I really would have no hesitation in recommending this room to enthusiasts and beginners.
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.
Handmade Mysteries: Poppa Plock’s Wonky Workshop (London)
Handmade Mysteries seem to take a dose of escape room and a pinch of theatre and blend them together to create something truly delectable.
Lock’d: Perpetuum Mobile (London)
This room had promise, it really did but it failed in some key areas that really let it down and means we have no desire of going back and doing any more rooms at Lock’d.
Handmade Mysteries: Lady Chastity’s Reserve (London)
How can you fit so much fun into such a small space?! A great in character GM and a bottle of wine to boot, made this room a winner for us!
Secret Studio: Escape in Time! (London)
It’s true what they say, you never forget your first, and fortunately for us that was ‘Escape in time’. A really solid game with some very memorable moments.