Paradox | The Incredible Time MachineRabbit Hole Recreation ServicesEscape roomIRLOk, so, we loved this game. Really fun puzzles that fit well together, fun voice acting and delivery of hints. My one downside was the GM. He didn’t seem very passionate or welcoming. Not the end of the world but dampened the experience a little. The room itself was top notch and I’ll be back to try more rooms here for sure.
Masters Of MagicGatlin's Escape Games - The VillageEscape roomIRLThis may be my favorite room yet. So many puzzles I’d never seen before and truly awesome atmosphere, special effects, and ambiance. One puzzle was a huge frustrating time suck and we spent so much time on this (due to a confusing mechanism that should be cleared up for future players - rabbits/cages). This puzzle cost us the game. We asked for hints twice on this puzzle and he wasn’t able to clear up the confusion until I asked directly. GM was very strict about not going over time but then told us after we were less than three minutes from finishing. Wish he could have clarified that puzzle and/or let us go a few minutes over time. Kinda put a damper on the whole experience tbh.
Big Maw Bertha's Fussin' & A' Feudin' Moonshine Hill HootenannyGatlin's Escape Games - Downtown GatlinburgEscape roomIRLVery fun game overall. I’m with everyone else though - the phone puzzle was a huge frustrating time suck. And the volume was a little intense and over stimulating for me but that may not bother others. The bottle cork puzzle though and the final puzzle though were ingenious.
PlaygroundThe Escape GameEscape roomIRLOne of my favorite rooms ever! Puzzles and atmosphere rocked! I will be taking my kids back to do this one soon.
Strike it Rich!Golden Puzzle RoomEscape roomIRLWe loved this room. We did it as a family (2 adults and 4 kids) at their previous location so I can’t speak to the new atmosphere. The GM/owner is exactly the kind you want. Not pushy with unwanted hints, but will offer when he knows you need it. The puzzles are excellent, this is truly a place that prioritizes the puzzle mechanics. Unique and entertaining. Recommended!
The NightingaleGolden Puzzle RoomEscape roomIRLLoved it overall but the atmosphere needs work. Excellent puzzles and props, but the setting feels sterile and could be given more attention to feel less like and office room and more like an old tea house. I miss the old location!
Mystic ChamberConundrum Escape Rooms – LakewoodEscape roomIRLThis was a really fun room. The GM was perfect. She even gave my upset toddler a toy to keep her occupied. Everything flowed well and we saw a couple mechanics we had not seen before. We especially enjoyed the sun and moon puzzle. Great for kids and families.
The LighthouseGolden Puzzle RoomEscape roomIRLI loved the props and creative puzzles as I always do at Golden Puzzle Room. Once again, I do wish they paid more attention to the setting, walls, etc. They have some of the best puzzles, but the atmosphere really pulls me out of the game. I absolutely LOVE their puzzles though. Kind and balanced GM, really passionate owners. Overall, we love this place. I’m giving it a heart for the unique puzzles.
The Psycho Killer 2.1Boulder Escape RoomEscape roomIRLSo much fun! The story was great and they toned it down for the kids. The last puzzle was our favorite. My one critique was that the GM was a little pushy and gave us hints without asking when we had plenty of time left on the clock. If it weren’t for that, this room would have gotten a heart.
Wizarding WorldHD Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLThis is the second game at this place that I couldn’t stand. We solved the puzzle to get into the second room but it didn’t work, wasted 10 minutes on that one before we finally got ahold of the GM who clearly wasn’t watching and hinted us to do exactly what we’d already done. I think the reason it didn’t work was that it was a button they had to push manually and she wasn’t watching us play. SUPER frustrating. Then, at the end we asked for a hint and she came in and DID IT FOR US. This has never happened to me in an escape room and it kind of killed the victory for us. I was quite unhappy about it. Many puzzles didn’t work right away. I thought the light puzzle was pretty frustrating and not color blind friendly, at all.
