Cost: Varies. Monthly payment options and box sets available on the website.
So, we continue with this “play at home” subscription about your childhood friend, James, who is on the run after being accused of killing his wife, Victoria, on their honeymoon. Victoria is the heiress to a family dynasty, so James has to stay on his toes to stay ahead of them.
We had a bit of a hiatus between boxes 2 and 3 (just over a year, actually), so that probably contributed to the fact that we got REALLY stuck on this box… and admitting that some of the puzzles are a bit more challenging than the first two boxes we completed.
This one took us about 3 hours, and we were only able to finish it because of a hint or two provided by some of the other players in the Slack channel, but, the puzzles were fun and challenging, which was a big switch from box 2.
Watch our video review and comment on this post.
Are you playing this subscription? What do you think?
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Are there games, locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?
Description (from the company website): A malevolent evil radiates from the woods of Deep Creek Forest. People are disappearing without explanation, including a team of paranormal investigators who were sent in. You and your team have been called in to find the source of this supernatural power that has been inhabiting the forest. Be prepared, because all indications show that something WICKED has moved in!
You have 60 minutes!
(Website description above has been merged from two sightly different descriptions on the website.)
Difficulty: Difficult
Time Limit: 60 minutes
Cost: $25 per person
Identifier: R1
Party Size: 6-8 players
Staging Area: There is a huge lobby with plenty of couches to relax before your experience. There are also lockers for your convenience to store your stuff while you are in the rooms.
Metro Access/Parking: Plenty of parking since the location is in a shopping center.
OUR EXPERIENCE
This is the video we took before we entered the room:
This is the video we took just after we completed the room:
Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.
Logistics:
Description of the room: You enter a forest that has a small campground surrounded by trees, a small cemetery, a wood cabin, and fenced-in garden. It’s dark and creepy.
Understanding of the Mission: Find the source of the evil that has been inhabiting the woods and if there is a way to banish it.
Did We Escape: Yes
Time Remaining: 15:30 remaining
Our Suggested Party Size: We had 7 and that seemed to work just fine
Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes
Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph D., Brittany, Heather, Tara and EricWorth the time and money? Yes
Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: We didn’t have time to grab food or drinks, but you’re in a shopping center, so you have plenty of options.
While visiting Chicago, IL on a work trip (during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, of all times), Mike convinced a few of his co-workers to check out The Mob room at PanIQ Escape Room Chicago, an escape room franchise with a sister location in DC). After completing the room, he sat down with Game Master Drew, and delved more into the rooms and themes at this location.
Unfortunately, his manager Heidi couldn’t join us for the interview, but she offered our readers a 15% discount when using the code ERG15 while booking any of the rooms at their Chicago locations (new one opening soon!).
Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.
Stay tuned for Mike’s review of The Mob. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.
Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?
Description (from the company website): Have you ever had a dream, that you were stuck in an escape room, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream and unable to escape? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the escape room you’re trapped in? Jump down the rabbit hole and find out.
Difficulty:Not rated
Time Limit: 60 minutes
Cost: $28
Identifier: R1
Party Size: Up to 8 players
Staging Area: There is a large lobby with very comfy couches and the check-in desk. There are also tables with chairs along the hallway. Sodas and waters are complimentary.
Metro Access/Parking: Pentagon City Metro is 1.6 miles away, so we suggest you take the bus, Uber, or Lyft. However, there is a parking garage and some on-street parking if you decide to drive.
OUR EXPERIENCE
This is the video we took before we entered the room:
This is the video we took just after we completed the room:
Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this room for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process we’ve used on all of our other ratings.
Logistics:
Description of the room: The room you enter is stark white, has a number of panels along the walls, and some framed artwork. There is also a table in the center. Very minimalist.
Understanding of the Mission: You are trapped in a computer program and have to figure out how to crash it so you can escape back to “reality”.
Did We Escape: Yes
Time Remaining: 15 minutes
Our Suggested Party Size: We had a full contingent for the room (party size of 8) and that actually worked pretty well. There is a lot more to this room than meets the eye.
Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes, and we had a mixture of veterans and Escape Room Newbies (ERNs)
Members of our team (other than the ERG): Lisa and her team
Did the Escape Room Guys and their team find their way out of the digital world?
Worth the time and money? Yes
Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: You’re on the main strip of Columbia Pike, so there are a lot of restaurant and bar options to choose from.
The original 5 Wits adventure, Tomb has thrilled more than a million guests since it first appeared in Boston in 2004.
Your group takes on the role of a team of archaeologists, tasked with unsealing the newly-discovered tomb of a long forgotten Pharaoh. Once inside its pitch black halls, you’ll have only your wits and a flashlight to guide you. But tread carefully – the mighty Pharaoh is not happy with your intrusion into his resting place!
This tomb is filled with ancient riddles, deathtraps to outsmart, and tests of skill and courage. It’s up to you solve Pharaoh’s challenges, find his burial chamber, and set his spirit free… or fail, and face his wrath.
Difficulty (1-10): none given
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Cost: is based on how many adventures you purchase:
3 adventures: $39.99 per person (can use over different days/doesn’t expire)
2 adventures: $36.99 per person
1 adventure: $29.99 per person
Identifier: R1
Party Size: Minimum of 2; maximum of 12
Staging Area: There is a very large lobby where you can check out previous groups’ scores and buy some merchandise. Additionally, they have party rooms for corporate/private events.
Metro Access/Parking: It’s in Ballston Quarter Mall so you can take the metro to the Ballston-MU Station, or drive and park in the parking lot (or on the street).
OUR EXPERIENCE
This is the video we took before we entered the adventure:
This is the video we took just after we completed the adventure:
Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this adventure for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process that we’ve used on all of our other ratings.
Logistics:
Description of the room: You start off outside a tomb entrance and have to find your way inside. Once you do, you are in a large antechamber that is sparsely decorated with items.
Understanding of the Mission: Figure out how to enter the tomb, make your way through the tomb by solving the Pharaoh’s riddles, and find a way to release the Pharaoh’s trapped spirit… or spend eternity trapped with him.
Did We Escape: Yes
Scores: 99% with two secrets found
Our Suggested Party Size: 8 worked okay, but you can probably do 6 if you are all experienced players
Did the adventure challenge the entire team? Yes
Members of our team (other than the ERG): Heather, Brittany, Corey, Tara, Eric, and Steph D.
Worth the time and money? Yes
Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:
Punch Bowl Social – it’s less than a 30 second walk from 5 Wits and has good food and drinks and more games, if you haven’t had enough
It had been awhile since we were at Escape Quest’s location in Alexandria, VA, so Jason reached out to them to see if they’d be interested in doing an updated interview. Tierney, the Creative Director, invited us over to brief us on what has been going on at Escape Quest, and how they’ve adjusted their design process over the last few years.
She also provided our readers with a discount code to use when booking any rooms at their locations (they are expecting to open in Bethesda sometime in mid-2019).. Use ERG25 to take a whopping 25% off your ticket price!
Due to the revamping of some of the rooms, we may have to head back and check out what’s changed…
Check out the video interview below:
Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.
Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.
Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?
Espionage is a covert spy thriller, placing you in the role of a secret agent.
The evil CABAL Corporation is threatening to launch a false flag event, inciting worldwide chaos… unless your team of agents can stop them! Your mission: dodge lasers, crawl through real air ducts, hack their computer system, and put a stop to their nefarious plan; and think before you act — with several possible endings to your mission, your mistakes could have global consequences.
Difficulty (1-10): none given
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Cost: is based on how many adventures you purchase:
3 adventures: $39.99 per person (can use over different days/doesn’t expire)
2 adventures: $36.99 per person
1 adventure: $29.99 per person
Identifier: R1
Party Size: Minimum of 2; maximum of 12
Staging Area: There is a very large lobby where you can check out previous groups’ scores and buy some merchandise. Additionally, they have party rooms for corporate/private events.
Metro Access/Parking: It’s in Ballston Quarter Mall so you can take the metro to the Ballston-MU Station, or drive and park in the parking lot (or on the street).
OUR EXPERIENCE
This is the video we took before we entered the adventure:
This is the video we took just after we completed the adventure:
Note: The ERG were given the opportunity to try out this adventure for free, with the understanding that we would continue to provide an honest review and follow the same process that we’ve used on all of our other ratings.
Logistics:
Description of the room: You start off outside in an alleyway with graffiti on the walls. You need to find your way into the experience, and then have your choice of entrances for the first room.
Understanding of the Mission: Infiltrate the safe house, find a way to disarm the missiles, and escape the safe house without being captured.
Did We Escape: Yes, in multiple ways (and multiple times)
Scores: 93%, 96% and 97% (our best score to date)
Our Suggested Party Size: 6 is good
Did the adventure challenge the entire team? Yes
Members of our team (other than the ERG): Heather, Brittany, Tara, and Chris
Worth the time and money? Yes
Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:
Punch Bowl Social – it’s less than a 30 second walk from 5 Wits and has good food and drinks and more games, if you haven’t had enough
In preparation for enjoying a nice long, holiday weekend out in Colorado (mostly in Colorado Springs), we were recommended by the owner of another escape room company to check out Time to Escape on our way back from Denver. So, we reached out to Arianna, who invited us to check out her location in Lakewood, and we stopped in to see what Time to Escape was all about.
While we were there, we played throughThe Burning Castle, a theme that involved time travel and the infamous Vlad Tepes (a.k.a. Dracula), himself. Afterwards, we sat down with Arianna and found out how she came up with the inspiration for the rooms themselves.
Additionally, she’s offered our readers a $5 discount on tickets when using the code ERG5D ($5 off per ticket) when booking the rooms.
Check out the video interview below [and apologies for the audio; Jason forgot his recording equipment on this trip]:
Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.
Stay tuned for our review of the Burning Castle. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.
Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?
A few months ago, we had planned a nice long, holiday weekend out in Colorado, mostly in Colorado Springs. We’d been chatting with Ryan, the co-owner and co-founder of Puzzah!, who invited us up to check out his location in Denver. So, we took one of our days to head back North to see what Puzzah! was all about.
We elected to do their Kazam room, since we were intrigued by this option of getting to do bonus puzzles (or “buzzles” – a new term [accidentally] coined by Mike). After the room, we were able to chat in-depth with Ryan and his lead designer, Nick, as to what makes doing a room at Puzzah! a unique experience.
Additionally, they’ve offered our readers a 10% discount on tickets when using the code ERG10 when booking the rooms.
Check out the video interview below [and apologies for the audio; Jason forgot his recording equipment on this trip]:
Have you done any of the rooms at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.
Stay tuned for our review of Kazam. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.
Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?
When the opportunity came up to try out a few new rooms at a location we hadn’t done before, we – of course – jumped at the opportunity.
We braved the traffic going South on I-95 from Alexandria, VA on a Friday night to Fredericksburg, VA to visit Rush Hour Live Escape Games. We completed two of their rooms, Something Wicked and Tomb of the Red Queen, and had the opportunity to chat with Paul, one of the owners, about his location, rooms, and how they create great experiences for their customers.
Check out the video interview below:
Have you done any of the adventures at this location? What was your experience like? You can add your comments to this post.
Stay tuned for our reviews of Something Wicked and Tomb of the Red Queen. Check out and follow our social media channels below to be notified when new postings and interviews are published.
Are there locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?
