No fish and chips, just death and taxes… – Room: Murder in London – November 29, 2020

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy solving murders, want to be a Bobby, and like climbing through windows..

Avoid if… you dislike telephone booths, bars, or alleyways.


THE BASICS

Time Emporium Escape Rooms:

Address: 391 Denver Ave, Loveland, CO 80537 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 970-619-8639
https://time-emporium.com

The Room – Wizard’s Tower:

Description (from the company website): There’s been a series of murders in the dark alleyways of London. We think it has to do with another time medallion that we’ve located. The murderer might even be in possession of this medallion. A Scotland Yard detective was murdered on the corner of Commercial and Hanbury streets. Start by searching there for any evidence the police may have missed.

Difficulty (1-10)Medium

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 8 Max

Staging Area: Small waiting area with merch and a couch.

Metro Access/Parking: There’s a parking lot for the facility and the adjacent store. Unsure about metro access.


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:

As I’ve said a few times in recent memory, I’m apparently forgetting to do the post room video.

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 start off in an alley along side a bar, brick walls, windows, and all.

Understanding of the Mission: Retrieve the Time Medallion by solving this murder mystery before you become the next victim.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: A few minutes, IIRC.

Our Suggested Party Size: 6ish would work.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph D

We tried are darnedest to call home, but there was nowhere to put a quarter.

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading

Can’t We All Just Get Oolong??? – Room: A Spot of Tea – an Iris Trenton Memoir – August 9, 2020

Fancy a spot of tea?

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if…you enjoy an English breakfast or quaint village eateries.

Avoid if… you don’t like to sit down on the job.


THE BASICS

Enter the Enigma:

Address: 3540 N. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 719-309-6862
https://www.entertheenigma.com/

The Room – A Spot of Tea: An Iris Trenton Memoir:

Description (from the company website): After the worldwide publicity from your impressive capture of the famed thief, Iris Trenton, you needed a vacation.

While strolling the streets of London you happen across a little hole in the wall cafe/tea room that intrigues you. Taking a seat you are admiring the decor when you here that familiar voice…..

“Greetings Detective….Welcome to Siri’s”. Iris Trenton stands before you dressed as a waitress. At this moment you receive a phone call from Scotland Yard informing you that Iris has broken out of prison and that all signs point to her being in London to steal the Crown Jewels. Obviously, this was a trap.

Can you best the master criminal again or will she prove your first encounter inside The Attic was pure luck?

For a more detailed story, go to Enter the Enigma’s Facebook page.

Difficulty (1-10)You’ll have the option of Medium or Hard when you enter, but it’s listed as “Very Hard 8/10”

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R2 (this room is a true sequel to The Attic)

Party Size: 2-6

Staging Area: Small lobby area with lockers and a water cooler. With Covid-19, this actually works since you won’t have to sit around and wait for people (unless they’re in your party).

Metro Access/Parking: This is a sort of strip mall, so plenty of parking.


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:

Never took one. I will dish on it in the review itself.

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 is laid out as a small café, complete with dessert display case and tables/chairs.

Understanding of the Mission: describe our understanding of what we needed to do

Did We Escape: Yes, technically (see below)

Time Remaining: After discussing it with Don, we agreed upon a whole 1 SECOND REMAINING! (Read on for explanation.) Also, LEADERBOARD!

Our Suggested Party Size: 2-4; you can pull off 6, but it might be a bit crowded.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph D

Fancy a spot of tea?
Fancy a spot of tea? And yes, that’s Rico.

We didn’t take a picture; we were too busy discussing the room with the owners. But this is one we were sent to use.

Worth the time and money? Yes, especially if you’re a mental masochist.

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: We ended up just heading home after, but there’s some good restaurants nearby. Continue reading

Grandma…What Dead Eyes You Have… – Room: Red Riding Hood – March 10, 2019

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you’re a fan of children’s stories/fairy tales or you always wondered what was in Red’s damn basket…

Avoid if… you are scared of wolves, not into picnics, or don’t like your Grandmother.


THE BASICS

Number One Escape Room:

Address: 1775 East Tropicana, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89119 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 702-528-1459
https://numberoneescaperoom.com/

The Room – Red Riding Hood:

Description (from the company website): Red Riding Hood is a suspect in a series of murders that you and your team of private investigators have been hired to investigate. In this very grim tale, your team mission is to go to Grandmother’s house to find out if Red went Hood in the Woods and partnered up with the Big Bad Wolf!

Difficulty (1-10): 3.5/5

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $40

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 6

Staging Area: There is a very large lobby (this place is huge) and plenty of seating. There was a water cooler (if I recall correctly) and lots of swag for sale.

Metro Access/Parking: No idea how public transit works there; I was in town for work and just drove.


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 start off in the living room of Grandma’s house. There’s a table, rocking chair, a dead body…

Understanding of the Mission: Determine if Red is a serial killer who partnered with the Big Bad Wolf, or not

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 3:15

Our Suggested Party Size: We were 2; I wouldn’t really recommend more than 4; it’ll get cramped REAL quick

Did the room challenge the entire team? Kinda

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Bobby

Worth the time and money? Eh…Kinda?

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

    • Went out on the Strip after, so can’t really recommend anything. Sorry

Continue reading

In a Haunted Hotel Room, ALWAYS Check Under the Mattress – Room: The Mystery of Room 213 – March 4, 2018

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you enjoy checking into hotel rooms… especially if there’s a chance it is HAUNTED

Avoid if… you startle easily.


THE BASICS

Escape Room Herndon:

Address: 404 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 571-306-2279
https://www.escaperoomherndon.com

Room – The Mystery of Room 213:

Description (from the company website): You’re a team of paranormal investigators who have been requested by a hotel owner to investigate strange happenings inside the mysterious room 213.  As soon as you enter the room you can sense that something else is going on.  Before you can ask, your host has quickly left the room.  As you hear the door lock, you realize you’ve been trapped.  Can your team uncover the Mystery of Room 213?

Difficulty (1-10): 6/10 and not recommended for children under 13

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $28

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 4-6

Staging Area: A pretty large lobby with a few bar tables and chairs, and a lounge with couches and chairs and tables.

Metro Access/Parking: It’s in Herndon so you’re better off driving.


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:

Logistics:

Description of the room: You enter a hotel room that is supposedly haunted… where the occupants end up missing.

Understanding of the Mission: Pretty simple… figure out if the room is truly haunted and what happened to the former guests.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 3 minutes

Our Suggested Party Size: 6 was pretty good

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Heather and Steph D., plus 2 random people (not pictured)

Worth the time and money? Hell, yes! (Anything that can scare Jason into jumping is definitely worth doing LOL)

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

Continue reading

There are Secrets the Government Doesn’t Want You to Know (That’s Why We Have The X-Files) – Room: Conspiracy – September 29, 2018

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… your belief in government conspiracies grows every year as you get older.

Avoid if… you think that your Amazon Echo (or Echo Dot) is secretly spying on you. (Seriously, ask Alexa if she works for the CIA…)


THE BASICS

ClueIQ:

Address: 103 S. Carroll St. #1A, Frederick, MD 21701 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 240-815-6458
www.clueiq.com
info@clueiq.com

Room – Conspiracy:

Description (from the company website): Trust no one.

Question everything.

Uncover the truth.

Step inside of a thrilling mystery centered around some of the greatest conspiracies of our time. Players will need to piece together the clues and connect the dots before time runs and the truth is lost forever. Strap on your tin foil hats and uncover the truth beneath the lies.

Difficulty: Intermediate/Expert

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $31 per person, but use ERG15 to take 15% off your games booked (not valid on Saturdays)

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 4-8

Staging Area: A small waiting room with a reception desk, and small fridge with water (don’t they have a fridge here???) and some small puzzles to work on while you wait.

Metro Access/Parking: It’s in the historic part of downtown Frederick, so if you’re going to visit from DC, you’re gonna need to drive. There is a parking lot right next to the building, or ample street parking nearby.


OUR EXPERIENCE

We actually forgot to do the pre- and post-videos because we had such a good time talking (at length) with the owner. W0mp W0mp

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 walk into a room with 2 tables, a bunch of string-pointed diagrams on the walls, and what we could only guess to be a clean room in the back.

Understanding of the Mission: Uncover the clues in Icarus’ hideout, determine where he hid all the information, and get out with it before the Feds find you there.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: 3:30

Our Suggested Party Size: We had 4 with one novice and one escape room virgin (ERV), and that was tough. We’d likely recommend 5-6.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Absolutely

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Alex and Anna

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After: You’re in downtown Frederick in the historic district. Lots of places nearby to eat and drink (we don’t have a recommendation because we didn’t stop anywhere).

Continue reading

Being Patient is Much Harder than Being “A” Patient – Room: The Patient – July 15, 2018

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you had psych as a GenEd in college.

Avoid if… being restrained is NOT your idea of a good time.


THE BASICS

Insomnia Escape DC:

Address: 2300 Wisconsin Ave NW, #200B, Washington, DC 20007 (click address for a Google Map)

Contact and Website: 202-600-0419
https://insomniaescaperoomdc.com/the-patient/

Room – The Patient:

Description (from the company website):

Detective thriller in a psychiatric hospital.
Investigate the mystery, but don’t lose your mind…

The early 1970s. You are a group of journalists sent to investigate strange things that happen around St. Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital…

An unsettling atmosphere of a mental asylum and unexpected scenario twists in the new thriller detective escape room “The Patient.”

Difficulty (1-10)9/10

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $29/per person

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-8

Staging Area: The staging area was basically a lobby with a few couches and a coat rack. Note: this part of their location is located DOWNSTAIRS to the left of the main entrance..

Metro Access/Parking: The nearest Metro stop is either Tenleytown or Woodley Park metro (and then a bus), so it’s likely easier to drive/cab/Lyft in. There is street parking and one or two garages nearby.


OUR EXPERIENCE

This is the video we took before we entered the room:

Logistics:

Description of the room: A small office in what appears to be a mental institution.

Understanding of the Mission: Using our journalistic investigative skills, figure out what’s happening at St. Elizabeth’s Psychiatric Hospital.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: About 4 minutes.

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 if you’re all experienced; otherwise, 6 will work fine.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Ethan, Steph D., and Heather

Worth the time and money? This room is billed as their best and hardest room, and it was challenging (but not impossible).

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • Old Europe. Authentic German food a few minutes walk. Been there twice.
  • Glover Park Brewery – A good brewery with a nice selection of beers. No food, but they cycle in food trucks so you can get some grub.

Continue reading

I’ve Found Worse Things In Worse Places… – Room: The Attic – August 17th, 2018

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you like solving mysteries.

Avoid if… you don’t like dark, dank, dusty attics (in theory).


THE BASICS

Enter the Enigma:

Address: 3540 N Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80917 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 719-309-6862
https://www.entertheenigma.com

Room – The Attic:

Description (from the company website): Iris Trenton, a famed thief and escape artist, has eluded capture for over six years. Known for her trademark puzzles left at each scene, many failed attempts have been made in cracking these clues. The latest puzzle has finally slid across your desk and as a young detective you are eager to prove yourself. Burning both ends of the candle you are about to call it for the night when you spill your coffee on the puzzle. Words begin to appear. It’s an address! Wasting no time you jump up and assemble a small police force to accompany you wherever this address may lead.

Arriving at a large mansion your team moves swiftly through the residence when a bang sounds from above. Racing into the attic the lights dim and door slams shut behind you. Surveying the room you see a letter
Greetings Detective…….

Difficulty (1-10)Hard

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $30

Identifier: R1

Party Size: 2-6

Staging Area: Small front room before the hallway where the rooms are.

Metro Access/Parking: This is in Colorado Springs, CO, so either drive or get a Lyft/Uber.


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:

 

Logistics:

Description of the room: The room was sparsely decorated, but what was there felt like it would be in a weird attic.

Understanding of the Mission: Iris has been a step ahead of the police forever and you randomly stumble upon a lead. You follow it and come to a mansion. Upon entering, you hear a noise from the attic, which you investigate. After the door slams, you turn around and see a note from Iris.

Did We Escape: Yes

Time Remaining: ~15:30 (Leaderboard, bitches!) (Though we’ve been replaced already I think.)

Our Suggested Party Size: 2-4

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Steph

Jason and Steph were able to stop Iris in her tracks!

Worth the time and money? Yes

Continue reading

That’s One Way to Avoid Future Gas Hikes – Room: Death Row – June 15, 2018

ESCAPE ROOM REVIEW – THE QUICK AND DIRTY

Play if… you like to play detective.

Avoid if… you have an issue with capital punishment.


THE BASICS

Pike’s Peak Escape Rooms:

Address: 1826 East Platte Avenue, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 (click address for Google Map)

Contact and Website: 719-799-6661
https://www.pikespeakescaperooms.com

Room – Death Row:

Description (from the company website): Bobby Ray will be executed in one hour for a horrible crime. He claims he is INNOCENT! The Governor wants to get to the bottom and summons YOU to investigate.

Will YOU save an innocent life?

Difficulty (1-10): 8/10

Time Limit: 60 minutes

Cost: $30

Identifier: R1

Party Size: Up to 8

Staging Area: Small lobby with a few chairs and some…memorabilia.

Metro Access/Parking: Large lot behind the building, plenty of street parking.


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: Sheriffs office (desk, chairs, table), gas chamber.

Understanding of the Mission: Find all the evidence and figure out if Bobby Ray did it. And if not, who did.

Did We Escape: Yes, including solving the murder

Time Remaining: 11:22

Our Suggested Party Size: 4 would be a good spot for this.

Did the room challenge the entire team? Yes, but any more than 4 people and they may get bored.

Members of our team (other than the ERG): Marco and Holly

Worth the time and money? Yes

Where to Eat/Drink Before/After:

  • We went somewhere closer to home, so nothing to suggest here.

Continue reading

Dispatch by Breakout Games: On the Run, Box 2 – Game Review – May 15, 2018

ESCAPE GAME REVIEW:

Dispatch by Breakout Games – Game Subscription

On the Run – Box 2

Cost: Varies. Monthly payment options and box sets available on the website.

So, this review is based on Box 2 of a series that explores the continuing saga of your childhood friend, James, who is on the run after being accused of the murder of his wife, the heiress of a powerful family, during their honeymoon. James has been reaching out to you through a series of boxes sent to your address, which evolves the mystery. This is a pretty cool premise because while this isn’t an actual escape room, the mere method of tying in the delivery of the boxes to you starts the immersive experience.

We liked the second box as much as the first one. It required a lot of reading (like the first) and solving a lot of different clues using items in the box as well as your phones.

This one took us about 35-40 minutes, and was done by the same group of us (Mike, Jason, and our Escaptern Mark)

Watch our video review and comment on this post.

Are you playing this subscription? What do you think?

—————————————————————————————————————-

Are there games, locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at theescaperoomguys@gmail.com and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels:

Dispatch by Breakout Games: On the Run, Box 1 – Game Review – May 8, 2018

ESCAPE GAME REVIEW:

Dispatch by Breakout Games – Game Subscription

On the Run – Box 1 (see promo video below)

Cost: Varies. Monthly payment options and box sets available on the website.

So, we are expanding our reviews to include games, and we decided to do a video overview of our experience playing box 1 of the On the Run series from Dispatch at Breakout Games.

Watch our video review and comment on this post. Are you playing this subscription? What do you think?

Also, do you like the video review, or do you prefer our standard format with the different sections rated by both Jason and Mike?

Let us know!

Are there games, locations or rooms you’d like us to scout out?

Email us at theescaperoomguys@gmail.com and let us know!

Follow us on our social media channels: