The Chamber of Illusions is one of the best escape rooms in Pittsburgh. Here are our recommendations for great escape rooms in Pittsburgh.
Magic Maze
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Date Played: July 3, 2021
Team size: 4-10; we recommend 4-6
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $165 up to 4 players, additional $26 per person up to 10
Ticketing: Private
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
REA Reaction
For many years we’ve been told that we needed to get to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specifically to visit Enter the Imaginarium. We’d heard tales of their unified game world and in-character gamemasters, and whispers of a remarkable set of interactions.
The Chamber of Illusions was a special game that did things that we’ve rarely and never seen before… and it did them with a style that was unique to Enter the Imaginarium.
Now, I don’t want to overhype The Chamber of Illusions. In many ways it was a unique and spectacular work; in others it was flawed. In the end, this was a classic escape room with excellent execution.
It was worth traveling to visit this unusual world. The unusual interactions and heavy atmosphere left me with memories that I won’t soon forget.
Who is this for?
- Adventure seekers
- Story seekers
- Puzzle lovers
- Scenery snobs
- Fans of stage magic
- Any experience level
Why play?
- A world-class opening sequence
- Fantastic atmosphere in a fully realized game world
- Strong puzzles, gameplay, and interactions
- In-character gamemastering
Story
We were charged with entering a funhouse to match wits with an infamous illusionist and his numerous creations.
Setting
Enter the Imaginarium opened the fiction at the door, into a fully cohesive world that included the lobby areas as well as fully costumed and in-character staff. Chamber of Illusions had a dramatic and engaging opening sequence that was memorable for the right reasons.
Chamber of Illusions was set in environments that evoked the golden age of magic. Thematically, the game explored the intersection of stage magic and occult. The sets were fully realized and throughout the game we were constantly reminded that we were in a special place.
Gameplay
The gameplay involved searching, puzzling, and a small bit of memorization. (It was clear what we needed to recall.)
Analysis
➕ The detailed set evoked a bygone era. It was appropriately majestic.
➕ The Chamber of Illusions was packed with thematic puzzles that led to satisfying solves. There was a lot of gameplay to enjoy, and it traversed the entire gamespace.
➕ Enter the Imaginarium used subtle details to elegantly clue interactions.
➖ There was an opportunity to clue one specific solution more soundly.
➖ One area of the set needed a little more light.
➕ We were delighted with a twist into a whimsical sequence with especially fun moments.
➖ After a stellar experience, the ending fizzled. We’d solved the final puzzle correctly, but the game required a specific style of input and we didn’t see why. We recommend cluing this more strongly, or accepting multiple styles of input. Instead, we mulled about looking for new ways to solve something we’d essentially already figured out, when we should have been accelerating toward the conclusion of the game.
Tips For Visiting
- Parking: There is a parking lot.
- Food: For sandwiches, Primanti Bros is a Pittsburgh classic.
Book your hour with Enter the Imaginarium’s The Chamber of Illusions, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.
Disclosure: Enter the Imaginarium comped our tickets for this game.
