Room Escape Artist

“Groovy”

Location:  Culver City, California

Date Played: May 4, 2024

Team Size: 2-5; we recommend 2-3

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $49.50/player for 2 players; $37/player for 3 players with further variable pricing on Fridays & Saturdays

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None, as far as we could tell.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A] Push To Exit

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

If you’re looking for a quick hit of post-apocalyptic, zombie-flavored gameplay, Maze Rooms’ They’re Coming delivers.

As a relaxed play with a few people, this game really shined in the manipulation of satisfying props spread throughout the experience. One such interaction towards the middle of our escape from the lifeless horde found us interacting with our surroundings in an especially logical manner; visual feedback and sound cues were powerful. A late-game prop interaction also singled out a player for a particularly satisfying run-in.

While the supernatural horde appeared without warning (leaving us to shamble towards a hopeful rescue), They’re Coming didn’t escalate tension to match the direness of our zombification situation. A more intense music track or other clock-keeping cues would further serve to amplify our close call with mindless death.

In short, what They’re Coming lacked in crescendo was more than countered in smooth gameplay and ghastly puzzle satisfaction.

Additionally, because They’re Coming was designed for small teams, and leaned into well-designed puzzles more than show-stopping moments or an emotional arc, it would be a good choice for solo players or teams who want to speed-run an escape room.

Who is this for?

• Zombie hunters
• Date nights
• Solo escape room players
• Speed runners

Why play?

• Satisfyingly tangible interactions
• An unusual onboarding sequence

Story

We were tasked with finding shelter and protecting ourselves from zombies while somehow figuring out a way to be safely evacuated in under an hour. No pressure.

Setting

They’re Coming was set in a path to and inside of an underground bunker.

Gameplay

Maze Rooms’ They’re Coming was a standard escape room with an easy-to-moderate level of difficulty.

Gameplay was centered around a puzzles built into narrative-appropriate sets and props.

Analysis

➕ We appreciated the chilly interaction towards the beginning of the experience.

➖ One later-game experience was satisfying to solve but painstaking to execute. It would have benefited from more distance between engagement points.

➕ The surroundings were appropriately grungy to accompany our mission, but incredibly well-kept and well-sanded upon closer inspection.

➖   The experience could incorporate a few more cinematic moments to accompany the satisfying puzzling base; the plot could have built to greater heights with accompanying tension and intensity leading up to the finale.

➕/❓ Players who are into the zombie genre will appreciate in-game references; unfortunately most were lost on our group.

Tips For Visiting

• There is street parking in front of Maze Rooms and on nearby side streets.
• This game is located at the Maze Rooms location at 4365 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City.

Book your hour with Maze Rooms’ They’re Coming, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Maze Rooms provided media discounted tickets for this game.