Room Escape Artist

Dark Lullaby is one of the best escape rooms in Greenville, South Carolina. Here are our recommendations for great escape rooms in the area.

Pleasant dreams…

Location:  Greenville, SC

Date Played: May 6, 2024

Team Size: 2-8; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $36-$56 per player, depending on team size

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: At least one player needs to crawl

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Dark Lullaby is the middle chapter of what is currently a three-part storyline, continuing the saga of Chimera Corp, a dream travel agency where the dreams of one person are a travel destination to be experienced by others. As this game’s name implies, the theming turned dark as we traveled inside the dream host’s deepest, darkest fears. As we explored childhood nightmares through puzzles and immersive interactions, we learned more of their story and were drawn deeper into the experience.

The set was detailed and moody, with puzzles and props that were seamlessly integrated into the surroundings. At times the entire space– floor, walls and ceiling– were included in the narrative and puzzling experience. As the game progressed, the dream-state world we were in became more unsettling and abstract, and perfectly fit the tone of the game as it built towards an exciting conclusion.

Gameplay was effectively throttled, with moments of intensity followed by periods of calm, puzzle-focused play, allowing us to solve puzzles and learn more of the story. While we encountered one puzzle that was a bit clunky to manipulate, and another that didn’t work as intended, these were overshadowed by creativity and intelligent puzzle design.

Escape Artist Greenville did an impressive job of using in-game actors with a subtle presence; we felt that the actors belonged in the space and never overstayed their welcome. They were an integral part of the experience, being involved in puzzles, adding story points, and making us laugh. Ok, they also scared us too. The company’s website warned us to expect a scary experience with darkness and jump scares, and it didn’t disappoint. But the beauty of this game was how well the characters in the dream host’s childhood nightmares fit into the narrative. I couldn’t imagine the game without them.

Dark Lullaby effectively blended set, story, puzzles, and acting, making this immersive game experience stand out as one of the best games in the region. Escape Artist Greenville should be at the top of anyone’s list for games in the Southeast, with Dark Lullaby as a definite must play. It was a dream state we could really sink our teeth into.

Who is this for?

• Story seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Horror fans
• Dreamers
• Best for players with at least some experience
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Unusual game start
• Compelling narrative
• Inventive set
• Immersive gameplay & actor interactions
• Exciting finale

Story

As volunteers for Chimera Corp’s “Project Nightmare,” our team set out to enter the dream state of a client with a troubling past. By exploring the client’s childhood nightmares, we hoped to learn the source of their trauma and help them heal.

Setting

After a unique opening sequence, the game began in a young child’s bedroom. A small bed was decorated with a set of well-loved dolls; a nearby bookcase contained books, toys and more dolls.

Gameplay

Escape Artist Greenville’s Dark Lullaby was a horror-themed escape room with a moderate level of difficulty. There were a few well-timed jump scares and a moments of intensity.

Core gameplay revolved around searching, observation, making connections, puzzling, and interacting with in-game characters.

Analysis

➕  Dark Lullaby contained one of the most unique and immersive starts to a game I’ve ever experienced. I wasn’t quite sure where it was going, but looking back, it was better to experience it that way.

➕  Set design consisted of familiar spaces that were moody, with a hint of dark things yet to be; the game included an audio mechanic that added story perspective in a nuanced way, pulling us deeper into the reasons for the bizarre childhood nightmares.

➕ The in-game actors brought this experience to the next level, adding humor, story, and yes, a few well-timed jump scares. It was our interactions with these characters that had us laughing one minute and startled the next – moments that I won’t soon forget. In fact, during the most intense part of the game, I couldn’t help looking back over my shoulder and thinking “Wow, that is so cool…”

➕There were several inventive puzzles that were layered so that one solve led to another puzzle, which led to another solve. The layering involved different props and scenery. One of these integrated puzzles led to an unexpected interaction with the actor that made us laugh out loud.

➖ We inadvertently bypassed most of a puzzle by interpreting one of the props incorrectly, and yet got the right answer. While it did not affect the gameplay, we also did not get to experience the satisfaction of the solve.

➕ There was one moment in the game that I’ve only seen done once before; it made me feel like we were part of the story, and not just players in a game. It was thrilling.

➖ We discovered one physical puzzle embedded in a standard set piece that worked better with two players. Though we appreciated the creativity of the build, it was a bottleneck moment that left the rest of the team idle, waiting for the solution in order to proceed.

➕ The final set was both abstract and compelling, providing a powerful atmosphere for the exciting, high-energy finale.

❓Dark Lullaby has jump scares and multiple live actors, though the actors won’t touch you. The scares are only in certain parts of the game and then recede into the background, allowing for focused gameplay. I found the scare factor manageable, and these moments were the most fun and memorable parts of the game. 

ℹ️ Help Wanted, Dark Lullaby, and Castle Flüffendor are connected by the main characters in their stories; while they are standalone games that can be played in any order, the games will have slightly more depth if played in this order.

Update 3/10/2025: Escape Artist Greenville continues to evolve their experiences and while the games can still be played standalone, they now recommend playing the games in the order of Castle Flüffendor, Dark Lullaby, then Help Wanted. They also currently offer a new bonus puzzle when all three games are played together.

Tips For Visiting

• Escape Artist Greenville has two locations. Dark Lullaby is in the Hampton Station location at 1320 Hampton Ave.
• There is a parking lot next to the building. After parking, walk towards the water tower, and look for signage directing you inside to Bay 11C, with the orange door on the right.
• We enjoyed dinner at Pomegranate on Main.

Book your hour with Escape Artist Greenville’s Dark Lullaby, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Escape Artist Greenville provided a complimentary game.