Room Escape Artist

A pearl of puzzles

Location: Los Angeles, California

Date Played: May 5, 2024

Team Size: 2-9; we recommend 4-6

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: Variable pricing, beginning at $35 per player on weekdays

Ticketing: Private

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

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Los Angeles has an abundance of escape rooms, but it doesn’t have a ton of puzzle-focused games. Escape Room L.A. is one of the region’s oldest companies, and it’s one of the few that has kept their gameplay hyper-focused on puzzle-play from day one. 

Additionally, in recent years, Escape Room L.A. has dramatically upgraded their set and scenery. From my perspective, Atlantis is the strongest balance that they have created to-date. 

The puzzles were numerous and crafty, and their interpretation of the lost city of Atlantis was aesthetically compelling. It’s a strong and worthy game. 

The biggest drawbacks centered on two things. First was a bit of confusing feedback from the game. It’s pretty big, and it wasn’t always clear what action was causing what effect. The second was that Escape Room L.A. has in-room gamemasters (not performers). The truth is, no matter how many times we have experienced this, it’s always a bit awkward having someone in the room watching you. 

Overall, Atlantis is a strong, puzzle-focused game with a lot of content in a region where this honestly stands out. If it’s the style that you’re seeking, it’s a great choice.

Who is this for?

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

Why play?

• Beautifully appropriate scenery
• Multi-step puzzling buffet

Story

We had to navigate our way to the underwater city of Atlantis on behalf of a mysterious professor and assemble Poseidon’s trident before our air supply ran out.

Setting

The set began in an office, before opening up into an underwater cavern of the lost city of Atlantis. The initial set wasn’t especially inspiring, but the Atlantis set had a strong visual appeal. Fortunately, we spent most of the game in Atlantis.

Gameplay

Escape Room L.A.’s Atlantis was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

The gameplay centered around observation, making connections, and multi-step puzzling.

Analysis

➖  The very first interaction was stamped into our memories, but there was no payoff later in the game.

➕ The onboarding sequence was well-executed. It acquainted us with the style of upcoming challenges in a small, straightforward environment.

➕ The puzzles tended to be multi-layered, requiring communication and collaboration. The interactions were big, and it was easy for everyone to get involved and be a part of the progress.

➖ There was opportunity for stronger indications of successful solves. The environment was big, and clear, causal relationships between actions and reactions would have helped a lot.

❓ There wasn’t a strong narrative pull through the game flow. We solved undersea-themed puzzles in an underwater setting. This was play over story. How that lands is a matter of personal interpretation.

➕ Atlantis provided several hero moments throughout the experience.

➖ Like all of Escape Room L.A.’s games, the gamemaster was there with us for the experience. While their presence was generally unobtrusive, we found it odd that they would be resetting game pieces while we were still playing. Additionally, their action during the finale made our victory feel less triumphant. It’s also a bit uncomfortable being constantly watched, in person.

Tips For Visiting

• Street parking is available in front of the escape room.

Book your hour with Escape Room L.A.’s Atlantis, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Escape Room L.A provided media discounted tickets for this game.