Room Escape Artist

An escape room shaped like a murder mystery.

Location:  Tustin, CA

Date Played: January 11, 2025

Team Size: 3-8; we recommend 3-5

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $45 each for 3 players; $42 each for larger teams

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration:  at least once player needs to crouch or lie down

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Ink & Ashes is an escape room shaped like a murder mystery. Even though it felt like we were investigating a murder, in reality our tasks were more conceptual: Instead of searching for evidence and making deductions, we solved puzzles based on the story and theme to get closer to understanding how the crime took place. 

As a crime-themed game, Ink & Ashes was gritty and suspenseful, a little dark (both literally and figuratively) but never scary. The set design supported the story, and Exodus Escape Room also included a few effects that made our adventure feel more real. 

One standout feature of Ink & Ashes was the game structure. We found ourselves methodically reviewing each aspect of the case in sequence, which provided a set of milestones to aim for. It always felt like we were making progress as we discovered a new clue or checked a suspect off the list.

Since Ink & Ashes only simulated making progress in the case, we never got the aha moment of solving the mystery ourselves. However, Exodus Escape Room packed a lot of gameplay into an hour, and the puzzles shined. 

Due to the puzzle density and complexity, Ink & Ashes would be ideal for groups with at least some puzzling experience. For LA-area enthusiasts or anyone visiting Orange County, Ink & Ashes would be a great choice.

Who is this for?

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

Why play?

• Immersive set design
• Rich story
• Escalation
• To find out whodunit

Story

Mystery author Jane Oliver suspected someone wanted her dead, so she’d changed her will to bequeath her estate to whoever could identify the culprit in case of her untimely demise. After she was murdered, we snuck into her home to follow the clues she’d left behind and crack the case.

Setting

Ink & Ashes started in Jane’s unassuming garage, then moved through other rooms in her house. The simple yet authentic sets, along with audio and lighting design, made it feel like an actual clandestine investigation. Later, when we reached the crime scene, things really heated up.

Gameplay

Ink & Ashes was a standard escape room with a murder mystery overlay. The puzzle density gave the game a higher than average level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around observing, puzzling, making connections, and listening to audio tapes.

Analysis

➕ The mystery layer on top of the puzzle-heavy gameplay felt like something new. Audio clips and other materials helped us follow along with the backstory without requiring excessive reading.

➕ The story and the set design combined to make Ink & Ashes feel impressively immersive. A few special effects added to the sense of urgency and made the story feel more real.

➖ We struggled to get our bearings at first, mostly due to the dim lighting at the start of the game, which resulted in some flailing and a search fail.

➕/❓ The puzzles impressed us with their quality as well as their quantity. They didn’t always make logical sense as part of the story, but conceptually they tied in with the setting and theme. In retrospect, many of the solutions ended up being codes entered into standard locks, but at the time we had fun solving.

➕ The overall game flow comprised a series of bottlenecks with parallel puzzling in between. With these clear checkpoints, we enjoyed a sense of progress and momentum.

➖ One area of the game surprised us by simulating a situation that could be triggering for some people. We would have appreciated a content warning (and have added one in the following section of this review).

➕ The audio recordings were well-done and helped enhance the story. We appreciated that we could control them ourselves, rather than having to drop everything and pay attention whenever it was time for a sound cue. I don’t think they were actually necessary to the gameplay, but they added something different.

➕ The tension increased in the finale, aided by some clever effects.

Tips For Visiting

• There is ample parking at the venue.

Book your hour with Exodus Escape Room’s Ink & Ashes, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

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