Room Escape Artist

Checkout Time: Never O’clock

Location: Katy, TX

Date Played: July 9, 2025

Team Size: 2-10; we recommend 2-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $40-$45 per player, depending on team size

Ticketing: Public

Accessibility Consideration: There was one step that all players will want to cross.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

As a franchise room, Nightmare Hotel exceeded my expectations, achieving a level of flow, thrill, and satisfaction that has been rare to find in mass-produced experiences. I was shocked that there could be multiple copies of this thing throughout the world. We played it fairly early in its lifespan in Katy, so its many moving parts worked seamlessly for us and delivered lots of fun energy. I hope that every franchisee can maintain it to its intended functionality.

This game offered an imaginative set design, creative transitions, reasonable puzzles, and striking effects. Although few of these elements might stand out on their own, they combined into a well-rounded, frightful, and delightful experience from beginning to end. Our trio all ranked it as one of our favorite games in the Houston area.

Is this room too scary for you? Probably not if you’ve enjoyed any other horror rooms. Expect well-coordinated mood lighting and several jumpscares but no actors. We laughed just as much as we screamed, with the thrills and lulls arriving in a predictable rhythm that respected the need to recover.

Given the widespread difficulty that franchises have in maintaining their games, I can’t predict how long this will remain a smooth experience. I truly hope others can enjoy it for a long time.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Scenery snobs
• Horror fans
• Any experience level

Why play?

• Energy, nervous laughter, and a wonderfully atypical layout

Story

You may not believe this (and you probably shouldn’t), but we found ourselves in the middle of a mystery from a bygone era. Multiple guests at the Nightmare Hotel had checked in but never out, and we feared we would meet the same fate if we didn’t discover why, particularly because this message was delivered by a beheaded phantom.

Setting

We began our snooping in the dimly lit lobby of the Nightmare Hotel, a somewhat barren yet believable entryway to our adventure. The set contained all the required elements to say “hotel” without going overboard on detail, giving the experience a somewhat cartoonish feel and softening the horror element just a notch. This minimal accessorization was balanced by an imaginative and sprawling floorplan that convincingly gave the illusion of exploring an even larger space. We were even more amazed when some of this illusion became reality.

The scare factor of this game came from its creepy ambiance and a significant number of brief jumpscares, but there were no actors involved.

Gameplay

Game Over’s Nightmare Hotel was a standard escape room with a low-to-moderate level of difficulty.

Gameplay consisted of observing, making connections, a bit of split-info communication, and surviving several playful jumpscares.

Analysis

➕ Innovative layout and set framing created the illusion of an expansive and multi-story space.

➕ The game offered impressive effects and responsiveness, especially for mass-produced puzzles.

➕/➖ One directive initially increased tension and facilitated our ability to solve a particular puzzle. However, throughout the rest of the game, it impeded our ability to move freely throughout the space. Perhaps some additional instruction could alleviate this dilemma.

➕ The puzzles were well-clued and varied. We never felt completely stuck, but we did have to stretch our minds to find connections, arriving at satisfying ahas. 

➖ One puzzle seemed susceptible to a high degree of tedium without a bit of luck and strategy.

➕ The jumpscares and other haunting effects maintained a heightened mood of anticipation and relief throughout the experience.

➕ A couple of instances of tech wizardry were truly baffling, enhancing the conceit of mystique and hauntedness.

❓ Strictly speaking, this game had a low puzzle count. However, with strong rewards and feedback for each solve and the overall intrigue of the setting, the experience didn’t feel sparse. The end result likely depends on personal preference.

Tips For Visiting

• There is a parking lot.
• Game Over has multiple locations, primarily in Florida, and in a few other states too, including this location in Katy, TX.

Book your hour with Game Over’s Nightmare Hotel, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.