Room Escape Artist

Get your Fun on Route 51!

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Date Played: August 24, 2025

Team Size: 2-10; we recommend 2-6

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $40-55 per player ($90 if premium experience is selected)

Ticketing: Choice of Public, Private or Premium

Accessibility Consideration: One puzzle requires hearing

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

I quite enjoyed the environment in Route 51. There were loads of objects that could be picked up and handled. There was whimsical, thematic decor and colorful lights. There was convincingly designed, solidly constructed electronics throughout the space. It gave off the vibe of a kitschy roadside attraction that provides roadtrippers with a convenient pit stop. However, there may have been a missed opportunity by not including a life-sized alien interaction as a finale.

Solving the puzzles involved some element of exploration and discovery. They were generally well designed with reasonable feedback provided and nothing felt unfair.

I was impressed to note that PanIQ offers both public and private booking, as well as a 3rd premium option which includes unlimited arcade and shooting gallery games, two complimentary drinks and a reserved lounge booth. We opted to try the premium experience, and it was a very nice upgrade, and would be a very nice way of expanding the standard escape game outing into a full afternoon/ evening of entertainment with friends. Additionally, the venue also offers a private karaoke lounge that easily accommodates a dozen people in the space, as well as a quiz game show room for 6.

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Alien invasion fans
• Any experience level

Why play?

• This was a whimsical alien-themed game with fun puzzles.
• The premium experience at PanIQ Room is a unique offering and allows players to have a longer gathering with more fun activities.

Story

The aliens have been in hiding, but now needed our help to finish their teleportation device and get home.

Setting

The game was set in a convenience store that has been secretly run by aliens, with a plethora of colorful, but appropriately offbeat decor. There were plenty of physical products on the shelves, and machines to interact with, resulting in a fun and immersive set.

Gameplay

PanIQ Room’s Route 51 was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around observing, making connections, and solving puzzles

Analysis

➕ The game set was nicely-appointed and the whimsical retro feel of the space was appealing and cheerful. It was well-reflected in the physical objects, decorations, and puzzle elements.

➖ One puzzle element was non-responsive, but it either worked successfully without feedback, or the gamemaster remotely skipped us past that puzzle.

➕ I enjoyed the variety of puzzle approaches in this game. Some were challenging, some needed keen observation skills, some needed creative thinking. They were all fairly clued, and thematically relevant. 

❓The final puzzle was slightly tedious, and difficult to perform in parallel. The same effect could have been achieved with half the elements, but since the puzzle was built into the set, it would probably not be cost-effective to change its design.

➕ I loved that there were cupholders in the room, which encouraged players to order refreshments at the venue bar and continue enjoying them while playing the escape game.

Tips For Visiting

• There is only street parking available, so go early to find a spot.
• PanIQ is located near many decent restaurants. Note, however, that some of their valet services have taken over a few of the nearby street parking spaces.

Book your hour with PanIQ Room’s Route 51, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: PanIQ Room comped our tickets for this game.