Room Escape Artist

History mystery.

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Date Played: September 6, 2025

Team Size: 2-10; we recommend 2-3

Duration: 90 minutes, including pre- and post-game experience

Price:  $35-$70 per person depending on team size

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

The Philtower is a landmark historic building in Oklahoma that stands prominently in the Tulsa skyline; it also happens to be the star of The Xcapery’s The Philtower Mystery. Waite Phillips was a wealthy businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the petroleum industry. In 1928 he completed construction on the Philtower and housed his offices on an upper floor. In our scenario, we learned that Waite had been kidnapped, and we set off to find the culprit. 

The intro to the game was fun and engaging. We first met our host standing on the sidewalk, dressed from head to toe in full 1920’s regalia. After being ushered into the lobby for a cocktail and a quick, pre-game photo (complete with optional themed accessories), we were given a brief history of the building and assigned unique roles and props to use during the game. 

Gameplay brought us through several distinctive areas of the Philtower that showcased the impressive architecture of the era – check out the jade-green water fountains! – along with a rich backstory that will appeal to many history buffs. However, most of the game took place in a set of basic offices on an upper floor. In these areas, though furniture and decor were true to the time period, the spaces felt plain and lacked the character of the rest of the building. Puzzles were simple and mostly task- and search-based, with many that used written notes to provide detailed directions to locate items or progress the game. But our assigned roles worked well to divide tasks and made us each feel connected to our part in the story.

This game is envisioned as Chapter 1, the first of several games centered around the history of the building and its owner, Waite Phillips. In The Philtower Mystery, The Xcapery had some good ideas with the historical theming and the fun, immersive introductory experience. I’d like to see them take that enthusiasm and focus more on the development of the gameplay. 

Who is this for?

• Newbies
• History buffs
• Players interested in architecture

Why play?

• Pre-game activities 
• Historical setting

Story

Waite Phillips, an oil tycoon and philanthropist, had always feared he’d be kidnapped due to his fame and wealth. Unfortunately, it seems that fear had become reality. Our team had been sent to his offices to look for clues and identify the perpetrator of this crime.

Setting

Our game began in the lobby of the Philtower, with its stunning 1920’s architecture and gleaming bank of elevators, and then quickly proceeded to a rather plain conference room on an upper floor. A large oval table surrounded by plush office chairs took up the room’s center, while an antiqued wooden buffet sat along one wall. An intricate gramophone with a gold horn perched on the buffet.

Gameplay

The Xcapery’s The Philtower Mystery was a standard escape room with a low level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around searching, observation, making connections, and puzzling.

Analysis

➕ The intro experience, complete with 1920s-era garb, thematic photos and a welcome cocktail was delightful and added to the ambience. Our gamemaster filled us in on the background of Waite Phillips and the history of the Philtower, adding context and realism to the experience ahead of us.

➕ As part of the setup, we were each assigned a role at random and provided with a corresponding prop or information suitable to the character. This step spread tasks among players, giving us each a chance to own a certain part of gameplay.

➖ One of the roles came with an intricate prop to be used to solve an early puzzle, but turned out to be unnecessary. We spent time trying to figure out its use, only to realize we’d moved past that puzzle.

➖ While the decor in the office areas included era-appropriate furnishings and props, these spaces were sparsely decorated and lacked character. There was an opportunity to add props and personal accessories that would add interest and bring these rooms to life.

➕ A mid-game puzzle required multiple steps to solve, and turned into an amusing moment in the game.

➖ Many of the puzzles were overly directive, containing notes with instructions to move ahead instead of allowing players to find solutions on their own. While newer players may appreciate this type of cluing, experienced puzzlers will not find much of a challenge.

➕ The space that held the final reveal was both fascinating and unexpected.

Tips For Visiting

• There is street parking around the Philtower and a parking lot at The Xcapery’s other location only a few blocks walk away.
• We enjoyed the rustic pizza and outdoor seating at East Village Bohemian Pizzeria and the New Orleans cuisine at Nola’s Creole & Cocktails.

Book your hour with The Xcapery’s The Philtower Mystery, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: The Xcapery comped our tickets for this game.