Room Escape Artist

It’s a keeper!

Location: Tacoma, WA

Date Played: October 8, 2025

Team Size: 2-4; we recommend 2-3

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $45-$50 per person, discounts on weekdays

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

The designer of Cityscape Games set out to create a unique escape room experience: a room aimed at younger players and new escapers that enthusiasts would also enjoy. This is exactly what we found in Zookeeper –  intelligent, creatively designed escape room-style puzzles that were simple yet fun to solve. We were surprised, actually charmed, by the unique puzzling experience and playful vibe of this small but colorful space.

The story was simple: it was our first day on the job at the local zoo, and we needed training to earn our zookeeper badge. Enter Zookeeper Jones, who led us through our training via video. Stations were positioned around the room, one for each animal type, and as we puzzled, we learned interesting facts about snakes, felines, and primates – oh my! Since the stations and puzzles were color coordinated, it was easy to stay focused and keep track of components. The simple decor was clean and well-organized, though it lacked the immersiveness we often find in other escape rooms.

In each station, we encountered “kid-ified” versions of escape room-style puzzles involving logic, observation, even dexterity. Chunky props, oversized locks that were easy to manipulate, colorful buttons that gave loud feedback all fit the aesthetic and made puzzling lighthearted and approachable, all with a good dose of animal facts. And while the puzzles were not particularly difficult – no need to puzzle hard! –  they were delightful and charming and just made me happy. We also got a kick out of the lighthearted puns, Easter eggs, and humor throughout the game, especially in one puzzle when we got a few answers wrong.

The finale was super cute and wrapped up our first day on the job. With its bright, colorful set, unexpected puzzle variety, and a good dose of fun facts about all sorts of zoo animals, Zookeeper is the perfect gateway room to get kids hooked on escape rooms. Since the space is relatively small, I recommend no more than 2-3 adults or 2 adults and 2 kids, maximum. We enjoyed our time playing “who’s who in the zoo” and recommend stopping in if you are in the Tacoma area with young players, or just want a young-at-heart game while waiting to play their other game, Rockstar (review coming soon.)

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Zoologists
• Newbies
• Younger players

Why play?

• Fun, well-themed puzzles
• Interesting animal facts
• To earn your zookeeper badge

Story

It was our first day on the job as brand-new Zookeepers at the Tacoma Zoo & Aquarium! We were more than ready to learn all about the animals who live here, from monkeys to snakes and beyond. But first, we needed to complete the official training program and earn our Zookeeper badge.

Setting

The game took place in a neat, colorful room with multiple puzzling stations for learning about different zoo animals. Towards the front was a set of lockers, one for Zookeeper Jones’ belongings and another for tiger treats!!

Gameplay

Cityscape Games’ Zookeeper was a standard escape room with a lower level of difficulty. 

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

Analysis

➕ There was a nice variety of escape-room-type puzzles that showed creative, intelligent puzzle design, and though simplified for younger players, were still engaging for adults. Big buttons and chunky puzzle components were well crafted and felt solid in our hands.

➖ Other than the setup as a new zookeeper, the game didn’t have much of a story.

➕ The space was well-lit and decorated with bright colors. Each station focused on a single animal group and color, which helped keep things organized and contained.

➖ We got off to a s-s-slow s-s-start with the snake station, with a small issue interpreting some of the cluing.  

➕ Non-linear gameplay allowed our team to decide which animal group we wanted to learn about next. We actually took turns choosing, which made the experience feel unique to our team. 

➕ Humor made the experience even more enjoyable, with pithy puns sprinkled throughout the game that made us giggle. 

➕ The finale pulled the experience together, neatly wrapping up our Zookeeper training in a photo finish.

🦁 🐟 The game paid homage to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium located in Tacoma.

Tips For Visiting

• You can’t miss the big green building on South Puget Sound Avenue.
• There is a parking lot and street parking available. 
• We enjoyed the chowders at several Duke’s Seafood locations more times than I want to admit.

Book your hour with Cityscape Games’ Zookeeper, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.