As RECON approaches, the team is getting excited to show attendees what amazing things the greater Boston Area has to offer, including Boda Borg. While not a typical escape room experience, there are some important things to note before you go.
G-g-g-GHOST!
Location: Gurnee, IL
Date Played: March 13, 2022
Team Size: 2-8; we recommend 2-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $30 per player
Ticketing: Private
Accessibility Consideration: One player must be able to crawl
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
60 to Escape’s Mystery Manor was a goofy and spooky take on the haunted mansion theme, full of character and whimsy. With a clear yet easy puzzle flow and parallel paths to victory, this experience was on the easier end of 60 to Escape’s offerings. The build quality was on the same level as their other experiences, including fantastical lighting and audio cues. Atmospherically, 60 to Escape nailed the immersion of the space in every corner.
Compared to their other experiences at both locations, Mystery Manor’s ending was missing some of the charm we’ve come to love from 60 to Escape’s games.
Mystery Manor is a fantastic game for newer players. It will be a great introduction to the wonderful world of escape rooms. If you’re choosing between 60 to Escape’s games, we recommend Hidden Temple for more experienced groups. However, if you have time in your day, Mystery Manor would be a delightful add on.
Continue reading “60 to Escape – Mystery Manor [Review]”SCIENCE!
Location: Quincy, MA
Date Played: April 1, 2022
Team Size: 2-10; we recommend 2-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $30 per player
Ticketing: Private
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
Passcode Escape’s Secret Lab was a traditional escape room with solid game flow, clear puzzle cluing, and well-integrated tech interactions.
At it’s best, Secret Lab had a neat mid-game reveal that gave us a glimpse into the rest of the experience. Passcode Escape also cleverly utilized real lab equipment to bring immersive moments to our puzzle journey. Our gamemaster was a joy to interact with.
Throughout the game, the puzzles were fair and clear to our team, and the inputs were clearly labeled (good lock mapping). That being said, the gameplay felt a bit dated, with simple puzzles and a lackluster set.
The Secret Lab is one of Passcode Escape’s earliest games, and we’re excited to see what they design in the future.
Continue reading “Passcode Escape – The Secret Lab [Review]”Unbeleafably intreeguing
Location: Forest Park, IL
Date Played: March 13, 2022
Team Size: 2-6; we recommend 2-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $139 for three players, plus $30 for each additional player
Ticketing: Private
Accessibility Consideration: Some slight crawling/ crouching is required for at least one player
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
When I was a kid, I dreamed of building my ultimate treehouse. My friends and I would lug around random junk we found in town, and save it for our master plans. The Treehouse Raid at Fort Knocks transported me to my childhood; it was filled with objects and puzzles that seriously felt designed by my 12-year-old self. By no means is this game specifically for children, but the wonder, imagination, and joy this room filled me with was a lovely change from the serious and thrilling escape rooms we typically find ourselves in.
Considering how small the floorplan of The Treehouse Raid at Fort Knocks was, Escape Factor was able to jam-pack a ton of puzzles and content from floor to ceiling. The further we progressed, the more we found ourselves discovering layers of the space we hadn’t realized were there the whole time.
The game’s difficulty came less with individual puzzles, and more in figuring out what in the space was used for each puzzle. Discerning which objects and locks went together was more time consuming than we expected, but felt satisfying once we made the connections.
Escape Factor is a fantastic location to check out if you’re interested in fun, original themes, and clever solves. While you’re here, be sure not to miss the Bonus Fun Time Gameshow as well!
Continue reading “Escape Factor – The Treehouse Raid at Fort Knocks [Review]”The heat, the chill, the unknown
Location: Greendale, WI
Date Played: March 11, 2022
Team Size: 2-8; we recommend 3-4
Duration: 60 minutes
Price: $30 per player
Ticketing: Private
Accessibility Consideration: At least one player must be able to fit in a tight passage. There are also strobe lights and fog.
Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock
Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints
60 to Escape’s strong suit is capturing players in an engaging story from beginning to end, and they achieved this magically in Merlin’s Legacy. Filled to the brim with personality and charm, the game was truly an adventure concealed within a shopping mall.
Merlin’s Legacy was able to create memorable characters using sounds, lights, and effects. They have forever burned into our memories an incredible end game interaction, and continue to design larger-than-life props and interactions. We loved how tactile these interactions and the set felt; they had the right amount of heft to them without being cumbersome.
While the aesthetic fit in the time period and story, the first area of the game felt a little too loved, like it had been glued down one too many times. This never took away from the solid gameplay, puzzle flow, and seamless tech, but we wished it had been a bit more polished .
60 to Escape is designing such joyful rooms bursting with crazy stories, creative puzzles, and awesome scenery. If we had to choose one game to play, we’d recommend enthusiasts play INVASION! If time permits, be sure to check out all of their offerings at this location in Greendale, WI.
Continue reading “60 to Escape – Merlin’s Legacy [Review]”