The Stair Master

Location:  Rijswijk, Netherlands

Date Played: October 11, 2025

Team Size: 2-5; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 75 minutes

Price: €225 per team

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: There are a lot of stairs in this game. All players have to go up and down stairs multiple times. Players must also go up and down a ladder.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A] Push To Exit

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

“In a world where horror escape rooms can start to feel the same, Midnite felt decidedly different. The novelty of the movie theater setting offered a unique experience. OuterGround expertly built and released tension, creating a safe play environment for everyone: horror aficionados, timid horror novices, and their actors.”

REA Reaction

Like all great horror games, Midnite masterfully built tension and then released it. There was a terrifying character in the space with us, whom we only caught glimpses of, but through lighting, sound, and the flow of the experience, we anticipated when she’d appear, but we could safely let our guard down to solve puzzles.

Unlike similar horror experiences, the majority of which are set in rundown homes or menacing churches, Midnite took place in a 1980s movie theater. This afforded OuterGround more unusual design surfaces, which they used to great effect. While in many ways Midnite was similar to other games we’ve played, it felt unique.

The large movie theater set was especially impressive. We felt like we had the run of a whole theater. I will caution mobility-challenged (or tired) players that you will go up and down these theater steps many times throughout the course of play. Be ready. But the novelty of the theater itself never dimmed. It was impeccably designed and transportive, as a stage for the gameplay.

Furthermore OuterGround used lighting and sound expertly to deliver a complete experience. This guided us, provided puzzle feedback, and built and released tension.

If you love horror games, Midnite is a must-play horror game much like others you’ve loved, but so unlike them that it stands alone; it won’t blur in your mind with a collection of placeless others. If you’re horror-curious, I recommend Midnite because the humor and whimsy in the setting helps cut the tension. Plus your group has to stay together the whole time, so get in the middle of the pack, and take take a front row seat to masterful horror escape room design.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Scenery snobs
• 80s horror fans
• Any experience level

Why play?

• A magnificent and unique 80s movie theater set
• Notable performer-driven moments
• It’s a horror game with a unique aesthetic and feel in a sea of similarity

Story

We had booked the Midnight Movie Special at the Mirage Theater… and everything seemed a bit off. The theater hadn’t been updated since the 80s, the host seemed strange, and the entire space seemed… tense… but we were sure it was just creepy because it was late at night.

Setting

Set within a 1980s movie theater, we began by approaching a grand marquee. Once inside, the lobby and theater legitimately looked like a movie theater from the 80s (except for the inclusion of stadium seating… maybe they were doing that in the Netherlands that far back, but I cannot recall seeing stadium seeing in the US until the late-90s.)

The setting felt fresh for escape rooms, and especially for horror escape rooms, which so often tend to place us inside of menacing houses or churches. A 1980s theater was something new.

Gameplay

OuterGround’s Midnite was a standard escape room with a lower level of difficulty, and an emphasis on thrills.

Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, and navigating the space.

Analysis

 Midnite started before we even entered the theater, with a fun lobby interaction.

 While this was a horror experience through and through, the retro movie theater setting added an element of whimsy and a playfulness rarely felt in horror games. It was truly refreshing to experience horror in a unique environment, and not another rundown home or church.

 Beyond the set, OuterGround found other ways to upend our horror expectations. Not everything turned out to be as terrifying as we imagined it would be.

 We loved how early on we built ourselves up for a later scare.

/  There were a lot of steps in Midnite. Players can’t avoid them. It’s movie theater with stadium seating. We traversed the space a lot. By the end, the traversing dragged… a bit too much of a good thing. That said, OuterGround hinted appropriately to make sure we didn’t have to traverse extra because of not solving something tied to a specific space. We very much appreciated this.

 OuterGround used lighting expertly to guide us through the space. Lighting told us when to move, and when not to. Deliberate spotlighting was a subtle hint.

 / We can see how OuterGround took inspiration from other horror games in this genre, and did their own thing. In some places, they elevated this style of scares. One scare, however, still hangs in my memory from a cleaner execution that Midnite didn’t rival.

 Teams must stay together at all times, but in one segment, we didn’t see how the puzzle would be solvable without separating a bit. Questioning the rules and ourselves took us out of the experience.

 The tension and release ebbed and flowed throughout Midnite. The big jump scares were expertly telegraphed and not overdone. It was a well balanced horror game. It was also kind; we could safely let our guard down to focus on challenging puzzles.

 While players won’t see or feel this, OuterGround has built a lot of safety mechanisms into Midnight specifically for the performer. We don’t usually mention behind the scenes information, however in this instance, it really did impress.

Tips For Visiting

• There is street parking.
• This game is playable in Dutch or English

Book your hour with OuterGround’s Midnite, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: OuterGround provided media discounted tickets for this game.

The post 👑 🔒 OuterGround – Midnite [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location:  Rijswijk, Netherlands

Date Played: February 17, 2024

Team size: 2-6; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: €145 per team Monday-Thursday, €155 per team Friday-Sunday

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration:  All players must climb stairs.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

The Execution opened with a spark, and ended with a bang… but dragged in the middle.

Right out of the gate, the beginning stood out because it brought a playfully theatrical twist.

The ending wowed with some larger set pieces. Once of these was used for a stellar reveal. Another provided a wonderful interaction. As we escaped, our energy was high. In the middle, however, most of the gameplay was a slog. It felt like a prison escape room; escape room logic was quite prevalent.

If you’re visiting OuterGrounds, play Jason’s Legacy, which is more even from start to finish. However, if you have time for another game, add The Execution. Especially for less experienced players, there were some explosive moments to enjoy.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Prison break fans
• Any experience level

Why play?

• The twist out of the gate
• The penultimate and concluding gameplay sequences

Story

We’d been invited to attend an execution by electric chair. When we showed up, the execution didn’t quite proceed as we’d expected.

Setting

This jail was convincing, with unfriendly stone walls and and barred doors. The weathered set made an impression.

Gameplay

OuterGround’s The Execution was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

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

Analysis

 The in-character introduction revealed a plot twist almost immediately. It made room for us to play. Plus, it created amusing souvenirs.

 OuterGround built a convincing prison set. It was well weathered and stark.

 After the opening scene, The Execution transitioned into a puzzle-forward game. The highlights were a few communication-centric layered puzzles.

 The early puzzle design wasn’t tight. First we encountered lack of feedback. Soon after we search-failed pretty badly (which was on us), but we never realized we were trying to solve a puzzle without all the information because of misleading cluing.

 In the middle section, the puzzle design was heavy on the “escape room logic.” Our actions didn’t make sense in our story.

 One puzzle asked us to think outside the box of our gamespace… which worked narratively and mechanically.

 One interaction took more force than we expected, but was positioned in such a way that one player had to continually bash their hand on a prop while exerting the necessary force.

 The late game puzzle solves led into phenomenal reveals with explosive effects. This game hit its stride in the penultimate act and went out with a splash.

Tips For Visiting

• There is street parking nearby.

Book your hour with OuterGround’s The Execution, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Outerground provided media discounted tickets for this game.

The post OuterGround – The Execution [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Some like it hot

Location:  Rijswijk, Netherlands

Date Played: July 10, 2023

Team Size: 2-6; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 75 minutes

Price: €155 per team Monday-Thursday, €165 per team Friday-Sunday

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: All players must climb stairs.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A] Push To Exit

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

After basking in the fiery glory of Jason’s Legacy, I truly wish I’d also gotten to play Jason’s Curse. The only problem: Jason’s Curse had actually, in real life, burnt to the ground, giving way to both the real and fictional premise for Jason’s Legacy. Jason had set his childhood home ablaze and was last seen escaping to the house of Priest Neville Morrisson, the setting for this sequel. As members of the neighborhood watch, we were sent to visit the priest’s house and see if we could find where Jason was hiding.

Like in the first game, OuterGround built an entire 2-floor house for the set, and we learned that this new house featured many references and homages to the original Jason’s Curse.

I can’t say I’ve heard of any other escape room company that has transformed tragedy into tribute quite like this. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade (or fire into… fire cider?)

Jason’s Legacy largely consisted of exploring various rooms of an old man’s house. The house felt deeply lived-in and authentic, and most puzzles emerged naturally from the environment. With many rooms to unlock and secrets to uncover, there were countless moments of discovery. At times, though, the house also felt jarringly empty and static, and we never quite got to know the characters of Priest Neville or Jason on any deeper level.

The Netherlands is crowded with phenomenal escape rooms centered around dark, creepy stories, and Jason’s Legacy is a welcome addition to the list of must-plays in the region.

Who is this for?

• Scenery snobs
• Puzzle lovers
• Adventure seekers
• Any experience level

Why play?

• They frickin built a house
• A really cool transition

Story

After (presumably) setting fire to his childhood home, Jason escaped into the night. We were enlisted by the neighborhood watch to help investigate houses in the community, starting with that of Priest Neville Morrisson.

Setting

Jason’s Legacy was set in the creepy old house of priest. The outer facade and porch were formidable and realistic.

Inside, the house was appropriately austere, adorned only with the essentials and a small selection of Christian paintings and crosses and such. The narrow stairs up to the second floor creaked just as much as you’d expect. (I don’t know about you, but I find that sort of thing quite satisfying!)

Gameplay

OuterGround’s Jason’s Legacy was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around solving puzzles, searching, and making connections.

Analysis

 A spacious, detailed set was smartly optimized around realism and exploration. Small touches, like the specific choices of furniture and wallpaper, clearly communicated that we were in the house of an elderly priest.

/ Jason’s Legacy told a full story with multiple characters, a reasonable plot, and a satisfying ending. All the elements were there, and yet it lacked a certain level of narrative depth. Why were we cast as members of the neighborhood watch? How could that have meant something impactful beyond our initial entrance into the space? Why was the priest repeatedly noted to be “visually impaired” and how could his character development have translated more directly into the gameplay? A little bit of extra “why” might have gone a long way.

Amidst a rather austere environment, the gameplay that organically emerged from the props and surroundings strongly fit the theme and engaged our full team.

 A counting puzzle went unnecessarily high. While the answer format reasonably limited our options, a different puzzle mechanic might have facilitated more meaningful and less tedious interactions.

/ Contained within an imposing set piece, a game-like puzzle incorporated the surrounding environment in some cool ways. This interaction could have had an even greater impact with clearer context for why it was there and how it fit the story.

 Certain printed papers didn’t match the era or style of the surrounding set.

A brilliant transition shifted our perception of our surroundings, actively involving players every step of the way.

A tactile interaction initially looked like an old-school escape room puzzle we’d have been indifferent to, but it was implemented in a way that was surprisingly fun and satisfying.

The finale pulled us in and tied together the story in an exciting way.

 Jason’s Legacy narratively fell in between OuterGround’s Jason’s Curse (now closed) and The Execution, though no knowledge of those other two experiences is required to understand the story of Jason’s Legacy, nor do the games need to be played in order.

Tips For Visiting

• Street parking was available nearby.
• OuterGround is a mere 10 minute drive from Down the Hatch’s Molly’s Game. Don’t miss either experience.

Book your session with OuterGround’s Jason’s Legacy, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: OuterGround provided media discounted tickets for this game.

The post OuterGround – Jason’s Legacy [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.