Wearing a bucket on your head will not help you clean your room

Location: Wilmington, NC

Date Played: October 9, 2025

Team Size: 2-6; we recommend 2-3

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $34-51 per player, depending on team size

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Hangover at Riddler State hit home for me as someone who went to college and lived the #DormLife from 2014-2018. While still timeless and enjoyable for all ages, The Exit Games pulled on each adorable part of living in a dorm, staying out too late partying, and cleaning up the semester-long disaster for Parent’s Weekend. Each puzzle felt at home in the space. From cleaning up forgotten messes, to finishing homework, to doing laundry, Hangover at Riddler State transported us back. While the game will offer nostalgia for folks who once lived in a dorm, it would still be incredibly fun for those who didn’t, of any age.

We’ve loved the games that Tay and Josh of The Exit Games have created over the years in both Wilmington, NC, and Clearwater, FL, where their more renowned games Servants of Sleight and Pins and Needles are located. The Hangover at Riddler State shows another side of their design prowess with its goofy and lighthearted take on the medium. While not as large and extravagant as their Clearwater games, this experience left us filled with joy. If you’re in Wilmington, be sure to check this out!

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• College dorm survivors
• Nostalgic nerds of the early 2000s
• Any experience level

Why play?

• Thematic puzzles fitting of a disastrous dorm
• Adorable details with nods to nostalgia of the early 2000s

Story

Passed out with no memories of the previous night’s party, we found our room in utter disarray with our parents visiting in only 60 minutes. We needed to clean the room and tidy up campus before Parent’s Weekend started!

Setting

Hangover at Riddler State was set in a disaster of a college dorm building, complete with a terrible laundry machine, broken elevator, bunk beds, and Guitar Hero III.

Gameplay

The Exit Games’ Hangover at Riddler State was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Gameplay revolved around searching, collecting, communication, making connections, solving puzzles, and avoiding the temptation to play Guitar Hero for the full hour.

Analysis

 Arriving at the dorm, the introduction was equal parts adorable and engaging. We laughed, we worried, and we cheered our way through the halls to clean up our disaster. This introduction did a fantastic job of setting the tone for the experience.

 Sometimes homework-themed puzzles can feel like homework. While still staying true to the subject matter, these multi-layered puzzles didn’t feel like a slog and kept all players engaged.

/ One puzzle left us wondering when we had all pieces of the answer completed. While this puzzle involved cute searching and counting thematic items, we found ourselves trying to put the answer in prematurely.

Mid game, we had to wait for the gamemaster to come trigger the next step in-person. This may not be a problem for slower groups, but while it was a cute interaction, it left us wondering what to do next.

Every puzzle was multi-layered, complex, and on-theme with strong solve feedback. We were impressed by how many thematic and nostalgic puzzles The Exit Games was able to implement. Furthermore, the volume never became overwhelming.

/While some of the inputs were creative and well-labeled, there were a few locks that led us to question what answer went with which lock, and would have benefited from better lock-mapping.

There was a fully functioning copy of Guitar Hero III. This brought our team so much excitement we almost didn’t finish the game. The little touches of joy sprinkled all over for the nostalgia of every generation was appreciated!

Tips For Visiting

• There is some street parking around.
• We recommend Dram Room for a lovely sit-down dinner, and Hidden Grounds for creative dinosaur-themed coffee!
• Apart from perhaps the title, there was nothing in this room that would be inappropriate for younger players.

Book your hour with The Exit Game’s Hangover at Riddler State, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Hangover at Riddler State provided media discounted tickets for this game.

Check out our interview with creators Taylor Pfyffer and Josh Skidmore on The Reality Escape Pod.

The post The Exit Games – Hangover at Riddler State [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

In Season 5, Episode 10 of REPOD we chat with Taylor Pfyffer and Josh Skidmore from The Exit Games. Passionate escape room enthusiasts Tay and Josh have made a name for themselves with their innovative and captivating games. Their latest creation, Pins & Needles, just won a Golden Lock Award. Both this game and their other game, Servants of Sleight, placed in the top 40 on the 2023 TERPECA list.

The intentionality of their storytelling shines through in every little detail, even the immersive “warnings” on their website. Players may be surprised to discover that Tay and Josh build all the games themselves, given their impressive scenic design. They also share some of the Easter eggs hidden in their escape rooms, such as sneaking a Fenways into the “back alleys” of New York City.

They stuck to their guns when everyone told them that a tattoo parlor theme was too risky, or that the names of their games were “weird” and it paid off. The escape rooms at The Exit Games, particularly the acclaimed Servants of Sleight and Pins & Needles at their Clearwater, FL, location are designed with escape room enthusiasts in mind. Tay and Josh have a true passion for escape rooms and it shines through their inventive designs, captivating storytelling, and meticulous craftsmanship.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are immensely grateful to our sponsors this season: Morty App, Resova, and RECON: The Reality Escape Convention. We truly appreciate your support of our mission to promote and improve the immersive gaming community.

Morty

Morty is a free app for discovering, planning, tracking, and reviewing your escape rooms and other immersive social outings.

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You can learn more at MortyApp.com/REPOD to sign up and get a special badge for our listeners (works for existing users also).

Resova

Resova is your all-inclusive software for bookings, made specifically for escape rooms, offering robust booking management, waiver management, integrated point of sales systems, and follow-up emails. Resova is the ultimate online reservation software designed to elevate the guest experience, increase game master efficiencies, drive sales, and improve operations.

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RECON: The Reality Escape Convention

Escape room conventions should be as fun, collaborative, and immersive as the games we celebrate.

RECON is our very own escape room and immersive gaming convention. Whether you’re an owner, creator, player, or you’re escape room curious, you are invited learn, connect, and play with our wonderful community.

RECON Remote 23 will take place August 19 – 20, 2023, online.

RECON 24 will be in person.

Get your ticket at now.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• [2:03] David tells Tay and Josh that their newest escape room, Pins & Needles, won a 2023 Golden Lock Award.
• [2:50] Josh tells us about how he and Tay got into escape rooms because they were huge fans of point-and-click video games as kids. They played their first escape room in 2015 and became instantly addicted, playing worldwide. Josh and his father eventually opened their first location in Wilmington, North Carolina, in August of 2016.
• [4:07] Tay talks a bit about the differences between their two locations in North Carolina and Florida. She mentions that Wilmington was the first location where they cut their teeth. They eventually chose Clearwater, FL, after visiting family there and falling in love with a location for rent. She mentions that the Clearwater location is not only larger, but it caters more to enthusiasts.
• [6:13] Josh talks about their decision to deconstruct Servants of Sleight into two different games, Dog Gone Alley and White Rabbit Society, at their Wilmington location.
• [8:05] Peih-Gee clarifies the timelines of the games: Wilmington was the first location. They next built Servants of Sleight in Clearwater, then built deconstructed versions of Servants of Sleight back in Wilmington.
• [8:28] Tay tells us that they will soon be bringing a deconstructed version of Pins & Needles called Hidden Needle Tattoo Parlor to their second location in Wilmington.
• [8:50] David says he played the deconstructed versions of the escape room first, which Tay and Josh recommended against. He says that he liked the games, but couldn’t see the hype until he played Servants of Sleight and realized the gestalt of the game.
• [10:09] David mentions that both Servants of Sleight and White Rabbit Society are built around a magician’s bar, and that they are aesthetically pleasing, but very different. Tay tells us that they really wanted a mysterious Illuminati-meets-magic vibe. Josh tells us that for White Rabbit Society, the vaulted ceilings and the big chandelier are original from when the building used to house a bank. They changed the design a bit to match the building in Wilmington.

• [13:29] Peih-Gee talks about the great names for their escape rooms and says that they’re different from normal naming conventions. They give just enough clues about the theme to be intriguing without spelling it out entirely. 
• [14:05] Josh says that he wanted to come up with a name that was different, yet catchy enough to sound like a household name. Tay says that they really wanted a non-traditional name and that they consider naming their escape rooms to be an art form with sneaky nods to the theme. Josh says there are multiple meanings behind the names of their escape rooms that will come to light once you’ve played the game.
• [15:41] Peih-Gee mentions that she enjoys the mystique of their names, and how memorable they are, meaning she can distinguish them from other escape rooms.
• [16:03] Tay talks about why they changed the name from Pins & Needles to Hidden Needles when they moved the game to Wilmington. She explains that the game is slightly different in Wilmington, without the thriller elements, and that they wanted to make it clear that they are different games.
• [19:22] Tay tells us about how and why they adapt their enthusiast-centered games in Florida for a more newbie-friendly crowd in their North Carolina location. 
• [21:50] Peih-Gee talks about the intentionality of their storytelling, which is evident even in their “warnings” on their booking page, which are told in character and help give the flavor of the experience.

• [23:45] Josh tells us about their design process. They start with a feeling that they want to replicate and try to recreate it through scenic and original puzzles.
• [25:11] Tay expands more on their design process. She explains that they start with a story that they love, and then think about what kind of items would be in that narrative. They then build puzzles that fit that environment. 
• [26:44] Josh confesses that he doesn’t have any tattoos and had never even stepped into a tattoo parlor before designing Pins & Needles. David says one of his teammates who is really into tattoo culture was really impressed with the experience.
• [28:07] Tay talks about why they chose a tattoo parlor as the environment for their game, and also notes that some players have gone to get tattoos after playing Pins & Needles.
• [32:07] Tay talks about the pressure they felt building their second game because they needed to live up to the hype of their first game. She says that after seeing how well-received Pins & Needles is, it gives them much more confidence when building and designing their third escape room.
• [33:21] Josh gives us a teaser for their third game and says there are a couple Easter eggs on their website as well as in Pins & Needles. He tells us that it will still kind of be set in the realm of New York’s back alleys, despite David telling them previously that New York doesn’t have back alleyways.

• [34:10] Josh tries to give us a rough estimate of when to expect their third game. He tells us that Servants of Sleight took about seven months to build and Pins & Needles took about a year to build. They are hoping to start building their third game in Clearwater at the end of 2023.
• [34:52] Peih-Gee reads a question sent in by her friend and REA Patron backer Alyssa Diaz. She mentions their impressive scenic design and asks about a set designer and the size of their construction crew. Tay and Josh tell us that it’s mainly only the two of them building, with occasional help from Josh’s dad, Frank.
• [36:38] Josh says that as enthusiasts, they really like detail overload so the environment feels authentic. 
• [37:29] Tay talks about Easter eggs and linking stories between their games.
• [38:37] Tay lived in Prague for a few years before they built their first escape room, and when Josh visited her there, they would play escape rooms throughout Europe. They talk about Chris Lattner’s The Room in Berlin being a huge influence on their work, especially the attention to detail. 
• [40:39] David says he can relate because The Alchemist Chamber in Prague was his fourth escape room and that the games in Europe in the early years of the escape room industry inspired him to create Room Escape Artist.
• [41:31] Tay tells us a story about the time they experimented with having a bear statue deliver the intro to a game. The only time they ever tried this was when they ran a game for REA writer Richard Burns, who has been trying to figure out ever since if this was a normal intro for the game, and why no one else has ever heard of it. 
• [44:54] Josh and Tay are both huge Red Sox fans. They talk about what makes for a great stadium experience. 
• [45:33] They tell us that there are a lot of Red Sox Easter eggs inside their escape rooms, including Fenway’s Magic Shop, which is a nod to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. David shares that his cousin was Wally the Green Monster, the mascot for the Red Sox, for a decade.

• [46:28] Peih-Gee congratulates the couple on their engagement. Tay talks about trying to incorporate puzzles either into the wedding reception or on their Save the Dates. She says she is open to suggestions.
• [47:42] Tay talks about their future projects, including an escape room at their newest Wilmington location that’s based on cleaning up a dorm room before the parents arrive. They are also opening a coffee shop in Wilmington as well as working on their third adventure in Clearwater. 
• [50:07] David tells us that tickets to Room Escape Artist’s Orlando escape room tour are nearly sold out, but you can still purchase tickets to Premium Extension #2, which includes transportation to Clearwater and the two games at Exit Games. 
• [52:59] Tay tells us a bonus story about the time they played Project Minotaur and Miss Jezebel in Los Angeles and left with a memorable battle scar.

Leave us a voicemail

Got a question or thought for the podcast? You can submit a voice recording by calling the Room Escape Artist not-so-hotline that always goes straight to voicemail (551-227-7273).

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• The Exit Games website (Clearwater, FL)
• The Exit Games website (Wilmington, NC)
• REA reviews
  • Clearwater, FL:
    • Servants of Sleight
    • Pins & Needles
  • Wilmington, NC:
    • Dog Gone Alley
    • White Rabbit Society
• Orlando Escape Room Tour
• The Room, Berlin, Germany
• MindMaze, Prague, Czech Republic

About Taylor Pfyffer & Josh Skidmore

It all started in 2015 when we discovered our first escape room while searching for things to do in Boston. Little did we know that this would catapult a passion for escape rooms that would spread from an enthusiasm for escape adventures to taking the leap to build, own, and design our own escape room. In August 2016, we opened our first venue in Wilmington, NC: The Exit Games.

Since then, we’ve debuted our second location in Clearwater, FL and our third, also in Wilmington, in addition to working alongside brands like Mr. Beast on Youtube and Sony to develop custom escape projects. When we’re not working, our addiction of playing rooms has remained intact and we’ve been fortunate to play nearly 350 rooms across the world. We’re excited to see what the future of The Exit Games and escape rooms has in store.

Instagram: @theexitgames, @theexitgamesfl

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Support Room Escape Artist’s Mission

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The post REPOD S5E10 – Stick to Your Guns: Taylor Pfyffer and Josh Skidmore from The Exit Games appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Update 6/20/23: If you enjoy Servants of Sleight, we hope you’ll check out our interview with creators Taylor Pfyffer and Josh Skidmore on The Reality Escape Pod.

The Prestige

Location:  Clearwater, FL

Date Played: February 26, 2023

Team size: 2-8; we recommend 3-5

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: $52 per player

Ticketing: Private

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Servants of Sleight was another seriously hyped escape room.

After having played the deconstructed version of this game at The Exit Games’ Wilmington location (Dog Gone Alley and White Rabbit Society), we couldn’t understand how the combination of these two games would transform into one of the most highly regarded games in the United States.

Now we get it. The Exit Games FL created different spaces and scenes, and linked them into an experience that was considerably more than the sum of its parts. And that was the magic.

In Servants of Sleight, the opening act was leaner. It didn’t include the puzzles that dragged in Dog Gone Alley. The later scenes had more room to breathe than in White Rabbit Society. The aesthetic in Servants of Sleight was different too, but no less compelling.

As reviewers, and as students of the escape room medium, we got a lot out of playing both Servants of Sleight and the deconstructed version in Wilmington. We don’t necessarily recommend this. We recommend you go straight to Clearwater. But we’re happy it worked out this way for us. For science.

When you go to Clearwater (and it’s not easy to get to, but it’s worth the trip), play Servants of Sleight and Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor, in that order.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Story seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Fans of the magical arts
• Any experience level
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Strong, varied collection of puzzles
• Nifty interactions
• Magic!

Story

We knew of the prestigious Servants of Sleight. We’d been practicing for years to be good enough magicians to gain entry. Now with a text inviting us to a new-member initiation ceremony, it was finally time to prove ourselves worthy.

Setting

We began in the back alley behind the magic shop Fenways. It was dimly lit with graffitied brick walls. But soon enough, we entered the Fenways and the mysterious places it concealed.

Gameplay

The Exit Games FL’s Servants of Sleight was a standard escape room with a modest level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around observing, making connections, solving puzzles, and interacting with the world around us.

Analysis

 Our adventure was underway before we entered the back alley. While we’ve seen this trick performed before, the crispness of The Exit Game FL’s execution gets our stamp of approval.

 Each game space set a different tone, but they belonged in a cohesive world. Through the decor, lighting, and soundscape, The Exit Games FL created different atmospheres, and we engaged appropriately. One set, in particular, was especially beautiful.

 In our favorite set, one area lacked the fit and finish of the rest of the space. This was especially apparent because the gameplay drew our eyes in that direction for a prolonged period.

 Servants of Sleight delivered on the promise that only skilled magicians would gain entry.

 Servants of Sleight unfolded across multiple acts. The transition sequences were especially engaging, and wholly unexpected. These added vivacity to the escape room.

 While the transitions were often the highlights, one scene change lacked the dramatic flourish of the others.

 The puzzles worked beautifully. Although there were many puzzles, they were well-clued and we moved through them swiftly, never spending too long before the aha. If there was process to any puzzle, the process itself added excitement.

 We struggled to comprehend what one prop was meant to be.

The finale sequence perfectly concluded this adventure, weaving in interaction that deftly and magically revealed.

 Servants of Sleight told a story without any reading or exposition. At every step of the way, we knew our role in the world, our goal, and what had transpired to our characters. Through in-world interactions, we could make progress.

Tips For Visiting

• There is a parking lot.

Book your session with The Exit Games FL’s Servants of Sleight, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: The Exit Games FL comped our tickets for this game.

The post The Exit Games FL – Servants of Sleight [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Update 6/20/23: If you enjoy Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor, we hope you’ll check out our interview with creators Taylor Pfyffer and Josh Skidmore on The Reality Escape Pod.

Skin in the Game

Location:  Clearwater, FL

Date Played: February 26, 2023

Team size: 3-6; we recommend 3-5

Duration: 90 minutes

Price: $52 per player

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration:  The adventure is Rated R for explicit language.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor was the most hyped game we played this year… and it lived up to its reputation, which is no small feat.

The Exit Games FL took their time. They put us into a solid escape room, and let it blossom into something more. It was a slow burn, until the point where it ignited.

And to top it all off, they did this in an unusual setting. It felt fresh, even though it was composed for fairly typical escape room puzzles and narrative beats. It excelled in the execution, which counted for a lot.

We traveled twice to play this game: first to Orlando, and then on to Clearwater. And I’m glad we did. You can all stop asking us when we’re going to play Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor.

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Story seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Fans of Ink Master
• Best for players with at least some experience
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Well crafted gameplay
• Compelling story
• The escalation
• An unforgettable scene transition

Story

We were about to begin apprenticing for Skinz, a renowned tattoo artist. The thing is, in this shop, most apprentices don’t last. We would need to do our job and be on our best behavior. We certainly didn’t want to upset the boss.

Setting

We were led into the storefront of a tattoo parlor. To the best of our limited knowledge, it looked the part. The vibe felt right.

Gameplay

The Exit Games FL’s Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around observing, making connections, solving puzzles, and being able to think on your feet.

Analysis

 In over 1000 escape rooms, we’ve never visited a tattoo parlor. The theme was legit. Our teammate who is a huge Ink Master fan concurred. Also, he was beyond thrilled.

The introduction was harsh and demanding. We struggled with it. My inclination was to take actions that might not have been acceptable, and I didn’t want to push boundaries without a better understanding of the game world.

 The puzzles were fun. There were layered puzzles, funny thematic ones, and a puzzle that had one of the most elegant extractions we’ve seen to date. Throughout the experience, Exit Games FL used the environments adeptly for clue structure. They created many wonderful ahas without any tech.

 We enjoyed how the space transformed in unexpected ways, sometimes with scene transitions, and sometimes over the course of in-game interactions. One space in particular had just the coolest aesthetic, and the more time we spent there, the more it impressed us.

 The Exit Games FL did the tattoo parlor theming justice. We inked one scene, in particular, into our memories.

 It was too bad that one pivotal interaction wrapped up without an iconic prop. Yes, this is an extreme nitpick.

There was an intensity to Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor, born from the theme, sets, and characters. Still, there was levity. The jokes piled up.

 The late-game reveal. Holy smoke. This transition scene stood out for the dramatic flair and intensity of the moment, maybe even more than the plot twist. Furthermore, it was thoughtfully crafted to be safe, and always feel safe for everyone involved.

 As we played Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor, we played out a complete story, in a few acts. It had structure. It had characters, and motives. And we were characters inside of it. This escape room accomplished all of this without any reading or exposition, but rather, through interactions, tasks, puzzles, and decor.

 Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor never delivered on one refrain that seemed consequential to the story. Perhaps it was just an in-world rules delivery, but we wanted a punch line.

The Exit Game FL tied the plot off well, using lighting and sound to bring closure to the experience. Furthermore, they punctuated the ending with a finale interaction that wasn’t needed, but added a lot.

Tips For Visiting

• There is a parking lot.

Book your session with The Exit Games FL’s Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: The Exit Games FL comped our tickets for this game.

The post The Exit Games FL – Pins & Needles Tattoo Parlor [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location:  Wilmington, NC

Date Played:  September 26, 2021

Team size: 2-5; we recommend 2-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $39 per player for 2 player, $26 per player for 3+ players

Ticketing: Private

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Dog Gone Alley was a compact escape game set in a charming back alley.

The puzzle-focused gameplay solved cleanly, and the environment was fun, if limited. However, there were some issues with Dog Gone Alley:

This game was very short… and the reasons we didn’t complete it in an unreasonably short amount of time weren’t great. We had two significant reset failures and there was a game rule that conflicted with the gameplay. These 3 things took up about half the time we spent in Dog Gone Alley.

I also really found myself wishing that there was more to the dog theme. There certainly were dog references, but I wanted more puppy payoff.

As it stands, this would be a fine game for true newbies. The interactions were fun and clever; we just wanted more.

It’s our understanding that Dog Gone Alley is a rework of the first act of the popular Tampa game Servants of Sleight. I am confident that this would be more interesting as the opening act to something grander. We look forward to visiting The Exit Games in Florida to see how that came together.

If you’re in Wilmington, North Carolina, I’d suggest you play The Exit Games’ White Rabbit Society, as it was a regional standout.

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Newbies

Why play?

• Photos of cute dogs
• Some unique puzzles

Story

We’d found Buddy, a good doggo, in an alley in New York City. We had to follow the clues and figure out who his human was, and contact this person.

Setting

The back alley setting of Dog Gone Alley had a cool atmosphere and aesthetic. However, it was a very compact game.

Gameplay

The Exit Games’ Dog Gone Alley was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around searching and puzzling.

Analysis

  Dog Gone Alley presented a clear starting place, and a smooth, well-clued on-ramp.

 Before the game, we received unintentionally misleading instructions, causing us to ignore a critical prop as just set dressing, due to where it was placed. Rules need to agree with gameplay.

 Unfortunately, we encountered two major reset failures in our playthrough, on the first two puzzles. The hints we received caused us to doubt whether there was sufficient camera coverage of the game. When we finally clarified the issues, The Exit Games was prepared with backups, but this severely lowered our confidence in the game.

 For the most part, Dog Gone Alley consisted of solid escape room-style puzzles that solved cleanly.

With many different number-based solutions, Dog Gone Alley could have benefited from better lock mapping.

 One puzzle had a lot of ambiguity, causing us to approach it in multiple incorrect ways before finding one we could count on.

 We most enjoyed when one puzzle provided a new perspective.

 The small set was at its best when its aesthetic was also an integral part of the gameplay.

 The finale was cute, but not memorable. The dog was barely a character in our experience. In the end, it felt like we’d solved an escape room, not like we’d saved a dog.

Tips For Visiting

• There is metered street parking in Wilmington.
• We enjoyed Beer Barrio.

Book your hour with The Exit Games’ Dog Gone Alley, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: The Exit Games comped our tickets for this game.

The post The Exit Games – Dog Gone Alley [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location:  Wilmington, NC

Date Played:  September 26, 2021

Team size: 2-8; we recommend 3-5

Duration: 60 minutes

Price: $39 per player for 2 player, $26 per player for 3+ players

Ticketing: Private

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

White Rabbit Society was an elegant game set in a space where we’d gladly hang out and have a drink.

Aesthetically, the setting made a strong impression. This was reinforced by good interaction design and an emphasis on the magician club theming throughout the puzzles.

White Rabbit Society was the standout game from our day in Wilmington, North Carolina. If you’re in the area, be sure to check it out. It is, however, worth noting that if you’ve played Servants of Sleight in Tampa, Florida, this is a smaller version of that game.

We are looking forward to playing Servants of Sleight and seeing how they compare.

Who is this for?

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

Why play?

• Strong, varied collection of puzzles
• Nifty interactions
• Art Deco magicians club vibe

Story

The Top Hat Lounge was once home to a secret society of magicians, The White Rabbit Society.

On the 100-year anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini we had been granted the opportunity to take the test for entry to the society.

Setting

White Rabbit Society had a regal magic club aesthetic: blacks, whites, reds, and golds.

It was a wide open space with well staged puzzles, while still feeling like a deliberately designed set.

Gameplay

The Exit Games’ White Rabbit Society was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay revolved around observing, making connections, and puzzling.

Analysis

 White Rabbit Society took place in a beautifully themed room. With open space and a high ceiling, it was appropriately majestic. We enjoyed the decor.

 The physical interactions were satisfying, strong, and snappy.

 We especially enjoyed layered puzzles that traversed the space and relied on teamwork.

 White Rabbit Society was a non-linear experience that would have benefited from a little more gating. We spent too long on puzzles that weren’t yet available to us.

The experience was themed around looking at things in different ways, which we felt throughout the playing card-heavy gameplay.

 The ending came together well, and made sense within the game world, and for The Exit Games.

Tips For Visiting

• There is metered street parking in Wilmington.
• We enjoyed Beer Barrio for lunch near the game.

Book your hour with The Exit Games’ White Rabbit Society, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: The Exit Games comped our tickets for this game.

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