How much does sound design matter?

At RECON, Troy will show us how thoughtful sound design can enhance any immersive experience, and will provide practical guidance on how to improve your audio on any budget.

About Troy

Troy Armstrong is the Director of Product Design for Great Big Game Show, where he leads the creative development of immersive, live-action game show experiences.

Troy has worked in the escape game industry since 2017 and joined The Escape Game in 2020. There he continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the sound and music identity of its award-winning experiences including The Depths, Timeliner, Cosmic Crisis [Golden Lock Award Winner 2024], Ruins, and Legend of the Yeti. He has also collaborated with clients ranging from Nickelodeon (Rugrats) and Cheetos to Disney (Mysterious Benedict Society) and Hulu (Only Murders in the Building).

Troy holds degrees in music composition from the University of Southern California (B.M.) and the University of Texas at Austin (M.M.). An active commissioned composer, his concert works have been performed across the United States, Canada, Central America, Australia, and Europe by distinguished ensembles including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the U.S. Navy Band.

He currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with his partner, Taylor, and their dog, Elly.

The post How Much Does Sound Design Matter? appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

The beat drops and freestylin’ rappers take to the stage, battling it out to see who has the best flow. First to the stage is The Knight, and his other contenders are characters like The Wife of Bath, The Miller, or The Reeve. Our topic today is The Canterbury Tales. This is the story of a group of pilgrims who gather around the fire to tell stories, primarily in verse.

Zach Sherwin, our guest today, knows a thing or two about storytelling in verse. He’s a longtime writer and performer on the Youtube channel Epic Rap Battles of History. This show pits two historical characters against each other, battling it out for rap supremacy. Zach has also created The Crossword Show, a hilarious live show where comedians solve a crossword while Zach performs about the topics. He also shares a few puzzles with us today as well.

Today’s game is called Name Dropping, and it’s all about modern names that come from medieval occupations. Grab your tickets to RECON 26 this summer to see Zach perform The Crossword Show live.

Click here for a playlist of Epic Rap Battles featuring Zach Sherwin.

Time Stamps

• 01:12 Game: Name Dropping
• 14:47 Bonus Puzzle from Zach Sherwin
• 18:45 About: Zach Sherwin & Epic Rap Battles of History
• 22:12 Topic: Canterbury Tales
• 32:26 Credits

Check out REPOD Season 10 Episode 10: Comedy, Rap, and Crosswords: The Crossword Show with Zach Sherwin

Guest: Zach Sherwin

Instagram: @zachsherwin

In THE CROSSWORD SHOW, host Zach Sherwin (“Epic Rap Battles of History,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”) presides as a panel of guests solves an actual crossword puzzle live onstage, with everything displayed on a big screen so the audience can follow along. As the solvers decipher the clues, Zach takes the show down rabbit holes of comedy, music, wordplay and trivia inspired by the answer words, and everything ties together at the end for a grand finale that’s as satisfying as it is mind-blowing. You don’t need any crossword expertise to be dazzled by this joyful, brainy, one-of-a-kind experience! “Tons of fun.” –New York Times. “Nerdtastic.” –Washington City Paper. “Jaw-dropping.” –SFGate. 

ZACH SHERWIN is a Los Angeles-based comedian. His writing for the web series Epic Rap Battles of History has received numerous Streamy Awards and Emmy nominations, and the Epic Rap Battles in which he’s co-starred have amassed over half a billion YouTube views and an RIAA-certified Gold record. His own YouTube videos have been viewed many millions of times, and his other writing credits include Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW) and MAD Magazine. As a performer, Zach has appeared on shows ranging from Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell (FX) to America’s Got Talent (NBC), and he has also worked extensively as a TV audience warm-up comic, including at the last three years of the Scripps National Spelling Bee Finals. In 2025, he published his second crossword puzzle in the New York Times.

More Podcasts from Peih-Gee & David

If you enjoy PG’s Playhouse, check out Reality Escape Pod (REPOD), where your hosts David Spira & Peih-Gee Law explore immersive gaming from all angles, alongside guests with incredible experience in this realm.

And by supporting Room Escape Artist on Patreon, you’ll get access to the REPOD Bonus After Show ($5 per month and up) and the Spoilers Club ($15 per month and up) where we chat in depth with creators about iconic escape rooms… spoilers and all!

Production Credits

• Hosted by Peih-Gee Law & David Spira
• Puzzles by Peih-Gee Law
• Produced by Theresa Piazza
• Supported by Lisa Spira
• Edited by Peih-Gee Law
• Music by Matt Farthing
• Logo by Theresa Wagner

The post PG’s Playhouse E42: Canterbury Tales (ft. Zach Sherwin) appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Date Played: February 7, 2026

Team Size: Any; we recommend 1-2

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $0-5 per player

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: none

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

AREA15 is an entertainment venue in Las Vegas with an overwhelming array of offerings that range from immersive experiences and augmented reality games to traditional arcade machines.

My first visit a few years ago was devoted entirely to Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart (previously reviewed), so on this second trip I was determined to explore other activities that might appeal to puzzlers like myself.

The AREA15 website and ticketing options are extensive, and frankly, a little overwhelming. I chose a Level 1 pass, which turned out to be perfect for what we wanted. The two most puzzle-oriented activities, Origin Quest and Particle Quest, were both included.

Origin Quest

We started with Origin Quest. It consisted of six escape-room-style puzzles located throughout the public areas of AREA15. Anyone can interact with the installations, but answers could only be submitted through the game website with an access pass. (It was also possible to access Origin Quest for free by booking a complimentary Level 0 pass online at least two days in advance.) Although we purchased our passes as a team of 2 and they were issued under a single access code, we each had individual access and played independently.

I’ve always had a soft spot for games that live out in the open, whether installations were designed to be puzzles from the start, or puzzles were built around existing public features. Origin Quest was very much the former. The installations were curious, clearly intentional, and beautifully bizarre. In the sensory overload of AREA15, they would be easy to miss at first. But once we began interacting with them, passersby started noticing too, scanning the space to see what we’d discovered. I loved exploring the venue with purpose, and found the quest well worth the time.

Particle Quest

Next was Particle Quest, a paid (included in passes or $5 alone) experience that required checking out handheld augmented reality devices from the VR games center on the second floor. Using them, we scanned the environment to detect and collect particle sources. The introduction suggested that different sources would yield different amounts of particles. However, after scanning every location we could find, each one registered either “very little” or “just a few.” In practice, there didn’t seem to be much distinction.

After each scan, we completed a simple puzzle to collect the nanoparticles. Disappointingly, after about eight scans, I had only encountered two puzzle types: a Simon-style pattern repetition game and a Flow-style pipe connection. Meanwhile, my companion, while scanning the same locations, unlocked an additional side-quest mini game that I never even saw.

The story unfolded through short videos that played after each successful collection. In the final step, we sent our accumulated particles to the giant Oddwood Tree in the center of the bar, where it sparkled as they were “released into the world.” It made for a charming closing moment.

Activity Options

Overall, the two quests offered very different experiences. Origin Quest felt like a true puzzle game, with installations that invited careful thought and intentional exploration. Particle Quest, by contrast, functioned more as a simple scavenger hunt – light, repetitive, and likely better suited to energetic younger visitors than seasoned puzzlers.

Both added structure to navigating AREA15, but for those specifically seeking a satisfying puzzle experience, Origin Quest is the stronger choice.

Who is this for?

Origin Quest is appropriate for:

• Story seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Any experience level

Particle Quest is appropriate for:

• Any experience level

Why play?

• The installations throughout the AREA15 space have piqued your curiosity.
• Origin Quest: You are at AREA15 and are looking for a unique puzzle experience.
• Particle Quest: You are interested in activating the giant tree in the middle of the space.

Story

Origin Quest: We had been tasked with investigating the AREA15 building with the Multiverse Maintenance team to discover its secrets.

Particle Quest: We used the issued device to detect and collect nano-particles in the AREA15 environment.

Setting

Both games were set in the mythical universe of AREA15.

Gameplay

AREA15’s Origin Quest was an escape game with a moderate level of difficulty, focussing mainly on observation and data collection.

Particle Quest was a scavenger hunt with a low level of difficulty, focussing mainly on exploration, with a couple of simple logic puzzles.

Analysis

The puzzles in Origin Quest were of familiar styles, and playing the game felt like an actual escape room despite its open placement inside AREA15.

 The technology in Particle Quest generally worked well and made interacting with the environment interesting.

 The collection points and the puzzles in Particle Quest had the potential to be much more compelling and varied.

As I inspected every space in the building, I discovered secretly placed discount codes for the bar. What a nice bonus!

  I enjoyed exploring the overwhelming space of AREA15 with purpose and logged thousands of steps that day. The quest artifacts were well integrated into the public environment.

Tips For Visiting

• There is paid parking next to AREA15. Alternatively, at the time of this writing, there was a drop off/ pickup point where you can ride the the driverless Zoox taxi service.
• There are numerous dining options in AREA15, ranging from food trucks to restaurants.
• The paid access levels include a ride on the LIFTOFF sky ride, which provided a lovely panoramic view of Las Vegas.

Book your visit with AREA15, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

The post AREA15 – Origin Quest & Particle Quest [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

“ There’s lots of places in the world you can gamify.”

Emma Rochon and Melissa Eapen were young game masters working at a local escape room company over 12 years ago. They loved this “new” genre of entertainment, and asked the owners how they could get more involved in growing the business or designing new rooms. The owners replied with “There’s no growth in [escape rooms]. Also though, if you try to make your own company, I’ll sue you”.

These famous last words spurred Improbable Escapes co-founders Emma Rochon and Melissa Eapen to quit and start their own company. While looking for locations, they mapped out all the known escape rooms in Canada at the time, and settled on the charming city of Kingston. They chose it primarily for its qualities as an escape room wasteland, because it didn’t have any notable existing escape rooms.

Today, they’ve certainly built out enough games to put Kingston, Ontario, Canada on the map of any escape room enthusiast. They have built and designed over forty different games and experiences, including escape rooms, outdoor escape rooms, large event “podium games,” and even a board game café. They also started a sister company called Visual Menace Creative that builds sets, props, and immersive activations for brands, film, television and music videos.

Emma Rochon joins us on REPOD to share her escape room journey in the industry. I was simply mind-blown by these two young women who built an escape room empire out of nothing but sheer determination and passion. I love stories where someone is told “no” and they proceed to prove nay-sayers wrong in the most epic way possible.

If you enjoyed this episode and you want to hear more from Emma, she will be speaking at this year’s Reality Escape Convention about deconstructing escape rooms, and how to literally think outside the box when it comes to designing interactive puzzle games.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We are immensely grateful to our sponsors this season: REA Patreon Backers, PG’s Playhouse, and Buzzshot. We truly appreciate your support of our mission to promote and improve the immersive gaming community.

Support Room Escape Artist on Patreon

Love escape rooms as much as we do? At Room Escape Artist, we’ve been analyzing, reviewing, and exploring the world of immersive games since 2014.

By becoming a Patreon supporter, you’re not just backing a blog — you’re fueling a mission to make the escape room and immersive gaming community stronger, more thoughtful, and more connected. You can also access exclusive Patreon content such as the Bonus Aftershow, Spoilers Club, and get early access to escape room Tour tickets and REA articles.

Your Patreon support goes toward our mission: paying our contributors, funding our infrastructure, and supporting deep research and industry advocacy.

Buzzshot

Buzzshot is proud to announce their new “all-in-one” Booking System designed from the ground up for one type of business, escape rooms.

Offering:

• Easy to use booking UI with no fees or hidden charges.
• Customer waiver capture
• Branded Team Photos
• Player Messaging
• Review Managment
• Automations
• Customer Surveys
• Broadcast Emails

Special Offer for REPOD Listeners:

REPOD listeners get an extended 21-day free trial plus 20% off your first 3 months, with no set-up fees or hidden charges. FREE Trial Account with full features^* including SMS messaging, and ‘Buzzshot Bookings’ trial upon request. Visit buzzshot.com/repod to learn more about this exclusive offer.

PG’s Playhouse Podcast

If you love wordplay, puzzles, and trivia, this is the podcast for you! PG’s Playhouse recreates a fun game night with friends, all in a short, 30-minute format. Of course, what’s game night without making new friends? We bring on different guests for the different episodes!

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• 00:00 Sponsor Break: RECON – The Reality Escape Convention
• 04:31 Origin Story and Lawsuits
• 07:53 Exploring Improbable Escapes’ Games
• 09:36 Unique Mechanics
• 12:18 Motherhood and Leadership
• 14:57 The Mysterious Miseries of Franklin N. Stein
• 19:23 Down the Rabbit Hole
• 21:24 Sponsor Break: Buzzshot, Escape Room Marketing Software
• 24:04 Outdoor Escape Rooms
• 26:43 Kingston Tourism and Expansion
• 32:28 Wonderland Board Game Cafe
• 34:48 Community and Sales Trends
• 38:19 Sponsor Break: Room Escape Artist Patreon – Bonus Episodes, Spoilers Club & More
• 40:45 Visual Menace Creative
• 46:20 Sponsor Break: PG’s Playhouse – Puzzles, Pals, and Trivia
• 47:51 Podium Games Explained
• 52:21 Designing Museum Installations
• 54:21 What Comes Next
• 59:23 Bonus Story: Unbirthday Party

Leave 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

• Improbable Escapes Website
• Visual Menace Website
• Chris Ramsay Solving an Improbable Escapes Puzzle
• Room Escape Artist Reviews
  • The Mysterious Miseries of Franklin N. Stein
  • Neverland: Heist on the High Seas
  • Seven Dwarfs: Mining Mission
  • The TriWizard Trials
  • Legend of the Mayan Temple
  • The Undersea Overthrow [Hivemind Review – Online Implementation]
  • Neverland: Heist on the High Seas [Hivemind Review- Online Implementation]
  • The Hot Chocolate Incident [Hivemind Review – Online Implementation]
  • Seven Dwarfs: Mining Mission [Hivemind Review – Online Implementation]

About Emma Rochon

Instagram: @improbableescapeshq @improbableescapeswonderland @visualmenacecreative

Emma Rochon is co-owner of Improbable Escapes in Kingston, Ontario, one of Canada’s longest-running escape game companies. Having spent over a decade creating immersive entertainment, her lead design credits extend across 40+ projects ranging from traditional escape rooms, outdoor adventures, museum installations, remote games and more.

Support REPOD

• Subscribe to Patreon for bonus content.
• Please rate and review our podcast!

Thanks for listening!

Support Room Escape Artist’s Mission

There are lots of ways to support Room Escape Artist, like buying from Amazon or Etsy after clicking into the links included in this post or backing us on Patreon.

The money that we make from these helps us to grow the site and continue to add more value to the community that we love so much.

The post Gamify the World: Emma Rochon of Improbable Escapes (REPOD S11E2) appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

It’s a no-brainer!

Location: Los Angeles, California

Date Played: February 6, 2026

Team Size: 2-6; we recommend 2-4

Duration: 80 minutes

Price:  $65-$75 per person, discount for booking in advance

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

On our last trip to Los Angeles, we experienced the wonderful, whimsical Wizard’s Treasure at 60Out’s Hollywood location. So when a new game opened at this location, created by the same game designer, it was a no-brainer to stop in and play. With a completely different look and feel than the charming wizarding world, Big Brain Labs combined retro-futuristic aesthetics, and gameplay focused on science and experimentation. Clever puzzles and entertaining, tongue-in-cheek humor added to the fun, engaging experience for players of all experience levels.

We started with an introduction from Dr. Gordon Goobler as he explained his newest pet project: a scientific mission to solve all the world’s problems. He just needed more brain power! And that’s where we came in. We puzzled our way through a series of experiments, or mini puzzles, that would collect the data Dr. Goobler needed. Most puzzles had minimal directions, leaving us to scratch our heads for a few moments and try different things before getting to a satisfying aha moment of victory. 

Gameplay was quite cohesive until a mid-game puzzle that can only be described as a show-stopper. Our fast-paced momentum slowed as we puzzled in this part. But while it felt somewhat out of place with the rest of Dr. Goobler’s experiments, it was so incredibly entertaining and memorable; it became my absolute favorite part of the game.  As reluctant as I was to leave this part of the game, the world’s problems were waiting.

The finale landed with an action-filled conclusion, followed by a thoughtful epilogue. With Wizard’s Treasure and now Big Brain Labs, the 60Out Hollywood location stands out among the crowded, robust Los Angeles market. These fresh, creative games are worth a stop when you are in town.

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Scientists
• Brainiacs
• Any experience level
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Colorful set
• Show-stopping mid-game puzzle
• Puzzles that make you feel brainy

Story

Dr. Gordon Goobler is the genius behind IntelliCo, a neuroscience company that aims to solve the world’s problems. He was on the verge of a major scientific breakthrough and needed people with big brains (like us!) to collect data and work together to complete experiments around his lab.

Setting

The game started in the employee area for the IntelliCo corporation. It was a small, brightly-lit space with a TV monitor on the wall – presumably for employee training – and a half-dozen white lab coats hanging on hooks. Futuristic sliding doors led to other parts of the lab while a vintage science-y logo gave the space a retro look and feel.

Gameplay

60 Out’s Big Brain Labs was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty. 

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

Analysis

 The retro-futuristic set reminded us of Disney’s Tomorrowland, capturing the feel of how someone mid-century envisioned the future. It immediately added unique character to the game. 

 We liked the attention to detail in the large, brightly colored set pieces and overall design of the space. Dr. Goobler’s IntelliCo branding was subtle but visible throughout the game, making it feel like a legitimate workplace.

 Most experiments had minimal directions, allowing us to try alternative approaches until we figured out the right one. At the same time, there was a clear structure to the game flow – along with a device for keeping track of our progress – so we always knew where we were in the game. It was a fun combination, and it all blended together seamlessly.

 At one point, voice-over dialogue mentioned a prop and we thought it was part of our next challenge. We lost some time running around trying to figure out how to interact with it, but it was just story details.

/ The conclusion involved a fun, boss-level finale, though we didn’t immediately notice a significant visual reveal when distracted by several prominent props. Re-positioning these props or gating their availability would allow players to appreciate the reveal as intended.

 After the introduction, additional story points were creatively woven into several puzzles. The final scene brought emotional closure to the narrative.

 End-game credits were a nice touch, providing a glimpse into the design process and recognizing the work of the design and build teams.

Accessibility options for lighting, sound, and color-blindness were available to players to self-manage throughout the game. There was even a chair, if you needed to sit. We were impressed with the original, thoughtful approach to accommodations and putting the player experience front and center.

Tips For Visiting

• There are several 60Out locations in Los Angeles. This game is at the Hollywood location: 1316 N Western Ave.  
• Parking is available in a lot behind the building, with access via Fernwood Ave. The front door entrance is on N Western Ave.  Metered street parking is also available nearby.
• When we visit Los Angeles for games, we like breakfast at Blu Jam Cafe or DuPar’s (best pancakes!), lunch at Mel’s Diner or Porto’s, and dinner at Yang Chow. For the best soup dumplings, visit Din Tai Fung (reservations highly recommended).

Book your hour with 60Out’s Big Brain Labs, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: 60Out comped our tickets for this game.

The post 60Out – Big Brain Labs [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

This event creates a space to discuss and to learn about new formats of escape rooms and the future of real-life gaming.

In our talk, we’ll discuss what escape rooms can be if you’re willing to break the mold, with examples from our experiences playing around the world.

David will also be moderating a panel of industry experts.

Event Details

Play two epic large-scale games, participate in a one-day conference, and make connections.

• May 21-23, 2026
• Events in Malešov and Prague, Czechia
• Hosted by The Chamber

The large scale events are Kingdom Come: Experience, which is a 3.5-hour-long game with 10 actors, taking place at a real medieval castle, and  ChamCorp: The CyberGame for up to 200 players simultaneously, with more than 30 actors in an open-world setting of a futuristic cyberpunk Underground City.

We are excited to experience these games and meet others from the global escape room community.

The post Lisa & David Keynote the Prague Escaping Summit appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Format

Style of Play:

• Research and investigation

Who is it For?

• Story seekers
• Readers
• Best for players with some experience

Required Equipment: Computer with internet connection, or a Steam Deck

Recommended Team Size: 1-2

Play Time: Expect 3-5 hours

Price: $6.99

Booking: Purchase and play at your leisure

Description

TR-49 is a puzzle investigation game in which the player is tasked with exploring and understanding the titular TR-49 machine in an alternate history universe.  Gameplay revolves around exploring an archive in nonlinear fashion by finding and entering codes into a machine. The story also unfolds via voiceover with subtitles.

Sarah Wilson’s Reaction

TR-49 shares DNA with investigation games like The Roottrees Are Dead, Immortality, and Type Help, with the gameplay consisting entirely of exploring a database to unspool a larger story. Normally I love this type of deduction game, but TR-49’s design choices made it more frustrating than fun for me.

The machine at the center of the research had some quirks and unpredictability that departed from the genre’s conventions in interesting ways, but also proved aggravating at times. The frequent chatter between the two main characters interrupted my flow; even though it was usually optional, I couldn’t be sure whether their conversation might be relevant to the puzzling. And the interface provided automatic note-taking, but the filing system wasn’t always explained, and the notes sometimes stated a connection I hadn’t yet put together myself. Side note: I’d recommend making your own notes, especially if you prefer less guidance in puzzle games.

Story-wise, TR-49 was somber, complex, and urgent—a demanding combination. I enjoyed the fact that a few clever deductions revealed more about the characters, but in the end I still wasn’t entirely clear about what was going on. Ultimately this game wasn’t for me, but I can see how people with more patience and a literary bent would appreciate it more.

Jacky Chang’s Reaction

I found the first 90% of TR-49 reasonably interesting and thought the core mechanic was fun. The game was very atmospheric, and I enjoyed discovering how I was meant to connect the various sources to their titles. For the bulk of the game, I had a lot of great aha moments as I pulled together all the scraps of information, and the voice acting and personal stories woven into the puzzles were very engaging.

I did have some issues with the interface being clunky and the overlapping text/ audio content being overwhelming. Eventually there was too much information for me to keep track of effectively, and I wish there had been some way for me to annotate in the game where I needed to still follow up. If you have ADHD, I would recommend only playing this when you’re fresh and haven’t exhausted your executive function for the day. Being able to chase a thread and then pop back up the stack to explore another path is important for not getting too lost. I ended up getting very frustrated at the end of the game when I just needed to find one last piece of information – I think a third of my play time was spent chasing the last source. That frustration sadly marred the rest of the experience for me, and by the ending sequence, I just really wanted the game to be done. It’s a real shame because the game has a number of alternative endings and some Easter eggs that I probably would have enjoyed uncovering if I hadn’t been so annoyed.

Lyra Levin’s Reaction

An eerie, story-rich deduction game that does a lot with a little — delve into the mysterious interface of TR-49 to discover the secrets of this enigmatic machine and the people caught in its gears. Though the pacing and urgency of the story and gameplay didn’t always align, both were excellent with completionists rewarded by a depth of material to explore and several satisfying endings. The texture and sound design of the game’s interface also deserve a call-out, though I found playing on a Steam Deck clunkier than I expect a keyboard and mouse would have been. Recommended for fans of The Roottrees are Dead, Her Story, and Type Help.

The post TR-49 [Hivemind Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Toy Fair is an exclusive show, in that you need to be in the industry (or press) to get a ticket. But every area of the industry is represented: manufacturing, design, insurance, shipping, and more. The most attractive booths to someone like me, of course, were those showing off the coolest and newest games. A few interesting games caught my eye while I was wandering dozens of aisles of displays.

Jumbo Games

Jumbo Games is a large international toy and game brand with many, many products on the market. At previous Toy Fairs, we had seen their line of Wasgij jigsaw puzzles. These puzzles don’t 100% match what is pictured on the box, but instead reveal a different perspective of the box image or a moment before or after the box image takes place. The most interesting new product they had on display was Pieces of Evidence, a jigsaw-based detective game. The first box in this line, “The Last Voyage!”, will contain three jigsaw puzzles that each offer clues to help resolve the final mystery. We’re looking forward to seeing it in stores in late 2026.

Fizz Creations

Fizz Creations is a toy company that has recently dipped into the at-home puzzle game experience. Their display had a few notable games on their puzzle shelf, each with an interesting form factor. There was a pop-up book, a manga box set, and miniature cardboard briefcases with puzzles inside. The pop-up book, Cryptic Circus, was a murder mystery. While the format definitely seemed geared for children, the content was not. Wheels of Time promised five different games set in different eras. This seemed to be a theme of Fizz’s puzzle offerings: many of their games said that they had multiple ways to play or different paths to take.

Professor Puzzle

We reviewed a few games from Professor Puzzle’s Quick-Fire Escape Rooms a few years ago. Since then, Professor Puzzle has released new games in the same line as well as a new murder mystery line. Escape Through Time will be their newest entry in the escape room line when it releases, and Death in the Alps is the title for the upcoming murder mystery game. Both games are slated to release in Q2 2026.

University Games

University Games has been a long-time presence in the desktop puzzle space. Their BePuzzled series produces Hanayama puzzles and 3d crystal puzzles, but also mystery jigsaw puzzles and boxed murder mystery party games. Their Murder Mystery Party boxed games come with roles for six participants, as well as a suggested food and drink menu. The newest item in this line is Mistletoe & Malice, which tasks your dinner guests to solve the Christmas time murder of the Noël, Queen of Puddings.

Quick Thoughts

• Thames & Kosmos’ 2026 Exit: The Game Advent Calendar will be called The Magic of Christmas. Look for it in late 2026. We have loved the Advent calendars in past years. (See our reviews from 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022.)
• Flipsi Puzzles showed off their double-sided jigsaw puzzles. Each promised an intriguing surprise when flipped to the secret secondary side after the puzzle was completed.
• CGE’s Codenames has been a popular game in the escape room community, and they announced three expansions packs for Codenames that will release in Q2 2026.
• Fun Squared Games showed off Code Lock, a head-to-head logic puzzle about following instructions to sort your nine numbered tiles faster than your opponents.

Toy Fair 2027

Toy Fair will return to the Javits Center from February 20-23, 2027. After nearly heading to New Orleans for a few years instead of staying in New York City, I’m glad to see that it looks like NYC will continue to host Toy Fair in the coming years. I’m already looking forward to 2027.

Hopefully we can get our hands on some of these upcoming games soon! Keep reading here for reviews once we do. I expect some of them will end up in our next Holiday Gift Guide in November.

The post Toy Fair 2026 appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Rivalry: Then and Now

Location: Austin, TX

Date Played: December 17, 2025

Team Size: 2-6 or 4-12 if playing head-to-head; we recommend 2-4 or 4-8 if playing head-to-head

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  between $48 and $68 per player depending on day and number of players in group

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: At least one player must crawl, one per team if playing head-to-head

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Edison vs. Tesla illustrated how a novel mechanic can elevate an otherwise standard experience. Competitive players who approach this room as designed will bring the Edison/ Tesla rivalry to life through their own racing efforts.

The appeal of Edison vs. Tesla came from its uniquely configurable and trackable competitive structure. Escape Hour built two qualitatively identical spaces that can each be programmed as two different modes: Edison Mode and Tesla Mode. Groups can choose to play one mode as a single team or to split into two teams and compete head-to-head in separate spaces. The head-to-head experience incorporates a tracking system that keeps each group informed of the other’s progress through the room. This tracking component was the innovation in this experience, connecting players across the two spaces and adding a motivational force to propel players forward. My group did not opt to compete, but I wish we had.

Without the competition aspect, both Edison Mode and Tesla Mode offered solid but unremarkable puzzles adorned with significant tech. The head-to-head design explained much about the game’s puzzles. To satisfy the tracking mechanism, each puzzle needed to be discrete with a clearly defined end so that there could be a clear “checkmark” upon completing it. The completion was often the only reward to the puzzle, inhibiting much sense of flow. If choosing between modes, Tesla offered more energy and spectacle, while Edison was more challenging but with less pizzazz.

All things considered, Edison vs. Tesla is worth a peek from competitive Central Texans, especially if you’re trying to entertain a large group. Play Tesla Mode, race your hearts out, and come back for Edison if your ego demands it.

Who is this for?

• Competitive players who want to race each other
• Large groups
• Students of Nikola Tesla or Thomas Edison
• Best for players with at least some experience

Why play?

• To challenge your buddies to an escape duel

Story

As aspiring young inventors, we had the opportunity to serve as either Thomas Edison’s or Nikola Tesla’s interns. By wandering their warehouses and tinkering with their inventions, we had the opportunity to prove our capabilities while helping them achieve their biggest plans.

Setting

We explored a warehouse filled with BOTH Edison’s and Tesla’s various projects. Depending on our chosen mode, certain features were activated, leaving others to fade into the shadows. For such sworn enemies, this arrangement seemed ill-advised, but as desperate interns, we didn’t question it.

Gameplay

Escape Hour’s Edison vs. Tesla was a pair of standard escape rooms that could be configured into a competition or played as typical experiences.

Edison Mode had a moderately high level of difficulty. Its gameplay consisted of observing, making connections, logic, math, and searching.

Tesla Mode had a moderate level of difficulty. Its gameplay consisted of observing and making connections.

If a group opts to play as two teams head-to-head, each team can select its own mode to play. We recommend choosing the same mode given the varying difficulty levels.

Overall Analysis

 The game design gave discrete tasks to accomplish and a clear mechanism for tracking progress. This game is optimized for competition, and that’s the way to get the most out of it.

 The two modes are similar enough to set expectations fairly but different enough to both be enjoyed without spoiling each other.

 For competitive groups with widely varying escape room experiences, the Edison mode is clearly harder than Tesla. This difference can be used to balance the competition somewhat.

/ The modes used red/ yellow/ green indicator lights to show when a puzzle was in play. In this situation where half of each space was NOT in play EVER during a single mode, this was necessary and worked well. However, it still left us with a sense of FOMO until we played both modes.

The puzzles were generally connected to each inventor’s historical endeavors (while avoiding the darker side of their rivalry).

Through the magic of technology, some mechanisms were used for distinctly different purposes between modes. Our gamemaster was quick to point this out, but without that information, confusion could easily ensue.

Edison Mode Analysis

A math-heavy logic puzzle suffered greatly from poor lighting and color ambiguities. It became a stressful bottleneck until we requested a flashlight.

/ A simple but clever movement puzzle suffered from misleading feedback that masqueraded as a clue.

The final puzzle required a lot of information and attention to detail without feedback on errors.

Tesla Mode Analysis

/ A cool reveal happened so early in the game that it felt like part of the introduction rather than a hard-earned surprise. We wondered if there had been a reset error.

/ Colored lights played a variety of dazzling roles in this room. However, they sometimes led to misleading connections when the same color palette was used for disparate though simultaneous purposes.

One puzzle required a strange combination of verifying functionality, performing deduction, and experimenting with trial and error. We wished it could have focused on the deduction.

/ The final push to the finale felt appropriately high stakes but throttled in execution. Fewer iterations would have better preserved the energy of the moment.

Tips For Visiting

• Escape Hour Austin has two locations, both within the same business complex. Edison vs. Tesla is at the older location, 2113 Wells Branch Pkwy Suite 4300, NOT Suite 6700.
• There is plenty of parking.
• As I always say with Escape Hour, visit El Huarache right around the corner, and order sopes. We’re sope connoisseurs, and these are our favorites in Texas.

Book your hour with Escape Hour’s Edison vs. Tesla, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Escape Hour provided media discounted tickets for this game.

The post Escape Hour Austin – Edison vs. Tesla [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

If you live in Greater Boston, or you happen to be in town too, we hope you’ll come out to Needham, Massachusetts, on Thursday, May 14th.

We are thrilled that Midnight Mansion has offered to host this event at their venue… which means this meetup is also an opportunity to learn about the next big immersive gaming experience coming to you in Greater Boston. They’ll be happy to give you a peek behind the scenes.

This meetup is a casual gathering for escape room players, owners, and creators to mingle and chat. It’s happening on Thursday, May 14th. Mark your calendar!

Details

• Thursday, May 14, 2026
• 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM ET (drop in whenever)
• Midnight Mansion, 460 Hillside Ave. Rear Side – Lower Level. Needham Heights, MA 02494
• You can expect very short programming around 9:00 PM.

Needham is accessible by public transportation from Boston. Take the Needham Line to Needham Heights. This meetup will take place on the “warehouse” side of Midnight Mansion. Follow the directions here. Parking instructions are included.

Feel free to bring a snack or beverage to share.

Thank you to Victor and Hunter from Midnight Mansion for providing the venue!

Please RSVP.

It’s a free event, but we’d like to know how many people to expect.

Midnight Mansion

Midnight Mansion is a creative technology and fabrication studio, founded by Victor Hung (creator of Boxaroo & Level99), that builds immersive, interactive experiences by blending storytelling with custom hardware and software. Their studio facility in Needham, MA combines office with fabrication and rapid prototyping space.

They have graciously offered to host this meetup. While we are visiting, Midnight Mansion may have some games and puzzles they’re currently prototyping for their new venue, Edge of Elsewhere. If you’re feeling puzzley, they’d love for you to help playtest! No pressure. Up to you!

FAQ Answers

No, the focus of this trip is not escape rooms. It’s family. TBD if we will be playing or reviewing any games.

Yes, while we are in town, we will be attending The Wedding Party: A Mystery Dinner Experience. This experience was created by Errol Elumir and company, revised by Secret City, and is now coming to Boston, produced by Kellian and Brian of Club Drosselmeyer fame. We have tickets for Saturday, May 16th.

No, we can’t see everyone we love in this city individually on this trip. We’re sorry. But please come to the meetup so that we can hang out!

The post 👋 Boston: We’re Hosting a Meetup on May 14 appeared first on Room Escape Artist.