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.

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.

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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.

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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.

Location: Kissimmee, FL

Date Played: February 15, 2026

Team Size: 2-5; We recommend 2-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $34 per player

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: N/A

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

We were supposed to be the ones doing the pranking, but instead we felt like we got pranked. We entered Camp Harvest Moon: Prank Wars ’92 excited to experience Dare 2 Escape’s newest offering and quickly realized the game was not intended for experienced players and was not indicative of the trajectory of Dare 2 Escape’s potential in escape room design. The bright spot of playing Camp Harvest Moon was our gamemaster, who was very enthusiastic about getting us into the mood to head to summer camp. However, once our time started, we ended up doing chores disguised as puzzles for the next 30 minutes. Given the room’s title, we wished we had an opportunity to engage in some pranking rather than just cleaning up the aftermath in our bunk.

The puzzles were logical, but nothing exceptional stood out to our team. The tasks were literally written as a check-list on a whiteboard. A bunkbed, steamer trunk, and a bunch of random 90s stuff compounded the lackluster set in the single 12’x12′ room where we spent the game. True to form, Camp Harvest Moon included a callout to the canonical Tillman family of Dare 2 Escape lore, but the reference seemed forced and didn’t add anything meaningful to the experience. The room was also cluttered with the belongings of a host of Stranger Things characters, which struck us as being entirely the wrong decade for a room set in ’92. By 1992 all of those characters would be much too old to be attending summer camp (except maybe Holly, but I digress).

To be fair, the room used for Camp Harvest Moon was most likely storage in another lifetime, and Dare 2 Escape decided to maximize the use of the space by creating a new beginner-friendly escape room. Indeed, Dare 2 Escape succeeded in creating a logical escape room for young children or first time players. We also appreciated that Camp Harvest Moon was priced appropriately lower compared to the other more immersive experiences at the location. However, we would recommend that experienced players skip Camp Harvest Moon and choose The Video Store or At the Hop Ice Cream Shoppe as a more level appropriate non-horror option at Dare 2 Escape.

Who is this for?

• Newbies

Why play?

• Dare 2 Escape completionists
• Clear cut written objectives provide an opportunity for younger children to lead the escape room experience

Story

It was bonfire night, an evening of revelry and s’mores. But we were sent back to Cabin 13 early. The camp counselors had gotten wind of a prank war and we were the top suspects. When we arrived at our cabin we discovered a huge mess: eggs, toilet paper, and our belongings were scattered everywhere! We had just one hour to clean everything up before lights out and avoid getting busted by Counselor Jason.

Setting

We entered into a small, one room summer camp cabin. There was one twin sized bunk bed for the four of us, some shelves, a TV, a folding table, and a white board with all of the tasks we needed to complete before lights out. Various 90s toys and the belongings from several Stranger Things characters were also scattered about.

Gameplay

Dare 2 Escape’s Camp Harvest Moon: Prank Wars ’92 was an in-person escape room with an easy level of difficulty.

Gameplay revolved around completing a list of tasks that led to puzzle solutions. The puzzles included searching, counting, and making visual connections.

Analysis

 The puzzles were clear and solvable. We knew exactly what we needed to do to acquire solutions throughout the entirety of the escape room.

 The description of Camp Harvest Moon didn’t deliver. We never felt like we were in a prank war. We just got caught on the receiving end of being pranked and needed to clean up our cabin.

 The set was underwhelming. It was obviously a storage space that they wanted to start using as a small escape room.

 Camp Harvest Moon: Pranks Wars ’92 was Dare 2 Escape’s least expensive room, so their pricing structure is appropriate for this newbie friendly escape room.

 Dare 2 Escape managed to shoehorn the Tillman’s into Camp Harvest Moon to fit with the rest of the Dare 2 Escape universe. Also, the names and belongings of a bunch of Stranger Things characters were included as Easter eggs, which were out of place for the 90s decade.

Tips For Visiting

• There is a parking lot
• There are many food options nearby

Book your hour with Dare 2 Escape’s Camp Harvest Moon: Prank Wars ’92, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

The post Dare 2 Escape – Camp Harvest Moon: Prank Wars ’92 [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location: Orlando, FL

Date Played: February 8, 2026

Team Size: 3-8; We recommend 3-5

Duration: 90 minutes

Price:  $52.99 per player

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: 1 player must climb stairs and crawl

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp was Puzzle Corp. Escape Rooms’ newest experience following Echoes at Murder Heights and Doomsday Disaster. Clocking in at 90-minutes, the size and scope delivered on the extended play time. The mood was set the moment we stepped onto the boat. An oppressive amount of greenery and vines transported us to the depths of the Everglades. The ambient insect sounds and rustling flora subconsciously made us wish we had packed bug spray. In general, lighting was used effectively to focus our attention on the areas that had active puzzles; however, there were some areas, especially on the dock, where the lack of spotlighting for solution inputs occasionally slowed our progress. Fortunately, we had a lantern for those areas.

Over the course of playing Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp, we truly explored all of the nooks and crannies that existed in the space. We were impressed, especially given the size of the space, that each item was important to the gameplay in some fashion. The theming and set design extended throughout our adventure and kept us engrossed in the tasks at hand. Bigfoot also surprised us with well-timed jump scares several times. The actor-centric interactions added a level of tension and excitement and were a highlight of our experience.

For the majority of the escape room, we were able to split up and work on different puzzles in parallel. Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp contained a substantial number of puzzles that kept us busy for the entire experience. In general, the puzzles were of a moderate difficulty with significant variety and some clever multi-step solves. While the puzzle flow was generally logical and straightforward, we noticed that two separate puzzle paths in the dock area each resulted in the acquisition of similar items intended for different uses. After acquiring one of the two items, our gamemaster had to direct us away from one possible use of the item to avoid skipping puzzles. Therefore, we would have appreciated clearer connections between the item and its intended purpose or more variety in the intended purpose of items in the game. Additionally, some of the lock-mapping in the game was not clear, which required us to try multiple locks for several solutions.

All told, Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp was an exciting experience that was puzzle forward and added a fun dash of actor interaction. If you find yourself in Orlando, Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp would be a solid addition to the itinerary, though Doomsday Disaster was our favorite of Puzzle Corp. Escape Room’s three newest games.

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Cryptid fans
• Best for players with at least some experience
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Large quantity of non-linear puzzle paths
• The actor-centric jump scares

Story

Our team of investigators had just gotten hired for a new job: to see if there was any truth to the recent Bigfoot sightings. Was Bigfoot really roaming through the swamp, or were people just huffing too much swamp gas? To check out the rumors for ourselves, we were sent undercover on Big Bertha’s Bigfoot Boat tour.

Setting

Our journey started on a fan-powered boat, surrounded by vegetation. We could hear all of the bugs and critters in the swamp, and somewhere in the distance a large figure shuffled around on a dock wreathed in darkness.

Gameplay

Puzzle Corp. Escape Rooms’ Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp was an in-person escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

Gameplay revolved around making visual connections and solving puzzles. There was some searching required, but the variety of puzzles included audio, dexterity, and synthesizing information.

Analysis

We stepped into the room and were swept away to the swamplands. The abundance of greenery, sounds of wildlife, and the realistic shape of the hull of the boat gave the impression that we were headed out through the Everglades to find Bigfoot.

 We struggled to clearly hear objectives and story beats throughout the escape room because the ambient soundtrack drowned out the voice tracks. We only fully understood our objective after unveiling the item during the finale.

 The actor interactions with Bigfoot were appropriately startling. We wouldn’t categorize Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp as scary overall, but there were a couple good jump scares.

 Lanterns were provided as a light source for dim areas of the set. However, we would have preferred spotlighting on the locks and solution inputs to reduce the difficulty of entering puzzle answers.

 The quantity of puzzles within the escape room were plentiful. The puzzles were logical and the puzzle flow was generally clear. We especially enjoyed several layered puzzles that forced us to synthesize information to reach a solution.

 The lock-mapping in Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp was weak. We found ourselves scattering to try a solution in multiple locks until one opened. Additionally, two items in the game with seemingly similar purposes could be unintentionally used out of order, thereby bypassing other puzzles. We were disappointed that the intended uses for these items were not more unique.

 The puzzles throughout Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp were themed carefully to fit within the story that we experienced. We enjoyed the humorous nature of some puzzles and appreciated that the styling and props encouraged immersion.

Tips For Visiting

• Ample public parking at the venue
• Many restaurant options nearby

Book your session with Puzzle Corp. Escape Rooms’ Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Puzzle Corp. Escape Rooms comped our tickets for this game.

The post Puzzle Corp. Escape Rooms – Bigfoot: Secrets of the Swamp [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location: at home

Date Played: January 2, 2026

Team Size: 1-4; we recommend 1-2

Duration: 2-3 hours

Price: $75 CAD

REA Reaction

I’m a sucker for a kitschy sci-fi comic inspired by the 80s and 90s, and The Alien Ship did an interstellar job of combining puzzles, comics, story, artwork, and humor. Each puzzle fit in the orbit of the game world, combining a page or two of the actual comic to read, a puzzle to solve, and a solution to check on CLAIR, your AI (solution disk similar to that of Exit the Game). We desperately wanted more of the comic itself as our favorite part was getting the little story blips and admiring the artwork between puzzle solving. The puzzles frequently utilized the art in the comic, and left breadcrumbs throughout the artwork that culminated to help solve the final sequence.

While the puzzles were thematic and felt like they belonged in the game world, some of the components struggled from lack of polish and were finicky to extract a solution from, even when we knew how to execute the solve. While the game did a pretty good job of hiding future puzzle information in the artwork, sometimes information that was not useful for the current solve would cause confusion. We strongly recommend playing the game in one night or during consecutive nights, as information throughout the game is relevant later. We struggled occasionally to identify when a puzzle required previous knowledge, but we did take a few day-long breaks between play sessions.

Escape Comics’ The Alien Ship is launching on Kickstarter today and I suggest backing it if you appreciate a great comic with puzzles along the way! Of note, they are offering a discounted price today only, for the launch of the Kickstarter.

Who is this for?

• Sci-fi explorers
• Comic book nerds
• Best for players with at least some experience

Why play?

• Old school comic book humor and artwork
• Puzzles that mesh well with the story

Story

As the captain of the League of Nations intergalactic team, we were sent on an expedition to discover the secret plans of an alien race and stop them before they could wipe out planet Earth!

Setup

Within The Alien Ship box, we found multiple envelopes sealed for later and, well, a comic book. (It IS called Escape Comics after all!) This comic book was used as a guide throughout the experience, providing us the story, puzzle elements, and steps for progression. Most of the envelopes contained paper and cardboard used in unusual ways.

Hints were delivered through a progressive hint deck, with different amounts of hints depending on the complexity of the puzzle. Answer verification included a decoder disk and a deck of cards, similar to the Exit the Game series.

The Alien Ship box was fully resettable without any printing or destructive components.

Gameplay

Escape Comics’ The Alien Ship was a narrative driven, play-at-home escape game with a moderate level of difficulty.

Core gameplay orbited around reading a page or two in the comic, being pointed to an envelope or other material in the game box, solving the puzzle using items both in the envelope and items we had unlocked previously, and verifying the solution with the decoder disk.

The puzzles included observation, manipulation of objects, making connections, and reading between the lines.

Analysis

 The story, components, artwork, and humor struck the perfect balance of 80s/ 90s sci-fi comic books. We loved reading the panels between every puzzle and piecing together the story.

 Escape Comics had a fantastic progressive hint system that helped whenever we got stuck. We loved how the puzzles had a varied amount of hints depending on puzzle complexity, and all included a walkthrough in case we got REALLY stuck.

 One puzzle did not fit together properly, leaving gaps between important pieces and requiring significantly more trial and error than expected. Additionally, this puzzle required a player to hold an object up, hindering their ability to solve using only one hand. We never ended up finishing this puzzle fully, but got the gist of the solve enough to move on.

We especially loved a simple yet elegant early-game solve with some of the more interesting components in the box.

 Symbols that were used throughout were sometimes difficult to identify and tell apart, causing a cypher to be tedious on occasion. Thankfully, there were no large portions of translation.

/ A specific late-game puzzle had a clever solution that we appreciated, but using the cardboard pieces to accomplish the solve was difficult. We had trouble keeping these components perfectly aligned to see the answer.  

 The game was fully resettable to hand off when we’d finished. No components were destroyed, and clear instructions were provided to help repackage the game.

Tips For Players

• Space Requirements: A small table
• Required Gear: A pen and paper

Back Escape Comics’ The Alien Ship, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Escape Comics provided a complimentary game.

The post Escape Comics – The Alien Ship [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Format

Style of Play:

• Asymmetric co-op. One player uses VR, and the other player is on a mobile device.

Who is it For?

• Best for experienced, patient puzzle solvers
• Players with VR experience

Required Equipment: Meta Quest or Valve Index VR hardware; mobile device

Recommended Team Size: 2

Play Time: up to 30 hours

Price: $24.99

Booking: purchase and play at your leisure

Description

Elsewhere Electric is a two-player co-op game where one player uses a VR headset and the other uses their mobile phone to explore an underground laboratory. Because players shouldn’t see each other’s screens and there’s no built in voice chat, they need to find another way to talk, either by being in the same room or through another method remotely. The VR player will explore the facility, while the mobile player will unlock doors and equipment for them to use.

Theresa Piazza’s Reaction

Games by Stitch created a unique co-op game in Elsewhere Electric, but its gameplay prevents me from recommending this widely. The developers decided both players didn’t need to 1) purchase the game or 2) be familiar with Steam to play Elsewhere Electric, which significantly expanded who I could invite to play this game (always something I’m looking for). While one player needs a complicated setup (steam and VR headset), the other player only needs their mobile phone. Unfortunately the ease of playing ends there.

There’s no onboarding and no narrative story, so players have to be inherently curious about this game to continue playing past the opening screen. Additionally, because neither player should see the other’s screen, players must constantly describe their view to one another. Those elements are a recipe for frustration. Games by Stitch then piles on complications with mechanics like devices draining energy while using resources (reasonable) and invisible alien monsters stealing your energy (excessive) in certain rooms. Solving the puzzle mentally and then failing to execute physically against some arbitrary time limit or finicky piece of technology in an IRL escape room tops the list of my most frustrating experiences, and I couldn’t finish Elsewhere Electric as that seems to be its modus operandi.

Elsewhere Electric would benefit from an on ramp on either the VR or mobile players’s side, but I think most importantly it could also use two difficulty modes. One as is, and one that turns off elements of the games that put players under time pressure, so solvers can get the satisfaction of completing puzzles without needing to repeat the task over and over.

Tammy McLeod’s Reaction

This game started off promising with an intriguing premise. This is a Mandatory Asynchronous co-op game, with one person using VR and the other using a phone app. There were simultaneous challenges of discovery and communication. We had to figure out the interface, environment, and goals without any information or tutorial from the game. Meanwhile, we also had to figure out what we were even supposed to be communicating to each other.

The friction of this introductory experience caused me to lose my partner after an hour of trying to even reach something that felt like a fun puzzle. Unfortunately, it seemed like an asymmetric experience for the players, and a very patient phone partner will be required. I loved the concept, and found the VR portion that I did get to experience promising, but as a casual solo puzzler, this game is probably not my cup of tea.

Ryan Brady’s Reaction

Elsewhere Electric has a 70’s retro-future aesthetic that is refreshingly different and fun to be in. This game takes a huge swing for the fences with its central design concept: the game will tell you nearly nothing. Next to no world-building, no tutorial (beyond one critical item), no manual, nothing.

I believe the intention is for this to be a journey of discovery for players as they poke and prod, slowly determining how the world works. However, for us this was instead a journey of frustration as we struggled to understand how to accomplish simple tasks because we either didn’t understand the game system, or worse, had come up with our own incorrect assumption.

This frustration was compounded by the fact that failure in Elsewhere Electric is very punishing. Most actions require the use of a resource that can only be replenished through a tedious process that involves two scene transitions and starting the level over. I admit this process is thematic, but we were often hesitant to experiment because wasting the resource meant more trips to the van. I think the game would be substantially improved by ameliorating this somehow.

I firmly believe there’s a specific kind of puzzler out there for whom Elsewhere Electric will be perfectly targeted, but it wasn’t us. If that sounds like you, consider taking a leap, but I think this one will be feast or famine for most players.

Disclosure: Games by Stitch provided the Hivemind reviewers with a complimentary play.

The post Games by Stitch – Elsewhere Electric [Hivemind Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location: Manhattan, NY

Date Played: January 11, 2025

Team Size: 2-4; we recommend 2-4

Duration: 90-120 minutes

Price:  $150 per team

Ticketing: Private and Public, in a way. You play with your group, but others are also playing, and you’re in a public space.

Accessibility Consideration: You will be on your feet the entire time.

REA Reaction

Rockefeller Rendezvous was the newest addition to the Great Gotham Challenge’s lineup of recurring public puzzle events, alongside the Central Park Sprint and the Terminal Time Trial. These offerings are each designed to be shorter, entry-level experiences compared to GGC’s annual flagship event, which offers more challenging puzzles on a longer course.

Much like GGC’s guided explorations of Central Park and Grand Central Terminal, Rockefeller Rendezvous provided an eye-opening tour of Rockefeller Center and the surrounding area, utilizing puzzles and creative interactions to highlight hidden gems waiting to be discovered in our surroundings. Whether you’re a GGC veteran or are brand new to this style of site-specific puzzle adventures, Rockefeller Rendezvous was a deeply enjoyable way to spend an afternoon with friends and explore the city through a lens of wonder.

I was impressed by just how much wonder I encountered. I like to think of myself as an intrepid adventurer, but like most New Yorkers, I’ve generally avoided what I view as “tourist areas.” Certain types of buildings and attractions that I would eagerly explore while traveling afar tend to blend into the background while on my home turf.

GGC’s design philosophy is remarkably effective at breaking through this mentality.

Each stop along Rockefeller Rendezvous was interesting and well chosen. Some were notable landmarks, others revealed hidden historical or architectural features, and others offered tasty breaks. GGC has a consistent approach to how they design the routes for their games, but neither the locations nor the gameplay felt overly repetitive even if you’ve participated in other GGC events.

Depths of Exploration

Each stop in a Great Gotham Challenge event follows a particular formula: solve a riddle, go to that location, solve a puzzle there, enter the answer in a web app, and continue onto the next stop. These stops are generally self-contained, such that one puzzle doesn’t build on previous puzzles, though individual puzzles may have multiple layers or steps to them.

These puzzles range in intricacy and physicality. Sorted by some measure of immersive depth, they include:

1. Observe data already in the environment (like an existing placard)
2. Observe something that GGC physically added to the environment (like a poster)
3. Physically interact with something that GGC physically added to the environment (like an NFC tag)
4. Interact with a real business, who might give you an object (often food!)
5. Interact with an actor, who might also give you an object or information

Across all categories, GGC regularly utilizes various ARG-esque transmedia interactions, like texting or calling a phone number or visiting a fictional website.

Presenting these categories as a spectrum perhaps falsely implies that one style is superior to another. While Rockefeller Rendezvous didn’t have as many of the flashy, expensive wow moments that GGC’s flagship events are known for, like putting a puzzle on a billboard or renting out a movie theater, it excelled in facilitating smaller-stakes yet still meaningful moments.

While it’s magical to discover something or someone added to a real-world environment that seamlessly blends in, it can be equally magical to reveal existing details that you’d never have noticed otherwise.

Modularity vs. Cohesion

I thoroughly enjoyed each and every component of Rockefeller Rendezvous. This experience provided excellent value for the price, demonstrated a thoughtful design philosophy, and was a great way to see the city.

However, like with many other GGC events, upon solving the final puzzle — which only announced itself as such upon completion — we were met with the feeling of “oh, we’re done?” rather than “ah, we’re done!” There was no implicit sense of finality or completion apart from being told when we finished.

GGC’s modularity is both its greatest strength and also a limiting factor preventing it from becoming something truly greater than the sum of its parts. It’s difficult running an event like this out in the real world, and should one station go out of commission during the event (as is not uncommon) it doesn’t break the rest of the event. GGC has developed a refined system for monitoring feedback and rerouting teams when necessary. Yet, while in the thick of it, there was minimal structural throughline or thematic cohesion.

As GGC continues to experiment and innovate, I’d love to see what their version of a “metapuzzle” looks like, something which provides a capstone and a greater sense of interconnectedness to their already incredible style of adventure design.

Tips For Visiting

All members of your team should bring a fully charged phone and shoes that you’re comfortable walking in.

Rockefeller Rendezvous initially ran on select dates in January 2026. Keep an eye on the Public Events page of the Great Gotham Challenge’s website to stay updated on future events.

Book your experience with The Great Gotham Challenge’s Rockefeller Rendezvous, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: The Great Gotham Challenge provided a complimentary game.

If you enjoyed this article, we hope you’ll check out our interview with Great Gotham Challenge creators Jon Seale and Ryan Patch on Season 9, Episode 4 of The Reality Escape Pod.

The post Great Gotham Challenge – Rockefeller Rendezvous [Reaction] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location: Rancho Mirage, CA

Date Played: December 28, 2025

Team Size: 4-12; we recommend 4-8

Duration: 75 minutes

Price:  $50 per player

Ticketing: Private

Game Breakage: One necessary puzzle item was missing

Accessibility Consideration: Large play area but pathways are cramped

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

The premise in Endangered was simple – unlock every cage; release every animal. The catch was that there were 18 of them, and my team of experienced players quickly scattered in every direction to tackle the puzzles in ones and twos. It was chaotic, but satisfying, as announcement after announcement about each animal being released played.

The puzzle structure of this game was well suited to a large group, and the puzzles were substantial enough to keep us occupied for a good while. The puzzles were generally well clued, though we struggled on a couple of the final puzzles in small ways. One had a missing component, but the other was a search-fail on our part.

I appreciated the atmospheric and appropriately decorated set. The large space was well arranged to convey a sense of a jumble and to be just intimidating enough.

If you’re traveling out in this direction, Escape Games at the River offers a lot of games, and while I haven’t played them all, I suggest Endangered for larger teams, those who want a puzzle frenzy, or players who are especially drawn to this theme. I especially enjoyed the large number of puzzles in the game which made it easy to skip to a more appropriate puzzle whenever one got stuck, so there was never an idle moment. It certainly scratched my puzzle itch!

Who is this for?

• Animal lovers
• Puzzle lovers
• Any experience level
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Lots of fun little puzzles
• Great game to keep a large group busy

Story

We had infiltrated the camp of animal smugglers in order to release all the animals from their cages.

Setting

The smugglers’ camp was cluttered with stacked animal cages, near a makeshift command center inside a canvas tent. The atmosphere was dark, tense, and carried a subtle sense of danger.

Gameplay

Escape Game at the River’s Endangered was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty.

The puzzles involved logic, observation, data collection, attention to detail, and making inferences.

Analysis

 There was a large quantity of puzzles that could all be solved in parallel, which worked well for a large group of independent solvers.

 Despite the chaos of multiple puzzles being solved at once, progress was clearly communicated and easy to track.

 We had trouble completing one puzzle because one of the necessary elements was missing from the room. Objects that are required for gameplay would benefit from being permanently affixed, to prevent accidental removal.

 We ran into some confusion starting one puzzle because its initial object was identical to another item introduced at the beginning of the game, leading most of the team to overlook it.

/The lighting was appropriate to the environment, and adequate for the most part. However, the puzzles that involved color identification would be helped greatly by increased illumination in those areas.

 Overall, the puzzles were well clued and struck a good balance of difficulty, keeping our experienced team engaged and actively working the entire time.

Tips For Visiting

• There is a large parking lot next to the shopping mall. It has many covered spaces, and EV charging.
• There are many dining options available in the mall, ranging from casual eateries to moderately expensive restaurants.

Book your hour with Escape Games at the River’s Endangered, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Escape Games at the River provided media discounted tickets for this game.

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