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.

Location: Orlando, Florida

Date Played: November 19, 2025

Team Size: 1-8; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $43.99 per person

Ticketing: Public

Accessibility Consideration: Players need to climb stairs and crawl

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Like a first love, everyone remembers their first great escape room. Mine was Gold Rush at The Escape Game in Austin, New Year’s Day, 2017. Between the puzzles, story, and set, I fell hard and I’ve been addicted ever since. Countless games later, it remains one of my favorites. So when I heard that The Escape Game was releasing Legend of the Yeti using the Gold Rush set, I worried it would feel like playing Gold Rush in the snow. But while I recognized certain set features, there was no mistaking that this was a completely new game. 

As the game started, we left behind the hallway and entered into an immersive, snow-covered Himalayan mountain setting, with stairs leading up to a frosty, abandoned cabin. Special effects, artistic designs and thoughtful details gave a sense of elevation to the space and made the wintery setting feel realistic. 

Game flow was smooth, even orchestrated at times, though we lost momentum early on when a component got stuck for a while with no obvious workaround. Themed puzzles and actor interactions made for an engaging experience. In fact, these brief actor moments were really funny, especially when we did the wrong thing. Puzzles varied in style and difficulty, and often led to satisfying solves when we put all the pieces together. 

While the mission focused on the expedition, the Yeti legend was given its due with various artifacts mixed into puzzles and sets. But would we ever encounter a certain hairy creature before we rescued the missing explorers? I wouldn’t want to reveal any spoilers, so I’ll just say it sure teased us with hints of Yeti-ness!    

The Escape Game continues to level up their experiences as they add new games to their roster. Legend of the Yeti takes its place among their must play games–like Gold Rush. It’s not at every location, so find this game at TEG and get ready to play Yeti!

Who is this for?

• Adventure seekers
• Puzzle lovers
• Scenery snobs
• Cryptid enthusiasts
• People who love winter
• Players with at least some experience
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Cool theme
• Immersive set
• Fun special effects
• You want to know if the Yeti is real

Story

We’d set out to find a missing expedition that had disappeared while searching for a lost artifact high up in the snow-covered Himalayas. But the cold weather might not be our only problem. Rumor had it that someone, or something, may be trying to get in our way.

Setting

The game started on a wintery mountaintop in front of a snow-covered outpost, seemingly abandoned by the latest expedition. Snow-covered stairs led up to the cabin door while colorful flags hung between the trees overhead. A “Warning: Keep Out” sign hinted at the dangers ahead.     

Gameplay

The Escape Game’s Legend of the Yeti was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty. 

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

Analysis

 The set was immersive and detailed, conveying a snowy mountain scene that felt abandoned and cold. Icicles hanging from the doorways were a nice touch, even though the actual temperature was nowhere near 32 degrees. Nor even cold.

 Special effects – some expected, some surprising – made the game come to life and advanced the story.

 There was a nice variety of puzzle styles, both straightforward and layered, requiring making connections that were not immediately obvious. Others were really clever and fun to discover. There really was something for all types of players.

 We struggled with a prop for a later puzzle, as it appeared worn and was hard to read.

 Amusing but brief interactions with an actor added nuance and emotion to the story; I wanted more!

 One puzzle involved a finicky component, and we thought we had the wrong solution. But after a bit of jiggling, it reset and we solved the puzzle.

/The Escape Game uses a consistent style of hint button throughout many of their games. While this approach is helpful, especially for newer players, it is not immersive and felt out of place in this scenario.

At the time of review, only a handful of The Escape Game locations offered The Legend of the Yeti, with more on the way.

Tips For Visiting

• There is a parking lot.
• The Escape Game is a national chain with more than 50 locations; check locations for availability.
• The Escape Game repurposed one of two Gold Rush sets in Orlando into the new Yeti game, so at review time this location still had both games.
• We enjoyed the Tex-Mex at Chuy’s next door. Ask for creamy jalapeño dip with your complimentary chips and salsa.

Book your hour with The Escape Game’s Legend of the Yeti, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: The Escape Game comped our tickets for this game.

The post The Escape Game – Legend of the Yeti [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location: Tacoma, WA

Date Played: October 8, 2025

Team Size: 2-8; we recommend 2-4

Duration: 75 minutes

Price:  $45-$50 per person, discount on weekdays

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Who among us hasn’t dreamt of being backstage at a rock concert?! In Rockstar, we had VIP invites for the Grit City concert, giving us backstage access before the show. But the band’s lead guitarist had misplaced his guitar – as is known to happen – and the show was going to be cancelled unless we could find it asap, i.e., within the next hour. 

The set was roomy but understated, appearing more like an unattended recording studio than the chaotic backstage area in an arena. It was clean and quiet. There were no sounds of roadies preparing the stage, sound checks, or graffiti scrawled on the walls. There wasn’t a lot of grit for Grit City, but it did make puzzling a bit more streamlined for players. 

That note aside, this game was really engaging and enjoyable to play. We found the puzzle design to be intelligent and creative, using a variety of on-theme props in unique, not-so-obvious ways. We approached several puzzles convinced we knew how to get to a solution, but the solve wasn’t as straightforward as we first thought. Another had us complete a simple task that resulted in a fun, memorable moment. While the puzzles related to the backstage theme, they were not all music-centric… though the drummer in our group did immediately claim one for himself. 

Rockstar was a solid, puzzle-forward game that leaned into the music-industry scenario. It is worth a stop when visiting the area. So grab your crew and get your VIP tickets for the next Grit City concert. Tickets are on sale now!

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Roadies
• People who want to rock and roll all night (and puzzle every day)
• Any experience level

Why play?

• Creative puzzles
• Backstage theme
• Because the show must go on…

Story

The great rock and roll band Grit City was supposed to be playing tonight at the Tacoma arena, but the lead guitarist couldn’t find his guitar! If we didn’t find it, and quickly, there would be a stadium filled with angry fans.

Setting

The game took place in the backstage lounge area of Tacoma’s concert arena. Black and silver instrument cases were piled in an alcove. Colorful concert posters lined the hallway. A dressing room with a small recording booth could be seen through a glass door.

Gameplay

Cityscapes Games’ Rockstar was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty. 

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

Analysis

The creative spin on familiar puzzle constructs made puzzles feel fresh and different. They were approachable, yet offered enough of a challenge for more experienced players. 

Rockstar made good use of the available, oddly-shaped space, creating a game area that felt larger than expected.

/ Set design was simple and unfussy, allowing the puzzles to take center stage. However, the space lacked the excitement and energy one would expect to find at a backstage arena. Additional decor details, background noise, even a bit of hard-hitting rock music would have added flavor and immersion.

Beyond the initial setup, there was little story progression throughout the experience.

One of my favorite puzzles contained subtle, humorous feedback when I started going down the wrong path in solving.

The finale had everyone’s attention.

  Fun Fact: Grit City, the name of the band in the game, is an unofficial but widely recognized nickname for Tacoma.

Tips For Visiting

• You can’t miss the big green building on South Puget Sound Avenue.
• There is a parking lot with a few designated spaces and street parking available. 
• We enjoyed the chowders at several Duke’s Seafood locations more times than I want to admit.

Book your hour with Cityscape Games’ Rockstar, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

The post Cityscape Games – Rockstar [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location: Tacoma, WA

Date Played: October 8, 2025

Team Size: 2-4; we recommend 2-3

Duration: 75 minutes

Price:  $45-$50 per person, discounts on weekdays

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

The designer of Cityscape Games set out to create a unique escape room experience: a room aimed at younger players and new escapers that enthusiasts would also enjoy. This is exactly what we found in Zookeeper –  intelligent, creatively designed escape room-style puzzles that were simple yet fun to solve. We were surprised, actually charmed, by the unique puzzling experience and playful vibe of this small but colorful space.

The story was simple: it was our first day on the job at the local zoo, and we needed training to earn our zookeeper badge. Enter Zookeeper Jones, who led us through our training via video. Stations were positioned around the room, one for each animal type, and as we puzzled, we learned interesting facts about snakes, felines, and primates – oh my! Since the stations and puzzles were color coordinated, it was easy to stay focused and keep track of components. The simple decor was clean and well-organized, though it lacked the immersiveness we often find in other escape rooms.

In each station, we encountered “kid-ified” versions of escape room-style puzzles involving logic, observation, even dexterity. Chunky props, oversized locks that were easy to manipulate, colorful buttons that gave loud feedback all fit the aesthetic and made puzzling lighthearted and approachable, all with a good dose of animal facts. And while the puzzles were not particularly difficult – no need to puzzle hard! –  they were delightful and charming and just made me happy. We also got a kick out of the lighthearted puns, Easter eggs, and humor throughout the game, especially in one puzzle when we got a few answers wrong.

The finale was super cute and wrapped up our first day on the job. With its bright, colorful set, unexpected puzzle variety, and a good dose of fun facts about all sorts of zoo animals, Zookeeper is the perfect gateway room to get kids hooked on escape rooms. Since the space is relatively small, I recommend no more than 2-3 adults or 2 adults and 2 kids, maximum. We enjoyed our time playing “who’s who in the zoo” and recommend stopping in if you are in the Tacoma area with young players, or just want a young-at-heart game while waiting to play their other game, Rockstar.

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Zoologists
• Newbies
• Younger players

Why play?

• Fun, well-themed puzzles
• Interesting animal facts
• To earn your zookeeper badge

Story

It was our first day on the job as brand-new Zookeepers at the Tacoma Zoo & Aquarium! We were more than ready to learn all about the animals who live here, from monkeys to snakes and beyond. But first, we needed to complete the official training program and earn our Zookeeper badge.

Setting

The game took place in a neat, colorful room with multiple puzzling stations for learning about different zoo animals. Towards the front was a set of lockers, one for Zookeeper Jones’ belongings and another for tiger treats!!

Gameplay

Cityscape Games’ Zookeeper was a standard escape room with a lower level of difficulty. 

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

Analysis

 There was a nice variety of escape-room-type puzzles that showed creative, intelligent puzzle design, and though simplified for younger players, were still engaging for adults. Big buttons and chunky puzzle components were well crafted and felt solid in our hands.

Other than the setup as a new zookeeper, the game didn’t have much of a story.

The space was well-lit and decorated with bright colors. Each station focused on a single animal group and color, which helped keep things organized and contained.

We got off to a s-s-slow s-s-start with the snake station, with a small issue interpreting some of the cluing.  

Non-linear gameplay allowed our team to decide which animal group we wanted to learn about next. We actually took turns choosing, which made the experience feel unique to our team. 

Humor made the experience even more enjoyable, with pithy puns sprinkled throughout the game that made us giggle. 

The finale pulled the experience together, neatly wrapping up our Zookeeper training in a photo finish.

The game paid homage to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium located in Tacoma.

Tips For Visiting

• You can’t miss the big green building on South Puget Sound Avenue.
• There is a parking lot and street parking available. 
• We enjoyed the chowders at several Duke’s Seafood locations more times than I want to admit.

Book your hour with Cityscape Games’ Zookeeper, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

The post Cityscape Games – Zookeeper [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

RECON takes place August 16-17, 2026 in Laval, Quebec, CA.

By sponsoring RECON, you’ll position your brand at the forefront of industry innovation. Sponsorship benefits will be visible before, during, and long after the event, helping build your brand’s reputation well into the future.

Who is a good Sponsor for RECON?

RECON brings together an audience of escape room owners and creators who are eager to learn about products and services that can help their businesses thrive.

Past sponsors have included companies providing:

• Technology
• Booking software
• Game management software
• Marketing, consulting and other business services
• Experiences for players, including VR and tabletop games

If you have a product or service that supports the escape room and immersive gaming industries, you need to be at RECON.

What’s included in Sponsorship?

We offer three sponsorship tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each offers progressive levels of visibility and benefits before, during, and after RECON Laval.

Every sponsorship includes a booth in the RECON Exhibit Hall, the perfect place to meet attendees and showcase your products and services.

For details on sponsorship packages, contact Cindi, RECON’s Sponsorship Coordinator, through the RECON website.

Get Your RECON Ticket

If you are an owner or creator of escape rooms or immersive games, we hope you’ll join us at RECON Laval. Get your ticket today!

The post RECON 26 Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location: Kent, Washington

Date Played: October 7, 2025

Team Size: 2-8; we recommend 3-5

Duration: 75 minutes

Price:  $35-$90 per person, depending on team size and day; a 5% service fee for the gamemaster is charged on every booking.

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Sure Lock Escapes has been growing their escape game business in the suburbs of Seattle, and Trixie’s Tavern Trials was reflective of the skills developed through this expansion. We played two fantasy-themed games at their original location in Renton, Shimmer Reef and Guardian’s Grove. Both were fun and puzzle-ly with basic on-theme decor, but each one had stand-out moments that were creative and let us flex our puzzling skills. Fast forward to their newer location in Kent, home of Stout Oak Adventuring Guild and Trixie’s Tavern Trials. This location couldn’t be more different, as we entered a dimly-lit medieval guild hall, with suits of armor, tapestries, and an oversized banquet table taking up most of the lobby area. We were immersed as soon as the door closed behind us. 

Soon we were greeted by an in-character host who invited us into the guild with a set of guild (game) rules. The medieval decor continued as we entered the Stout Oak Tavern, currently closed because of the mayhem being caused by one mischievous pixie named Trixie. The tavern’s owner had been unsuccessful so far in their attempts to trap her and stop her shenanigans, so they had called on us to complete a series of challenges, set up by the pixie, which would hopefully calm the chaos. 

The pixie’s challenges, or trials, were a series of puzzles that included a good mix of logic and observation, and used fun, on-theme props that at first glance appeared like decor, but were actually part of a puzzle; some were pretty impressive. But there was a bit of over reliance on scrolls and reading for some of the more complex tasks. Clever special effects marked the presence of the tiny trouble maker throughout the game. One pixie communication was especially hard to hear, though it was transcribed to parchment to help us out, and in this case, we were glad to get another scroll!

As we passed Trixie’s trials, we came to understand the reason behind her tomfoolery. The final act led us to a magical space, a charming ending to the tale, and a delightful “ta-da” moment that was over too fast; we wished we could have spent more time puzzling in this part of the game.

Trixie’s Tavern Trials was a fun, puzzle-forward experience worth a stop if you are in the Seattle area. At the time of this review, Sure Lock Escapes had several more games in development, and we look forward to their next adventure. 

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Fantasy fans
• Pixie people 
• Any experience level
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• To join the Stout Oak Adventuring Guild
• Fantasy theme
• Puzzle variety
• Magical finale

Story

The Stout Oak Tavern has been closed ever since a pixie had decided to wreak havoc in the place. The owner of the tavern had called upon us, a group of adventurers, to complete the set of challenges set up by the pixie. Hopefully we could get her to leave.

Setting

The set of the Stout Oak Tavern was solid and rustic, with wooden floors, walls, tables, and a bar towards the back of the room. Light spilled into the space from colorful stained glass windows, glowing lanterns and chandeliers. Thick-glass bottles, metal plates and shiny goblets on the tables made us want to sit down and stay a while.

Gameplay

Sure Lock Escapes’s Trixie’s Tavern Trials was a standard, fantasy-themed escape room with a moderate level of difficulty. 

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

Analysis

 Enhancing a medieval tavern theme with a story about a disgruntled fairy who causes chaos to get the bar owner’s attention was fun and refreshing, and allowed for playfulness both in set and puzzles. 

 Furnishings, decor, and props, all made of wood, gave a cohesive, solid feel to the environment and puzzles. Components were fun to interact with, and nothing felt flimsy or breakable. Additional, softer decor and atmospheric lighting gave the space a warm, homey feel.

 A late-game transition seemed out of place and did not match the set quality of the rest of the space.

 Puzzles were whimsical and fun to solve, even when working through layered logic. It was obvious the designer put a lot of thought into blending the tavern theme with the impulsiveness of a perturbed pixie.

 Some puzzles were paired with scrolls and required reading dense information to understand the task at hand. We enjoyed the complex solves, but we expect some players will get impatient and struggle if they don’t take the time to read and understand.

The finale brought the story to a satisfying conclusion, on a scale both large and small. I wanted to linger a bit longer in this space.

Tips For Visiting

• Sure Lock Escapes has three separate locations in the Seattle area; this game is in Kent on West Harrison Street.
• Street parking is available.
• The Kent train and bus stations are within a five-minute walk.
• We enjoyed the chowders at several Duke’s Seafood locations (more times than I want to admit.)

Book your session with Sure Lock Escapes’ Trixie’s Tavern Trials, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Sure Lock Escapes provided media discounted tickets for this game.

The post Sure Lock Escapes – Trixie’s Tavern Trials [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Shaky Grounds Cafe is one of the best escape rooms in Portland, Oregon. Here are our recommendations for great escape rooms in Portland.

Location: Portland, OR

Date Played: October 4, 2025

Team Size: 3-8; we recommend 3-4

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $36-$45 per player, depending on team size

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

I’d heard good things about Shaky Grounds Cafe, an unusual combination of a coffee-shop-themed escape room and emergency preparedness education. But I was unprepared for this thoughtful experience where our team actually learned something valuable as we puzzled. It’s obvious that this is a theme near and dear to the designer. I was impressed not only by the amount of information presented, but also how it was integrated into the puzzles so as not to feel heavy-handed. 

Did I mention it all took place in a towable trailer? The game space was deceptively roomier than we anticipated, and we only felt crowded in one late-game area of the set. Turns out you can do quite a lot in a limited space when the designer has a background in TV and movie set production and works with Search & Rescue as a side gig. The addition of a few select special effects brought the story to life in unexpected, and sometimes humorous, ways. 

Our game began just outside a local coffee shop after a devastating earthquake had hit the Pacific Northwest region. We had an emergency on our hands, and desperately needed supplies – blankets, first aid kits, and of course, coffee beans – this was Portland after all. The puzzling was approachable and fun,  with a touch of humor and nods to Portland throughout. Though some puzzles will be familiar to seasoned escapers, strong theming and creative implementation gave most tasks a fresh feel. One of my favorite puzzles was one I know I’ve done numerous times, but was presented in such a way that I didn’t even recognize the mechanic until after I had solved it. 

By the end of the game, my mind was swirling with all the things I needed to do in my own home to be better prepared for a natural disaster. And I really wanted a cappuccino. If you are heading to Portland, find out which area of town Shaky Grounds Cafe will be in next – it moves around – and “get prepared” to have a great time.

Who is this for?

• Puzzle lovers
• Any experience level
• Preppers
• Baristas
• Preppers who are also baristas
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Gameplay that’s fun and educational
• Unique setting
• It may save your life someday

Story

It had been a week since a major earthquake hit the Portland area, and we needed supplies ASAP. This local coffee shop looked like a good place to search for emergency rations, and if we found some coffee beans for a much needed caffeine boost, all the better, right?

Setting

The game took place inside a towable trailer, with rustic decor, wood floors, and the basic elements of a casual coffee shop. Signs of a recent disaster – fallen planks, pictures on the floor, and a car backed through a brick wall – told us there was work to be done, and quickly.

Gameplay

Side Quest Escape Games’ Shaky Grounds Cafe was a standard, yet mobile, escape room with a moderate level of difficulty. 

Core gameplay revolved around searching, observing, making connections, puzzling, and preparing for the next big disaster.

Analysis

 The space in the trailer was well-utilized and felt roomier than expected, with 8-foot ceilings, the same as any standard office room height. Once inside, we quickly forgot that we were playing in a mobile space.

 Set design effectively conveyed that a disaster had occurred in the space, and while props were “scattered” appropriately, the area never felt messy or disorganized.

We were surprised at the number and variety of puzzles that kept us busy the entire time. We always knew our progress towards completing our objectives. All tasks centered around emergency supplies and preparedness tips and we learned a lot through gameplay, though it never felt heavy-handed or school-ish.

  One prop made sense to use with two different puzzles, and we stalled when we tried to use it with the wrong one.

  Some special effects made the crises feel more realistic and added urgency and nuance to the scene, while others just made us chuckle.

 That said, we noticed a few areas where sound or scent effects would have added to the immersion.

  Preparing for a disaster like an earthquake was more than just the theme for this escape room. The owner went above and beyond to communicate the importance of having the right supplies, and even related the game to real-life events in the area in the post-game debrief.  We left not only entertained, but a little bit smarter.

  Shaky Grounds Cafe reminded me of Firefighter Rescue Mission in Ontario, Canada, which also incorporated real-life emergency experiences into its gameplay.

At the time of this review, Side Quest Escape Rooms was offering an online course called Be 2 Weeks Ready, that “reinforces the preparedness lessons you experienced in the Shaky Grounds Cafe escape room and helps you put them into action at home.”

Tips For Visiting

• Shaky Grounds Cafe is a mobile game built into a trailer that periodically changes location. We played the game at its home base in the parking lot of Oaks Park amusements. Check the website for current location and availability.
• While in Portland, we enjoyed breakfast (and coffee) at Sweet Bacon Cafe, bagels (and coffee) at Spielman’s Bagels, and the Italian food and rustic pizzas at Piattino (sadly, no coffee – the espresso machine was out of order that day.)
• Need something to read? Go to Powell’s Books in the Pearl district downtown. Covering an entire city block, it’s known as the world’s largest independent bookstore.
• For something different to do in the Portland area, visit Next Level Pinball in Hillsboro. For one price you get unlimited plays on over 600 vintage pinball and video games, as well as access to peruse an incredible amount of pop-culture collectibles.  

Book your hour with Side Quest Escape Rooms’ Shaky Grounds Cafe, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: Side Quest Escape Rooms provided media discounted tickets for this game.

The post Side Quest Escape Games – Shaky Grounds Cafe [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

The first puzzle is pronouncing it

Location: Portland, OR

Date Played: October 3, 2025

Team Size: 4-10; we recommend 3-5

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $40 per player

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: Players need to manage stairs.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

Operation Gryan… Operation Gryznav… Grrz&#! We called it the OG, and while it felt like an old-school escape game, we were happily surprised to find an original spy storyline and creative puzzles, including a few that made the game memorable. We’ve played plenty of Cold-War themed games, usually set in some type of nuclear bunker paired with a doomsday scenario. But the theme for this game had a local spin; we’d awakened a sleeper cell looking to poison Portland’s water supply. Our mission: put a stop to the evil plot before the past destroyed the present. 

Gameplay flowed really well with a steady stream of interesting puzzles and tasks needed to save Portland. There was not only a lot to do, but also a nice variety of unusual tactile props to interact with. While the set was not particularly compelling, it was the props and the quality of the puzzling that elevated the game. 

At first glance, the approach to puzzling seemed somewhat standard. But as we considered what we’d done during the game, it was so much more than that. One familiar puzzle was elevated with a more challenging logic component. Another task that had us running around the room in search of clues utilized a unique input device that fit right in with the scene. My favorite puzzle was so simple, but uniquely clever and fun to solve, requiring logic, ingenuity, and cooperation from the entire team. It was a cool moment, and we really appreciated how elegantly it was implemented. The puzzling overall was very deliberate and connected seamlessly to the narrative.

In Operation Gryaznayavoda we experienced a strong narrative blended with fun, and at times, unique puzzling. It felt deliberate and well executed, placing In Search of an Exit among the best in the area. When you go to Portland, play Operation Gryaznayavoda, no matter how you pronounce it.

Who is this for?

• Story seekers
• Soviet moles
• Any experience level
• Players who don’t need to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Flash back to the Cold War
• Puzzle variety
• Fun props

Story

Back in the 1980s, there was a rumor that Soviet spies had tried to poison the Portland water supply. It never actually happened; it was all just an urban legend. So when we stumbled on the Soviet’s secret hideout in the old Lombino building, we never thought we’d accidentally trigger a 40-year-old plot to do just that. 

Setting

The game started in a space that resembled an employee break room with a fridge, a brown plaid couch, and full-size Tetris and pinball machines. One wall had a bank of red lockers with coats and other personal items hanging on hooks. Combined with green patterned carpet and bright yellow walls, the space had a clean but overall dated, mismatched look. Only the travel posters of Russia around the room alluded that this was NOT an normal employee’s break room.

Gameplay

In Search of an Exit’s Operation Gryaznayavoda was a standard escape room with a moderate level of difficulty… and a hard name to pronounce. 

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

Analysis

 Our transition from the outside world into the gamespace involved a series of activities that seamlessly bridged the two worlds, effectively explaining how our team of escapers was now discovering a Soviet sleeper cell. It was an imaginative opening to the game. 

 Overall set design, while not especially immersive or polished, fit the theme well. One oversized set piece looked authentically worn and fit right into the story.  Unique props and layered puzzles elevated familiar puzzles and were fun to interact with. 

 Puzzles were a mix of team-based tasks and solo solves. While not everyone saw every puzzle, we were always engaged and busy.

 One puzzle used a device that was hard to see clearly, and it took some trial and error to finally solve the last part.

  I was impressed with a late-game puzzle that required precise coordination from the whole team; it was simple, yet elegant, and I’d never seen it done quite like that before. We felt highly accomplished when finally nailing it after more than a few tries.

 We were confused by one puzzle when a prop did not trigger the expected feedback; the gamemaster bypassed this step so we could complete the puzzle.

Our final task involved a somewhat familiar tactile puzzle, but with an additional, unexpected step that made me pause and announce what I was going to do, since it couldn’t be undone.

For those who are curious, gryaznaya voda (pronounced gree-az-nah-yah voh-dah ) translates from Russian to English as dirty or foul water.

Tips For Visiting

• Street parking is available. 
• For public transit, the location is only a 4-minute walk to the Hollywood Transit Center, off the red/ blue/ green MAX line, and about a 30 second walk from the 75 and 77 bus lines.
• We enjoyed Chin’s Kitchen next door.

Book your hour with In Search of an Exit’s Operation Gryaznayavoda, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: In Search of an Exit provided media discounted tickets for this game.

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It’s anyone’s game

Location: Portland, OR

Date Played: October 3, 2025

Team Size: 4-8; we recommend 3-8

Duration: 60 minutes

Price:  $200 for the first 4 players, $100 for each additional pair, up to 8 players

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: There are stairs to get to the room.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

“More than possibly the longest name for a game show ever, Super Sanitary Double Dog Dare Ya! made us laugh from start to finish. Witty banter from the host keeps the game moving, while fun trivia and challenges will have you get in touch with your silly side. Though not an escape room, it should be on your must-play list of experiences in the Portland area. So, come on down to In Search of an Exit and be their next contestant, I double dog dare ya!“

REA Reaction

I knew the escape games at In Search of an Exit had to be on the must-play list for my trip to Portland, but booking their live game show was almost an afterthought. This type of experience didn’t naturally appeal to our team of mostly introverts. I’m so glad we went for it, because Super Sanitary Double Dog Dare Ya! was an absolute blast from start to finish, and a highlight of our trip.

While this wasn’t an escape room, it did link to the mob family central to the other escape games at In Search of an Exit. The setup: Larry Lombino was a game show host in the 1980s and early 1990s who was cryogenically frozen for the last 30 years. Recently defrosted, he created a new game show to be played in person – in his house. And since his OCD still wasn’t cured, he made it super sanitary! 

Larry and his digital companion (a Max Headroom-esque version of Larry) emceed the game together. They were hilarious. The game had a multi-round structure with questions followed by challenges, usually some type of simple physical task. Points were awarded based on speed or quality of the action. Larry was quick with quips and adjusted seamlessly to our team, making it feel personal and unique. Though we experienced minor glitches with our buzzers, our host rolled with it so well that we actually thought it was part of the show. We laughed our way through obvious – and not so obvious – questions, and had fun trying to one-up each other for the challenges. 

The set looked like most classic TV game shows, with a main stand for the emcee and a separate podium for each contestant. It had a homemade feel, like Larry didn’t have anything better to do with himself after thawing except start a game show in his attic. There were many props used in the game (I imagine reset would be lengthy), but everything was within reach and ready to go. It was a simple setup, but thoughtfully prepped.

Time flew by, and before we knew it, we were faced with a final meta-challenge that wrapped up the show. I can’t recommend this experience enough. So, come on down to In Search of an Exit and be their next contestant, I double dog dare ya!

Who is this for?

• Light trivia buffs
• Game show aficionados
• Any experience level
• Players who love to be a part of every puzzle

Why play?

• Your TV is locked on the Game Show Channel
• To test your skills with silly tasks and approachable trivia
• It’s just plain fun

Story

Everyone remembers Larry Lombino, right? He was the star of those classic game shows from the 1980s and 1990s – Double Dog Dare Ya!, Super Sloppy Double Dog Dare Ya! and Super Duper Sloppy Double Dog Dare Ya 2000! He’s been on ice for the last 30 years, but now he’s back, and you’re about to compete on his latest game show. But just remember, Larry has OCD, so keep it super sanitary, will ya?

Setting

The game show set was located up a flight of stairs. Just like on TV, there was a stand front and center for our famous host, and four podiums across the room. Colorful buttons let players buzz in with their answers, while props were neatly stowed until needed. Studio lights and TV monitors completed the look. It had a realistic, yet homemade, do-it-yourself appearance that just worked; a more polished or over-the-top set would not have matched the charm of the experience.

Gameplay

In Search of an Exit’s Super Sanitary Double Dog Dare Ya! was a live game show with a low level of difficulty. 

Core gameplay revolved around answering trivia questions, completing silly challenges, competing with your friends, and a touch of puzzling.

Analysis

 Larry Lombino was funny with smart, timely remarks that were witty without being acerbic. His non-stop banter made the show.

 Challenges were fun, sometimes silly, and easy enough for anyone to win. My favorite one involved having players strategize on the best way to achieve a time-constrained victory, and all of us chose the most difficult path, making for some fun, memorable, and cringe-worthy moments.

 Most of the trivia questions were approachable, yet challenging enough to let people shine when they knew an obscure reference.

 One player had an opportunity to earn extra points to pull ahead, and while the task was set up to be a nail-biting choice, it could have been a bit more splashy.

The host was ultra-prepared for our game; you could tell a lot of attention was given to prop placement, game flow, and player experience.

All contestants were actively engaged in the experience the entire time; there was never a time with players on the sidelines with nothing to do. We felt just as much part of the show as our emcee.

With four podiums available, each player gets their own station; we played with three and it worked well. With teams of six and eight, players double up and play as pairs. Playing with five or seven players is still possible, but teams will be uneven, leaving someone at a disadvantage.

Tips For Visiting

• Street parking is available. 
• For public transit, only a 4-minute walk to the Hollywood Transit Center, off the red/blue/green MAX line, and about a 30 second walk from the 75 and 77 bus lines.
• We enjoyed Chin’s Kitchen next door.

Book your hour with In Search of an Exit’s Super Sanitary Double Dog Dare Ya!, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: In Search of an Exit provided a complimentary game.

The post 👑🔒 In Search of an Exit – Super Sanitary Double Dog Dare Ya! [Review] appeared first on Room Escape Artist.

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Date Played: September 6, 2025

Team Size: 2-10; we recommend 2-3

Duration: 90 minutes, including pre- and post-game experience

Price:  $35-$70 per person depending on team size

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: None

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

The Philtower is a landmark historic building in Oklahoma that stands prominently in the Tulsa skyline; it also happens to be the star of The Xcapery’s The Philtower Mystery. Waite Phillips was a wealthy businessman and philanthropist who made his fortune in the petroleum industry. In 1928 he completed construction on the Philtower and housed his offices on an upper floor. In our scenario, we learned that Waite had been kidnapped, and we set off to find the culprit. 

The intro to the game was fun and engaging. We first met our host standing on the sidewalk, dressed from head to toe in full 1920’s regalia. After being ushered into the lobby for a cocktail and a quick, pre-game photo (complete with optional themed accessories), we were given a brief history of the building and assigned unique roles and props to use during the game. 

Gameplay brought us through several distinctive areas of the Philtower that showcased the impressive architecture of the era – check out the jade-green water fountains! – along with a rich backstory that will appeal to many history buffs. However, most of the game took place in a set of basic offices on an upper floor. In these areas, though furniture and decor were true to the time period, the spaces felt plain and lacked the character of the rest of the building. Puzzles were simple and mostly task- and search-based, with many that used written notes to provide detailed directions to locate items or progress the game. But our assigned roles worked well to divide tasks and made us each feel connected to our part in the story.

This game is envisioned as Chapter 1, the first of several games centered around the history of the building and its owner, Waite Phillips. In The Philtower Mystery, The Xcapery had some good ideas with the historical theming and the fun, immersive introductory experience. I’d like to see them take that enthusiasm and focus more on the development of the gameplay. 

Who is this for?

• Newbies
• History buffs
• Players interested in architecture

Why play?

• Pre-game activities 
• Historical setting

Story

Waite Phillips, an oil tycoon and philanthropist, had always feared he’d be kidnapped due to his fame and wealth. Unfortunately, it seems that fear had become reality. Our team had been sent to his offices to look for clues and identify the perpetrator of this crime.

Setting

Our game began in the lobby of the Philtower, with its stunning 1920’s architecture and gleaming bank of elevators, and then quickly proceeded to a rather plain conference room on an upper floor. A large oval table surrounded by plush office chairs took up the room’s center, while an antiqued wooden buffet sat along one wall. An intricate gramophone with a gold horn perched on the buffet.

Gameplay

The Xcapery’s The Philtower Mystery was a standard escape room with a low level of difficulty.

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

Analysis

 The intro experience, complete with 1920s-era garb, thematic photos and a welcome cocktail was delightful and added to the ambience. Our gamemaster filled us in on the background of Waite Phillips and the history of the Philtower, adding context and realism to the experience ahead of us.

 As part of the setup, we were each assigned a role at random and provided with a corresponding prop or information suitable to the character. This step spread tasks among players, giving us each a chance to own a certain part of gameplay.

One of the roles came with an intricate prop to be used to solve an early puzzle, but turned out to be unnecessary. We spent time trying to figure out its use, only to realize we’d moved past that puzzle.

While the decor in the office areas included era-appropriate furnishings and props, these spaces were sparsely decorated and lacked character. There was an opportunity to add props and personal accessories that would add interest and bring these rooms to life.

A mid-game puzzle required multiple steps to solve, and turned into an amusing moment in the game.

 Many of the puzzles were overly directive, containing notes with instructions to move ahead instead of allowing players to find solutions on their own. While newer players may appreciate this type of cluing, experienced puzzlers will not find much of a challenge.

The space that held the final reveal was both fascinating and unexpected.

Tips For Visiting

• There is street parking around the Philtower and a parking lot at The Xcapery’s other location only a few blocks walk away.
• We enjoyed the rustic pizza and outdoor seating at East Village Bohemian Pizzeria and the New Orleans cuisine at Nola’s Creole & Cocktails.

Book your hour with The Xcapery’s The Philtower Mystery, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: The Xcapery comped our tickets for this game.

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