Best Escape Rooms In Athens (Greece)

Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Not an escape room but a beautiful Roman theater you should see)

Athens had the highest amount of world class games in one city. You can play 17 of the top 100 TERPECA games in Athens, which was unparalleled! If you like escape rooms, you need to make a trip out here unless you are unwilling to play horror games, then I would recommend going to Barcelona or The Netherlands/Belgium. We played 20 rooms in Athens which was quite a lot given the average runtime of two hours. 

Here are some general notes and tips for Athens.

Horror Themed Games 

Most of the top games were horror. Locals must love jump scares, loud noises and being chased by monsters in the dark. At least for me, playing multiple horror rooms in a row made it tougher to fully appreciate the genre as it became repetitive with pitch black rooms and jump scares. Also, even in some non-horror games, actors randomly came out and made loud banging sounds which felt forced. However, the top horror games were absolutely amazing as they blended immersive theater with puzzle solving.

Pro Tip: Bring Earplugs

The volume of the music in many rooms, even the non-horror ones, was overwhelmingly loud. Bring a good pair of ear plugs! This made the horror games much more enjoyable. For context, we had a team member quit a top TERPECA winning room because it was too loud, even with ear plugs! When we asked to lower the volume, GM's said they were not able to and didn't seem to think it was an issue. 

English Friendly

English was widely spoken by most locals, except for some of the older folks in retail stores. This was in contrast to Barcelona where many people of all ages do not speak any English. 

Cash Is King?

Bring some cash for escape rooms but many of the rooms also accepted credit cards. Check in advance with the company.

Commuting

Games and taxis were super affordable, probably 30%-50% less than US prices. FreeNow was also significantly quicker than Uber and I recommend using that app. Food was even cheaper and delicious!

Safety

Safety standards were visibly less stringent compared to most countries we've played in. Often times, we were truly locked in handcuffs or in a room with no emergency release. Also, pools of water were changed out maybe monthly (?) so you may want to be careful around that. 

Athens Escape Room Recap  

I gave 11 rooms a 4.5 star ratings or higher which was quite incredible after playing over 600 escape rooms around the world. I am not a horror lover but still loved the top horror games.

Athens

😱 = Horror

Way Out: Ice Tiki

This light hearted escape room was amazing and deserved to be higher on TERPECA. It was a whimsical room so maybe locals or those who love horror disliked that. Ice Tiki was one of my top games overall and a must play! ★★★★★ 

No Exit: El Exorcista 😱 

I am not a horror fan and somehow this room was one of my favorite rooms of all time. This game was about five years old and still had some of the best cinematics and actor performances that I had ever seen. Another must play in my book. ★★★★★ 

Lockhill: Chapel & Catacombs 😱 

A huge sprawling set with actors made for a crazy game. Some fun chase sequences and the mandatory fumbling through the dark was second to none. ★★★★★ 

EscapeClue: Lethal Decision 2 😱

This was a tough one to comment on as we had a teammate tap out about 40% in because of the crazy loud music. The others on my team were also going to tap out and I had to convince them to stay. The second team in our group had someone fall and fracture a bone so yes, safety standards are very different. The game did have some fun parts, if you can bear the loud sound and jump scares. ★★★★½ 

Trapped Chalandri: ExperimentumX 

I thought this game was underrated and perhaps it was due to it being a more physical room which I enjoyed a lot because of the uniqueness. I tend to seek out uniqueness and prefer large physical sets and props. ★★★★★ 

Escape World: Houdini 

We added this new game at the last minute and it had really great cinematics that I hadn't seen anywhere else. I just wished there were more! Note there are some minor jump scares.  ★★★★★ 

Escapolis: Cosmos 5 

This was a nifty starship themed puzzley room and I love good looking starships. I think this was one of the more puzzle focused rooms that I have near the top of my list which was rare because I am not a puzzle lover. ★★★★½ 

No Exit: Wanted: Dead Or Alive

The actor made the game and he was witty and entertaining. If you enjoy signifiant bantering with actors this game is for you. A large footprint along with a ton of silliness made for a fun time. ★★★★½ 

Escapolis: Butcher 😱

An interesting take on a horror room so if you are ok with doing a bunch of rooms in this genre I think you would enjoy it. If you had to choose only a few, El Exorcista and Chapel and Catacombs were a cut above. ★★★★

Paradox Project: The Mansion, The Library, The Music Academy 

This trilogy of games took 9 hours to complete! The puzzles were very chewy so it was normal to spend over 30 minutes on one riddle. The general consensus was that The Library was the best of the three and I would agree with that. Note this game was not flashy compared to others in Athens but will surely satisfy puzzle folks. The Mansion ★★★½, The Library ★★★★½ , The Music Academy ★★★★

No Exit: Death Row 

Death Row was probably the top prison game I had ever played. The theme was cliché but well executed with a lot of physical elements. ★★★★

Verona: Don't Take A Breathe 😱 

This was based on the movie "Don't Breathe" and had a lot of tense moments.  Watch a synopsis of the film to see if it's your type of game. It was also in a town where many locals told us not to go to because it was super dangerous so that added to the tension. ★★★★★

Lockhill: The Sanitarium 😱 

The Sanitarium can be played in three modes: Midnight = Difficult puzzles with monsters, Night = Easy puzzles with monsters, Day = Difficult puzzles with no monsters. We played Midnight mode and it was really scary because of the thick fog that made visibility less than an arm's length. I learned this was what they call "Type 2" fun. ★★★★½ 

We also played the games below that you may consider if you have time (with the exception of Creepy Store and Gustave Eiffel). 

• Dark Matter, Creepy Store, Gustave Eiffel (Escapolis - Galatsi)
• Lilipout, Scooby...Who? (Art Of Escape)

We hope this post helps out anyone who is hoping to venture off to Athens to play world class escape rooms!

2022 Escape Rumors Achievement unlocked Medalists

 

In 2022, I was extremely lucky to have played 108 escape rooms in eight countries! This greatly boosted the number of TERPECA ranked rooms played to 124.

Achievement unlocked medals are awarded every year to the top escape rooms played by Escape Rumors. There is no limit in terms of rooms awarded and they are ordered by geography.

The escape rooms with links have reviews. Feel free to contact us at info@escaperumors.com for any comments or questions.

Escape Rumors Achievement unlocked Medalists

CyberCity 2049 (Escape Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain)

A wonderfully immersive set with some tense moments that will make you feel like you are in our own movie. Also, take your time in exploring the world with side tasks. If you are in Barcelona, this is a must play.

La Cerveseria [The Brewery] (Enigmik, Barcelona, Spain)

It doesn't matter if you don't like beer because you will love entering the world of beer making in this super creative and unique game.

La Casa [The House] (Insomnia Corporation, Berga, Spain)

This game takes you into the world of the unknown because you don't even know where it takes place. When you get there, the fun begins and you're in for a scary adventure!

Distrito 111 (Unreal Room Escape, Barcelona, Spain)

This post apocalyptic game had some fulfilling physical elements that made the experience top notch.

Tú también soñarás [You'll Dream Too] (Mayto Kingdom, Vittoria, Spain)

The "IT" movie inspired game will keep you looking over your shoulder for a killer clown in an amazingly huge set. 

La Santa (Shock Creations, Madrid, Spain)

Huge Hollywood like action sequences take place in what seems to be a full-sized church (high ceilings, stained glass...), along with a lot of scares that makes for a memorable experience.

The Dome (Mama Bazooka, Bunschoten, The Netherlands)

The Dome is a technological marvel with great reveals and creative puzzles all blended into a fun theme. The experience is magical and we felt immersed into the world they laid out in front of us. It is hard to be impressed after playing 500 rooms but The Dome was able to do it! If you are an escape room enthusiast, this is a a must play. 

Molly's Game (Down the Hatch, Voorburg, The Netherlands)

Molly's Game redefines how to create an escape room that delivers on storytelling in a creepy environment with some great moments. I thought I was done with the "creepy house" settings but I was wrong!

Stay in the Dark (Dark Park, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands)

This game takes place in what is likely one of the largest facilities for an escape room in the world. It spans over multiple floors with each floor being larger than 95% of the escape rooms I have played. You "stumble" upon this old factory and then the shenanigans begin.

Illusion (Epic Escape Waalwijk, The Netherlands)

There are a lot of magic themed games out there but Illusion was able to make us feel like we were actually in a magician's studio.

Kamer 237 (Kamer 237, The Netherlands)

This five years old game was incredible in terms of physical manipulation and story progression. The mechanic used to progress to different rooms was simple yet so satisfying.

The Secret of Saint-Rumoldus (De Gouden Kooi, Mechelen, Belgium)

The game flow of "The Secret of Saint-Rumoldus" was seamless and the unique story line towards the end made us laugh. Definitely a standout in the Belgium market!

Revolt (Lock Academy, Paris, France)

This time traveling game takes you from the 1970's to the future with some great elements and humor.

Nautilus (Unleash, Paris, France)

The setting takes place in one of the most physically impressive submarines that I have seen in an escape room.

Règlements De Contes [Fairytale Adventures] (Pandore et Associés, Paris, France)

A creative fairy tale world with a lighthearted theme and a fast paced finale.

Aunt Hilda's Room (Trip Trap, Geneva, Switzerland)

A wonderful medieval setting with beautiful decor and a lot of puzzles to work your way through.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Best Escape Rooms In Spain: 2023 Update

I was extremely excited to play games in Spain as Barcelona was my favorite escape room city in the world. This was one of the most ambitious trips I took with 31 escape rooms across the cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Vittoria, Bilbao, Pamplona, Berga and Andorra! If you haven't played any escape rooms in Spain before, have a look at my post, Best Escape Rooms in Barcelona: A Traveller's Guide, as that will help you to maximize your itinerary. 

Special thanks to Dan, Ana, Rich, Kiki, Summer and Jonathan for all the planning and to Sir Ken Ferguson (from the University of Oxford) who is now my escape room BFF. 

Partial Map of Spain: Red Dots = Escape Rooms Played

In the past, I got around Barcelona by metro or taxi. However, this trip involved a lot of driving (1,500 miles according to Google) that had us venture up to the north of Spain and even Andorra. The good thing was that it was all worth it and I am so grateful for the group of friends on this trip as it was an experience of a lifetime! 

Horror Themed Games 

There was a higher proportion of horror games played than normal on this trip. "La Casa", "La Santa" and "Tú también soñarás" were among my favorites with amazing sets and some terrifying moments. I am not a horror fan by any means but appreciates the cleverness of those games. For those who really dislike horror, I would recommend skipping these as there are plenty of non-horror games available in Spain.  

Spain Escape Room Recap  

I gave 11 rooms a 4.5 star ratings or higher which is quite incredible after playing over 500 escape rooms around the world. I tried to be as objective as possible but I believe that some of the ratings are lower due to playing so many world class rooms in one trip. 

Barcelona

Escape Barcelona: CyberCity 2049 

This game was amazing with its Blade Runner/The Matrix vibe. A wonderfully immersive set with some tense moments that made us feel like we were in our own movie. Also, take your time in exploring the world with side tasks. If you are in Barcelona, this is a must play. ★★★★★ 

Escape Barcelona: Tomb of Akasha 

Another movie like experience with a decent amount of climbing and physical movement. There were some video game moments that got us running around and once again the set was large and sprawling. ★★★★★ 

Enigmik: La Cerveseria [The Brewery] 

What kind of game was The Brewery? At first I wasn't sure what to expect as I am not a beer fan but it was one of the most thematic and unique games I played. You start off in a bar and then head into the world of beer-making with some enjoyable puzzling. ★★★★★ 

Insomnia Corporation: La Casa [The House]

La Casa had one of the most interesting escape room starts ever. We drove to a "hotel" and explored the premises for a while and were then told to drive to another city. On the way to this city, we received a text with the exact location of a house in the middle of farmland. Then the real game started there. ★★★★★ 

Unreal Room Escape: Distrito 111 

Just like Unreal's La Mina, Distrito 111 was such a fun experience. This post apocalyptic world had some fulfilling physical elements that made the experience top notch. ★★★★★ 

Virus Escape Room: Tao Japanese Message Center

There was something in this game that jumped out versus any other escape room I played. There are plenty of light hearted moments and this game would be better if the intro (with broken Japanese-English) were modified. ★★★★½ 

Northern Spain

Mayto Kingdom: Tú también soñarás [You'll Dream Too] 

The "IT" movie inspired game was the #1 escape room for the 2021 TERPECA's. I played the game without seeing the movie and still appreciated the experience. Another sprawling set that kept us on edge for a good portion of the time.  ★★★★★ 

Blindhouse: The Rebellion (Hybrid Version) 

This game was based on the film series "Underworld" where vampire and werewolves battle each other. We played the 2.5h full version which combined their two games and the midpoint transition was seamless. The set was enormous and the varied puzzles should satisfy a wide variety of players! ★★★★★ 

Distrito Siete: Noche de perros [Dogs Night]  

This game took place in "Texas" which is always funny in terms of seeing how others interpret what life in America is like. The game started off in an American diner and expanded from there but didn't quite end on a high. It was still loads of fun. ★★★★½ 

Madrid

Shock Creations: La Santa 

La Santa took place in a realistic looking church, complete with high ceilings and stained glass. The payment method at the start of the game was hilarious and you spend a good amount of time avoiding scary stuff. There were huge Hollywood like action sequences that took place that unfortunately some of our players didn't see and overall it was quite a memorable experience. ★★★★★ 

Madness Toledo Escape Room (Mad Mansion): The Mystery of Scum Island 

I never played the computer game "Monkey Island" but you could see how this escape room was inspired by a 1990's point-and-click game. I have a soft spot for light hearted themes so I might have enjoyed this game more than most players. ★★★★½ 

Bite The Fly: Bites Motel 

One might notice that many of the games we played were based on pre-existing IP but not officially licensed to do so. I wonder if being able to that do in Spain made for a vastly different experience when compared to the US. As you might have guessed, this game was modeled after the "Bates Motel" from the movie "Psycho". The astounding part was that a HUGE city area was built but not really part of the game. ★★★★½ 

Other Escape Rooms In The Area

Some other rooms that are worth playing or reviewed in a previous post: 

In Barcelona: 

• Abduction: Enterprises and The Exam (Enterprises is based on BATMAN! and one of my favorite escape rooms all time) 
• Catelepsia, a 2-player game in coffins

In Madrid: 

• Colors Escape Room: Yellow Experience, a Goonies inspired game
• Colors Escape Room: Blue Experience, played in 2022 and was a greatly reduced version of Atrincherados (Trenches) in Barcelona, played in 2019
• Clue Hunter: Megachef for large groups interested in puzzle stations with a cooking theme

Northern Spain 

• Way Out: Hello Hotel
• Mayto Kingdom: La Cámara del Espíritu y el Tiempo (Dragon Ball Z)

We hope this post helps out anyone who is hoping to venture off to Spain to play world class escape rooms!

Best Rooms In The Netherlands & Belgium: A Traveller's Guide

Beautiful Bruges (Belgium)

I finally made it out to Europe this year to play the top games in The Netherlands and Belgium after the initial trip in 2020 got postponed because of the pandemic. This was part of a larger tour of 39 games played that also included Paris and Geneva (these cities will featured in a separate post). 

The games in this part of the world were outstanding with some great storytelling and smart uses of physical space. We were thrilled to be able to play so many wonderful games and highly recommend a visit to this area for all escape room enthusiasts.

Special thanks to local enthusiasts Helena and Sven for joining us for some of the games we played! It is always great meeting new people and so far every single person we have met over the years has been a blast to hang out with.

Impressions & Observations During The Netherlands & Belgium Escape Room Trip

Getting Around
To play the top games in this region, a car was needed in order to get around. Unfortunately, the games were really spread out in various cities so there were no other feasible transportation options.

English Translations 
All but one of the rooms we wanted to play were available in English. GM's were perfectly fluent, some videos had English subtitles and there were no major language issues at all.

Cash Is King
Many games required payment to be made in cash, so it is wise to prepare for this and not be caught off guard. Be aware of daily limit cash withdrawals from ATM's.

More Action, Less Puzzling
There were more physical elements in the games in this part of the world when compared to the U.S./Canada but less than what we experienced in Barcelona. You should be prepared to crawl and get dirty.

Private Bookings
Like most of Europe, all the games we played had private bookings. You could  get away with two players but for economic reasons you would have to book for three or four players.

The Netherlands & Belgium Escape Room Recap

Mama Bazooka: The Dome
The Dome was the reason why we made it out to The Netherlands. It was voted the #1 escape room in the world for a few years on TERPECA. We have played other former #1 rooms and usually, hype kills. Would The Dome also be cursed with unrealistic expectations? I am happy to say that this game lived up to its reputation. 

The Dome was a technological marvel with great reveals and creative puzzles all blended into a fun theme. The experience was so magical and we really felt immersed into the world they laid out in front of us. It is hard to be impressed after playing almost 500 rooms but The Dome was able to do it! If you are an escape room enthusiast, this is a a must play. 

• Difficulty: Medium
• Price: 169€-189€/team
  
• Number of players: 4-6, private (we recommend 4)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Mama Bazooka also had a massive lobby with tons of games!

Down The Hatch: Molly's Game
Another top room with an expansive set and some physical elements that surprised us. Molly's Game redefines how to create an escape room that delivers on storytelling in a creepy environment with some great moments. I thought I was done with the "creepy house" settings but I was wrong!

• Difficulty: Medium
• Price: 165€/team
  
• # of Players: 2-5 (we recommend 3-4)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Dark Park: Stay In The Dark / The End / The Orphanage
Dark Park was a premier Escape Room company with multiple high quality games. 

Stay In The Dark: This game took place in what is likely one of the largest facilities for an escape room in the world. It spanned over multiple floors with each floor being larger than 95% of the escape rooms I have played. The premise was fun in that we were "looking to purchase real estate" and stumbled upon this old factory and then the shenanigans began. I don't want to spoil this so I will not say more but it was quite an ambitious project that lasted 2.5 hours.

The End: A very interesting story with a twist and a super fun ending that I highly appreciated. There are some fun moments as well that really make this room unique. Sven was also a pleasure to play with!

The Orphanage: This was one of the first rooms that we played in The Netherlands and I was extremely impressed with the lighting effects. The timing and use of effects were great at moving the game along.

• Difficulty: Easy-Medium
• Price: +145€/team
  
• Number of players: 2-6 (we recommend 4)
• Duration: 60-150 minutes
• Overall Rating: Stay In The Dark ★★★★★, The End / Orphanage ★★★★½

Epic Escape: Illusion
There are a lot of magic themed games out there but Illusion was able to make us feel like we were actually in a magician's studio. This game was more puzzle-y than others in the area and I was fine with that. We also had Helena join us and that made it even more fun!

• Difficulty: Medium- Difficult
  
• Price: +135€/team
  
• Number of players: 3-6 (we recommend 3-4)
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★½

Kamer 237: Kamer 237 / The Concierge
The original room, Kamer 237, was about 5 years old and it was incredible in terms of physical manipulation and story progression. The mechanic used to progress to different rooms was simple yet so satisfying and we slightly preferred this game over The Concierge which can only be played by two players.

• Difficulty: Difficult
• Price: 80€-125€ 
  
• Number of players: Kamer 237 - 2-6 (we recommend 2-3), The Concierge - exactly 2
• Duration: 70-75 minutes
• Overall Rating: Kamer 237 ★★★★½, The Concierge ★★★★
  

Time Adventures: Inferno
This fireman themed escape room had a feature that I don't think I will ever see again. It was quite crazy and it was worth playing just to see it.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Price: +89€/team
  
• Number of players: 2-6, private (we recommend 2-3)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★½

Escape Room Katwijk: Here I Am
This game was inspired by the Spanish show "Vis-a-Vis" and somehow made us feel like we were in a real prison, despite having played so many games of this theme. Make sure you read the email they send you before playing this game.

• Difficulty: Easy
• Price: 150€/team
  
• Number of players: 2-5 (we recommend 2-3)
• Duration: 70 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★½

 

Rock City Escapes: Soup Du Jour

I loved the start of this game and how the GM role played when introducing the team to the room. The first half started off great with some smooth puzzling and it transitioned into more of a traditional escape room setting towards the end.

• Difficulty: Easy
  
• Price: 140€/team
  
• Number of players: 2-6 (we recommend 4)
• Duration: 75 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★½

De Gouden Kooi: The Secret of Saint-Rumoldus

The game flow of "The Secret of Saint-Rumoldus" was seamless and the unique story line towards the end made us laugh. Definitely a standout in the Belgium market!

• Difficulty: Medium-Difficult
• Price: +120€/team
  
• Number of players: 2-6 (we recommend 3-4)
• Duration: 70 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Escaping Belgium: Le Prince
Le Prince was one of the more puzzle-y games we played on our trip and we were lucky to have Helena for the added brainpower! Overall, it was a clean and polished experience that would satisfy many puzzlers and escape room enthusiasts.

• Difficulty: Difficult
  
• Price: +90€/team
  
• Number of players: 2-6 (we recommend 2)
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★½

Other Notable Escape Rooms In The Area

 

 In The Netherlands:

• Escape From Wonderland: A colorful room with a ton of puzzles!
• Escape Room The Cube - Triplicate Institute: Great execution in creating a mind-bending experience
  

In Belgium

• Push Mystery Rooms - The Movies: An ambitious take on the world of blockbuster movies
  

We hope this post helps out anyone who is hoping to venture off to The Netherlands or Belgium to play world class escape rooms!

2021 Escape Rumors Achievement unlocked Medalists

We had the chance of playing 77 escape rooms in 2021, more than double the number of games when compared to 2020. There were some spectacular games which we believe stood out even compared to games played prior to the pandemic. 

Achievement unlocked medals are awarded every year to the top escape rooms played by Escape Rumors. There is no limit in terms of rooms awarded and they are sorted alphabetically.

The escape rooms with direct links have reviews. Feel free to contact us at info@escaperumors.com for any comments or questions.

Escape Rumors Achievement unlocked Medalists

Below Zero (Crypto Escape, Toronto, Canada)

Crypto once again delivered on an amazingly immersive experience with clean puzzles and a great A.I. character that really made us feel like we were in a movie.

Evil Robots (Nemesis Club, Phoenix, Arizona)

With Disney quality builds and a whimsical sci-fi theme, this TERPECA winning game had a seamless game flow and great moments!

The Last Supper (Quest Tavern, Los Angeles, California)

The Last Supper featured an actor that was witty, played off our interactions perfectly and was the indisputable star of the experience! 

Mogollon Monster (Nemesis Club, Phoenix, Arizona)

This game (might actually be even better than Nemesis Club's Evil Robots) had an engaging intro and an exciting ending that you will never forgot. 

RAIN Corp (Escaparium, Montreal, Canada)

A science fiction game in a large physical space with the best possible A.I. hint system that I had ever seen.

Robotcalypse (Omescape, Toronto, Canada)

Robotcalypse made us feel like we were in an episode of Star Trek and the finale was great in a silly and awesome way.

Servant of Sleight (The Exit Game, Clearwater, Florida)

This magic themed game perfectly blended the narrative and interactions into the environment with some hidden surprises.

Time Machine (Not Another Escape Room, Brea, California)

Time Machine was what a proper time traveling game should be and the game mechanics were amazing.

Volcano Views: Aerial Tours (Escape The 6, Mississauga, Canada)

Some great physical elements sets this escape room apart from so many others.

Wardrobe For Sale (Escaparium, Montreal, Canada)

A two hour long experience that took immersion to the next level and really put us in the middle of our own movie!

Congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to an even better 2022!

2021 TERPECA: Top Escape Rooms Project Enthusiasts' Choice Award

If you were ever wondering what the top escape rooms in the world were, TERPECA does a pretty good job at aggregating ratings across trusted enthusiasts across the globe. In my opinion, this is vastly superior in comparison to sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google Reviews and even the Facebook Escape Room Enthusiast group. For TERPECA, only enthusiasts who have played +200 escape rooms can nominate rooms and those who have played +50 can stack rank the games they have played. Note that only games that can be played in English are eligible. From TERPECA's site:

"...each stack rank was used to create all possible pairwise comparisons between rooms (or companies) in a given stack rank, and then those were used to create a matrix of scores between rooms using all the direct comparisons from any of the participants".

I have played 10 of the top 50 rooms which are listed below (links for reviews). These are all great games and I would say that there are many other rooms that did not make the list that are just as fun as the below. Anything with a 5 stars in my ratings are all top notch and must play escape rooms.

Top Escape Rooms

11. Strange Bird - The Man From Beyond (Houston, TX, USA)

13. Cutthroat Cavern - 13th Gate (Baton Rouge, LA, USA)

21. Ghost Patrol - Trivium Games (Emeryville, CA, USA)

25. The Lost Island Of The Voodoo Queen - Escaparium (Montreal, Canada)

28. Servant Of Sleight - The Exit Game FL (Clearwater, FL, USA)

31. Evil Robots - The Nemesis Club (Phoenix, AZ, USA)

32. The Edison Room - Palace Games (San Francisco, CA, USA)

35. Mogollon Monster - The Nemesis Club (Phoenix, AZ, USA)

37. The Attraction - Palace Games (San Francisco, CA, USA)

45. Lab Rat - Hatch Escapes (Los Angeles, CA, USA)

2021 was a tough year to travel and play escape rooms so hoping that 2022 will be a better year!

Interview: Sarah From Escape Rumors

Technically, Sarah does not consider herself as part of the Escape Rumors blog although she has accompanied me on most of my trips. Even though she has played almost 300 games, she does not consider herself an enthusiast. So how does someone who gets dragged along to play so many rooms, actually feel about escape games? We have the uncensored interview below!

What are your favorite types of escape rooms?

I like bright colorful rooms with some silly elements and uncommon themes given that we've done so many rooms. I appreciate crafty sets where the game owners wow us with their creativity. 

What was the funniest thing you have seen in an escape room?

I remember Lab Rat in LA had several laugh out loud moments. The premise is ridiculous to start with, there's literal puns all over the walls and some glorious celebration moments with accompanying music. Most of all, it toyed with our team dynamics and left us dumbfounded.

How do you cope with playing so many escape rooms and not being an enthusiast?

Not being an enthusiast doesn't mean I don't like escape rooms. I just would prefer to do one a day instead of say five or six! I have a good time tagging along, but by the end of the day it's all a blur! It's a puzzle in itself to schedule so many rooms in close succession, so I'm grateful to everyone that is willing to do that amount of planning! I guess in general I'm more of a generalist that does a little bit of everything than a specialist that goes all in like you, but I admire your passion.

What is your favorite escape room of all time?

I'll always remember Abduction 4 in Barcelona. Already the rooms in Spain were next level in terms of immersion and physical challenges, but this one brought it to the next level. It starts as you walk in the door and doesn't stop till the last second!

What are your favorite elements in an escape room?

As mentioned before, I like funny elements a lot. If I'm going to play an escape room, a big part of it is the social element, so cooperative puzzles are always a win, whether it's being locked in separate rooms and having to communicate back and forth, or having to coordinate triggering multiple elements in succession. Interacting with actors is always memorable too. And finally, I enjoy large physical puzzles, because those are more immersive and take me out of my routine. I spend my days behind a computer screen at work, so when I go to an escape room I'd rather it be real world interactions.

What was the last escape room that you played?

We got to play the newest room, The Attraction, at Palace Games in San Francisco. It was super high tech, almost too much, bordering becoming a video game.

What type of escape room would you like to see get created?

Maybe an outdoor escape room, that blends orienteering, obstacle courses, and puzzles... But maybe I'm describing a different sport! I'd like to see unusual yet educational themes for escape rooms, like a magic school bus.

Do you ever follow the story in an escape room?

Sometimes, but typically we're too busy trying to get out in time! A simple, easy to follow, plot with an immersive setting typically fares better than an intricate plot that distracts from the action. It's tough to be asked to pause and hold still to listen to story points or to read a whole diary when the clock is ticking.

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Thank you for being the best Sarah :)

Trivium: Ghost Patrol (Emeryville, CA)

What do you get when you combine a beautiful set with clever puzzle design? You get one of the top games in the country! Trivium's "Ghost Patrol" is at the top of almost every Northern California enthusiast's list for a good reason. This ghost themed room was actually not scary at all so we can recommend it for enthusiasts and families alike. From their website:

"Spirits can be a real nuisance for the living. So how do we deal with these pesky poltergeists? Just trap them, right?! And then what, store them in some big, central containment unit indefinitely?! Imagine the liability! We're not animal control, we’re detectives! If we can figure out why the ghost is hanging around and fix its problem, then POOF! No spirits to store and no messy clean up. "

Set Design, Technology & Puzzles

Ghost Patrol's set design was impeccably clean and visually pleasing. The attention to detail was apparent in so many parts of the game ranging from the environment to the puzzle flow. The early puzzles built up the knowledge base needed for the later puzzles which was just brilliant and frankly uncommon in many escape rooms. What we also loved was that it was very clear what objects were "in play" and which ones were not so we didn't lose any time debating if we had all the necessary elements to solve something. 

The technology used in the game was well hidden and just like many other aspects of this escape room, seamless. The crafty use of lighting and sound enhanced the gameplay and added to the overall immersion of the game.

Memorable Moments 

The originality and continuity of one of the main puzzle elements was great! Many other items in the room were also custom made which added to the uniqueness of the experience. On a completely different note, the odyssey began with a memorable sci-fi Easter egg. 

Room For Improvement

Ghost Patrol did extraordinarily well in most departments, however, I would have loved to have more action-oriented or "wow" moments. This is personal preference as I am not as puzzle oriented as many enthusiasts. 

Overall Thoughts

If you are ever in the San Francisco Bay Area, you should 100% play Trivium's Ghost Patrol. The game is accessible to all skill levels (unlike, say, Palace Games in the area) and is family friendly as well. The puzzle flow was world class and you'll have a blast! For this reason, we have awarded Ghost Patrol with the Achievement unlocked Award for one of top escape rooms played! 

• Set design: Great!
• Difficulty: Average
• Price: $225-275 for 4 players, +30$/ additional player
• Number of players: 4-8 (recommend 4)
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★★

See their website here: https://www.triviumgames.com

Best Escape Rooms in Phoenix, Arizona

During my latest trip to Phoenix, I teamed up with the amazing Scott who was a local enthusiast. Even though it was the first time I had met him, it felt like Scott was an old friend that I had not seen in a while. I have met so many great folks in the escape room community and I encourage everyone to reach out to play with new people! 

Phoenix Escape Room Standouts

The Nemesis Club: Evil Robots (Phoenix)

The Nemesis Club had an ice cream shop called "Soda Jerk" as a "front" and you needed a secret password to be let into the back of the store and into the escape room area. The funny part about this was that the ice cream shop served actual desserts. It had a massive line up out the door and most clients didn't even know there was an escape room in the back! It was a sweet set up.

The first game we played, "Evil Robots", was fantastic. The overall build out was top notch and on par with Disney attractions. The immersion and tech were solid and the overall experience was a couple of levels above anything else in Phoenix. My only complaint was that I wanted more! I have a soft spot for whimsical sci-fi themes so this game really checked off a lot of boxes for me. 

We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of their second game, "Mogollon Monster". This monster was the local version of "Big Foot" and our role as scouts was to find him. The creativity in terms of the use of technology in storytelling was something I had never seen in over 400 escape rooms played. The start and the end were incredible and such a pleasure to experience. Both games at The Nemesis Club were highlights not only in Phoenix but in the country as well!

• Set Design: Great
• Difficulty: Medium
• Price: $35/person 
• Number of players: Up tp 8 (we recommend 2-3)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Great Room Escape: Spellbound (Tempe)

We played this game back when the company was called "Mindspark" and it was the highlight of our trip back in 2018. A great "cabin in the woods" atmosphere along with some satisfying puzzling and a very thematic finale made for a must play in the Phoenix area. There was a time where this game was also available in Louisiana.

• Set Design: Great
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Price: $29/person 
• # of Players: Up to 10 (we recommend 4)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★½

North Valley Escape Room: Big Top Circus (Anthem)

A colorful circus game with some cute puzzles made this escape room a good choice for players of all ages. There were a few other solid games at this locations, such as "Alcatraz", but it had been a while since we played it and we weren't sure if the game was still the same.

• Set Design: Fine
• Difficulty: Easy
• Price: $30/person
• Number of players: 8 (we recommend 2-3)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★

Eludsions: Mad Matter's Tea Party (Phoenix)

This game had one of the largest footprints out of all the games we played in Phoenix. While a few puzzles were a bit tedious, overall the game exceeded my expectations and bonus points if you like the Alice In Wonderland theme.

• Set Design: Good
• Difficulty: Medium
• Price: $33/person
• Number of players: Up to 10 (we recommend 3-4)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★

Paragon: Return of the Pharaohs (Mesa)

Paragon had a really spectacular set design and some clean tech in their game. Although I was not too excited by the theme, there were some fun elements that excited the beginners in our group.

• Set Design: Amazing
• Difficulty: Medium
• Price: $30/person
• Number of players: 4-10 (we recommend 4)
• Duration: Dream 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★

Other Escape Rooms In The Area

Here are some other honorable mentions:

• Dare To Escape: X-Child (Tempe): Played back in 2018 and it was fun back then but could be dated today. There was a homemade feeling to this game but we enjoyed it nonetheless.
• North Valley Escape Rooms: Escape Alcatraz (Anthem): Back in 2018, this was our favorite in the area with a massive set that might have been reduced to make space for new games. There was a super memorable element near the beginning of the experience that we didn't expect.
• The Escape Game: The Theater (Phoenix): A very nice looking theater set with charming elements and at least one tedious puzzle. The game was relatively easy for us.

We hope this post helps out anyone who is hoping to venture off to Phoenix to play escape rooms!

Best Escape Rooms in Orlando (+ Tampa)

 

Orlando is known for its theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios but as true enthusiasts, we came here to play escape rooms! We played 24 games in the Orlando area and four in Tampa (90 minutes east of Orlando by car). While the area is not known to be an escape room hot spot, there were a few games that were great and definitely worth playing. 

Orlando and Tampa Escape Room Standouts

The Exit Game: Servants of Sleight (Clearwater, Tampa Bay Area)

There are a lot of magic themed escape rooms out there but none are quite as spectacular as "Servants of Sleight". The overall narrative and unique interactions perfectly blend into the environment. This game did a good job across pretty much all escape room elements such as set design, puzzles and fun factor! Based on other enthusiasts reviews, this game could be the top game in Florida!

• Set Design: Good
• Difficulty: Medium
• Price: $34-$51/person 
• Number of players: Up tp 6 (we recommend 2-3)
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Doldrick's: Captain Spoopy Bones and the Magnificent Quest For Some Other Pirate's Treasure! (Kissimmee, Orlando Area)

Doldrick's was a standout in the Orlando area with multiple great games. This game was their largest creation and it had a wonderful final act with nice tech that set this game above all the other games we played in Orlando. All the games at Doldrick's were whimsical and I thought that the Captain Spoopy character was pretty funny and I am sure that this played a role in my rating. While at this location, you should also play "Spoopy's Ghoulish Graveyard" and "Super Bomb Squad" which were also solid games.

• Set Design: Great
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Price: $40/person 
• # of Players: Up to 12 (we recommend 4)
• Duration: 75 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★½

Escape Venture: Bros For Life, Fraternity Heist (Orlando)

Having a theme that I have never seen in 400+ rooms was a bonus in my book. The start of this game was the highlight and it made us feel like frat boys doing stupid things which was very fitting. While at this location, you should also play their Christmas game, "Satirical Miracle", which we almost liked as much as "Bros For Life".

• Set Design: Good
• Difficulty: Easy
• Price: $40/person
• Number of players: 2-8 (we recommend 2-4)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★½

Mind Masters: Strange Magic (Orlando)

Strange Magic was one of my top single-room experiences. Some really clever integrations of puzzles into the environment made for a lot of cool moments that tricked us. If you are in the area, you should check Mind Masters out!

• Set Design: Average
• Difficulty: Medium
• Price: $30/person
• Number of players: Up to 6 (we recommend 2-4)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★

Escape Artist: Dream (Orlando) & Protocol Zero (Sanford)

These two games are actually located in different locations that are about 30 minutes apart. Dream, A 90 minute game had some funky room concepts and some novel interactions throughout a large physical space. Protocol Zero had a great space station setting that you rarely see.  I recommend playing both these games in Orlando.

• Set Design: Great
• Difficulty: Medium
• Price: $29-$45/person
• Number of players: Up to 6 (we recommend 4)
• Duration: Dream 90 minutes, Protocol Zero 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★

The Escape Game: Mission Mars (Orlando)

Another solid game, as with many of the other "The Escape Game" escape rooms. It's rare to see a super clean, sleek space environment which is exactly what this room offered. I also played "The Playground" in Houston and Special Ops in Minneapolis and San Francisco and assuming the Orlando location has identical copies, these games are also great. 

• Set Design: Amazing!
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Price: $38/person
• Number of players: Up to 8 (we recommend 4)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★★

The Bureau: Puppet Heist (Orlando )

This will undoubtedly be a controversial pick! My teammates didn't like this game but I applauded the unique style of it. First of all, we were in a Muppets-style universal and interacted with Muppet-like characters. We had to do things that we probably wouldn't do in other escape rooms. Some of the puzzles were not intuitive so going into this game and knowing this would help a lot. I also like whimsical themes, something my teammates did not generally enjoy. The lobby is also enormous and nice just to visit.

• Set Design: Great
• Difficulty: ???
• Price: $35/person
• Number of players: 2-8 (we recommend 2-3)
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Overall Rating: ★★★½

Other Escape Rooms In The Area

Here are some other honorable mentions:

• Dare2Escape: The Video Store (Orlando): A lighthearted and nostalgic video store game that would be fun for all ages.
• Mystique Escape: Murder London (Lake Mary): The game really makes you feel like you are on an old school London Street. Great for those into nice sets.
• The Bureau: Loch Ness (Orlando): A great set with nice props to play with but lacking in terms of content. 

We hope this post helps out anyone who is hoping to venture off to Orlando to play escape rooms!