Mind Trap Escape Room - Gold Rush Review (Live Avatar)

 

Hi all

Back in July 2020, for my daughter's birthday I booked Gold Rush at Mind Trap, based in Temecula in California.  The year before my family went on a trip to California and Gold Rush almost made the cut, but we ended up running out of time.  One of the few benefits of the global pandemic is that some great rooms from around the world are now accessible online.  I had been told that Gold Rush is a great room for children and it did not disappoint.

Gold Rush was our 151st room to date.  The room summary is below:

Can you feel the fever?! El Dorado county is hiding the richest secrets of the country right below the surface. Kanaka Jack is rumored to know the location of a hidden mine – finding it will make you rich beyond your wildest dreams! This is an escape game with an explosive secret that will bring the whole family together. Raid Jack’s cabin, unlock the entrance to his hidden mine, and blast your way out!

My team (including our 2 daughters) really enjoyed Gold Rush.  I would not describe the room as an easy room - we were challenged the whole time and we only escaped with under 10 minutes left on the clock.  The puzzles were challenging, the game master/live avatar was excellent and the theming was up there with some of the best rooms we had played online. There was also a really nice mix of quite varied puzzles.  

Where                           Virtual room (online)

Virtual Room Type:     Live Avatar

Duration:                      60 minutes

Themes:                        2 virtual games

Cost:                             $60USD (for up to 2 connections)

Overall Rating:             Excellent theming, puzzles and game master

More details:                https://mindtrapescaperoom.com/

60 Out - Miss Jezebel Review (Live Avatar)

Hi all

Back in July 2020, my usual team of 4 played Miss Jezebel from 60 Out, based in Los Angeles.

I had heard so many great things about Jezebel that it had been on my to do list for some time.  Jezebel was our 150th room to date (and it did not disappoint!).

The room theme is as follows:

You are cordially invited to the residence of a killer, an assassin of men who’s showing no signs of stopping. Can you and your friends survive her ‘hospitality’ and collect all the evidence against her before this bizarre black widow traps you in her web for good? Come experience 60Out’s wildest, weirdest, and raunchiest adventure against the devious debutante herself at Miss Jezebel’s Tea Party!

The minimum age to play Jezebel is 18 and after having played, I agree this is not a room for children!

Whilst it is true that some of the fun with Jezebel comes from shock humour (I would bet that it really is unlike anything else you have seen in an escape room), it is much more than that.  The game master interaction is the best I have seen to date in a Live Avatar room.  Miss Jezebel is very skilled at drawing players in and ensuring that they are engaged and play their role accordingly. The jokes are crass but hilarious.  

Most impressive though is that the puzzles in Jezebel are truly fantastic.  There is a really nice mix of high tech and incredibly (laugh out loud) low tech puzzles in the mix.  The room design is very clever and allows for players to play with 3 separate characters.  

I really can't speak highly enough of Jezebel.  I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  The creators (and actors) are as good as it gets. 

Where                           Virtual room (online)

Virtual Room Type:     Live Avatar

Duration:                      60 minutes

Themes:                        2 virtual games

Cost:                             $190USD (for 4 players)

Overall Rating:             Incredibly immersive and laugh out loud fun!

More details:                https://www.60out.com/

 

Mad Genius - The Truth About Edith Review (Live Experience)

Hi all

Back in June 2020, I played The Truth About Edith from Mad Genius, who are based in Portland Oregon.  This was my 8th virtual room and my 149th room to date.

The Truth About Edith is a really interesting experience - part escape room experience, part online puzzle adventure and part live-acting experience.  The game relies heavily on telescape, which allows all players to work together to manipulate puzzles on their computer screens.  Whilst there is a small section of the experience that relies on a live actor, this is only a short period at the end.  I would therefore describe this experience as a Live Experience (ie not a Live Avatar room).

This was one of my first experiences playing with a telescape room.  It was fun and there were interesting puzzles that required all players to work as a team.  There is a strong storyline that is enjoyable and entertaining.

Overall I thought The Truth About Edith was enjoyable.  Unfortunately, I have come to really enjoy Live Avatar rooms much more than Live Experiences and these days, I typically only play Live Avatar rooms (and avoid Live Experiences and Non Live rooms).  But as far as Live Experiences go, The Truth About Edith was one of the better ones.

Where:                                   Virtual room (online)

Virtual Room Type:               Live Experience

Duration:                                60 minutes

Themes:                                 2 virtual games

Cost:                                      $25USD per player

Overall Rating:                      Fun and interesting game using telescape

More details:                         https://www.madgeniusescapes.com/ 

The Escape Game - Unlocked: The Heist Vol 1 & 2 Review (Non Live)

Hi everyone

Some time back (late 2020), my daughter and I played the 2 Heist rooms at Online Escape Room.  These rooms are Non-Live rooms (ie no live avatar, play at home at your own pace).  

In both Volumes of Heist, you play the role of a special agent, fresh out of training, who is attempting to find an internationally-famous art thief. These games were our 147th and 148th rooms to date. 

I would describe Heist as a relatively simple game, with some interesting puzzles (but nothing ground breaking).  The games were not scary and were therefore suitable for my then 8 year old to play through with me.  

I think it took us about an hour or so to complete each Volume.  It was engaging and they used video cut scenes really well.

I'm not a huge fan of Non-Live rooms (as I prefer Live Avatar rooms when I'm playing online).  But the experience was fun and I suspect it would scratch the itch for those of us still in lockdown.  And the price is very reasonable.

Where:                         Virtual room (online)

Virtual Room Type:     Non Live

Duration:                     60-120 minutes (not limited)

Themes:                      3 themes 

Cost:                            $10 per theme (we played at the invitation of the owners)

Overall Rating:            Non-Live experience at the simpler end, but enjoyable

More details:                https://theescapegame.com/unlocked/#unlocked-missions