Author Archives: escapethereview

Deadlocked Escape Rooms: The Reading Witch

Reading, Jan 2025

My first escape room of 2025 was also the one that was top of my ‘to play’ list: Deadlocked’s new horror theme The Reading Witch. This two-hour experience comes with a minimum 4 player requirement, but we played it as a two, and I’d recommend doing t… (more)

New UK escape rooms January 2025

In the post-Xmas hangover, there are only a few new escape rooms to report in the UK this month. Or maybe they’ll all be announced five minutes after I’ve finished writing this? 🤞 Greater London 🔒 Escape In Time a.k.a. Secret Studio have snuck out a new game under the radar – Emerald Phantom is… Read More »

Cryptic Escape: Mafia Robbery

Norwich, Jul 2024

This is the third game I’ve played at Cryptic, and the third one that’s left me with mixed feelings – much that’s impressive, but also several things that leave me not entirely sold on the room.

This is a robbery game, in which you have to break int… (more)

Escape Quest: Percy Pendleton’s Peculiar Predicament

Macclesfield, Jul 2024

Escape Quest’s unusual model presents a challenge for enthusiasts who want to check off all their rooms – since only one is available at a time, the only way to do so is with multiple pilgrimages to Macclesfield, one every few months. We missed out o… (more)

Beverley Breakout: The Goblins of Toadsmead

Beverley, Jul 2024

I had a great time in all four of the rooms at Beverly Breakout, but one game was a clear stand-out: this one. The Goblins of Toadsmead is a magic school / wizarding world type of story in which you’re trying to prevent magic from fading from the wor… (more)

Beverley Breakout: Operation Hideout

Beverley, Jul 2024

This is a game with two names – you may see it referred to as either Room 118 or Operation Hideout. I believe the former name is used when you’re playing the 60 minute version, and the latter when you’re playing the 100 minute version. It’s broadly t… (more)

Beverley Breakout: The Great Toy Rescue

Beverley, Jul 2024

Second in our binge of Beverley Breakout rooms was The Great Toy Rescue. With a premise and decor that might be inspired by Toy Story, you’re in a playroom of toys trying to rescue one specific toy. This is an entirely wholesome theme, and the captor… (more)

Beverley Breakout: Santa Paws and the Christmas Chaos

Beverley, Jul 2024

Every December there’s an explosion of temporary Christmas games. Some remain open for some months afterwards, and a handful of them are available all year round – including Santa Paws, which naturally we played on a sunny day in July.

I’d describe … (more)

Project Mayhem: FEAR

Lincoln, Jul 2024

FEAR has a reputation, having won the players’ choice vote for scariest escape room in the UK. You could characterise Project Mayhem’s three games as ‘fun and fear’ (Jangles), ‘puzzles and fear’ (Mary), and ‘fear and fear’ (FEAR). Which isn’t to over… (more)

Project Mayhem: The Rituals of Mary

Lincoln, Jul 2024

Our second game at Project Mayhem was accurately described as their most traditional escape room experience, in the sense of having the most puzzles. Even so, it’s definitely more a horror experience than a puzzle room.

The premise is a horror class… (more)