Category Archives: UK

Escape Game Brighton: Return of the Mad Scientist

Brighton, May 2018

Return of the Mad Scientist is a sequel to a game I played way back in the pre-history of 2016. At the time Escape Game Brighton had two games; it has since closed both, and replaced them with similarly named sequels. Although that suggests an ongoin… (more)

Pier Pressure: Pavilion Perplex

Brighton, May 2018

As any frequent visitor to Brighton knows, the Pavilion is a flamboyant and florid palace constructed with domes and minarets at a time when the British upper classes were infatuated with anything Oriental. The first game from recently opened Pier Pr… (more)

The Escaporium: Operation Moonshine

Halifax, Apr 2018

Although driving to Halifax and back took out precious time from a packed schedule of escape games in and around Leeds, I’d heard enough recommendations for The Escaporium that I was keen to squeeze them in; and the owners were kind enough to let us … (more)

Kanyu Escape: Follow In My Footsteps

Leeds, Apr 2018

Although we played the Kanyu games out of order, Follow In My Footsteps is their first game and the best one to start with, both for narrative reasons and because it’s a little easier than the one that comes after it. The game’s premise is that you a… (more)

Kanyu Escape: Lightning in a Bottle

Leeds, Apr 2018

Kanyu Escape, also known as Secrets of South Lodge, has been on my radar since before it even opened, initially for the intriguing game titles but more recently for the consistently high praise they seem to receive. It’s also notable for its location… (more)

Mission: Breakout: The Lost Passenger

London, Apr 2018

Mission: Breakout, better known as ‘that escape room in a disused tube station’, has the advantage of a spectacular location, with even the initial descent into the venue helping build atmosphere in a way that no normal location can compete with. Whe… (more)

Escape Reality: Machina

Leeds, Apr 2018

Escape Reality’s Leeds branch is out on the western side of the city sharing with a laser tag facility next to a major road; we managed not to miss the turning for them on the third attempt. Perhaps because of the location or the number of games they… (more)

Locked In Games: Hotel Heist

Leeds, Apr 2018

Locked In have a big old building on the north side of Leeds, with a briefing area expansive enough to take a dozen teams. It has the feel of an institution or an old hotel, and when we entered our game room it seemed less like a transition to a diff… (more)

The Guest House: The Tarot Room of Madame Virtue

Leeds, Apr 2018

As a broad rule, games with unusual names are often worth trying – an imaginative theme is sometimes indicative of creativity that shows in the game design as well. Of course, that’s not a reliable rule: there are many excellent games that use common… (more)

Tick Tock Unlock: The Hatch

Leeds, Apr 2018

The Hatch is set on a mysterious tropical island, but to avoid disappointment players should be careful to temper their expectations as far as the set is concerned: the decorations don’t go much beyond some plastic foliage, and certainly don’t add up… (more)