The Escapologists Top 20

The Escapeologists Top 20 

On the occasion of our 200th escape game, we would like to share with you some of our favorite escape room experiences thus far. These are in no particular order (with the exception the first three which remain our favorites thus far). Drumroll please...

1. Mystique, Budapest, Hungary: Shogun's Shadow and the Cathedral

2. Clue Carre, New Orleans, Louisiana: Haunted Swamp and Voodoo Room

3. 60 OUT, Marina Del Rey, California: Titanic and Grandma's Master Plan

4. Grand Detectives Society, Santa Ana, California: Da Vinci's Lost Workshop

5. Exite Games, Helsinki Finland: Airplane and The Curse

6. Escape X, Irvine, California: Mystery of Murder Manor and Casino Heist

7. Roundabout Canada, Toronto: Final Destination

8. Great Room Escape, San Diego: Houdini's Hidden Workshop

9. Enchambered, Sacramento, California: Containment Breach

10. Palace Games, San Francisco, California: Great Houdini Escape and Roosevelt Escape Room

11. Enigma, West Hollywood, California: Crime Scene and The Secret Temple 

12. Puzzah, Denver, Colorado: Kazaam, Tick-Tock and the Steal

13. The Game Room Adventure Cafe, Elk Grove, California: Ruins of the Tukanii

14. Entrapment, San Diego, California: The Disappearance at Fogmore Manor 

15. The Locked Inn, Pismo Beach, California: The Locked Inn

16. Room Escape Live, West Hollywood, California: Prison Break and Cold War Bunker

17. Countdown Live, Los Angeles, California: Krampus and Tiki Palace

18. Bakersfield Escape Room, Bakersfield, California: Crimson Storm and Fresno Escape Room, Fresno, California: Pipeworks

19. Conundrum, Denver, Colorado: The Cabin

20. Escape Bryggen, Bergen, Norway: Hanseaticus, Crimson Hotel and La Diva Supernova

We are aware that people's opinions on the best escape rooms vary substantially. This is also quite the eclectic group of escape rooms reflecting the diversity of room escape experiences we have encountered. We know that an individual's game play experience greatly depends on the group that you play with as well as a variety of other factors that may vary from day to day. Accounting for those factors to the best of our ability, the above list represents our favorite escape rooms thus far.

A brief note about the factors we consider when evaluating an escape room: First, we are suckers for good set-design. We know how much work goes into this so we really appreciate it when we come across an amazing set. Second, logical and original puzzles matter and if they are aligned with the storyline, even better. Third, we enjoy unique storylines that engage us in the gameplay. Finally, an enthusiastic and helpful game master is always much appreciated. The escape rooms on this list do not necessarily hit all four of these targets, but they are among the best that we have played thus far.