45 minutes on the clock. I usually think it’s best not to look at it.
What’s an escape game? You’re with a group, given a scenario, locked in a room and you’re left to solve numerous riddles or puzzles in order to successfully complete your mission within a 45 minute (the typical amount) time frame. If you fail, you’re doomed to stay there for eternity.
Just kidding. They’ll let you go home.
The popularity of escape games is increasing in Edmonton. Cities like Vancouver/Richmond have plenty (at least a dozen different ones that I could find online) and we’re following suit. Within less than a year, three businesses have opened. They’re able to thrive because there’s an insatiable appetite for more once you’ve played. I’ve tried 4 of the rooms at Breakout Entertainment (located in the west end in Mayfield; they periodically replace older games with something new) since they opened last fall and I’ve often discussed the game with anyone who would listen to me, blogging about the idea on The Local Good.
Though Eescape (a.k.a. Edmonton Escape), the second business of this sort, has been open in the heart of downtown since May, I’ve yet to make it there. However, my co-workers and I are planning on testing ourselves during our lunch break soon. Whether or not we all still get along afterwards is yet to be determined. So, that’s my first tip. Pick a good group of people to go with. It’s okay to have competitive players because they’ll probably give it their all until the very end, but hopefully no one with hold a grudge against each other if you fail to get out. After all, it’s just for fun.
Thankfully, I had an excellent group with me when I had a chance to try Edmonton’s newest addition to the market, Escape City, which is located on the south side of the city. I actually stumbled upon them in a random manner. I happened to come across a job link on Google when they were still looking to hire staff. Their name gave it away, and I started feverishly searching for more information. Eventually, I found their website with the Sin City-esque font, colours and film noir feel, and an intriguing link to sign up for early access.
After I signed up at the beginning of July, I reached out to co-owner Mike Ringrose, who you’ve probably heard on the radio or seen in the paper talking about this now. Within the month, they arranged for beta-testing of their three rooms and I managed to snag a spot for four of us.
The scenarios at Escape City. Each game can take up to 6 players at $25 each. Image: Courtesy of Escape City.
We played Keller’s Magic Emporium, the only one with a disclaimer warning of mature content. It’s also the only one that requires you to sign two waivers because if the aforementioned content. I would recommend this as a great starter room for those new to escape games, so long as you’re an adult or you’re in your late teens. While I don’t want to give anything about that game away, I will tell you that the room is very sleekly done. Escape City worked with local actors, set designers and contractors to create each space and the workmanship shows.
My friends and I thought that the setup of this room was quite linear (I’ve heard the others are not), which likely worked to our benefit. We were out within a record 30 minutes of the 45 you’re given. At the time, Mike said we were the fastest group. It made us feel super smart, especially since this was the first time I’d managed to escape one of these before. It is by design though. This particular room was made to be the easiest of the bunch with an escape rate aimed at 25 per cent. As Mike said, “who doesn’t like to win?”
While that sentiment is true, and we certainly felt awesome afterwards, I don’t think that losing at these games is a drawback to their business either. The failure of getting through and that feeling of being so close to the finish, but in actuality not, is what makes escape games so addictive. My friend joined me at one of these and it was his first time playing. When we left, he spent the better part of two hours bringing the conversation back to the game – what if we’d done this, or if only we’d done that.
It gets stuck in your brain. In an interview with Metro, Mike said that multiple businesses of this genre can coexist because once someone has played a game, even if they didn’t succeed in getting out, they’re not going to come back to play the same one. Customers will seek out another venue for a fresh challenge. And, while I think the sentiment holds true to some extent, I also know people who have played the same scenarios more than once because they truly were at a loss the first time around and were determined to get out on another visit (B.O.M.B. at Breakout is one of those).
The Wall of Fame at Breakout. As you can see, B.O.M.B., is quite difficult (also fairly new at the time).
What I love most about these places is that you’re really using your intellect, you’re bonding with people (you know or may not) and you’re getting away from your phone (you must put all of your possessions in a locker before entering the room) and taking a break from life’s other worries.
So, if you have not tried an escape game, you should give it a shot. You won’t be sorry. If you’ve already been, you know what I’ve been talking about.
Best of all, I’m excited to run my first contest on this blog! I’ll be giving away two pairs of complimentary entries to play at Escape City. Each winner will receive a one-time use code valid for two full price tickets ($50 value) to the game of their choice.
To enter the draw, please leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen on August 31, 2015.
Good luck!
UPDATE (September 7, 2015): The two winners of the giveaway were Trevor Carter (TJ) and Sheralee Tumm! Congratulations!
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Very cool! I had no idea this was even a thing in Edmonton…looking forward to trying it.
Hi Lisa! These games are a lot of fun. You’ll have an excellent time, if you go. Thanks for entering! Good luck!
Sounds like fun!
Hi Theresa! It’s definitely an entertaining hour. You won’t even know where the time went. Good luck on the draw. Thanks for entering!
Would love to win the two tickets to Escape City!! I want to try the Keller’s Magic Emporium room! 🙂
Hi Charlene! Keller’s Magic Emporium at Escape City was a great challenge. Thanks for taking the time to enter. Good luck!
My kids and I love the escape rooms. We’ve been through all of them in Breakout and Eescape. Working our way through Escape City. They are a great way to have fun with family, friends and colleagues.
Hi Lorraine! You’re probably quite the expert then! I haven’t quite gotten to as many games as you and you and your kids, but I’m excited to try the rest. Thanks for reading and entering the contest. Good luck!
I’ve always wanted to try this, I feel my hubby and I have a good shot at it!
Thanks for your story, it was rich and flavorful.
I thoroughly enjoyed the blog post.
Hi Sara! Thanks for the lovely comment. I’m so glad that you enjoyed my post. I also think you and your husband have a great chance at escaping, so long as you don’t give up! Good luck in the contest!
Great post 🙂 I have got to totally agree with bringing the right and diverse group of people— lovers of games a must and ability to be open minded goes a long way! Am jonesing to try Escape City soon!
Hi Melissa! You’ll definitely enjoy Escape City. The rooms are really well done. Pick your best partner if you win a pair of passes! Good luck!
Escape City sounds amazing! Would love to try it out
Hi Danielle! Escape City’s rooms are really well done. It’s a guaranteed good time. Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
Sounds like a fast-paced 45min! Would love to try The Inheritance!
Hi Sarah! It certainly goes by quickly! I keep wanting one of these venues to make a game that’s double the length, but with more challenges, so it doesn’t end so soon. No one has listened to me…yet. They’re too much fun! I hope that you have a chance to try The Inheritance room at Escape City. Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
Hooray, finally an Escape the Room place on the southside! Can’t wait to get a group together to try it out.
Hi Sheralee! Escape game venues are popping up all over the city, which I love as well. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a message. Good luck in the draw!
We have been to the 2 older places in Edmonton and loved them but would love to try the new one!!!
Hi Sandra! I can only vouch for Breakout and Escape City so far, but I’m excited to try Eescape downtown soon. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with Escape City! They’ve done an excellent job. Thanks for your comment, and good luck in the contest!
I love the idea and would love to try it, via free or paid tickets. Cannot wait to get a group of my buddies together to check out Edmonton’s newest Escape Game (especially The Great Discovery) venue.
Hi TJ! Thanks for the comment. Escape game venues are certainly a great time. Every person I’ve ever gone with has loved it. I think you and your friends will too! If you play The Great Discovery, you’ll have to let me know how it goes. Good luck in the draw!
I watched Global News about Escape City and that led me to their website which led me to your blog and contest! I’ve never done one of these and sure didn’t know Edmonton had 3. What a great addition to the southside Escape City will be/is! I would love to be one of your winners! Thanks for the great blog of these rooms though, and a description of each, and really appreciated you included the price for Escape City as they didn’t mention it on the news video I saw! 🙂 gonna check out the rest of your blog now. xo chantal5755
Hi Chantal! What a way to get to my blog, but I’m so glad that you made it here with plenty of time to enter the contest! I’m also happy that you’re staying to check out the rest of my posts. Hopefully you find some other things of interest. 🙂 As for Escape City or either of the other two venues, you will have an excellent time playing at any of them. These games are a great way to let loose and bond with friends, family or even strangers. By the way, they’ve matched the price at all three locations, so it’s $25 per person per room. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Best of luck in the draw!
I really enjoyed Breakout when I went and we just did the Magic Emporium one today. I was quite impressed with the layout and the clues. Everything flowed quite nicely. Can’t wait to go back again!!
Hi Jen! I’m glad that you enjoyed the Magic Emporium room at Escape City. Hopefully you’ll have a chance to go back soon…maybe with a pair of free tickets! Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
Would love to win a pair of tickets to Escape City. Always looking for something new to do with friends around Edmonton.
Hi Jenna! Escape City (or Breakout or Eescape) is a great place to gather with friends! You’ll have to grab a group and check it out soon. Best of luck for the contest! Thanks for entering.
I want to try them all! Our friends love going 🙂
P.S. What city is in the picture at the top of your blog?
Hi Whitney! I agree, escape games are such a great way to spend time with friends. Thanks for taking the time to enter the contest! Good luck in the draw.
As for the photo in the header, that is a picture I took of the Manhattan skyline the last time I was in NYC. My friend and I were on the ferry returning there from Liberty Island. 🙂
Just tried the “Inheritance” from Escape City. Didn’t make it out, but we were on the last step; so close. I will definitely be heading back to try the other rooms.
Hi Brittany! I can’t wait to try out the “Inheritance” room myself. It’s too bad that you didn’t make it out, but at least you still have a chance with the other two rooms. Thanks for stopping by my blog to enter the contest. Good luck!
I love doing these things, they’re so fun!!
Hi Chelsea! I agree, these escape game venues are really fun. There’s great value in something that not only challenges you, but encourages a good time. Thank you for taking the time to read my post and enter the contest. Good luck in the draw!
This sounds like so much fun! I had no idea such places existed! Obviously need to get out if the kitchen a bit more. Will have to check it out!
Hi Gloria! Yes, there are three different escape game venues in Edmonton now, and they’re spread throughout the city. If you have a chance to take a break from your love of baking, definitely pay one of them a visit. You’ll have a great time. Thanks for checking out my blog and entering the contest!
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