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In 2007, Takao Kato’s Real Escape Game lit up clubs and bars around Japan and ignited a global puzzle craze. Today, an estimated 10,000 escape rooms around the world stump gamers with Hollywood-level sets and immersive puzzles. Here are 5 escape rooms you need to add to your travel itinerary.
1. Sherlocked
AMSTERDAM
Since 2014, the Sherlocked escape company has been known for its cinematic experiences and twisty puzzles. Experience-hungry gamers should try The Vault, a 90-minute narrative heist that begins off-site, moves into a century-old safe, and incorporates an actor in a thrilling way. sherlocked.nl
2. The Room
BERLIN
The company is known for puzzles that start out deceptively simple and build into challenging yet deeply satisfying experiences. Drop by The Lost Treasure for an Indiana Jones–like romp through a fictional vault below Humboldt University. In this puzzle-heavy game, players crawl through narrow passages that includes dramatic lighting, an immersive soundscape, and pop culture Easter eggs. the-room-berlin.com
3. Esscape Room
NEW YORK CITY
Located in the Long Island City section of Queens, the best escape game in the city riffs on New York’s status as a food mecca. The Real Kitchen Nightmare—fittingly unveiled on Friday the 13th last year—turns players into sous chefs who stumble upon the post-apocalyptic remains of a speakeasy bistro. Designed by actual restaurateurs, this detail-filled game is notoriously difficult: Only a handful of teams have successfully solved it. esscaperoom.com
4. 60OUT
LOS ANGELES
It’s no surprise that Tinsel Town has a booming escape room market, often stocked with improv actors. 60OUT’s mix of limited-run and permanent theme rooms are akin to theater performances, and they’re even designed in collaboration with Sony Pictures. Be sure to drop by Miss Jezebel, a twisted tea party with a campy host, before it closes in March. 60out.com
5. Epic Escape Game
DENVER
Denver is the perfect location for the discerning escape room enthusiast; for two years running, Colorado has boasted the most escape room companies per capita. Harry Potter fans should try out Wizard’s Academy for puzzle-heavy games that have players wielding magic wands. epicescapegame.com
