10 DOs and DON’Ts for Writing a Quality Escape Room Review
By: James Butler
If you’ve stumbled upon Trap Door’s blog, then you’ve probably been to an escape room and are looking to review it. Leaving an escape room review might seem daunting; however, this article breaks it down in 10 simple steps.
1. A Good Escape Room Review Does Not Spoil
No spoilers or “he’s been dead for the whole movie.” The first thing to keep in mind is that you’re leaving a review for future escape room players to read.
DO
It’s better to say how you felt about a surprise door opening or ingenious puzzle solution. If you want to talk about finding unexpected puzzles and storylines please share with the group but. . .
DON’T
Give spoilers or solutions to any of the puzzles in the game. Also, it’s better to say “other parts of the escape room” instead of “a hidden door into another room in the escape.” Some players enjoy finding each room within the room as they play. Plus, knowing exactly how many rooms there are in an escape can spoil their experience. Don’t be that person that tells the end of the line going into a movie how the movie ends. No one likes that person.
2. Expand on the Physical Description of the Room
In what ways did the room follow its theme?
DO
The escape Room’s online description will give potential players a bit about what the room’s theme will be. For example, maybe it will be a tornado or celebrate the Day of the Dead. So, a good review can describe a bit more about the room that you really found immersive. Did the room meet your expectations of the theme? What really connected for you?
DON'T
Take pictures inside the room and share them. It’s okay to say a set was amazing, but let others enjoy the “Wow” moments that you got to experience in person.
3. Remember the Staff in Your Escape Room Review
The staff is a big part of your escape room experience.
DO
Give specific praise about your experience. For example, did the Gamesmaster get in character, setting the scene for your escape? Were the hints timely and clear? Make sure you mention that. New players can be a bit intimidated booking their first room and knowing they’ll have help when they need it can encourage someone nervous to give it a try.
DON'T
Please recognize different staff have different roles. If you’re going to leave a review about how the online booking system was difficult, or the bathroom light in the escape room lobby was flickering, remember that has nothing to do with your Gamesmaster.
4. Easy Like Sunday Morning
Think of questions that you would want to know before you played the escape room that you’re reviewing.
DO
Most escape room reviews contain how difficult a group found the escape room. It’s great to include how difficult you found a room, but include a few more details besides “it was sort of hard.” Questions to consider answering in your escape room review include: How big was your group? Was it the number of puzzles or the complexity of them?
DON'T
If you’re frustrated by a glitchy puzzle (damn those magnets that just aren’t as attractive anymore!) please make sure you mention it to your Gamemaster after playing the game. Gamemasters want to see your group succeed and if a part of the room isn’t working right, make sure you talk to them about it before writing a review.
Most times a Gamemaster will make some kind of adjustment, if a part of the room is experiencing technical difficulties. If they don’t know something was malfunctioning until they read a review, it’s too late to try to correct your experience. They can’t fix something they don’t know isn’t working right.
5. Remember You’re Writing an Escape Room Review
You’re writing a review, not a novel. Keep it concise.
DO
It’s great to be descriptive in a review, but it should be a few sentences long with the focus on giving future players a better idea of the experience.
DON'T
A good review can get the point across in 5-7 sentences. Shorter than that and people will skim right past it. Conversely, if it’s longer than that, most online readers will stop reading after a few minutes and move on to another review.
6. Scary, Silly, or Spooky
What is the vibe of the room?
DO
Many new players have preconceived notions about what an escape room environment is like, especially with a name like Trap Door. Some people are looking for a scary, high-pressure environment. Meanwhile, others are looking for a fun night out with their friends or family. Make sure you describe the vibe for players.
DON'T
Judge the scariness of a room by the one friend you have that jumps and shrieks at every little sound all the time. When they scream when a drawer pops open when you solve a puzzle that doesn’t necessarily mean the room is scary. In fact, it may just mean your friend is easily scared.
7. Mention Physical Requirements in Your Review
Some escape rooms will be more physically demanding for certain players.
DO
It’s great to give an escape room review and describe how physical a room was for your group to prepare others. Was there crawling? Small doorways to fit through? Maybe a little climbing like Everest? Those are great details to give in a review.
DON'T
Play an escape room like American Ninja because you heard there were a few physical obstacles. Escape rooms aren’t a test of strength, but a test of brains. If your review includes forcing things open or hanging from something on the ceiling, you were playing it wrong.
8. Ahoy Mateys!
Stay on theme! Stuck for words to describe an immersive escape you enjoyed?
DO
You can always stay on theme and write a review full of topical references and jokes. You don’t have to wait for Talk Like a Pirate Day to tell everyone you found the map to buried treasure.
DON'T
Be afraid to get a little nerdy with a few in-jokes and clever “Easter Eggs” (just remember no spoilers.) If someone is taking the time to read your review, they are most likely already interested in that room’s theme and are looking to see how immersive your group found it.
9. A Picture is Worth 1000 Words
Pictures inside the escape room are always a no no, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t commemorate the experience afterwards.
DO
After your Great Escape (or Thisclose Escape), ask your Gamemaster where your group can take a victory photo. Some escape room sets and props are amazingly crafted and the perfect backdrop for your picture.
DON'T
For review sites that let you leave a picture with your review, don’t forget to post your pic of your smiling group post-escape (or near escape anyway.) People tend to relate to pictures much more than text.
10. Where You Leave Your Escape Room Review Matters
There’s no point leaving a review if no one is going to see it!
DO
Pick the site that works best for you to leave your review. Where do you personally usually look for online reviews? There are many choices including Facebook, Google Reviews, Yelp, Trip Advisor, Escape Room, and of course, with its very detailed review system, Morty. Some sites are focused on the day-trippers while some feature the reviews of escape room enthusiasts.
DON'T
Reading a single escape room review will give you one person’s perspective about a room. However, you’ll find better escape room fits for your group by reading multiple reviews. Consider questions like: How long ago was the review? Was there any useful feedback other than “hated it,” or “won’t go back.” While most people use online reviews to really share their experiences, others love to bash. Just remember that it is your time and money; so, take a few minutes to read before you book.
Today’s Tip From an Escape Room Enthusiast:
Since we’re talking about reviews, this is my Morty review for The Greatest Freakshow at Trap Door Morristown:
“Each part of the room focuses on a different circus character so you really work a story in this escape. Imaginative, varied puzzles. Some really cool props and sets. You really do feel like you’re backstage at the circus. We struggled a bit with some audio clues, but that’s because there was a band playing in the bar next door.”
Not every review will always be glowing. The room is one of my favorites in New Jersey, but if a little honesty in our struggles helps someone decide if that room is right for them, then it’s a useful review.
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Trap Door Escape Company
Trap Door Escape Room has 4 locations: 3180 Route 611 in Bartonsville, PA in the Poconos; 60 White St. in Red Bank, NJ; 34A Speedwell Ave. in Morristown, NJ: and 77 Wind Creek Blvd in Bethlehem, PA. The Red Bank location was the first of the 4 locations, opening in the fall of 2015. Morristown followed in the summer of 2017, and Bartonsville opened during the holiday season of 2018. Wind Creek is currently undergoing construction and will be opening in September 2022.
History
The idea came to Tone Purzycki back in 2011 after he wrote a screenplay that developed into a live-streaming game. The game revolved around an actor trapped in a situation and the audience had to solve puzzles to figure out where he was trapped. The “Find Me Event” had more than 1,000 people playing over the course of several hours. After the success of several other streaming events, the idea of an escape room was born.
Location
Each location has different rooms from which to choose. Our Morristown location is home to Day of the Dead, Witch Hunt, and The Greatest Freakshow. In Bartonsville, you’ll find Cure Z, F5 Tornado Escape, Fear the Bogeyman, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, We’re All Mad Here, and Prisoner Z. In Red Bank we currently have Everest – our first 2 story escape room. Ripper of London is also available at this location. Our pirate themed games will soon be open at Wind Creek.
Trap Door Escape Room also offers team building, streaming events, and birthday parties. For more information on any of our games, prices, and locations, explore our website or call 570-234-3366