Best escape games

Escape room games began as digital adventures and quickly turned into real-life events all around the world where players are locked in a room and must uncover clues and hidden objects to escape. Escape room games have become insanely popular in the past few years, with numerous businesses popping up in all cities. But for those who might not have one easily accessible or don’t want to shell out the money for one; there’s another fantastic option….. Escape Games. These can be played from the comfort of your own living room and are a great idea for some collaborative fun with the family over Christmas. Here’s a few of the best products available:

Escape The Room - Secret of Dr Gravely’s Retreat

The year is 1913 and you are the lucky winner of a free stay at Foxcrest Retreat, where the famed Dr. Gravely has improved upon the latest in spa treatments and relaxation for those of high social standing. You take a long all-expense-paid train ride to the retreat. Upon your arrival, however, you and your fellow guests may find the "health retreat" is not what it seems...The Objective: Work with your guests to discover the dark secret of Dr. Gravely's retreat by finding clues and solving puzzles. But be careful…in the story, the doors have shut and locked behind you. Will you and your guests discover the secret and escape the room before time runs out?

Age 13+

Spy Code - Operation: Escape Room

Choose a teammate to wear the escape belt and work together to free them. This exciting game has players collect three keys in challenges of skill, strategy and luck, before time runs out. Test your spy skills and problem-solving nerve with three tasks deigned to make players work as a team.

The strategy challenge has players complete mathematical puzzles, find patterns and solve problems to crack the code. The skill challenge tests your ability to navigate a maze, while the luck challenge leaves it all up to chance. Completing each challenge earns you one of the three keys you need to release your teammate.

Spy Code – Operation: Escape Room lets players choose from different levels of difficulty to ramp up the challenge, or adapt play for younger and older kids.

2-6 players

Age 6+

Thames and Kosmos EXIT: The Game 

EXIT - The Game is a series of games for up to four players that offers a unique, unforgettable gaming experience.  These games allow you to bring the excitement, intensity and team spirit of an escape room to your living room.

In each EXIT game, your team starts out locked in an imaginary room, or trapped somewhere.  You must solve a series of riddles and puzzles in order to unlock doors and objects, and reveal new riddles.  Each correct solution brings you to another riddle and eventually to freedom.  The clock is ticking, you must solve all of the puzzles as fast as you can because the faster your team escapes the room, the more points you earn.  There are hints if you get stuck, but they will cost you points in the end.  

1-4 players

Age 12+

Play time: 1-2 hours

Unlock! 

Unlock! is a cooperative card game inspired by escape rooms that uses a simple system which allows you to search scenes, combine objects, and solve riddles. Unlock! requires a free application to be downloaded. Once downloaded, an internet connection is not required during game play. Unlock! escape adventures includes three separate scenarios for you to explore.

2-6 players

Age 10+