Rating: 6/10
Theme/Ambiance – 7/10
Puzzles – 7/10
Difficulty – 7/10
Excitement/Fun – 5/10

Location: Santa Clara, CA
Company: Off the Couch Games
Website: https://www.offthecouchgames.com/

Off the Couch Games has one of the most well decorated escape rooms I have done. That being said, I find the experience very important when ranking escape rooms. This theme is none other than King Arthur’s realm! It is up to you to become the new champions and you must travel to Castle Camelot to rise up! The fantasy-like theme is something I gravitate towards.

The theme design from the rooms to the puzzles were exceptional and well-detailed. Off the Couch Games did a wonderful job here! My only complaint is that the story-telling experience felt a bit dry to me compared to other escape rooms and it something that I find really important for a good escape room. The puzzles were fairly complex, but could be more engaging.

I would recommend this escape room if you find theme and decorations important in a escape room. If you are looking for more of an experience.. I do find this room a bit lackluster.

Rating: 6/10
Theme/Ambiance – 6/10
Puzzles – 6/10
Difficulty – 5/10
Excitement/Fun – 6/10

Location: San Jose, CA
Company: Omescape
Website: https://omescape.us/sanjose/

This escape room is one of Omescape’s older rooms in the San Jose location. The premise is that you find yourself in Joker’s Asylum, which was created by the Joker and his doctor. One way or another Joker escaped the asylum and it is up to you unravel his mysteries by exploring what he left behind.

I am generally a huge sucker for anything related to the Batman franchise, so of course I had to try this escape room when I saw the theme. Unfortunately, because this is an older escape room the technology is not there versus what the potential could be for modern day escape rooms. Not say that the room was not greatly decorated or puzzles were irrelevantly themed. It is just that this escape room does not age well sadly, even at the time when I did do this escape room.

Overall, this escape room is okay. If you are a fan of the theme, I say go for it. However, this would be a pass on my must-do escape room recommendations list.

Rating: 6.5/10
Theme/Ambiance – 5.5/10
Puzzles – 7/10
Difficulty – 5.5/10
Excitement/Fun – 7/10

Location: San Jose, CA
Company: Cubicescape
Website: https://www.cubicescape.us/index.html

Cubicescape is a company with popular imported escape rooms from other places of the world. It’s pretty exciting getting a chance to try them out in a town near you! My friends and I booked Room 2214 for our escape room experience and came into it knowing nothing about the plot or the theme.

In all honesty, this escape room is a pretty low production room, but the fault lies in the setting of the escape room. As you can deduce from the name, you will be in a hotel room. There is not much you can do about the setting, but this escape room has little triggers and puzzles that make the best of the situation which I found surprising and enjoyable. The story-telling is also well done. You are guided in an adventure where the experience carries your evaluation versus the setting.

Without giving too much away, I only have good things to say about this escape room because I did personally enjoy the story experience. Unfortunately the setting can use some work, but it is still worth a playthrough!

Rating: 7/10
Theme/Ambiance – 7/10
Puzzles – 6.5/10
Difficulty – 7.5/10
Excitement/Fun – 6.5/10

Location: San Jose, CA
Company: EDscapade Games
Website: https://www.edscapadegames.com/

EDscapade Games is fairly new and especially after all these lockdowns from COVID-19, it was must try! So it was time to crawl out of our cave and give their games a go! They currently have a decent selection of escape room games with the majority being horror. Being the huge scaredy-cat that I am, I will probably not partake in the horror themes. Luckily for me they have B.o.X. or Battle Of Xu’Qua for people like me. 🙂

This fantasy themed escape room had a very adorable vibe where I did feel like I was transferred to a true fantasy-like setting. The hosts were inspiring and I appreciate the influence their roles played for the game itself. I am a huge nerd so the setting and theme was something I thoroughly enjoyed. They have wide selection of puzzles all fitting to the theme. The puzzles are by no means simple and I would say they fall into the more difficult spectrum when compared to other escape rooms. When I say difficult, I do not mean unfair either because there are plenty of rooms out there where the puzzles are “difficult’ and it is due to them making it unfair.

The theme carried through the entire room with a nice surprise. Overall I really enjoyed the room and I would recommend to those that really enjoy fantasy-like settings. I like the company and am very supportive for what’s to come in the future!

Rating: 6/10
Theme/Ambiance – 7/10
Puzzles – 6.4/10
Difficulty – 6/10
Excitement/Fun – 7/10

Location: San Jose, CA
Company: Omescape
Website: https://omescape.us/sanjose/

Pandemic Zero is one of Omescape’s older escape rooms. There is a Pandemic!!! A super-virus going around… and unfortunately due to lack of bodies they have chosen you and your team to go find the secret lab for the cure! You must venture down to the sewers and make your way to this secret location before it is too late…

Pandemic Zero is by all means not a bad escape room, just unfortunately due to the technology these days that modern escape rooms can bring, it may seem a bit lackluster. It is an escape room worth giving a try though… due to the theme. The puzzles were not difficult, but was fitting to the theme. Due to this escape room being a bit older there were some parts where it may seem to be clunky. The intention was there though.

Omescape overall is my go-to recommendation for a solid escape room company for this area.

Rating: 6.5/10
Theme/Ambiance – 7/10
Puzzles – 7/10
Difficulty – 6/10
Excitement/Fun – 7/10

Location: San Jose, CA
Company: Omescape
Website: https://omescape.us/sanjose/

This escape room is the first in the Kingdom of Cat series… while the second and newer room is located in the Sunnyvale location. The premise is that you are captured by the kingdom of cats and you must do whatever you can to escape from being a prisoner in their world! Kingdom of Cats is touted as a beginner friendly escape room and I completely agree. My co-worker and I completed this room as a two-person team way back.

The theme is very adorable and unique, which makes it worth the try. The escape room in general is pretty solid, with cute themed puzzles to immerse the participants into the world as if they are really all cats. Due to the climbing escape room standards, you can tell that this room is much older. However, it is well-decorated and has some wow factors making you appreciate the company’s approach. Just remember to wear comforable shoes!

Omescape overall is my go-to recommendation for a solid escape room company for this area.

Rating: 7/10
Theme/Ambiance – 7/10
Puzzles – 7/10
Difficulty – 7/10
Excitement/Fun – 7.5/10

Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Company: Omescape
Website: https://omescape.us/sunnyvale/

The second addition to the Kingdom of Cats storyline… the first room being in the San Jose location. This escape room is best done with a smaller group size. I had the pleasure of doing this escape room with a group of three as we ventured to go save Lady Aurora, the rightful heir to the Kingdom of Cats!

The overall theme is very cute and fun. Imagine a world created just for cats with all of their quirks considered in the detailed decorations. If you enjoyed the first room, this escape room is definitely a must. All the puzzles were thematic, but not difficult. This escape room was the first escape room one of my friends had ever done which showcases how beginner friendly this series is. Omescape put a lot of effort into fleshing out this adorable theme and they did a really great job!

Omescape overall is my go-to recommendation for a solid escape room company.

Rating: 7.5/10
Theme/Ambiance – 8/10
Puzzles – 7/10
Difficulty – 8/10
Excitement/Fun – 8/10

Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Company: Omescape
Website: https://omescape.us/sunnyvale/

Forsaken Temple at Omescape was the first escape room I had done at the Sunnyvale location. It definitely sets the tone for the following rooms for sure. The amazing decorations and thematic puzzles all add to the theme and vibe. The premise is that you are part of a rescue team in search of the archaeologist that is lost and too scared to make their way back! Failure on their part in terms of recruitment because I’m also scared….

I had the pleasure of doing this escape room with my co-workers. The overall experience of the group was probably at a mid-level. Definitely not beginners! There were some spooky/cool exciting moments that made the escape room memorable. The puzzles were solid and not unfair. Would recommend!

Omescape overall is my go-to recommendation for a solid escape room company.

Rating: 8/10
Theme/Ambiance – 8/10
Puzzles – 8/10
Difficulty – 7/10
Excitement/Fun – 8/10

Location: San Jose, CA
Company: Omescape
Website: https://omescape.us/sanjose/

This was the first Omescape escape room I have ever done! During it’s time it was one of the most memorable and unique escape rooms around. It definitely converted me into an Omescape fan. There were many new mechanics that were introduced that escape rooms did not have at the time. Also, the theme is a FANTASY magic theme, what more can you want!

The premise is that you somehow ended up in a house with great magicians and you need go through a series of puzzles in order to escape! Let’s say the exciting part is that certain people in your group will start with different experiences…without spoiling too much. The decorations are beautiful and really stay true to the theme. The puzzles all add their unique feel to the ambiance where it makes you feel like you are really in a home full of wizards.

Omescape overall is my go-to recommendation for a solid escape room company. I would definitely recommend this room to others even now! This is my favorite room in the San Jose location by far!