Tag: the basement

Online Immersive Theatre, Scavenger Hunts & more…

I hope you are staying safe, healthy and sane in these unusual times. I’ve been busy saving a girl from a serial killer, helping another figure out a mystery, finding out I’m not of this world and so much more this week. Here are a few of the things I’ve been up to…

GISH – Greatest International Scavenger Hunt is doing another 1 day home mini hunt May 30th. Tickets are $15 and go to helping feed kids impacted by covid related school closures. My team is full, but you can easily jump into the Gish Bunker Facebook group to find teammates or wait for the computer to add you to a team. Registration closes today!!!

GRAYMAN – Call 908-666-4419 to get started. I completed this leg of my journey toward saving Jamie, but there is still more to be done. Be sure to start by calling the number but also check out www.instagram.com/jamieels92/ on IG. This is a free ARG that appears to be a promotion for something bigger at The Basement: A Live Escape Room Experience.

OUT THERE – “Out There” is an incredible immersive theatre piece done over zoom by Secret Thing. This is one of my all time favorite immersive theatre pieces. It came at a perfect time and was one of the most uniquely uplifting experiences I’ve done. I was literally crying happy tears by the end. I highly recommend checking out this company and getting on their mailing list for upcoming events.

TOGETHER APART – Digital escape game experience for a minimum of 2 people. You need to communicate with your teammate(s) as they solve their half of the game on their own device in order for everyone to complete the mission. This is great for team building. My husband and I played and we had a fun time!

ARCANA – Jade needs your help!!! If you like paranormal stories this is for you. Only 1 week left to join in this free online ARG. You can also check out the BEGINNERS GUIDE here to catch up.

I’ve also played a few escape rooms online this past week…check the youtube channel for reviews.

OTHER THINGS I HAVEN’T DONE YET BUT LOOK AWESOME:

WHAT DO YOU NEED? – What do you need right now? Capital W invites you to connect through a variety of experiences that both explore and escape the moment we’re in. Each piece is a one-on-one interaction between performer and audience member. Each one addresses a different need. Each one welcomes you however you are.

1988 – 1988 is a one on one immersive text adventure through Instagram Direct messaging. The story begins with Jackson in 1988 as you read, watch and listen to a day in his life. 32 years pass and the Player is contacted to help Jackson in 2020 by answering questions, looking up information, and solving puzzles.

ESCHATON – (I’ve got tix for June 13th maybe I’ll see you there!) Digital night at the club…a maze of rooms featuring dozens of NYC’s finest performers. Wander this shuttered nightclub where you can interact and find a new strange delight behind every doorway. Meet up with friends, invite a date, or come alone. Doors reopened for a limited time. Eschaton will open for exactly 60 minutes. Tickets are limited. 18+ ONLY. 

THE TINY CUPBOARD – The Rude Zoom Bar: Enter a Virtual Bar with The World’s Meanest Bartenders

ADA & THE LOST HORIZON – interactive storytelling game

TRACING SPHERES – Tracing Spheres is an entirely digital experience that you can participate in from home or wherever you find yourself. No pants necessary. All you need is your phone, though a pad of paper and pen will certainly come in handy.

WHERE THE OTHERS ARE – A Filmed Immersive Theatre Experience

ANDREW GOES OUTSIDE – Livestream with Andrew as he goes outside once a week.

MUNDANE MYSTERIES – A Remote Immersive Experience

ESCAPE ROOMS – The Elevator Shaft at The Basement – California

THE ELEVATOR SHAFT 


The Basement has always been ahead of the competition when it comes to immersion and storytelling in their incredibly fun horror escape games, but they’ve really outdone themselves with their latest game: The Elevator Shaft.


The Elevator Shaft is the new Chapter 2 in the 3 part story of The Basement escape games. It is in the space that the Boiler Room once occupied, but don’t be fooled by that because even though it replaced Boiler Room it is a completely different game. The technology is new and advanced compared to anything I have yet to see in an escape room. It features a hydraulic descending elevator hanging overhead, exciting audio effects, fog, water, and lighting effects. The set design is gorgeous, like something out of a movie. The tension that is created in the room is incredible. I’m fascinated by how the room breathes life into the story without using live actors inside the room.

Up to 6 guests are trapped inside this elevator shaft with only 45 minutes to escape. I personally think 3 players is the perfect number for this game, but everyone knows I always prefer to play alone or with only my hubby since we don’t have an established team with which we regularly play. However, I believe you need at least two people to complete the game due to certain puzzles. In my opinion, communication is much more essential in this particular game than the typical escape room. This is the perfect game for a group of friends, especially if they love the horror genre. I imagine it could be a nightmare for someone that is claustrophobic, though. Afterall it’s a fairly small space since it is the size of an elevator shaft with an elevator falling on you.


Here is the story of The Elevator Shaft taken directly from the press release:

About 3 months ago, cannibalistic serial killer, Edward Tandy hired an engineer named John to help him make some “engineering” changes to an antique service elevator on his property. After working on the elevator shaft for a day or two, it became clear to John that Edward’s use for this machine seemed sinister in nature. He confronted Edward and refused to help any longer. Edward told him that not only would he continue to work on the project, but that he would not be allowed to leave the compound until the project was complete, and if he did so, John’s wife and daughter would be killed. Now the project is done and John is long dead, his life taken inside the death trap he helped to build. You wake up and find yourself in the bottom of the shaft, with a video recorded by John himself. Unbeknownst to Edward, the engineer has hidden a series of steps within the inner workings of the elevator, that if you’re able to figure out, you can blow open the emergency access to the shaft and make a run for it. Can you decipher John’s notes, and find the secret sequence of steps in order to escape? Or will you be crushed by the 10-ton antique steel monster that hangs above?


The Elevator Shaft is one of the most immersive and unique escape rooms I’ve played and I highly recommend it.

CALIFORNIA ESCAPE ROOM LIST

Below is a list of the Escape Rooms I’ve played roughly in order of MY favorite to least favorite. Note: I prefer strong storytelling and immersion, especially in horror, paranormal & magic themed escape rooms, so my preferences may be different than yours.

Feel free to write to me Twitter @christinebarger or Instagram @TheHauntGirl  

GROUPED BY REGIONS:  LOS ANGELES AREA, “THE VALLEY”, ORANGE COUNTY, INLAND EMPIRE, HIGH DESERT, VENTURA COUNTY, PALM SPRINGS, BIG BEAR, SAN DIEGO, SAN FRANCISCO

LOS ANGELES AREA ESCAPE ROOMS

Glass Onion Knives Out Escape Pop-Up Experience

Maze Rooms: Men in Suits

Maze Rooms: Magical Kingdom

Maze Rooms: Spy Dogs

Maze Rooms: Sky Odyssey

Quest Room: Warlocked

Quest Room: Amnesia

Quest Room: Resurrection 

60out: The Orphange

Quest Room: Red Giant

Maze Rooms: The Abyss

Quest Room: Bloody Elbow

Maze Rooms: They’re Coming

Maze Rooms: CyberPunk Samurai

60out: Hyde Circus

Quest Room: Perfumer

Planet Escape Rooms – Wise Guys

Planet Escape Rooms – Game of Swords

Maze Rooms: World of Illusions

60out: Alice in Wonderland

60out: Time Machine

Quest Room: Cannibals Den

Maze Rooms: One Way Ticket

60out: Houdini

Maze Rooms: Lunar Station

60out: Amityville

Quest Room: Da Vinci’s Challenge

Maze Rooms: The Dragon’s Lair

Two Bit Circus Story Rooms

Maze Rooms – SteamPunk Samauri

Planet Escape Rooms – Cntrl-Alt-Reality

Fox In The Box – Tesla

Maze Rooms: Jack the Ripper

60out: Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle

Hypnotic: Project 5150

60out: Grandma’s Masterplan

Roomescape LA The Bank (now Fox in a Box)

60out Escape Rooms: Casino

60out Escape Rooms: Doctor Psycho

60out Escape Rooms: Cartel DEA Undercover

60out Escape Room: P.U.T.I.N. (now Red Alert)

60out Escape Rooms: Ghost Ship

60out Escape Rooms: The Mystery of Senator Payne

Roomescape LA: Prison (now Fox in a Box)

60out: DaVinci’s Secret

Maze Rooms: Castle

60out: Nautilus

Mobile Escape Room LA: MacGuffins Cocktail Room

Maze Rooms: Secret Mission

Roomescape LA: Bunker (now Fox in a Box)

The Laboratory Escape Room (original location)

Horror Escapes LA: Captive Chamber

Horror Escapes LA: Dr. Office

Back in Time – Salem Witch Hunt

Maze Rooms: Motel

Roomescape LA: Zombie Lab (now Fox in a Box)

MagIQ Room: Secrets of Wizardry

Maze Rooms: FBI

MagIQ Room: Pirate’s Den

Quest Room: Polar Station

60Out Escape Rooms: Hangover Game(now Mafia)

Hatch Escapes – Lab Rat

Escape Room LA: The Pyramid

“THE VALLEY” LOS ANGELES ESCAPE ROOMS:

The Basement (Basement, The Elevator Shaft & Study) *NEW GAME* The Courtyard

Maze Rooms: Wizard’s Tower

Maze Rooms: Lord of the Swords

Escape the Room: Cartman’s Escape (South Park)

Maze Rooms: Whatever Happened to the Garretts

Escape the Room: Jurassic Escape

Exit Artists

Theme Quest Escape Room: Houdini (now Architect)

Maze Rooms: Pirate Bay

Maze Rooms: Tombstone

Theme Quest Escape Room: Bonnie and Clyde (now Architect)

Nodus 805 Escape Room

Arcane Escape Rooms: The Hideout

The Bunker Experience (the original version)

Arcane Escape Rooms: The Agency

The Room Live Escape Room: The Cabin

Escape the Room: Clock Tower

Enchanted Escape Room: Spellbound

ORANGE COUNTY ESCAPE ROOMS:

I now own an escape room in OC: EXIT GAME

CrossRoads Escape Game: Weeping Witch

CrossRoads Escape Game: Hex

Scenario Escape Rooms: Mad Rapper

Unlocked Escape Room: Game On! Unlocked Arcade

The Escape Game: Playground

Mission Escape Games: Escape the Hydeout

Unlocked Escape Room: The Return of the Magician

Hidden Donkey – Irvine School of Wizardry

Not Another Escape Room: Battleship

Cinema Escape Room – The Strange Thing

Puzzle Workshop: CSI Hollywood

Puzzle Workshop: Secrets of the Illuminati

Crossroads Escape Game: Funhouse

Escapade Games: Zoe

Escapade Games: The Last Experiment

Not Another Escape Room: Time Machine

Nerdy by Nature: The Initiation

EscapeX: Odditorium Emporium

Deceptive: The Butcher

Legacy: Sugar Rush

Nerdy by Nature: The Lost Treasure of Captain Blackbeard

The Escape Bus

Detectives Society Escape Rooms: Da Vinci’s Lost Workshop

The Escape Game: The Depths

Legacy: Cabin 13

Legacy: Georgie

Deceptive: Return to Coulrophobia

EscapeX Rooms: Mafia Heist

Escape ERA:  Ben Franklin

PuzzleMazement Escape Room: Paranormal

Immersion: The Cursed (now Entangled)

Kryptic: The Mystery of Stillwater Asylum

PuzzleMazement: The Dollhouse(original version)

Square Room: Harry Potter (now Sorcerer’s Study)

Brainy Actz

*DeadRingers by Escape Bus (seasonal 15 minute Escape game)

*Crossroads: The Asylum (ScareLA mini-game availability varies)

INLAND EMPIRE ESCAPE ROOMS:

Wizards & Wires: The Ghost Chamber

Breaking Point: Whitmore Estate

Wizards & Wires: The Curiosity Shop

MindTrap: Taken

The 13th Room: Chapter 2 The Silence

Quest Tavern: Last Supper

Breaking Point: Headcase

MindTrap – Jingle Bells

Mind Trap Escape Room: Gold Rush

Quest Tavern: The Bridge Between

Clever Fox – Book of the Dragons

Mind Trap Escape Room: Conspiracy (original version)

Clever Fox: Forbidden Temple

Quest Tavern: Witches Cauldron

Trapped: Pandora’s Box

Confusion: The Last Job

Chronos: ChronosTopia

Chronos: Jurassic Island

Unity Escape Rooms: The Cabin

Unity Escape Rooms: The Temple

HIGH DESERT ESCAPE ROOMS:

CENTRAL VALLEY ESCAPE ROOMS:

VENTURA COUNTY ESCAPE ROOMS:

House of Clues: Pirate Ghost Ship (original location)

PALM SPRINGS ESCAPE ROOMS:

Escape Room Palm Springs: Dark Shadows Room (Vampire’s Lair)

Escape Games at the River: The Great Candy Challenge

Escape Room Palm Springs: Saw Room (now Locker Room)

Escape Room Palm Springs: Titanic

Escape Games at the River: Mutiny Skull Island

Escape Games at the River: Secret of the Dragon’s Spire

BIG BEAR ESCAPE ROOMS:

Mountain Room Escapes Big Bear: Alpine Ski Lodge

SAN DIEGO ESCAPE ROOMS:

Quicksand Escape Games: China Town

Steal and Escape: The Neighbor

Quicksand Escape Games: The Diner

The Unlockables: The Escape

Escape Game SD: Japanese Thriller Room

Top Tier – Outside In

Quicksand Escape Games: The Speakeasy

Boss Play – Chocolate Factory

The Entrapment: The Disappearance at Fogmore Manor

Top Tier – Undercover escape the safe house

Escapology San Diego: TH3 C0D3

Clue Avenue: Villain’s Lair

Escapism: Art Gallery

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA ESCAPE ROOMS:

Enchambered – Whispering Halls

Enchambered – Containment Breach

Palace Games: Houdini

Omescape: Kingdom of Cats

R.I.P.

These are rooms that I have played in California but are no longer available:

The Purge Truck

CrossRoads Escape Game: The Psych Ward

Enigma: The Will

Level Games: Fortune Teller

Level Games: The Menagerie

Enigma Escape Rooms: The Seance

Enigma: Apartment 205

Level Games: Doggy Dog World

Countdown Live: PsychoCountdown Live: Spaceship

Countdown: Mrs. Jezebel’s Tea Party (original version)

School of Hard Locks: Halloween Room

CatCon Animal Planet Escape Box

Exit Game The Ai (Los Angeles location)

Exit Game The Villains Lair (Los Angeles location)

Exodus: Quake Escape

Exit Game: The Chamber (Los Angeles location)

Captured LA (old location)

Paniq Room: Creepy Cemetery

X Room Victorian Mansion

X Room Court in Session

X Room Escape the Wonderland

X Room Curse of the Mummy

Trapped! The ChamberTrap House (Think Tank)

Square Room: Mario Brothers

Real Escape Room: Treasure Island

Countdown: Special Event Beta Test

Kaien (the game we beta tested, but isn’t open yet)

School of Hard Locks: Principal’s Office

SCRAP Real Escape Game Escape from the Cursed Forest Event

SCRAP Real Escape Game Escape the Magic Show

Salvation Room: The Inferno

Ace Escape Game The Pharaoh’s Treasure

SCRAP Real Escape Game: Escape from the Time Travel Lab

The 13th Room (ScareLA mini-game)

Trapped! Escape Room: Jailbreak 

Room of no return: Jail

Mysterium Escape Room

Escape the Night (VidCon)

The Cromwell Estate (Midsummer Scream mini-game)

Maze Quests: Queen Anne’s Revenge

Countdown Live Escape: Krampus

Evil Genius Escape Rooms

Enigma: Crime Scene

Enigma: Secret Temple

Mobile Escape Room LA: Sleep Study

Captured LA: The Starlet Killer

Logiquit: Warehouse of Jack Travis

Logiquit The Laboratory of Dr. Lev Pasted

Logiquit Secret Agent Room

Logiquit: CSI Room

Escape Room Treasure Hunt: The Alchemist’s Lab

The Basement: Boiler Room

Amazing Escape Room: Operation Desert Storm

Famous Escape Rooms:  The Great Redemption

Maze Rooms: Demon Hunter

S.H.A.D.I.E. Grove Escape Room

Hollywood Escape House: The Royal Indian Dungeon

Eskape Rooms: Operation Dream State

PuzzleMazement Escape Room: Professor S!

Escape the Place: The Chamber

PuzzleMazement Escape Room: Saving Christmas!

The Cromwell Estate

The 13th Room: Alchemy & Wizardry

The 13th Room: Jack the Ripper

The Game Maker Escape Room (temporary room at Coffin Creek)

Funhouse Escape 60 Minutes to Curtain & Another 60 Minutes to Curtain

Real Escape Room: Bomb

Broken Chains Escape Games: Caught In A Rumple

Real Escape Room: Crazy Secret Laboratory

One Way Out: Apocalypse (now Exodus)

Escape This! Mosi’s Curse

Rooms of No Return: The Classroom

Rooms of No Return: Dead Silence

The Great Escape: Mafia Bomb Squad

Bakersfield Escape Room: Winter Fall

Real Escape: Bootlegger Warehouse

Real Escape: Wizards Lair

Excido: Studio

Excido: Casino

Escape Room Palm Springs: Mystery Room

Divergent Realities: The Informant

Great Room Escape San Diego: Houdini’s Hidden Workshop

Great Room Escape San Diego: The Lab

School of Hard Locks: Art Class

Maze Rooms: VR Cosmos Game

Escape Room Police

Omescape: Forgotten Treasure

Spookador

Escape SF: Escape from Antique Room

Escape Room LA: The Cavern

Kaein LLC: The Alien

Kaien: Time Machine

Suite 201

Escape the Night – PopUp at UTA

LA Dragons – Knights of the Round Table

Escape From Godot

Exit Game: The Lab (Los Angeles location)

Exit Game: The School of Sorcery (Los Angeles location)

Exit Game An Hour To Kill (Los Angeles location)

Escape Room Long Beach: Bad Blood

Escape Room LA: The Theatre

60out Escape Rooms: Outbreak

60out Escape Rooms: Titanic

60out: Wizard’s Workshop

Escapedom: The Lair

60out: Zen Room

Get the F Out: The Virus

Escape Room LA: The Detective

Escape Hotel: Agent

Trapped in a Room with a Zombie & Still Hungry

Countdown Live: Pandorus (now 60out Galaxy Quest)

Maze Quests: Clinic

60out Escape Rooms: Quest in a Box (temporary popup)

Countdown Live: Tiki Palace (now 60out)

EscapeIQ: Alcatraz

Escape Hotel: Day Care

Escape Room LA: The Alchemist

Escape Hotel: Witchcraft

Escape Hotel: Jack Reacher (renamed Espionage)

Escapedom: Den of the Occult

Horror Escapes LA: Edmond’s Attic

Escape Haus LA: Masquerade Ball Room

Haunted Recording Studio

Escape Chronicles

Amazing Escape Room: The Starlight Lounge

Amazing Escape Room: Escape the X Corporation

Amazing Escape Room: Black & White

Amazing Escape Room: Mystery of the Red Dragon

Unlocked Escape Room: The Professor’s Basement

Paniq Room: Bunker

Paniq Room Insane Asylum

Hidden Passage: Pharoah’s Curse

TrapZone Escape Rooms: The Asylum

Legend X Iteration(original version)

MindTrap – Wizard of OZ

Containment: Carnival

Gaslamp: The Sword in the Study

Containment – Cabin

Hall of Shadows: The Signal

Hall of Shadows: Shadow Menagerie

Trapped! Escape Room: Puzzlemaster (original version)

Trapped! Escape Room: Sector 13 (original version)

Xscape Pods: Galaxy Adventure

Xscape Pods – Pharaoh

Xscape Pods – Government Secrets

The 13th Room (original)

Open Door Escape Games: The Study

Get a Clue Room Escape: The Toy Shop

The Ultimate Escape Rooms: We Are All Mad Here

One Way Out: Bank Heist (now Exodus)

Xcape Room Fresno: Murder Scene (original version)

Breakout Fresno: Sabotage – Code Red

Bakersfield Escape Room: RESCUE (now Puzzle Effect Bakersfield)

Escape the Asylum (All Saints Lunatic Asylum)

Escape Games at the River: Baker Street Mystery

3rd Day Escape: Harvest Motel

Top Tier – Atlantis Dive to the Forgotten City

Mighty Awesome: The Office of Professor R.K. Alogee

Enigma HQ

Nightwalker Caverns Escape Room: Clownotorium (original)

3rd Day Escape: Hourglass (original version)

Omescape: Omega

Escape Room Movie 2 Pop-up Subway

Stranger Things Mini-Game Pop-Up

Cryptic Escape Rooms

Breaking Point: Patient 17