Eight people is a reasonable amount of players for escape rooms. Everyone will find something to do: strategizing, taking charge, searching for clues, solving puzzles, cheering the team on, counting down the minutes, wandering from room to room or chatting up the game master. Book one of the rooms in Boston and find out what will your contribution be!
Latest reviews of escape rooms in Boston for up to eight players
If I could give this a lower rating, I would. Mostly due to the GM. The absolute worst GM I have ever experienced in well over a hundred escape rooms. I had heard that the company had gone downhill, but this is far worse than I could have ever imagined. The GM was a cross between arrogant and indifferent. I could blame some of it on just poor staffing levels as he seemed to be doing both GM for this and another room (which we could hear when they finished) plus covering the front desk, but it was definitely more than that. It was general lack of caring or customer service. We spent 15-20 minutes literally yelling to get their attention only to with only a few minutes left to get responses that showed they definitely were not paying attention.
When the GM came in after we failed the game on the last puzzle (a math puzzle that wasn't clicking after 20 minutes of trying and with nothing to write down on). We complained and their response was "I did tell you that hints were at my discretion." I have had frustration in escape rooms before, but this was aggravation of being ignored and them frankly not caring or even implying it was on purpose when he genuinely was not likely paying attention and perhaps was annoyed by us trying to get their attention.
We asked them to explain the last puzzle and then pointed to the clue of a clock and asked us what time it read, we told them and they insulted us stating we obviously don’t know how to read an analog clock (which we had not only done through the entire game multiple times), but after they insisted it read a different time, they did the math wrong and eventually admitted we stated the correct time. It took them several minutes of explaining and changing the explanation before it semi-made sense but it was convoluted.
The game itself was alright but had many quirks. Like pulling down things higher than in most escape rooms and felt like you’re breaking something for an early puzzle. But more annoying is there is a fast-cycling screen at the beginning of the first room in a dark area that felt almost seizure inducing. It gave me a headache and made me stick to my stomach to even look near, and it served no purpose for it to do that or be that bright. When doing puzzles near it, it made it harder to see things, and did most things squinting or with my eyes closed when near it.
There is also a object painted red in the second room right next to a lock labeled as not part of the game, so it took some time to realize that the red didn’t mean it was in play. There was also a hard to notice door which we were delayed noticing it opened. Some other parts of the room were a little warn and it seems some parts of the puzzles were removed. There is a shelf for 8 objects of which we only found three, and they lead to conflicting answers (one combination says it is something while another said it wasn’t which isn’t very helpful as far as clues go), so you just need to guess or hope, but more likely just feel like you are missing something that isn’t there. There are multiple things that won’t stay in place like the final puzzle in the first room needs to be held until it triggers.
Over all the puzzles were decent but some were a mixed bag and very vague. Though how we were treated by the GM means I will not be back to Escape the Room in Boston until it is under new ownership. A good GM can make or break a game and this one took a borderline decent game and turned it to not just a frustrating experience but an aggravating one that made me leave angry. There are far better companies in Boston to spend your money on. I would sooner light mine or fire than to return to another game here, which is sad as I have enjoyed several of their past rooms. It was however that bad of an experience. We had done two other rooms prior to this on in the same day and didn’t experience any of these issues down the street at a competitor.
Brian
Very clever puzzles that hit the sweet spot of challenging but not too obscure. As a fairly experienced group of four, we successfully completed The Boring Office with only minutes to spare. Lots of fun. Highly recommended!
Chris
We were walk-ins but they got us into a room nice and quick! We were able to do the Boreing Office with just the two of us because we're experienced escape roomers and we're grateful for the accomodation to do so! Super fun technical and practical elements!
Cass
The Office was great! Well-designed, challenging and fun. You can tell how much care and effort went into the design of the room. Lots of surprises! Will be back to do more rooms when they open!
Errin
Stained Hourglass Escape Room is fantastic. The Boring Office is not only a clever design, but also a fun experience that sets you and your co-interns on an adventures journey through whimsical puzzles. This is a MUST TRY for all Escape Rooms Fans to add to their Escape List!! Not to mention the game master was a pleasure to interact with on our visit.
Jennifer
Awesome rooms. We did both while we were in Salem. The Boring Office and Witch’s Hollow are both full of surprises. You will be delighted at every twist and turn. The storylines are fun and engaging. All of us, ages 11-62 enjoyed the rooms.
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