I had an out-of-town guest in who was curious to try escape rooms while in town. We did a couple in Manhattan, but decided that, based on the great reviews here, it was worth it to head out to LIC to try I Survived the Room - and I'm so glad we did!!
While the other escape rooms that we did were fun, they didn't have the immersiveness, intensity, or incredible production values (not to mention acting!) that the Sanatorium event did. While we were ultimately unsuccessful in completing the event, it was still so much fun! As others have said, it is probably not an ideal activity for claustrophobics (but why would someone with that fear want to be locked in a room in the first place??), but I felt the crowded "cells" added an extra layer of challenge, in that one person couldn't see everything in their own cell, let alone the cell of the other group.
The atmosphere is very creepy, and there are a handful of jump scares, but the fear is built into the environment (music, decor, props, etc), not just in people sneaking up on you.
And, as many have said (but it is worth repeating), the actors are amazing! They clearly know exactly what they are doing and how to manage different groups of people who might have different reactions.
All in all, an absolutely stellar activity!!
Madeline S.