Wild Wild West - Do Not Recommend Firstly, I have to mention that the staff were wonderful. Mason was very friendly and worked with us to get a good resolution to the issues we faced.
However, there were a lot of issues. We played the Wild West Room with 3 players, and we nearly walked out of the room entirely.
Safety Issues
In a puzzle compartment, there were two protruding screws, one on each side. My wife actually scratched herself on them. Not only do these present an injury risk, but also an infection risk, as I can imagine she was not the first person to injure herself, just the first to say something.
Room Reset
The first puzzle on the left when you enter (behind the metal grate) was not reset, so we were able to just take the key out of the bottom. One of the suitcases was unlocked already and a blue numbered padlock had been left in it, also unlocked. The ropes were falling apart and one was completely unravelled. In order to complete the puzzle, we needed to find a way to put the rope together. This should be something that is reset each time. If the rooms cannot be reset in the 15 minutes that are allocated for them to be reset, then there needs to be more time given for the reset or more staff made available. We have never faced this many reset issues in a room before!
Broken/Malfunctioning Components
The wiring panel in the first room was not functioning properly. Only half of the lights came on, one of the switches was broken, and it seemed like it required manual intervention to get it to work. In a room that relies heavily on electronic components, this isn't suitable. A panel of wood fell off the train cage within 1 minute of entering the room. If not a part of the puzzle, this should be a simple repair. The gun in the shooting gallery did not work. The loading and trigger mechanism was broken, and so wouldn't shoot the bands. I had to manually pull the bands back and release them, otherwise we would not have been able to complete the puzzle. There were exposed wires, which would be a safety hazard.
Escape Hunt room was one of the most expensive that we have ever been to outside of London. The average price for rooms across Essex is ÂŁ15-25 and I have paid much less for much better...
   Read moreMy recent visit to the Lakeside Essex Escape Room proved to be an exhilarating adventure filled with excitement and exceptional team bonding opportunities. From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of fantastic, leaving my son and me thoroughly impressed.
First and foremost, the level of enjoyment we experienced during our time in the escape room was unparalleled. The puzzles were thoughtfully designed, offering just the right balance of challenge and intrigue to keep us fully engaged throughout the entire experience. Each clue and challenge was meticulously crafted, leading to moments of sheer excitement as we worked together to unravel the mysteries within the room.
One of the standout aspects of our visit was the remarkable teamwork it fostered between my son and me. Working together to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles not only strengthened our bond but also provided an invaluable opportunity for us to communicate effectively and collaborate under pressure. It was truly a memorable bonding experience that we will cherish for years to come.
Furthermore, our host, Mason, played an integral role in enhancing our experience. His enthusiasm, professionalism, and attention to detail were evident from the moment we entered the escape room. Not only did he provide clear instructions and guidance, but he also added an extra layer of excitement with his infectious energy and passion for the game. Mason's dedication to ensuring we had a memorable experience did not go unnoticed, and his efforts greatly contributed to the overall enjoyment of our visit.
In summary, our visit to the Lakeside Essex Escape Room was an absolute delight. From the thrilling puzzles to the excellent team bonding opportunities, every aspect of the experience exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this escape room to anyone looking for a fun and immersive adventure, whether with family, friends, or colleagues. And a special thanks to Mason for being such an amazing host and making our visit truly unforgettable. We can't wait to return for another exciting...
   Read moreWe didnât have as good a time as many of the other reviewers here. Having done a few âliveâ escape rooms, we thought weâd try a VR one (Mission Sigma). After being left waiting quite a long time, we were eventually rushed through to the play room. The set up was ok, but within a few seconds, my game got stuck in an inescapable loop. No one was around, I had to walk around the entire building right out to the front desk (maybe this was the actual escape!). The guy came in and said something then left again. I didnât realise heâd restarted the game, so we lost 5 minutes. He was clearly distracted with something else. The game itself was pretty weak. There were some moments that were decent, but overall, I donât see any progress in VR since about early 2000âs. Very difficult to move, difficult to grab objects. Move 2 inches and the screen goes black telling you youâve stepped out of the range (why bother with the big room?) before putting you back in a random place. But the worst bit was after completing one of the challenges, there was no obvious route. Two of us spent 20 minutes completely stuck. We tried interacting with every single pixel, numerous times. There was no way to request a hint, either in game, or by a real person. We had no choice but to sit down and wait for the guy to come back. At which point he just seemed to say âoh wellâ, and couldnât get us out quick enough. One hour and ÂŁ55 Iâll...
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