Encrypted Escape Bethesda — Local services in Bethesda

I feel that a good escape room starts with your game master and unfortunately, our most recent game master was a dud. Upon early arrival, we were met with an empty lobby waiting for a few minutes. Our game master popped out quickly and just said, “I’ve got to clean your room, and rushed back”, with no greeting nor instructions. Luckily enough after doing numerous escape rooms, we knew to sign the waivers on the desk. After waiting quite some time (after room start time) our game master returned a simply just said “Come on” and gestured to follow her. During our briefing, our game master's tone was rushed and lazy. After our briefing, our game master led us to our room where she rushed through the scenario of the room. I barely heard half the things she said. She then just left the room. Now the room was fun for sure and we only really needed one clue, however, we got unsolicited nudging and hints that we never asked for which ruined the fun a mystery of the room (felt like our game master just wanted us to finish the room as soon as possible to get us out of there). At the end of the game, our game master just came in and asked if we had “any questions” not “good job”, “do you guys want a picture”, “Did you have fun” etc.

The reason for this negative review is that this experience was very off-putting and made me hesitant to finish the rest of the rooms at ANY ESCAPE QUEST. Honestly, I have had better experiences with other escape rooms with cheaper production value, BUT the game master is very enthusiastic and attentive which sets up their guests for a fun experience.

I really hope no newcomers come here for their very first escape room and have the same experience we had tonight. If they did they would probably have a poor impression of escape rooms and never try another one again. Over the past 3 years, we have traveled the US and competed in over 40 escape rooms and this all blossomed from our very first escape room where our game master set us up for fun and success, not whatever this...

This place was enjoyable but there were a few issues.

First off, I was surprised to find out that they didn’t have a credit card reader. The guy at the desk had to enter my card information manually and then needed a zip code. Not a big deal in itself but there was no receipt provided. And then when I checked my statement I found out I was charged $1.10 more than what I was told the cost would be even after including tax. If there was an extra fee for something I should have been told about it.

Secondly, even though our party was early and we were all ready to go by our start time, we ended up starting 20 minutes late.

Then during our game we seemed to be getting clues even when we were not asking for them. At one point we were on what turned out to be the penultimate puzzle with 20 minutes still on the clock and received yet another unasked for clue within seconds of reaching the puzzle. It felt like because we had started late, (which wasn’t our fault) the game master was trying to hurry us up so that we would finish earlier and he could make up some lost time.

As for the escape room itself (we did the destination unknown room) it was definitely enjoyable. The puzzles were of a decent difficulty and our group had fun. However, I found this particular escape room lacking compared to some of the other ones I have done in the area. The room almost entirely consisted of solving clues for numbers for combination locks. It lacked that interactive element that other escape rooms have.

Overall I found the escape room of average enjoyment. Not the worst one I’ve done but lacking compared to some of the ones I...

Delightful escape room experience! Encrypted’s environment was incredibly immersive, starting from the moment we were taken back for our room. Their debut of the character “The Architect” to introduce the room— it really felt like we were entering a different world. The Architect also links all the rooms together, which creates a very interesting narrative experience that I have not seen at other escape rooms.

The room itself was challenging and intricate, with lots of cool props to make it feel authentic. The time flew by as we (group of 4) tried to attain our goal. We did Biker’s Revenge, their most challenging room for which we were given 75 mins instead of the usual 60 to solve it, which was definitely helpful. Hints were given without giving anything away and were perfectly phrased to help trigger the right course of action in our own minds.

Staff were excellent and very friendly and the facilities were clean and well kept. Overall, we had a wonderful time! Will definitely be coming back to play the other rooms available and see the new changes that...