Escape games have been popping up all around the world. Their unique puzzles and horror driven plots are the perfect way to get that Halloween haunt experience year round while presenting an interactive challenge. The newest escape game to open in Southern California is none other than FearMakers Madison and Luke Rhoades‘ Cross Roads Escape Games
We’ve discussed these two before and after a long uphill battle with the city of Anaheim, they are finally ready to open their doors to the public. Madison and Luke were kind enough to invite We Are Indie Horror to try out the new game, the Hex Room
Can you survive a horror film? This murderous horror movie fan wants to watch you try. Each player will take a quiz before the game to find out which character they are: The geek, virgin, jock, rebel, prom queen, or detective. Your team of 6 will be divided up into separate rooms where you must work individually and as a team. Not only do you need to escape, but you must also survive! Who will live? Who will die?
The game requires exactly six people, so our team consisted of WAIH founders Neil King and Brian Sapir, It Came From Candi’s Lab director Chase Darwin, Stephanie Williams (Candi Fear), FearMaker Spooky Dan Walker (Slay Belles), and Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, III, IV, Repo! The Genetic Opera) rounded off our team. On arriving we were each handed a quiz which would determine our horror troupes, including our leader. Neil was the jock, Brian was the prom queen, Chase our nerd, Stephanie as the virgin, Spooky the rebel, and Darren was the detective and our fearless leader.
Once we were casted and costumed, we were placed into our individual rooms. Once the last person was placed, the game began. The first thing we noticed was how incredible the sets were designed. These individual rooms felt like they were anywhere but an industrial park in Anaheim. The game was designed so everybody must participate, as well as focus on getting themselves out of the room. We do not want to give too much away, but we will say that Darren was more than pleased to see several Jigsaw pictures throughout the game.
The Hex Room was ingeniously designed, with the puzzles planned out so precisely, it felt as though there might actually be a killer after us. A few puzzles answers sit in front of your nose laughing at you while they are overlooked due to misdirection or tension of the situation. To figure them out as a team we’d have to take a few steps back. Even after we were told to not over complicate things, it still happened.
Even though our team did not make it out alive, everyone in our group had a phenomenal time. This game was not easy, but it was a ton of fun. Although the game has a horror theme, it is not too scary. No actors jump out at you, and there are not any real terrifying moments, but all the rooms do look like someone is about to die in them. Overall the experience was one that none of us will soon forget, as we are all rounding up our own groups to play again.
We Are Indie Horror has been following the Rhoades’ journey to this game since we first met them at Scare LA last year. It is truly incredible to see something so fantastic come to fruition, especially after seeing how much blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into the space. This was not an easy project for the couple, whose looks of happiness, relief, and incomparable tiredness radiated joy as they watched the teams enjoy their games. It truly is wonderful to see the success behind this game, and we hope the best for the Rhoades family.
Cross Roads Escape Games is now open and ready for you. The question is, are you ready?
