Menu

Geoff

About Geoff

https://crossroadsescapegames.com

Geoff is a director, writer, musician, and actor. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Film from Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. With a great passion for horror and Halloween, he has designed haunted houses in his Colorado basement, acted in theme park Halloween attractions, and even designed and wrote award-winning scare zones and shows for SeaWorld San Antonio’s Howl-O-Scream. He believes theatre and film is most effective when the audience participates. He is an avid tea drinker, his favorite superhero is Daredevil and his favorite monster is Cookie Monster. Geoff has been working at Cross Roads Escape Games since December 2016 and is currently a Manager & Game Master.

Posts by Geoff Durham:

Blue Engagement Essentials Blog Banner-2

The Weeping Witch: A Game Master Review

, , , , , 0

We are excited to announce that our newest game, The Weeping Witch, is now open! Stepping back to their horror roots, owners Luke and Madi decided to offer fans a game that is not only fun and theatrical but also scary. Though I was able to work on small parts here and there (primarily graphic design elements and lending a helping hand with construction), I didn’t know much about the game before playing. Here is my review of The Weeping Witch:

Before I get started, I must point out that I grew up participating in haunts. I have over a decade of scare actor experience, and I love haunted houses, other scary experiences, and escape rooms.

A spiritual successor to the limited-run, immersive theatre experience from 2019, The Séance, The Weeping Witch is an entirely new and separate story with nods to The Séance for those in the know. In The Weeping Witch, you enter Ruby’s study to rid yourself of your family’s curse. Things quickly take a turn when you learn that Ruby has accidentally released a monster who mimics the sound of a woman crying to lure its victims into the dark, where it eats their souls. With only an hour before the witch has finished feeding on your souls, your group must work quickly to reassemble Ruby’s Curse Extraction machine. But the witch isn’t going down without a fight.

The room has a great blend of analog and electronic puzzles, each puzzle themed perfectly to fit into the room. The ghostly effects throughout the game help further immerse the player and add an extra sense of wonder.

We played The Weeping Witch with a group of 5. I think this was a good number of players because everyone could work on something in the room, but we weren’t feeling rushed more than the usual pressure of an escape room. This also allowed our more scared players to hide behind the braver ones (me) when the scarier parts of the game started. I would recommend larger groups if your group is full of scaredy cats so you have enough functioning hands and brains to solve puzzles. More advanced players or players looking for more personalized scares might want to stick to smaller groups of 4 or 5 players.

As stated, I am a horror fan and never hesitate when scary opportunities present themselves. That said, I found the encounters with the witch to be pulse-pounding and intense but fun. I had a smile on my face the whole time as the rest of my team was cowering behind me. These encounters were more than jump scares; they were story moments that served a purpose in the game.

One of my favorite parts of the game is the detail in the room. Ruby’s study is warm and cozy until it’s not. An eclectic mix of strange and occult items, steampunk machinery, and a psychic parlor can instantly turn terrifying when the lights go out. And yes, they will go out. Take a moment to look around at the collection of cursed objects- and see how many references you can find.

The Weeping Witch incorporates loud noises, flashing lights, theatrical fog, atmospheric scents, pitch-black moments, and a live actor. The actor will not touch you, but they can get pretty close to you.

Overall, I feel The Weeping Witch elevates a typical escape room with theatrical elements that bring the story to life. Further pushing The Hex Room’s idea of actually playing out your own horror film scenario, The Weeping Witch really feels like you are in a horror movie with an undetermined outcome.

The Weeping Witch is now open at Cross Roads Escape Games. For 4-8 players ages 14+.

designapuzzle_header

Designing A Puzzle

, , , , , 0

Many years ago, when Cross Roads Escape Games was young, we had a practice puzzle in our lobby that allowed guests to get into the puzzle-solving mindset. The puzzle was pretty simple; some signs around the room provided hints for a four-letter lock on a jar full of candy. This puzzle was great practice for multiple reasons: guests learned how to search the room for clues, think critically, and most importantly, line letters upon a lock and pull down to open. But the time came when our lounge required a makeover and when it was renovated, the puzzle was removed.

However, people kept asking for the puzzle to return. Enthusiasts enjoyed having another puzzle to solve, while new players liked a crash course in learning how a puzzle works. We went to work trying to think up a new puzzle to take the place of the old one, one which would fit into the new room’s design but be easy to manage (as we already have three other games to look after as well.)

Admittedly, several years passed before we focused on the practice puzzle. In the meantime, we had created the mobile mini escape game, The Box, as a companion piece to our full-length game, The Psych Ward, brought to life the immersive theatre performance The Séance, and lived through 2020. But always in the back of our minds was this little practice puzzle.

One day, one of the game masters suggested returning the old puzzle to the room. Though this would have been the easiest course of action, I didn’t know what happened to all the elements we used for the original puzzle. Not willing to ignore the call for a practice puzzle when a simple solution was only a storage search away, I set my mind on a suitable replacement.

I went through a few different versions of what we finally installed in the room. The first version involved painting statues’ solid colors and a legend to put these statues in order. This required a few too many hands-on elements, though, as we also use the lobby as a party room for birthdays and other celebrations and would need to be put away. This would also pose the problem of the statues not fitting into the room’s theme, their colors clashing with the design. And surprisingly, the biggest reason was that affordable and durable statues in the specific design we needed were nearly impossible to come by.

I decided to change the puzzle from statues to something we could mount on the wall and fit in with the steampunk-ish theme of the room. I wanted to adorn the wall with some dapperly-dressed skulls. Initially, in my mind, these skulls in their costumes would be painted a solid glossy black to look like statues carved from marble or painted wood. We worried that this would be a little too intimidating for some of the younger escape room guests and be a little too dark as a focal point. We settled on a warmer brown tone (that we soon found out was discontinued. Things can’t be too easy, after all!) I found costumes for each of them in playful yet straightforward colors to catch the eye and make the puzzle feel more joyful. We’re not only about horror around here.

We wanted to take this puzzle a step further. It would be simple enough to look at the skulls and put them in order based on their costume; it isn’t necessarily a fun puzzle. We decided to go electronic.

Most recent escape rooms involve more tech and fewer combination locks. Like our Psych Ward, for instance, which does not contain a single combination lock, players will most likely never even get their hands on a physical key. These newer games rely on different types of puzzles where answers are input through buttons, dials, switches, or other physical actions. This can make a game much more immersive if it fits in well with the theme of the game, as well as possibly reduce reset time.

With this tech-trend of escape rooms in mind, we wanted our puzzle to accomplish two things: first, teach players how to interact with tech-based puzzles, and second, have essentially no reset. This is where we had a problem. How do you create a puzzle that doesn’t require someone to reset after it’s solved? Our solution was not to create just one puzzle but one puzzle with three answers. We designed our puzzle to cycle through three different solutions, so even if the knobs are set to the previous answer, the next group will still have to solve the puzzle before earning their prize.

Though you would think this three-solution puzzle was enough work for us, we were not entirely satisfied. Since we didn’t want the puzzle to be constantly active, we needed the players to turn the puzzle on. The first step to the practice puzzle is to search the room for the clue to activate the puzzle itself. Of course, we also weren’t going to make that easy. We hid a clue in the room to help players get started; it just takes some observation, association, and imagination. All I can say is that some things are not as they seem.

Next time you stop by to play one of our games, arrive early to check out the new practice puzzle in our lounge!

Geoff Durham

Operations Manager

Cross Roads Escape Games, Anaheim

feb_confessions_header

The Valentine Special: Confessions of A Game Master

, , , , 0

It’s February, Valentine’s Day is coming soon, and romance is in the air. To celebrate, our game masters thought they might channel their inner poet to deliver some escape room tips with a Valentine’s Day flair. We may not be poets, but we sure do have a lot of love to give. Have a watch!

We believe that escape rooms are a great date night idea. They are a great way to go out and do something with your date where the two of you are able to interact and have fun. The two of you are actively participating in what is happening, as opposed to going to a movie where everyone has to remain quiet for the duration of the film. With escape rooms, you get to star in your very own live-action adventure!

At Cross Roads we have three very different experiences. If you are seeking a date night game that is full of laughs, jokes, and has a silly and zany atmosphere, The Fun House is for you! It’s a race against time as you try to prove yourself a Magnificent Magician. Fail to do so, and you earn the title Clueless Clown! This non-linear game is packed to the brim with puzzles but never fear; if you ever find yourself in need of help, there’s an enchanted painting ready to help!

The Hex Room is a game for the more adventurous: you and your teammates will all find yourselves separated within the game, in need of working together to escape your own rooms and then the game completely. This is an intense horror game, perfect for thrill seekers and horror-movie fans.

The Psych Ward is a different type of animal. A blend of escape room, board game, and immersive theatre, the point of The Psych Ward is not to escape, but to win. At the start of your experiment, your group will be split into two teams. The catch? You won’t know who you can trust. This is the perfect experience for fans of board games, strategy or deduction games, immersive theatre, or those who just want to experience the next evolution of escape rooms.

This year at Cross Roads Escape Games, we’re trying something a little different. We’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with Singles Night: for one night only, our games will all be open to the public! If you’ve been having trouble finding enough friends to meet the minimum or are looking to make new friends, you can join a public game to try and conquer The Hex Room, test your deduction skills with strangers in The Psych Ward, or find a magical group of Magicians. Check out this blog post for more information.

I hope you find something special to do this Valentine’s Day, whether it be with a date or by yourself.

Geoff Durham

Game Master, Manager, Cupid’s Little Helper

Cross Roads Escape Games

my favorite memory

Confessions of a Game Master: My Favorite Memory

, , , , 0

Confessions of a Game Master has finally returned!  January 15th marks Cross Roads Escape Games’ 4thbirthday and to celebrate, we thought we would ask our game masters to reflect on their time here.

I have been at Cross Roads Escape Games since December 2016, where I started out as a game master. Many things have changed over the years, including updates to The Hex Room, the opening of the genre-bending The Psych Ward, the invention of the 10-minute mini escape game The Box, and the introduction of the interactive theatre production of The Séance.

One thing that drew me to Cross Roads to begin with was the quality and groundbreaking nature of The Hex Room. I first played (and escaped) in March of 2016 and was an instant fan. Once I started working here, I got to see first-hand the passion and dedication they give to their games. Luke and Madison are committed to providing fully-immersive, memorable experiences that push the boundaries of what an escape room can be. I look forward to whatever madness they may come up with next.

In this month’s Confessions of a Game Master, we asked our game masters what their favorite memory of Cross Roads was and what they looked forward to in Cross Roads’ future. Take a look!

It was hard for me to choose a favorite memory; Between playing escape rooms with the crew, Christmas board game parties, and funny interactions with players, I sure had a lot to choose from. But ultimately, I think what makes Cross Roads so special to me is all the game masters I’ve gotten to work with throughout the years.

Do you have a favorite memory from Cross Roads? We’d love to hear it! Let us know in the comments below or let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Geoff Durham

Game Master, Manager, Birthday Party Master of Ceremonies

Cross Roads Escape Games

Geoff_Nov_3Tips_Header

Three Tips for Escape Rooms with Family

, , , , , 0

The Holidays are here again and for many, that means time off from school and work, lots of food, and visits from family and friends. Of course, when you have out-of-town visitors, you need to find something to keep them entertained.

I love playing escape rooms with my family. Since my brother and I are big escape room fans, it’s almost become tradition to take on an escape room whenever we get together. My parents like to join us as well and, though my dad would say he doesn’t really do much besides hold the clues, I really cherish when I get to participate in one of my passions along with my family.

My Parents after nearly escaping The Fun House.

Bringing your family to an escape room is an exciting and unique way to spend time together, but you should be sure to pick the best game for your group. Here are a few tips to make sure you and your family have the best time possible!

Tip One: Choose A Theme

It’s very important to find a room that everyone in your group will enjoy. Though you may love the intense rush of trying to survive a horror film, there’s a good chance that grandma would prefer something a little less heart-pounding. Escape rooms like The Fun House are a great choice for families because they are light-hearted, appropriate for all ages, and provide fun thrills without any scares.

Tip Two: Choose A Difficulty Level

Unless you have a family of avid gamers and puzzle-solvers, I would recommend looking for games with an easy to medium level of difficulty. Rooms that are packed with puzzles are the best choice so everyone will have something to work on. Non-linear games are also fairly helpful for groups of mixed experience because players can work on multiple puzzles at once, ensuring everyone has something to do. You want to challenge yourselves so you feel accomplished, but you don’t want a game so challenging your group feels overwhelmed.

Tip Three: Play For Fun

Everyone likes to win, but sometimes you have to accept a loss. When playing games with family, it’s important to keep your cool and remember that you are playing an escape room for fun. Manage your expectations and just try to have the most fun you can have in the escape room. Remember that you are getting to spend time with your loved ones, solving puzzles and playing games, and that whether you escape or not shouldn’t really matter as long as you’re creating great memories. And if you do happen to beat the game? Well, that’s just the icing on the cake.

Have you tried taking your family to an escape room? What was your experience? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Geoff Durham

Game Master, Manager

Cross Roads Escape Games

Geoff_Sep_W1_Header

How to Solve a Puzzle

, , , , , 0

On this blog, we’ve covered a lot of topics, from What Is an Escape Room to Who Should I Bring to an Escape Room and a who slew of other escape room-related musings. But I realized just recently that we were missing the most basic part of escape rooms: how do you solve a puzzle? I’ve decided to tackle this deceptively complex topic so first-time players and Escape Room Extraordinaires can play to the best of their ability.

WHAT IS A PUZZLE?

Let’s start at the beginning. According to Merriam-Webster, a puzzle is “something that puzzles” (a very unhelpful definition if you ask me), or “a question, problem, or contrivance designed for testing ingenuity.” In escape rooms, you will come across a wide variety of puzzles, but they will all have something in common:  you will be required to use your brain to connect pieces together and discover an outcome.

Step 1: SEARCH

No matter what type of room you are playing, there is one thing you should always do first: Search the room. This should be a very obvious step, but I have seen many groups stumble over this important step and severely impact their game. Any escape room you play will have clues scattered around for you to find. If you don’t take the time to discover your space and collect the provided clues, there is a good chance you will miss vital information that will help you not only solve your puzzle, but be able to understand what you are solving. I recommend collecting anything that looks like it is a clue and placing it somewhere accessible to the group but not in the way. Put things on top of a large open table or desk if there is one available; Do not pile everything in walkways or in front of doors. Know the difference between what looks like a clue and what is just set dressing. Which brings me to a little footnote here:

Know the difference between clues and set dressing. More often than not, clues are made to stand out just enough that they will catch the eye. Look for things that don’t belong, are repeated in different ways throughout the room (such as colored blocks, similar but distinct statuettes, or jars labelled with different types of poison), or look to be purposefully altered in some way. Leave behind things that do not easily move, seem to only serve the purpose of making the space more believable, or don’t have any defining characteristics. And as a pro-tip, avoid making a mess of the room in case you accidentally cover up something you need.

Step 2: ORGANIZE

After you’ve collected you clues, it’s time to move on to organizing your clues. Organize your found items into groups that correlate with each other. Have a collection of severed doll heads each with different hair? Those might go together. Have three marbles, a rubber snake, and a portrait of an old lady playing cards? Those might not go together unless there is something else that stands out about them. Remember to use common sense. If it feels like you’re stretching to make a connection, there’s a good chance that’s not the right path. Ask your group for their opinions.

It’s important to remember that escape rooms are played by a lot of people each day, each with varying degrees of familiarity with puzzles. Many escape rooms are also aware that they will have players that are not native English-speakers and have developed their puzzles to be more accessible to a wide audience. If you find yourself digging for some obscure horror movie reference to open a lock, chances are there’s an easier way to solve the puzzle.

STEP 3: FIND

After you have organized your clues, it’s time to move on to the next step: finding where to input your code. If you are solving a puzzle and it looks like you are getting an answer containing five numbers, look for a place to input a five-digit code. This can also help you in the opposite direction. Have a collection of items but you’re not sure what to do with them? Look at what you’re trying to unlock. If it’s a five-letter lock, you know you will somehow have to convert your puzzle pieces into letters. Seriously, this is probably one of the most helpful hints I can give for any escape room; Know what you are looking for and let that guide your puzzle solving.

STEP 4: INPUT 

And now we reach the final part of solving a puzzle: input your code. If you are unlocking a number or letter lock made up of tumblers, it’s important to make sure you are aligning your code perfectly to the correct spot. Look for any indicators of where to align your code. After your code is aligned, give the lock a firm tug. Yanking ferociously multiple times on a lock will not open it if you have the wrong code, despite what many people seem to think. If your lock doesn’t open, check again to make sure your code is perfectly aligned to the correct spot and give it another tug. If you are using a keypad, make sure you hit the submit button after entering your code. Most of the time the submit button is specifically stated or may even be part of the code.

BONUS TIP

What if your lock doesn’t open? Double-check your work. Start from the beginning of your puzzle again and make sure you didn’t make a mistake. Ask a teammate to check your work. Search your room for another lock or place to input your code.

I hope this guide will help you or your friends in your escape room endeavors. Remember, escape rooms can be overwhelming at times, but as long as you stop to think about your basics, you can ensure your group moves in the correct direction.

Geoff Durham

Game Master, Manager, Puzzle-Solver

Cross Roads Escape Games

Reflections of a Game Master

Reflections of a Game Master

, , , , 0

As much as we would like to keep our game masters forever (and in some ways, we do; Anyone recognize that nurse from the Psych Ward videos?), sometimes life takes our game masters in another direction. But we always hope that they leave here with a little more experience and a lot of good memories.

We sat down with one of our former game masters and asked her what she’ll take away from her time at Cross Roads Escape Games. Kerri had quite a bit of profound wisdom to share with us and we just had to share it for anyone else who is considering becoming a game master. Check out our Game Master Exit Interview for some great tidbits of wisdom and real-world applications!

Of course, as one game master leaves, another new game master enters. And that means this is your chance to join our team! But do you have what it takes to become a game master?

What makes a great game master?

A great game master needs to be able to maintain character, think on their feet, have great attention to detail, and most importantly have a lot of enthusiasm.

Enthusiasm is easy when you have a passion for what you do, and we are looking for other people that share that passion. Our game masters have honed skills by participating in a plethora of interesting hobbies ranging from Dungeons and Dragons, to live performances, to staring in short indie films, and even medieval combat reenactment. We come from all walks of life and gain inspiration from different sources, but we all share a passion for games, puzzles, and immersive experiences.

Should I be a game master?

If you love escape rooms, puzzles, or immersive theatre, then being a game master is probably for you. A day in the life of a game master is never dull, and every group that you see is totally different from the one before it. Utilize and improve your improv and acting skills in a fun environment!

If you are interested in joining our crew, we will soon be hiring! You can fill out an application on our website and email it along with your cover letter to be considered. 

Geoff Durham

Manager, Game Master

Cross Roads Escape Games

Geoff_May_W1_header

We Need To Talk About Leaderboards

, , , , , 0

Dear Readers,

I’m going to come right out and say it: I hate leaderboards. Some people may call this controversial, but they said the same thing about my List of 10 pop-culture words I hate, Why I hate internet personality quizzes, and My list of controversial and inconsequential dislikes.

Whenever people ask me about the record for one of our rooms, I always hesitate to answer. From the moment someone hears the record for a room they start making assumptions about how their game is going to go. In my experience, fastest time records are almost always outliers from the average experience of players. Most groups will not come close to those arbitrary numbers markered onto the whiteboard in the back.

A record will give a group unrealistic expectations of how they should be playing and can only lead to disappointment.

When a group goes in knowing the record for a room, suddenly they have expectations. They start comparing themselves to this mythical group of 12-armed supergenius octopi that were able to solve a fairly difficult and puzzle-heavy room in less than 30 minutes. They start feeling like they’re falling behind because they aren’t walking out of the door five minutes after the game started.

You should be celebrating  that your group did they best they could.

A leaderboard changes the escape room from being your group versus the game, to your group versus other groups versus the game. Suddenly you’re playing against absolute strangers who have no idea you exist, trying to beat them at something they don’t even know you’re playing. Now, I like a little competition every now and then; Like with games such as The Psych Ward where I’m pitted against my friends in an experiment of trust and betrayal, or in competitions where I know I have an even playing ground like geek trivia where all of my teammates know everything that isn’t music or cult movies so I can pick up the slack and eat pizza. When you escape from an escape room, your group should be celebrating your hard work, communication, and puzzle-solving. There should be laughing, cheering, smiling, and fist-pumping (if you still do that kind of thing.) If you pit yourself against a stranger’s score, there will still be a tinge of disappointment that you didn’t do better.

Leaderboards won’t tell you how much fun the record-holders had.

Another reason I dislike the idea of a “record” is that it feels counter-intuitive to creating a fully immersive escape room experience.  Part of the fun of escape rooms is getting to lose yourself in a new world for an hour. Sure, it’s important to solve the puzzles and try to escape, but I believe you should also take enough time to appreciate your surroundings. Take some time to appreciate the humor and self-aware nature of The Fun House. Take some time to become a horror movie character and believe your surroundings in The Hex Room. Take some time to figure out what is really going on in The Psych Ward, despite the amount of times the nurses and orderlies keep telling you there is no other experiment going on. Believe me, escape rooms are a completely different experience when you allow yourself to be part of the room.

Now that escape rooms are popular enough to become plot points in TV shows like Bob’s Burgers, Portlandia, and Crazy Ex Girlfriend, companies are being more mindful of making their games immersive and unique. If you speed through a game at a breakneck pace, there’s a good chance you’re going to miss things along the way. You should take some time to laugh at a funny code for a lock or marvel at how a complicated puzzle came together. You should take time to interact with any interactive elements in the room. Allow yourself to get lost in the moment. After all, you came to this escape room for fun. Which brings me to my final point…

You came here for fun.

Nobody likes to lose. But when your hobby includes locking yourself in themed rooms with friends in a race against time, there’s a strong possibility that eventually you’re going to experience a loss. I’m here to tell you that’s okay. In fact, a loss every now and then is expected. What’s important is to remember to enjoy yourself. If you have the most fun you can possibly have in a game and then beat the record? Well, that’s just the icing on the cake. The happiest groups we see are normally the ones focused on playing the game who escape with only seconds remaining, not the ones trying to break a record.

I hope, dear readers, that you can agree that I have made some pretty compelling points. If you own an escape room or are an avid player, you may feel differently. What are some reasons you think leaderboards are a good idea for escape rooms to display? Let us know your thoughts in a comment below!

Sincerely,

Geoff Durham
Game Master, Manager, Also Hates Award Shows
Cross Roads Escape Games

Tips for Escape Room Experts

Tips for Escape Room Experts: Confessions of a Game Master

, , , , , , 4

We’ve seen a lot of escape room players over the years, from first-timers to full-on escape artists. That is no surprise though as escape rooms make for great outings or party destinations! With the popularity of escape rooms on the rise, it’s not very hard to find a new game to play near wherever you may be at the moment. But after you play a certain amount of games, they may begin to blend together and start to feel familiar.

Here at Cross Roads Escape Games, our games were designed by escape room enthusiasts for escape room enthusiasts. Owners, Luke and Madison, have played over 250 games together, and we’ve seen several groups with hundreds of games under their belts. How do they keep each game fresh and exciting? Our game masters share some of their observations and tips to ensure you get the most out of each of your escape room experiences, even if you consider yourself an Escape Room Expert.

Tips for Experts:

Teamwork makes the dream work!

Instead of solving a familiar puzzle by yourself, coach someone less familiar through it. That way you’ll both get the experience of solving a puzzle, but also have the chance to work together, making the game more enjoyable for both of you.

Treat each game as a new game.

Even if you think you know how a game is going, allow yourself to discover the room as though it’s your first time. This will prevent you from skipping puzzles, jumping to conclusions, or missing out on hidden clues or experiences.

Be conscious of your group size.

Ask for the suggested group size before making a booking. Games like The Hex Room were designed with a certain number of players in mind. Try playing with the optimal number of players and avoid maxing out a room if possible.

Look for games that push the boundaries.

o Games like The Hex Room and The Psych Ward were designed to push the boundaries of what an escape room can be. Look for games in your area that offer something different that your traditional escape room.

Ask your game master for suggestions.

Often times, game masters have experience with other games in the area and can point you in the direction of your next game. Tell them what you’re looking for in a game (scary, silly, competitive, point-based?) and ask them what their favorite games are.

Remember to have fun.

Remember why you are playing. Don’t let yourself get too worked up on something, and if you feel like you’re flying through a game, take a moment to take a breath and see if there are any experiences you are passing up. I’ve done a few games that offered interactive elements or side quest-type experiences that I could have fun with.

Are you an escape room expert? What are some of your tips for keeping your games fresh and fun? Let us know in a comment below!

Geoff Durham
Game Master, Manager
Cross Roads Escape Games

geoff_petsematary_header

Win exclusive Pet Sematary prizes!

, , , , 0

“There is something up in those woods. Something that brings things back. Sometimes dead is better,” warns Jud Crandall in the trailer for the upcoming film Pet Sematary.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to see the new Pet Sematary. Starry Eyes, the first film from directors Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, is one of my favorite horror films ever and from the moment I heard they were taking the helm of adapting Stephen King’s book, I knew we would be in for a dark and twisted treat. The film has already been receiving rave reviews after its screening at SXSW.

We here at Cross Roads are huge fans of horror. Every day we get to see people live out their very own horror flicks in The Hex Room. The Hex Room is a unique escape room because it is designed to be replayable. Before your game you are cast as either the Detective, Jock, Rebel, Prom Queen, Nerd, or Virgin. You are then placed into individual rooms within the game where it is your team’s job to communicate and escape the individual rooms to come together and escape the game in its entirety. Furthermore, teams are able to leave some players behind. Of course, this leads to a difficult game and often leaves us with a few casualties along the way. Don’t be disparaged, however; sometimes, dead IS better.

Dead Is Better
If you don’t escape your first try at The Hex Room (or if your group left you for dead), there are a few upsides to experiencing a horror movie death.

• You are now familiar with the gameplay. This will allow you to know just how much communication and teamwork the game requires.
• You will most likely have more time to focus on your Hex Box so you survive the horror flick.
• You are now the scariest thing in the room.

Promoters of Pet Sematary teamed up with Cross Roads Escape Games to offer players some merch. Anyone who plays one of our games can reward themselves to a Pet Sematary poster.

For those cunning enough to escape and survive The Hex Room with all SIX survivor medallions, the group will win a Pet Semetary flashlight while supplies last.

See if you have what it takes to survive a horror film with The Hex Room at Cross Roads Escape Games. And don’t worry. If you don’t make it out alive, we know how to bring you back. Prizes available while supplies last!

Watch the Pet Sematary trailer below!

About the movie: Based on the seminal horror novel by Stephen King, Pet Sematary follows Dr. Louis Creed (Jason Clarke), who, after relocating with his wife Rachel (Amy Seimetz) and their two young children from Boston to rural Maine, discovers a mysterious burial ground hidden deep in the woods near the family’s new home. When tragedy strikes, Louis turns to his unusual neighbor, Jud Crandall (John Lithgow), setting off a perilous chain reaction that unleashes an unfathomable evil with horrific consequences. In theaters April 5th, 2019.

Geoff Durham
Game Master, Manager, Would Pet Church the Cat
Cross Roads Escape Games

Load More