Victoria Escape Games
Victoria Escape Games
4.5
About
Vancouver Island's premier escape room & live-action adventure company!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
39 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
4
KdR78
3 contributions
May 2022 • Family
We had a great experience!
2 adults and 3 kids (age 10/11)
Our guide was patient with the excited kids, helpful through the game and very encouraging.
We chose beginner and it was perfect for the kiddos and even had the parents thinking.
Would definitely do again and the kids all agreed they want to do the next one!
2 adults and 3 kids (age 10/11)
Our guide was patient with the excited kids, helpful through the game and very encouraging.
We chose beginner and it was perfect for the kiddos and even had the parents thinking.
Would definitely do again and the kids all agreed they want to do the next one!
Written May 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dana888
Victoria, Canada64 contributions
Mar 2023
Our group of 4 had one hour to escape the Spies Counter Heist room. With a few tips from our guide we managed to get out in time. Many different clues that are linked together and various puzzles to solve. Looking forward to the next room that they offer!
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celeste T
Oroville, WA37 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
We were a family group of 6. Three married couples around age 60. Our host was obviously following carefully orchestrated company policies, so it probably would have been the same with any of their hosts. The introduction and rules to the game were carefully explained to us both verbally, in writing, and via an intro video.
I myself have run an outdoor "lower ropes" team building course and know how difficult it is not to intervene and give hints and clues to success when none should be given. Our host was perfectly quiet until we asked for a clarification (allowed) or to give us one of our 4 clues. He was very good at making sure everyone was in agreement to accept a clue.
We learned after we failed that we chose the most difficult room, that has only a 15% success rate. This was our first ever escape room and learned after that we kept from using our clues too long. Decide ahead of time as a group at what point you will ask for a clue. I think we would have chosen the first one at 15 minutes in instead of 30 minutes in. He though (and so did we) that if we started a little sooner with the clues that we might have been able to complete the task.
This would be a great activity to do on an extremely bad weather day in Victoria as it is all inside.
I myself have run an outdoor "lower ropes" team building course and know how difficult it is not to intervene and give hints and clues to success when none should be given. Our host was perfectly quiet until we asked for a clarification (allowed) or to give us one of our 4 clues. He was very good at making sure everyone was in agreement to accept a clue.
We learned after we failed that we chose the most difficult room, that has only a 15% success rate. This was our first ever escape room and learned after that we kept from using our clues too long. Decide ahead of time as a group at what point you will ask for a clue. I think we would have chosen the first one at 15 minutes in instead of 30 minutes in. He though (and so did we) that if we started a little sooner with the clues that we might have been able to complete the task.
This would be a great activity to do on an extremely bad weather day in Victoria as it is all inside.
Written September 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AudraFG
Victoria, Canada1 contribution
May 2016 • Business
When redeeming a Groupon voucher, i questioned if the additional $30 for taxes being charged at redemption was aligned with CRA rules and being calculated correctly (promotional price was $119). In response, Derek told me that i was welcome to "return the Groupon and pay full price". I then said "Great customer service, thank you. I will spread the word." Derek's response was "As you wish. You have already taken up too much of my time." The chat timeline on this topic was 5 minutes. I think this is incredibly rude treatment of a customer and i will not give this business my patronage for any of its venues.
Written May 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Audra. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to illustrate precisely the sort of customer we do NOT want at Victoria Escape Games.
Your Groupon states, in part:
"The Rules
"These are the restrictions that apply to every Groupon voucher...
"Redemption
"Doesn't cover tax or gratuity."
To my knowledge ALL Groupons do not cover tax and tip.
Audra, you are not my customer and have not set foot in my establishment, so have no business rating or reviewing them. What you have done is behave argumentatively and threateningly, making yourself sufficiently a nuisance as to make yourself unwelcome in my establishment.
Let me clarify a basic fact: Being blunt is not being rude. You bought a discounted ticket worth $250 for $119. You, like everyone, have to pay tax and tip on Groupons at the full rate not the discounted rate. This is Groupon's business model, not mine. If you don't like it then take it up with Groupon. I explained that to you, at which point you began to argue and quibble with me. The conversation in question took place late at night, well after business hours. I was taking time away from loved ones to assist you (something I don't have to do) because I was being kind and helpful. I answered your question and patiently explained what the additional charge was for. You paid my kindness with argument, then implied threats. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. I am a business owner engaged in a commercial exchange among equals, not your servant or slave. I do not respond positively to threats.
Paying taxes is not open to debate or argument. I'm not interested in arguing with you. Your choice--as I bluntly stated--was simple, either pay the tax on the Groupon, or return the Groupon and pay the full price. Or go elsewhere. What you can NOT do is waste my time arguing or making threats about it. Stating this brute fact bluntly is not being rude, it is being firm. It was at that point that I ended our conversation, inviting you to take your business elsewhere.
You are exactly the type of customer that is not welcome at my establishment. You made threats against me as an attempt to invoke leverage in an argument. That you have then followed through on those threats demonstrates for the world the sort of person you are. I have complete faith that readers know the sort of customer that you are, and appreciate that such customers must be dealt with firmly. I also have complete faith that readers can see from the other reviews that anyone who has actually done one of our escape rooms has nothing but glowing praise. Good bye and good riddance.
Written June 11, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jameson m
Victoria, Canada62 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
The fellow who runs the joint was in the room with us the entire time which sort of ruined the experience -- it felt like he had some previous clients man-handle his props and was quick to tell us "don't do that... then he would say -- well you should have tried this!" Well you just gave us the gears for trying that with XYZ over there -- so we were a little stand-offish to try to get things to move, etc... which is the point I think? We weren't forcing anything, and I felt as though he was too protective of his value village finds.
It felt like my dad was watching over me so I wasn't going to break anything. We're 30-33 year old professional adults. Did it as a group of four.
Not negative -- not positive -- neutral review.
It felt like my dad was watching over me so I wasn't going to break anything. We're 30-33 year old professional adults. Did it as a group of four.
Not negative -- not positive -- neutral review.
Written March 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel A Spark
Victoria, Canada77 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
We decided to try this business for an escape game called Trinity project as part of a bachelor party. This was our very first stop early in the evening. Upon our arrival, the staff member of this business was rude, abusive and threatening towards us simply because we were boisterous and were a group of six fairly large men (all professionals) and accused us of being intoxicated (which we were not). We were so taken aback by their extremely unprofessional behavior that we considered leaving on the spot, however, we were then threatened with not having our money refunded. So away we went, forced to spend 90 minutes in an extremely awkward and uncomfortable situation, simply to get our moneys worth. We were not about to throw away $180 for nothing.
The game itself was boring and the puzzles were really not well thought out. There was so much walking involved it really took the fun out of it as well. We knew it was a scavenger hunt style escape game, however, the game spans over 12 city blocks which is quite a bit of walking. Too much in my opinion.
The games master that accompanied us was too involved in our game, as if he were part of the group, and kept trying to give us clues rather than let us try to solve the puzzles on our own. He would suggest things like "look over here" completely uninvited which kind of ruined that part of the game for us as well.
Towards the end, we stopped caring if we even solved the game because of the poor execution and still-lingering awkwardness of the initial part of the evening. When I followed up with the owner regarding our experience, he was rude, insulting and threatening towards me as well. Having now read some other reviews about this business, I see we are not the only ones who have had this nearly identical experience.
I recommend you avoid this business at all costs!
The game itself was boring and the puzzles were really not well thought out. There was so much walking involved it really took the fun out of it as well. We knew it was a scavenger hunt style escape game, however, the game spans over 12 city blocks which is quite a bit of walking. Too much in my opinion.
The games master that accompanied us was too involved in our game, as if he were part of the group, and kept trying to give us clues rather than let us try to solve the puzzles on our own. He would suggest things like "look over here" completely uninvited which kind of ruined that part of the game for us as well.
Towards the end, we stopped caring if we even solved the game because of the poor execution and still-lingering awkwardness of the initial part of the evening. When I followed up with the owner regarding our experience, he was rude, insulting and threatening towards me as well. Having now read some other reviews about this business, I see we are not the only ones who have had this nearly identical experience.
I recommend you avoid this business at all costs!
Written August 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jesse H
3 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
We managed to book a group of 10 at the last minute. Derek was very accommodating!
We have a lot of collective experience with escape rooms in Vancouver and Toronto. We found that despite having a large group, we had enough room to spread out and work on different puzzles. They were not excessively difficult, but rather the right balance.
We had a lot of fun, and the ambience was well designed!
We have a lot of collective experience with escape rooms in Vancouver and Toronto. We found that despite having a large group, we had enough room to spread out and work on different puzzles. They were not excessively difficult, but rather the right balance.
We had a lot of fun, and the ambience was well designed!
Written June 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Konater
Victoria33 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Our bubble of friends had a blast doing this!! It was our first venture in ages and felt safe as well as fun! Even the beginner level was challenging for us but we persevered,haha!
Written February 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kazp45
Victoria, British Columbia1 contribution
May 2016 • Friends
Arkham Saga 1 was one of the most well-designed rooms our group has ever had the pleasure of escaping from! We had 10 people in our group and no one was ever standing idle, and we still only escaped with 2 minutes to go! For people who are frustrated with escape rooms always being dimly lit with scary music playing in the background, the Arkham Saga 1 room is a treat! It's really nice to be able to focus solely on the puzzles rather than being frustrated with the fact that you can't hear or see each other. I would definitely recommend this escape room!
Written July 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bernadette_mcrae
Victoria, British Columbia1 contribution
Jun 2016 • Business
We had the opportunity to challenge another group with this "game" - it was great fun. Organized so well, it almost felt real! Great job Derrick! I'm looking forward to doing this again in a new room!
Bernadette
Bernadette
Written June 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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