The Cager Express

This episode we talk about a whole lot of rooms. From the legendary Ruins in Nashville Tennessee back to California for a trip to Rancho Mirage give our opinions on a long list of rooms you should probably get on your list. Here's a look at the list!Endangered - Escape Games at the RiverThe Ruins , Nashville, and Mission Mars The Escape Game - Berry HillAvalanche, Ghost Hunters and Temple of Lost Gold at Maze Room RobertsonWrongfully Convicted at The Escape RevolutionThe Crystal Cave at Breaking PointThrough the Sugar Glass at Quest TavernCode Black at the Experience MachineScooby Doo at Escapology!Lastly say check out our recent Episode on the EscapuzzledUK Podcast

Things are looking quiet in the escape room industry. Beth and Ky discuss where they think everything is headed and what may be next for new forms of entertainment. Escape break is back and evolving as the show will be adding in some new elements for everyone to enjoy.

Ky, Kirby, Tati and Kev make it out to Tennessee to see what the area has to offer. In this two-part episode we spend time in a small area called Gatlinburg! With no true expectations we were pleasantly surprised by some of the games out there! This trip is one worth taking with quality people like our team. We hope you enjoy listening to the memories we had!

Happy Halloween 2024 from us three sensitive menaces at Escape Break. On this episode we discuss bringing back rooms that no longer exist. As we resurrect each room we also add to what it once was. By suggesting improvements or evolutions to the adventures past we hope to be a modern day Dr. Frankenstein. Tune in for more spooky fun, tips on how to survive and a bonus pitch meeting for a future reality show.

Escape Break continues their trip to Las Vegas, Nevada to experience some more traditional escape adventures Tune in to this episode to hear all about the Lost Games and Trapped! If you weren't a fan on the horror experiences prior, these rooms are more up your alley for a traditional escape time! This is Part 2 of 2 in the Vegas Adventures. We hope you enjoy!

Escape Break takes a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada to experience some horror games of legend. Tune in to this episode to hear all about the Saw, Blair Witch, and IT Experiences. These escape rooms are not your traditional experiences so the crew is here to ensure you can have the best time while playing them. As always, no spoilers here, but Tati and Cager Ky are excited to share some tips to encourage you to take the trip out to the valley. This is Part 1 of 2 in the Vegas Adventures. We hope you enjoy!

On this episode of Escape Break Cager Ky, Beth and Tati take a break from the physical escape room experiences and delve into the table top realm. From one and done experiences to replayable adventures, the crew runs through their pros and cons of this world. Without spoilers, learn everything you need to know if certain games will be for you. Games covered in this episode: The Exit Game Series, Unlock! Series, Four Seater Games, Escape Academy, Escape Simulator, The Initiative, Mother of Frankenstein and more!

On this episode of Escape Break, host Ezekiel Cager Ky is joined by longtime friend Dani, who traveled from OKC to take on the award-winning escape room, The Man from Beyond. They discuss Dani's growing passion for escape rooms, despite only having a few under her belt, and share memorable moments from their adventure. The episode wraps up with some quick-fire questions for Ky about future escape room themes and ideas that would be welcome additions to the industry. We hope you enjoy this episode for a fun, spoiler free discussion.

What are the top 10 best escape rooms you've ever played? An impossible task but a welcome challenge. Ezekiel Cager Ky has played 326 escape rooms to date and in this episode, he dives into a list of 10 superior escape room experiences he whole heartedly recommends. How does this list of 10 compare to the list he made 2 years ago? While there are plenty of SoCal Adventures on this list, Ky's selections span 3 different states. We hope you enjoy this episode and add some rooms to your wish list.

The And Then Top 10 Series continues as Beth Divel shares with us 10 escape rooms that she absolutely loves. Prepare for a great list but with a little bit of heartbreak because some of Beth's list no longer exists anymore. She's here to share the nostalgia, nonsense, and new rooms for you to get on your wish list.

Back in 2022 the crew shouted out their respective Top 10 Escape Rooms Ever. Two years later and they've been asked to highly 10 new ones from the ones left out before and the rooms they've experienced over the last 2 years. This episode, the one and only, Tatiyana recaps 10 S-level adventures she experienced over the road to 300+. A mixture of SoCal, NorCal and even Arizona, is a list worth reckoning with. We hope you enjoy!

Join host Cager Ky on this exciting episode of Escape Break as the crew dives into the intricate world of escape room ratings. We have encountered a plethora of puzzling scenarios, each leaving a distinct impression on us. Simply put 5 stars are not enough so we made up our own scale! In this episode, Cager unveils his chaotically crafted ranking system: The Escape Break Barometer (TEBB). This innovative system breaks down the escape room experience into six distinct tiers, providing both seasoned escape artists and newcomers alike with a comprehensive framework for evaluating their adventures. We explore each tier of TEBB, offering valuable insights into what makes an escape room truly memorable. Whether you're a casual player or a dedicated junkie, this episode promises to equip you with a system to utilize. We hope you all enjoy!

Join hosts Ezekiel Cager Ky and replacement host Cager Ky as they venture into the depths of the Southern California escape room scene with their signature wit and mischievous charm. In this episode, the dynamic duo shares never before heard tales of the worst escape rooms in SoCal. From broken locks to bizarre themes, no escape room is safe from these sensitive menaces. Tune in for a rollercoaster ride of laughter and cheeky surprises and hear why Beth and Tatiyana are no longer on the show.

Escape Break proudly welcomes Mairi Nolan, a game designer who specializes in puzzles, unique narrative structures, and mysteries. Mairi works on video games, board games, escape rooms, live immersive events, ARGs, murder mysteries, scavenger hunts, and everything in-between. But what is best about Mairi? She listens to Escape Break all the way from her home out in the UK. She's been kind enough to promote the show in her global newsletter for escape rooms, Escape Industry News and joins us today for a nice chat! We hope you all enjoy as at least for one day, Escape Break goes international. You can check out Mairi's work in the links below! https://escapeindustry.com/ https://www.mairispaceship.com/

The Ministry of Peculiarities is an escape room adventure like no other. A perfect mix of Immersive Theater with traditional Escape Rooms where you and your team investigate a mystery at Hope End. Join us this special episode as we interview creators Jonathan and Benjamin Berk! The Ministry has always been a big supporter of The Cager Express and we can't say enough good things about this adventure. You can apply for entry into the Ministry now! It's an adventure you don't want to miss. The Ministry of Peculiarities | Azusa, CA Ps.. learn a little bit about the second mission coming this year!

One day every 4 years, Escape Rooms would be run differently. People could die, games would involve food to eat, or anything you could imagine. We ask the team how they would envision this once in a 4-year occurrence and they have some pretty wild ideas. Toward the end of the episode, we take some listener questions. Tune in for all the fun and Happy Leap Day 2024

Would you rather play Scenario Escape or Confusion Escape? A very tough question and one you won't have to answer. However, you will get to hear about both of these great escape room companies on this episode of escape break. After the room talk Tati unleashes some tough would you rather questions on Cager Ky. Would you rather play a room solo or with 10 people? Tune in for the answers and some other wild hypothetical scenarios.

In short answer: Yes! Joined by special guest Ariana Hartman of Infinity Escape, we check out one of Wild Goose's newer rooms The House Next Door. This episode we discuss what it's like to play with junkies like us and how intimidating that may be. Towards the end of the show we play a new game: Escape Room Categories! How many rooms can you name that involve space? How many can you name that are over 60 minutes? Beth and Ky go head to head to see who knows best!

With Valentines Day around the corner the team resumes their annual debate: Are escape rooms good for finding love? Beth, Ky and Tati nominate their favorite rooms for taking a date out as well as a segment of red flags and green flags to look out for. Whether single or in a relationship we hope we can all share he love of puzzles!

Tatiyana achieves her 300th Escape Room at the Ministry of Peculiarities! We take this episode to congratulate her and discuss some of the rooms leading the way there. The Ultimate Game Master returns with a story of a rude one who we luckily avoided on our trip. The episode concludes with a game of Story Tellers. Can you identify these Souther California Rooms just by hearing the story told? We hope you enjoy this episode of Escape Break!

On the final episode of Getting to Know, Cager Ky takes the stage. Tati and Beth take turns questioning him with the wild and wacky. From understanding life changing events, the future of escape rooms and even explaining the game of basketball to a newbie, this episode has the most variety of them all. Tati also gets some revenge for some tough hypotheticals she was put in on the previous episodes. We hope you all enjoy!

Tatiyana is the calculated and most organized on Escape Break. This episode we take some time to get to know more behind her love of Escape Rooms, Dogs and Sports. Beth and Cager Ky do their best to make the questions tough but insightful on this special episode of Getting to Know Tati.

She has no rival, it's Escape Break's own Beth Divel! This episode your favorite multicolored, high energy host get put on the hot seat! She'll answer a variety of questions submitted from the other hosts and our loyal Escape Breaker Family! Tune in for some laughs and support for this one of a kind puzzle ninja!

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the show, We find Beth on an adventure with Tatiyana Abarro. A mysterious old lady helps Beth to stay warm, But Tati meets a boy who is far from the norm. This episode isn't filled with too much love, but instead, a mystery, some puzzles and nightclubs. The chaos is building, the tension alive. Listen to this Holiday special to see who survives. Happy Holidays from all of us here at The Cager Express and Escape Break!

Beth, reinvigorated on the quest to 300 escape rooms teams up with Cager Ky to play a trio of room at 60Out! Known for their hit or miss adventures, the crew lucked out with 3 strong games to discuss. Casino Heist II - A traditional yet solid money stealing mission Wizards Treasure - A phenomenal transportation to world of magic and wonder. Hotel and Road 666 - A mind bending stay at a hotel that truly wants you to stay forever. While it has been a while the team was firing on all cylinders and had a wonderful time taking advantage of some Black Friday gift cards! Thanks to Anthony and Chandler for being great hosts!

Tatiyana and Cager Ky head to San Pedro California to play the trio escape rooms at Brain Games! From The Laboratory, to Twenty Ghost and their hit game, Treasure Island, they had a blast. Tune in to this no spoiler episode highlighting a puzzle heavy adventure in SoCal.

Beth, Tati & Ezekiel Cager Ky get together to discuss the recent results of the TERPECA 2023 First Round. With some passionate opinions they each discussed who was snubbed and who they believe shouldn't have made it. With Cager Achieving 300 Escape rooms the focus shifts to Tati and Beth as they approach this notable milestone. We hope you enjoy!

Escape Break returns with a segment of our award nominations for TERPECA, a quick humbling game of chain reaction and a set of Key Questions. Tati turns up the heat as she recently was victim to playing a room that she had played in the past under a different name. We ask the question is it too hard to disclaim that a room was bought? Is it ethical to not disclose this information to your consumers? Additionally, as rooms try and make more money, we question the implementation of paid beta tests and video footage to purchase. All this and more on Escape Break!

On this spooky episode of Escape Break the crew discusses their favorite scary movies, top scary escape rooms and reveal some underlying fears. Thanks to Beth, a few rounds of Dying To Ask You are played and it soon becomes clear that there is a little darkness in all of us. Scary Escape Rooms don't have to be terrifying, so tune in for some great options to play from horrifying adventures to light and spooky good times. Have a safe Halloween from us here at the Escape Break team!

Welcome to the National Escape Room Day recap! Tati and Ky discuss this year's NERD event. From all the different activities at each booth to the winners of the escape room day trivia we have it all in store. This special episode includes sound bites from those who had a chance to speak with us at the event! Listen in to hear about why everyone loves escape rooms so much, their favorite rooms and some special interviews with Skeleton Key Escapes Rooms, MindFox and Escape The Arcade. We hope you enjoy!

Welcome in to the first Escape Break Olympics. In this episode Beth and Tatiyana go head-to-head in a battle of Escape Room Trivia and more. Games Include Escape Room Trivia Escape Break Trivia Is That A Room Categories This episode is in honor of the upcoming National Escape Room Day on October 1st 2023. We hope to see you at this Southern California Event as Ezekiel Cager Ky will be hosting trivia at this great gather. Tune in for some fun as this match goes down to the wire! We hope to see you at the beginning of October!

Escape Break had the pleasure of coming back to Northern California. The crew visited Yuba City and Freemont California to take on 6 rooms collectively. NorCal Escape had been on the radar for us for quite some time as a locally recommended gem. Additionally, Off The Couch Games was a highly awaited nostalgic treat. We discuss both of these great companies to check out and what the future holds for both of them. Tune in for the fun, we hope you enjoy!

The Ultimate Game Master returns with an extra dash of ultimate thanks to Infinity Escape's Ariana Hartman. Touting the award winning Magic Cottage, Ariana join us to discuss being a game master and a quick look at the stories behind their existing rooms. We get some brief details about their upcoming room as well. As the episode shifts we talk more about: Ariana's Game Mastering Tips How To Reset Rooms Navigating Tech Failures Making Sure A Great Picture Is Taken Be sure to play all the rooms at Infinity Escape if you are even in Fullerton CA, and don't forget to catch the Hart to Heart Radio show next season on Titanradio.org.

Scott Levy is one of the owners of The Immersive Machine in Phoenix Arizona. But before he teamed up to create the out of this world adventure of Sal's Cybernetics he was just an escape room enthusiast like the rest of us! Scott is also the father of the original Escape Room tracker: sponsored by Excel. We sit down and chat it up with Scott to talk about all his many ventures into the escape room world and a great behind the scenes look of his wonderful game.

The back half of our Arizona episode consists of some big hitters in the Escape Room world: The Nemesis Club: Evil Robots Mogollon Monster Paragon Escapes: Return of The Pharaoh The Immersive Machine: Sal's Cybernetics Each one of these games can all be in the discussion for top adventure out in the desert but Tati and Cager Ky have a clear favorite. We play a quick game of Is That A Room and then continue the landscape of the evolving puzzle scene in Arizona. We hope you can make a trip out and play a lot of these rooms in the future!

The Escape Room scene out in Arizona is one to be reckoned with and we are here to talk about it. We took a trip to Arizona and completed 12 total rooms and this episode we talk about 3 companies to consider playing: Eludesions: Mad Hatter's Tea Party Runestone Path To Enlightenment The Painter's Collection North Valley Escape Rooms: Big Top Circus Alcatraz The Greatest Escape Room: The Art Museum: Heist Isle of Wonder All in all we had a great time with these rooms and recommend quite a few of them. No spoilers here but this is just part one of our Arizona adventure.

On this episode of Escape Break we discuss if there is a lack of creativity in the escape room world. After several years of escaping, is it time for some themes to retire completely? We also discuss the trend and details behind redoing a room as a version 2.0, theming a room after someone else's IP, and if any theme is truly original any more. With some taking on the Winnie the Pooh theme, and others touting the seconding coming of Fullerton's Zoe, we acknowledge the challenge ahead. With many following the trend of imitating others, we are in search for the few, the brave, the creative. Questions discussed: Should any room themes retire? Can a room really be played twice? Are companies being honest about their new games? Are IP rooms good or bad? To build or buy: Which is better?

Camille Chartier, the General Manager of Wild Goose Escapes joins us for an interview. Wild Goose currently has 3 locations in Southern California and are looking at building a 4th. After taking over of the long running escape room, Fox in A Box, Wild Goose is learning how to balance the craft of inheriting rooms and bringing in their own brand at a high pace. The Wild Goose original rooms are a great play and they have plans on bringing in a few more within a years time. Tune in to hear more about Camille and the hit rooms S.A.S.H.A. Home of the Future, Secrets of Shadow Point and their new rooms on the way.

On this episode of Escape Break, the crew watches an Escape Room movie so you don't have to. This special Film Session episode covers the Sci-Fi movie "No Escape Room" (2018). This film gives all it knows about the escape room world and we soon find out it's a bit out of touch. However, the team is here to guide you through and analyze the movie for a few laughs and save you from watching what could be described as the last escape room movie you'd ever want to see.

This is The Ultimate Game Master. A series that covers tips and tricks to help all game masters reach a level of excellence like never before. Beth Divel and Ezekiel Cager Ky lead this episode to cover 5 new topics to help game masters provide top of the line experiences. From conducting the perfect game to understanding how to represent the community well, they are set to help keep the ER heading in the right direction. Todays tips include: Orchestrate Timing Be Honest With Your Builds Seek To Gain Skills Answer The Phone Represent The Community Well Thank you for all the support and make sure to reach out on Instagram at @TheCagerExpress

If there is one downside to being addicted to Escape Rooms, it's the cumulative cost to play them all! Ezekiel Cager Ky and Tati discuss a few Key Questions revolving around money and the love of puzzles. Before the debate begins, a quick game of " Is That A Room?" and then we get into the topic of the day. This episode covers several key questions: Why are Escape Rooms so expensive? Should all Escape Rooms cost the same? Do you really love Escape Rooms if you ask for discounts? Should you tip your Game Master? All in all it comes down to one question you hope you can say yes to: Are you getting your money's worth? We got your answers on this episode of Escape Break!

The 'Best Of' Battle is back with the whole crew on Escape Break. Did you know that in some escape rooms you actually get to break things? Who is the most memorable voice you've puzzled with in a room? Some escape rooms don't even end in an escape, you just collect as many points as you can. It's all talked about in this showdown. Our categories: Best Destruction Puzzle. Best Voice Interaction. Best Point Collecting Room. Tune in to see who brought it best in showing their love of Escape Rooms. Let us know what moments you think are the best too!

Having trouble finding the right Escape Room to play? Need help organizing your Escape Room list? Look no further than Morty: The Escape Room App that is taking the community by storm. Andy Bauch, the Co-founder of Morty joins Ky on this episode to talk about the app, the top requested features and the future for all the Android users out there. Morty just released their Web App version so everyone can create an account now and enjoy the fun! New to Morty? You can check it out here!

Welcome to The Ultimate Game Master! An educational series lead by Ezekiel Cager Ky and Beth Divel. Tune in each episode of U.G.M. to learn tips and tricks to creating the Ultimate Adventure! This episode we cover 6 topics: Know Your Rooms Pay Attention to Your Group Immerse Your Stories and Rules Give Real Hints Like Your Customers Play Escape Rooms Each topic is dissected and discussed by your favorites hosts as they share their experiences from being Game Masters, Managers, Voice Actors Designers and Director of Operations. We hope you all enjoy!

Bringing in the new year, Tatiyana hosts an episode! What starts out as some light hearted games recapping the year quickly turns in some heated conversation. Tune in as Tatiyana takes time highlighting some Southern California Escape Rooms which won awards in 2022. However the heat rises when Cager Ky finds out some of the award candidates and processes. It's been cold even in So-Cal so let the temperature rise with this month's episode of Escape Break! Don't worry, they are still friends!

What's up everyone! Welcome to the new year with a quick episode with me, Ezekiel Cager Ky. Listen in for a preview of the year to come and some updates on some of the shows of the past.

With the last episode of 2022 we bring to you the Escape Break Eve Games. Beth, Tati and Cager Ky each create an escape room themed game for the others to play. If you love escape rooms, you can play too! Join the holiday cheer as Beth hosts: Is that a Room?, Tati hosts: Christmas Trivia and Ky runs a winter themed audio escape room of randomness! Thank you for spending your Escape Year with us.

One of the greatest escape rooms you can ever play is in Anaheim California at Cross Roads Escape Games. Madison and Luke Rhoades let their creativity and imagination shine in all their adventures and we get to pick their brains about it. From their initial hit room the Hex Room with 6-player split start, all the way to their show stopping horror game, The Weeping Witch, this duo know show to put on a show. Be sure to check out Cross Roads while you're in the area, any game you choose you will have a great time. https://crossroadsescapegames.com/

The Escape Room Draft is here! Tatiyana and Ezekiel Cager Ky faceoff in a head to head draft as they use their imaginations to create their own escape rooms. This match up is Candy Land vs Dinner Time. How will they pick puzzle styles and integrate them into their room? Who will have the more appealing adventures? It's up to you to decide on this episode of Escape Break!

The 'Best Of' Battle continues on Escape Break. Cager Ky, Tati and Beth square off for 3 more rounds of playful banter as they try and determine the best moments ever to exist in the Escape Room World. This episode's battle categories include: Best Solo Task Best Story Line Best Puzzle Involving Music Tune in to listen to our experiences chronicling some top rooms around the country. Companies highlighted include: Scenario Escape, The 13th Gate, Clever Fox, The Basement, 60out, Crossroads Escape, Stashhouse, & Hatch.

Thankfulness is in the air as we gather around the Escape Table for an Escape Break Thanksgiving. We discuss what we are thankful for in the industry from games, people and moments that brought us together. Awkward dinner questions are posed as light-hearted fun at the dinner table and we end the episode with a new game: Poorly Described Escape Rooms. For those who support the show , listen and interact with us - We are thankful for you!