Puzzle Break is constructing a new, adventurous escape room opening soon in Rego Park.
In the works for about six to eight months now, the escape room will occupy the former offices of the Queens Chronicle, a storefront at 62-33 Woodhaven Blvd. The Chronicle relocated to Glendale several years ago.
With locations in Long Island, Seattle, Massachusetts and on Royal Caribbean cruises, this will be Puzzle Break’s first location in Queens.
“We’re already out in Long Island and we love the Queens area that we’re going into, which is by the Queens mall and Atlas mall. We’re very excited to bring what we consider to be a huge community location to a brand-new community,” said Justin Williams, chief operating officer of Puzzle Break Long Island.
An escape room, also known as an “escape game,” is a physical adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints and strategy to complete the objectives at hand.
Players are given a set time limit to unveil the secret plot which is hidden within each themed room.
“So far, we’ve started construction, building the rooms and getting it prepared for the game installation. There are going to be three escape games, plus a beautiful event space in the location,” Williams said.
The first game, “Escape the Midnight Carnival,” isn’t an ordinary carnival, said Williams. Players will have to find the clues, solve the puzzle, and unravel the mystery of the midnight carnival before it’s too late.
The second game, “Escape From 20,000 Leagues,” is an underwater laboratory with failing life support, where players have one hour to find the clues, solve the puzzle, and escape the depths before life support runs out.
Lastly, “The Grimm Escape” is a room where players are trapped in a Grimm-inspired forest cursed by an evil witch. They have one hour to find the clues, solve the puzzle, and break the witches spell to escape the locked room.
If players don’t solve the puzzle within one hour, they have two options: ask for a rundown of what they missed, or come back to solve the puzzle again, said Williams.
“Our games are very very well written to the point where you’re going to feel like you’ve been transported to the world we’ve created for you,” said Chale. “They’re fun, intriguing, and most of all, challenging. By the time you get out of our rooms, you should feel very excited and fulfilled.”
Puzzle Break is expected to open in Rego Park in mid-March or April.
“If you’re someone looking for a good time, something unique and exciting to do rather than the same old events every single weekend, you should come by and put down your cell phones, and actually interact with your family and friends in an exciting, live action game,” said Williams.
