Tactical Escape 101- Maplewood Mall

Our group of experienced escape room enthusiasts had high hopes for *Gulliver’s Dreams*, but unfortunately, the experience fell flat due to poor design and execution. The room is structured as two 8-player rooms combined, meant for multiple groups to work simultaneously, but this was never clearly explained. Instead, our rooms were opened one at a time and out of order, making it difficult to understand the intended flow. We were also told the rooms would be interconnected, but nearly all puzzles were self-contained, with only a single clue from Room C being relevant in Room A. This made the experience feel disjointed rather than cleverly linked. The puzzles themselves relied heavily on guesswork, with a frustrating number of counting-based tasks rather than logical problem-solving. To make matters worse, several game devices either delayed or failed to open, adding unnecessary confusion. Instructions were vague, and while we were explicitly told not to force anything, we later realized that some interactions required us to touch the walls—an inconsistency that led to even more frustration. Compounding the issue was our game master, Will H., whose flippant attitude and lack of clear guidance made an already confusing experience even worse. Perhaps the biggest letdown was the ending, which felt abrupt and unsatisfying after all the effort we put in. The room’s general fantasy theme was passable but did little to evoke the spirit of *Gulliver’s Travels*. Additionally, the stated group minimum was misleading—realistically, at least six players are needed, with some rooms requiring three people to operate properly. Overall, *Gulliver’s Dreams* had potential but was ultimately hampered by unclear structure, technical issues, and weak puzzle design. We wouldn’t recommend it unless significant improvements are made.

Mar 22, 2025 · Libdottie

We went to the Maplewood Location and did the Rattlesnake Saloon. We had an amazing time. The storyline was interesting and the escape room was challenging but super exciting. Glen was a phenomenal Host! He was very good at giving us clues along the way! It was a great way to spend an evening out. Thank you Glen!

Oct 26, 2024 · Sara Kaczmarek

This was our second time at Tactical Escape and it was a blast! Our game master Glenn greeted us with excitement and answered all our questions before the game started. His commitment to playing the role enhanced our enjoyment. The room was challenging and masterfully put together. Or group had a great time and with Glenn’s assistance, we were able to complete the challenge with minimal time to spare. We will be back to complete the trifecta.

Mar 30, 2025 · Nick Kaufenberg

I recently visited Tactical Escape 101 and had an amazing experience! The rooms are creatively designed with clever puzzles that were both challenging and rewarding to solve. The attention to detail in the decor and storyline really immersed us in the adventure! The game masters, Glenn & Stella were both incredibly friendly and helpful. They made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy the experiences! First, we did the holiday room with Stella. We had so much fun finding the Elves we stayed and did a SECOND room! That’s when we got to meet Glenn during Gulliver’s Travels! Which was absolutely awesome! Whether you’re a seasoned escape room enthusiast or trying it for the first time, this is a must-visit! We’ll definitely be back to try another room! Highly recommend!!

Dec 26, 2024 · Kelsey Prescott

This was my second time doing an escape room and honestly my first experience elsewhere was not memorable. But my second experience here at Tactical Escape 101 with Glenn as our gamemaster was fantastic! I had so much fun, the puzzles were cool, directions were clear, and best of all Glenn was engaging, hilarious, and great to work with. His personal touch to the game made it memorable and I really had a blast and want to come back when I'm in the area. Thank you so much!!

Feb 11, 2025 · Amanda Nguyen