Imagine participating in a scene of your favorite horror film as the anticipation is flowing all around you. The race against the clock to escape what could be your last known whereabouts is something most people can only live through while watching one of those “nail biting” movies, but what about when something you only see in movies becomes real life?

Amarillo Escape and Mystery is just the place to experience these types of situations as overtly as possible, and enjoying every minute of your time while doing so. This escape room was founded by Randall’s very own journalism teacher Amy Neese, and her childhood friend Jessica Winks. Neese and Winks bring every one of the escape rooms to life by planning a storyline, and creating the room. It sounds like an odd concept—you pay someone to lock you in a room for an hour while you try to solve a series of challenges, riddles and puzzles to get back out again. But real-life room escape games are becoming more and more popular. If you enjoy puzzles, teamwork and working under pressure, then the real-life escape room is the place for you. If you don’t think you like those things, you still might be surprised to find yourself having a great time trying to solve your way out of a locked room.

Escape rooms require anywhere from 2-8 participants per room and each room last about 60 minutes. Communication plays a great role in getting out of the room. You’ll hear this before you enter just about every room. You have to tell your group members if you’ve solved a puzzle, if you need help with something, or if you’ve found a clue. If you have, say, a box that won’t open until you put in the right five-letter word, and your friend found a secret passage in a book with a five-letter word circled, you won’t put those two pieces together unless you’re talking. It might be wise to assign a leader of some kind who will keep track of what’s going on. Use your time outside the room to make introductions and figure out who’s good at what. Wear comfy clothing. Some of these rooms will have you crawling through narrow spaces, and there might be a lot of standing, sitting and looking for things on the ground. Also, it helps to put all the clues you find in one easily accessible place. Groups like items together. Once you’ve used something or solved something, you might want to designate another area as a discard pile. You don’t want to waste time working on a puzzle someone else has already solved. Also, check everything. Clues can be hidden everywhere. Only those who listen, think and cooperate will win.

The most difficult room available at Amarillo Escape and Mystery has a 25% escape rate, the room is called “Esmeralda’s misfortune”, and requires 2-4 participants. With Halloween approaching a few new rooms have been added such as “Phantom’s in the attic: The gentleman’s parlor” and “Phantom’s in the attic: the tea room” which both require 2-4 players. The cost per person is $20, and they are open every evening with the exception of Monday and Wednesday. Another thing offered are Mystery dinners which cost $40 per person. Mystery dinners are partnered with The Wolflin House, and it is a chance for groups to dress up, play the part, and participate in escape rooms. Buffet style dinners are offered and include pork loin, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and bread. To book a game for the escape rooms you must call ahead at least two hours prior to the arrival time, and mystery dinners must be booked 4 days in advance. Participants must pay at the time of booking. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Although the rooms are family friendly, it is recommended for groups 14 years or older.

Amarillo Escape and Mystery is located at 12208 Canyon Drive, and The Wolflin House, at 11925 South Western. For any further questions you can visit www.amarilloescapeandmystery.com.