The Paradox Project: The Bookstore

This is my new favorite escape room--worth a trip to Athens all in its own, though the other two Paradox Project rooms are very nearly as good. We were in the room for a total of FOUR HOURS, which sounds interminable, but the puzzles and immersion are so good that the time spent feels exactly right. The start of the game is immediately immersive--no chatting with a host and dealing with payment and rules and all that, just open a door off the street, and you're in the bookstore. The use of space was creative, the sheer number of rooms was incredible, the puzzles were fantastic and many of them unique. In terms of logistics for the game: we played it in English, and there was access to a bathroom and the option to take a break midway.

This room is huge and a lot to do for a 2 (designed for 4+). 

Could easily be a 4.5 or 5 if they just made it shorter by cutting some of the weaker puzzles (or even entire rooms). 3.5hrs means it finishes with a sense of "thank god that's over", which is a shame as the room is so strong (just too long). We have done 6 rooms in a day before, but I think the regular short breaks help. 

This was the first time we ever failed to get out of a room in time in ~100 games, likely tainted my feeling at the finale. 

I would recommend this room to any enthusiast simply because it will offer something new and novel. 

This game is in my top-3 of all time. The sequel to a game that started their 3-hour USP, and this game really delivers.

I don't want to say much more, other than the hype around this game is justified. If you are going to Athens and can't play all 3 of theirs, just this one should be on your list - but if you can do all, then do them in order.