When The Escape Game opened its doors at City Point BKLYN in February 2024, it marked a milestone for the Nashville-based company — representing a deliberate shift toward serving local communities.
“We wanted a location that caters to locals more,” explains Savannah Cummings, General Manager of The Escape Game at City Point BKLYN. “Our other NYC location is Midtown, which has more tourists, and so we wanted a local joint.” The strategy is working. While the Brooklyn location attracts visitors from outside the borough, it has become a neighborhood destination for families and groups seeking immersive entertainment.
Savannah Cummings, General Manager of The Escape Game at City Point BKLYN
More than just an escape room
The Escape Game elevates the traditional escape room concept into something more sophisticated and theatrical. Each 60-minute experience takes players through multiple interconnected rooms where solving puzzles literally opens new spaces and reveals surprises. “As players solve the puzzles, the game gets bigger as you go, doors open, sometimes things that do not appear to be doors open, and there are elements of surprise throughout the room,” Cummings describes.
The company’s design team, based at headquarters in Nashville, crafts these experiences with meticulous attention to detail. New games are developed every one to two years, with each location offering a carefully curated selection rather than the entire catalog. The Brooklyn location features some of the company’s most popular offerings, including the notoriously challenging “Prison Break.”
“Prison Break is our most popular game and it’s at most locations,” Cummings notes. “It’s the hardest game because right off the bat you must rely solely on communication.” The game’s unique split-start format separates players into different cells, forcing teams to communicate across rooms to solve interconnected puzzles, a design that makes teamwork essential from the very first minute.
Prison Break is The Escape Game’s most challenging adventure. Photo: The Escape Game
A playground for all ages
While Prison Break tests strategy and communication, Cummings’ personal favorite reveals another side of The Escape Game’s appeal. “I really love Playground,” she says. “It’s a big game; it fits 12 people. It is non-linear, so many things can happen all at once, which is why it’s great for big groups.”
What makes Playground special isn’t just its capacity or complexity; it’s the psychological transformation. “It’s cool to see adults come into the games and allow themselves to be a kid, and I think Playground brings that out in a lot of people.” This observation speaks to The Escape Game’s broader appeal as a space where adults can temporarily shed their inhibitions and embrace play.
At the City Point location, players can also dive into Cosmic Crisis, Timeliner: Train Through Time, The Depths, and Gold Rush. Every room presents a different world of storytelling and mind-bending puzzles that will challenge and captivate participants.
Savannah says Playground is her favorite challenge. Photo: The Escape Game
Community connections
The Escape Game’s commitment to service locals goes beyond its location. They’ve established partnerships with neighborhood business like Court 16 to offer discounts to summer camp participants and year-round members, and the marketing team has also made Brooklyn a priority, conducting outreach with local businesses to build genuine community connections.
This community focus aligns perfectly with City Point BKLYN’s role as a local hub. “City Point BKLYN is a big hub for locals,” Cummings observes. The escape room experience complements the broader entertainment, retail, and dining ecosystem that has made Downtown Brooklyn a destination for Brooklyn families.
Looking ahead
The Escape Game’s expansion continues with ambitious plans. A new Times Square location will feature an innovative concept combining escape rooms with a game show experience. “The concept is that you’re on a game reality show, without the audience,” Cummings explains.
But for Downtown Brooklyn, the focus remains on perfecting the local experience. “Working here and playing all the games has raised my standards,” Cummings reflects. “Our games are great, and it’s about upkeep, aesthetic, and functionality.” This attention to detail from the initial puzzle design to daily maintenance, ensures that each visit delivers the high-quality experience that has made The Escape Game a standout in the experiential entertainment landscape.
Players can also dive into Cosmic Crisis, Timeliner: Train Through Time, The Depths, and Gold Rush. Photo: The Escape Game
For anyone seeking a unique group activity that combines problem-solving, teamwork, and fun, The Escape Game offers something genuinely different: a chance to step into carefully crafted worlds where the only way out is through collaboration, creativity, and perhaps a willingness to think like a kid again.
