NC Escape, Durham

When groups come in to NC Escape, their mission is to solve the room-escape game as fast as possible. But that isn't the owners' mission—theirs is to ensure everyone has fun. So they designed the clues and puzzles to bring out the best in a variety of people, from children to adults. Different puzzles rely on different skill sets, some clues rely on clever wordplay, others on visual details, ensuring that everyone has a chance to participate in one of three room-escape games:

• The Study: You and your team of secret agents are searching the mansion of a reclusive billionaire. Many agents have gone before you, but none have returned, so it's up to you to find out what secrets are lurking in his home before he figures out you're there. (up to 6 players; difficulty level: high)
• The Gallery: A famous local artist has gone missing, and her messy studio holds the answer to her sudden disappearance. Can you and your team find and solve the clues before the police show up and take over the investigation? (up to 10 players; difficulty level: medium)
• Ex Machina: During a recent renovation, a mysterious room was uncovered in the NC Escape headquarters. It's filled with unknown contraptions that seem to be guarding a locked vault. It's your team's job to figure out what the machines are and what they're defending before the room's builder knows you're in there. (up to 6 players; difficulty level: high)
• Dreamscape: You find yourself trapped in an experiment gone awry—a botched mind upload distorts your surroundings and presents you with unexpected challenges. Now you must open locks and solve electronic puzzles to get out before things get worse. (up to 6 players; difficulty level: high)