Escape room fail with a first-timer in Hongdae: Towering, Cube Escape

I wanted a different kind of date for a change, and while searching I kept seeing Cube Escape Hongdae Branch (큐브이스케이프 홍대점) recommended as a Hongdae escape room. I only recently got interested in escape rooms, but after going myself I understand why so many people recommend it as a Hongdae favorite.

Where is Cube Escape Hongdae Branch?

Cube Escape Hongdae Branch is on the 4th floor of the Mugwang Building on Yanghwa-ro 16-gil, between Hongik Univ. Station and Hapjeong Station. Access is good, and the big Cube Escape sign on the outside of the building made it easy to find.

Up on the 4th floor I found the entrance with the Cube Escape logo, and it already felt like stepping into a game world, which got me even more excited.

The weekday evening atmosphere

We went on a weekday evening and there were lots of customers inside, which raised my expectations even more. Around the front desk, theme introductions and guide materials were neatly laid out, so waiting was fun too.

Is Towering scary? Fear level and difficulty

Towering is a theme with no fear and medium difficulty, set in a high-rise building you have to escape during a disaster. The story focuses on tension and deduction rather than scares, so I heard even people who can't handle scary content can enjoy it without worry.

This was my third escape room and my friend's first, so we picked something with no fear and a difficulty somewhere between easy and medium, and that led us to Towering. The setting looked fun too, so I was looking forward to it.

Lockers and the briefing before entry

At Cube Escape Hongdae Branch, we stored our belongings in a locker before entering and listened to a short briefing.

They covered the basics, like how to use the keypad and the keys, so even a first-timer could follow without trouble.

How was Towering with two players?

The two of us took on Towering. We got stuck in plenty of spots, but we used hints wisely and had fun to the very end. Almost no puzzles felt far-fetched or hard to understand, and everything was solvable with logical thinking, so I was very satisfied.

Is it worth recommending even if you fail to escape?

We didn't escape from Towering this time, but with its immersive story and solid puzzles and without heavy scares, it's a theme both beginners and veterans should enjoy. If you're looking for a different kind of date or want to make a special memory with friends, I recommend trying the Hongdae escape room Cube Escape Hongdae Branch.