Review: Curse of the Hidden Temple. Puzzle Connect Escape Rooms, Holmdel, NJ
Fun Factor 8
Puzzle Connect Escape Rooms
2145 NJ-35, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Date we played: March 15, 2025
Booking size 2 to 10; We recommend 3 to 5
Game time: 60 minutes
Objective: Explore an ancient hidden temple in the Amazon Forest and follow in the footsteps of a noted explorer who failed to lift the curse - you need to solve the mysteries and lift the curse.
Horror Theme: No.
Difficulty: Intermediate
We had fun playing Curse of the Hidden Temple at Puzzle Connect in Holmdel, NJ and we highly recommend it. We gave it a Fun Factor of 8 for its engaging storyline, clean and varied puzzles, immersive set, and great game flow. Holmdel is in central New Jersey, within commuting distance from Manhattan. It's a bit of a trek for just one escape room, so we played all three—and we’re glad we did! We’d recommend any of them, but Curse of the Hidden Temple was definitely our favorite.
From the moment we walked into Puzzle Connect, we felt genuinely welcomed. Every team member we met was friendly, engaging, and clearly passionate about escape rooms. It wasn’t just about running games—they truly enjoyed discussing puzzles, themes, and experiences, making our visit even more enjoyable.
One small but meaningful touch that stood out to us was the title they give their game monitors: *Game Hosts.* It’s a simple change, but it made a big difference in how we felt. Rather than just overseeing our progress, our host made sure we had a fantastic experience, much like a great host would at a gathering. That thoughtful detail reinforced the welcoming atmosphere, making us feel like valued guests rather than just players passing through. It’s that kind of care and attention that increased our fun!
The set has some delightful details and expensive touches that are not found in all independent escape rooms. You won’t find the props and set pieces elsewhere. We appreciated and enjoyed the carefully custom-crafted set and well-maintained extra details. Puzzle Connect’s lighting design played a subtle yet effective role in guiding the experience. By highlighting key areas relevant to the current task while keeping less important sections dimly lit, the lighting naturally directed attention without feeling forced. This thoughtful approach enhanced the narrative flow and kept the gameplay immersive.
The puzzles in *Curse of the Hidden Temple* are beautifully designed, with clean, elegant solutions that made solving them incredibly satisfying. We loved the variety—some puzzles were straightforward, giving that quick-hit rush of accomplishment, while others required multiple steps, layering information and requiring connections to be made across the set. The balance between these different styles kept the game engaging and fun. Smart puzzle design broke down assumptions, ensuring players of all backgrounds could engage, no matter their prior knowledge."
Fun details in the set
We appreciated and enjoyed the carefully crafted and well-maintained extra details.
"Smart puzzle design broke down assumptions, ensuring players of all backgrounds could engage, no matter their prior knowledge."
One of our favorite aspects was how the room encouraged exploration. Especially with the narrative being driven by the lighting design. Some clues were right in front of us, easy to spot, while others were cleverly tucked away, just waiting to be discovered—a skill we admit is a weakness for us. That moment of suddenly noticing a hidden detail or making an unexpected connection is rewarding —it’s exactly the kind of thing that makes escape rooms so enjoyable
The room can accommodate up to 10 people, but we believe that for most groups, having 3 to 5 players will be ideal for both puzzle-solving and the size of the explorable space. A smaller group of experienced players will have more hands-on time with the various challenges, while a larger team might have an advantage in spotting those well-hidden details. Either way, it’s a game that rewards communication and observation.
Puzzle Connect Escape Rooms is located in a shopping area so parking is easy and free.
If you are in the area, we highly recommend you play Curse of the Hidden Temple by Puzzle Connect. If you would like to make a day of it, we also recommend their other two rooms. Our next favorite was The Candy Shoppe, and then, an especially good choice for families is Frozen In Time: The Race To Save Christmas. Please let them know you saw a Fun Factor Escape Room Review - let us know what you think…and HAVE FUN!
