Review: Hijinx at Joffre Manor, Nerdy by Nature, Orange County California
Fun Factor 8
Nerdy by Nature
24002 Via Fabricante, Suite 206 Mission Viejo, California
Date we played: February 28, 2025
Booking size 2 to 10; We recommend 3 to 5
Game time: 60 minutes
Objective: There has been a mysterious dissaperance at Joffre Manor - has someone or something been interferring with the estate of the late owner? Can you solve the mystery and catch the “culprit”?
Horror Theme: No.
Difficulty: Intermediate
We had fun playing Hijinx at Joffe Manor by Nerdy by Nature and we highly recommend it with a Fun Factor of 8! The standout feature of this room is hands-down the set design. Nerdy by Nature has done an impressive job transforming what starts as an unassuming strip mall location into a convincingly immersive environment. Moving from the back of a van driving up to and dropping you off at a front yard, then into the depths of Joffre Manor, each transition feels natural and adds to the sense of adventure. The spatial design is clever, making the game world feel larger than it actually is, with some light physical activity required to navigate different levels.
There is a definite homage to Scooby-Doo characters and atmosphere….Scooby fans will enjoy the easter eggs in the set design which add to this room’s charm and doesn’t distract from the adventure as no proior knowledge is required to solve the mystery.
Nerdy by Nature is in Mission Viejo California - which is in Orange County, south of Los Angeles.
Puzzle Flow & Story Integration
The mystery of Joffre Manor revolves around an inheritance dispute, with three suspects in play. The puzzles effectively drive the narrative forward, keeping players engaged in both deduction and discovery. Puzzle difficulty leans toward intermediate, making it approachable for newer players while still offering some fresh, creative uses of space that seasoned escape enthusiasts will appreciate.
The puzzle structure is mostly linear, meaning teams will generally move through challenges in order, though the game does a nice job of mixing scavenging, logic-based solving, and physical interaction with the set. Nerdy by Nature has managed to make some familiar puzzle mechanics feel fresh and fun by integrating them directly into the environment.
While much of the interaction in Hijinx at Joffre Manor leans toward analog mechanics, there’s is plenty tech-driven magic to create the sensation of interacting with the spirits of the manor. The room never ventures into anything close to haunted house territory—expect a few mildly spooky moments rather than anything designed to startle or scare. Tthe room uses its atmosphere and puzzle mechanics to create a sense of mystery and discovery, making it approachable for players who might shy away from scary rooms.
Room Size & Team Dynamics
This room accommodates 2 to 10 players, though we’d say 3 to 5 is the sweet spot. But the room is definitely a fun for two experienced players.
Hijinx at Joffre Manor is easily the strongest rooms at Nerdy by Nature. While their other rooms have been enjoyable, this one stands out for its immersive world-building and clever space use. It’s a great choice for players looking for a well-balanced mix of story, exploration, and puzzles. Newer players will find it approachable, and enthusiasts will enjoy how the room keeps things fresh with its environmental design.
We recommend Hijinx at Joffre Manor for the bit of mystery, adventure, and light physical activity while exploring a surpsingly immersive set.
If you get the chance to play, please let them know you saw our Fun Factor reviews - and please let us know what you think—and, most importantly, have fun!
