Review: The Haunted Terminal, Intrepid Escape Rooms,Orange Co. Calif.
Fun Factor 6
Intrepid Escape Games
1622 Edinger Ave, Suite C, Tustin, CA 92780
Date we played: January 10, 2025
Booking size 2 to 8; We recommend 2 to 4
Game time: 60 minutes
Objective: Ghosts (friendly) are on the loose in this subway station that has been abondoned - they are trapped here unless you can find their losy items and help them escape.
Horror Theme: No.
Difficulty: Basic
We had fun playing The Haunted Terminal by Intrepid Escape Games in Tustin, California (Orange County), and we recommend it with a FUN FACTOR of 6. That rating is based on the subway station set, beautifully and joyfully decorated with graffiti art and the engaging game flow!
The objective of this room is to help the ghosts trapped at a subway station—set them free and get them on their way to catch the train that will help them move on. There are seven ghosts, plus a terminal master, each with their own (or shared) puzzle(s).
Let’s start with the obvious: yes, we’re talking about ghosts—but this is not a horror or scary room. If you’re concerned about anything spooky, feel free to reach out to Intrepid Escape Rooms directly. Their website even labels this room as “family-friendly,” and we completely agree!
The physical footprint of The Haunted Terminal is fairly compact, but Intrepid Escape Rooms made excellent use of the space. The set decoration is on point—I remember being told that the graffiti was created by a local artist, which adds an authentic touch. There are several realistic set pieces you’d expect to see at a subway stop. Some are usable right away, while others only become interactive after completing certain tasks. A hallmark of a great escape room set is that players feel transported to another organic space - and we felt that way.
We recommend this room to all players, if only to appreciate the graffiti-laden set design. But this is an especially good choice for newer escape room players, first-timers, and families. The puzzles lean more toward the approachable side, making it a comfortable and fun challenge for beginners. There is one standout puzzle that’s a bit more advanced, using the subway terminal setting in a very clever and original way—we haven’t seen anything quite like it before. Experienced players will enjoy the creativity, and newer players won’t feel left out thanks to the well-integrated hint system.
Speaking of hints—rather than receiving them from a game guide or screen, you’ll be guided by a “friendly ghost.” Staying in character, this ghost helps nudge teams along as needed. It’s a great system that keeps the immersion intact and makes the help feel like part of the story instead of a step-by-step walkthrough. While waiting for our session, I could even hear the ghost playfully guiding the group ahead of us to a successful (and clearly fun) finish.
In addition to providing hints, the friendly ghost also delivers in-game content and story elements—which adds to the immersive, organic feel of the experience. In other words, you're not stepping out of the game world to interact with a game guide; you're communicating with the room itself, through the ghost.
Using the ghost to deliver content keeps the pacing smooth and the experience dynamic. It cuts down on what might otherwise have been text-heavy exposition or instructions, making the gameplay feel more natural and interactive.
As we mentioned in our review of Jewel of the Sea—our favorite Intrepid game—this company really goes the extra mile. Each room has its own dedicated game host, in full costume and character, who focuses solely on your group. While the host doesn’t enter the room with you, they do welcome you aboard a themed “train” to begin your adventure. Most American escape rooms do a quick briefing in a hallway or at the door. Not here—Intrepid has created a briefing area that resembles a vintage passenger railcar, complete with a “window” showing shifting scenery. Each game has its own unique scene, and we truly appreciated this thoughtful touch as it kicked off the experience in a memorable and immersive way.
If you are in the area, we recommend you play The Haunted Terminal by Intrepid Escape Rooms. Please let them know you saw a Fun Factor Escape Room Review - and let us know what you think…and HAVE FUN!
Intrepid Escape Rooms has plenty of parking as it is in an office/retail park with a dedicated parking lot. We played all three of the escape rooms open at the time of our visit, and we recommend all of them. Future reviews will cover The Stolen Relic and Haunted Terminal. All of the game guides we met were friendly and enthusiastic and added to our fun.