Decade Runner

Decade Runner is all about the mood. Riddlr has built a brightly dressed 1986 throwback that leans hard into arcade nostalgia, with Zoltar, Pac-Man and Zork nods doing a lot of the heavy lifting. The result is a room that feels playful and self-aware rather than solemn, and that is exactly where its appeal lies.

The 80s styling and soundtrack pull you in straight away. It is a properly immersive set, and the best version of this game sounds like one where the atmosphere does the convincing before the puzzles even start. The theatrical clue delivery gives it a little extra identity too, so it feels more characterful than a standard linear escape room. “The 80s styling and soundtrack pull you in straight away” is not far off the mark.

Puzzle-wise, this is a steadier ride than a brain-melting challenge. Expect themed tasks, wordplay, mazes and reference-led moments rather than relentless lateral logic. That makes it a good fit if you enjoy a guided flow and steady progress, but it may feel a touch obtuse in places, especially if your team is small or not keen on trial and error.

What helps Decade Runner is that it knows exactly what kind of room it is. It is not trying to be grim, intense or fiendishly clever for the sake of it. Instead, it sells a nostalgic arcade-fuelled trip with enough personality to carry the weaker edges. “Quirky puzzles and a distinctive clue system kept things entertaining” feels like the right summary of its sweet spot.

That said, this is probably better with three or four players than as a duo, and more confident teams will get more from the pace. If you want a showy, retro-themed adventure with real flavour and no scare factor, this is worth your time. If you are after deep non-linear wizardry or a highly polished logic workout, look elsewhere.