Operation Clearsafe

Operation Clearsafe is a proper horror-leaning escape room, and it knows exactly how to use its scale. The secret-lab premise, basement mood and multi-room layout give it a bigger, more cinematic feel than a standard puzzle box, while the adjustable scare setting means it can be dialled from family-friendly thrills to full-on fear. That flexibility is one of its smartest ideas.

The live actors are a central part of the experience rather than a garnish. They sharpen the tension, feed the story and keep the room’s temperature high, so this plays more like a staged containment-breach than a tidy lock-and-key challenge. It is “properly creepy throughout, with jump scares that keep you on edge”, and that is very much the point.

Puzzle-wise, this is solid rather than cerebral, but that is not a criticism so much as a warning about expectations. There are a few surprising ideas in the mix, and the game clearly wants teams to stay alert, communicate and keep moving as the pressure rises. If you enjoy escape rooms that feel like a live event, this should hit the mark.

The biggest strength here is atmosphere. The set feels huge, immersive and packed with clever surprises, which gives the room a real sense of escalation as you push through it. That scale also makes it a good fit for bigger groups, where everyone can stay involved instead of crowding around a single puzzle tree.

The main caveat is physical access, not exertion in the game itself. The room sounds lightly physical, but the venue is reached by four flights of stairs, so it will not suit everyone. For players who want a scare-led, theatrical escape room with genuine control over intensity, Operation Clearsafe is a standout choice in Brighouse.