Review: Route 51, PanIQ Room, Los Angeles
Fun Factor 6
PANIQ ROOM
921 N. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles 90069
Date we played: May 11, 2025
Booking size 2 to 10 - we recommend 3 to 5.
Game time: 60 minutes
Objective: After crash-landing in the Nevada desert, a stranded alien crew took refuge in an old-school gas station, blending into their surroundings with a retro disguise. They've finally gathered what they need to return home—but activating their teleportation device requires a little human ingenuity. That’s where you come in.
Horror Theme: No.
Difficulty: Intermediate
We had fun playing Route 51 at PanIQ Room’s new Los Angeles location in West Hollywood and recommend it with a Fun Factor of 6. That rating reflects both the enjoyable storyline and the well-themed set, styled as a roadside convenience store attached to a gas station. The new PanIQ location also adds to the appeal with a non-alcoholic bar, arcade games, and a laser shootout gallery—a fun bonus before or after your game.
The storyline centers on a group of aliens who crash-landed in the Nevada desert and have since taken shelter in a retro gas station, hiding in plain sight by blending their alien tech with mid-century Americana. With most of the tech needed for their return journey now in place, they just need a bit of human help to activate their teleportation device. The tone of Route 51 leans more humorous than ominous, with playful sci-fi elements and lighthearted touches that keep the experience fun rather than intense. One note: the final room includes a prop consistent with the theme. While it’s all in good sci-fi fun and consistent with the room’s family-friendly vibe, it may be a bit unexpected for some. We thought it was cool and wished it played a bigger role
The storyline centers on a group of aliens who crash-landed in the Nevada desert and have since taken shelter in a retro gas station, hiding in plain sight by blending their alien tech with mid-century Americana.
As with many escape rooms, players must determine which props and set pieces are active at any given time. Here, the narrative is cleverly used to guide that progression. PanIQ unlocks new areas and interactive elements gradually, creating a natural game flow that avoids feeling overwhelming, chaotic, or artificially forced.
One element that somewhat detracted from the experience was an audio track that delivers key content. The voice was difficult—and at times frustrating—to understand, and our group spent time debating what had been said rather than solving puzzles. Since the track loops until the task is completed, we were eventually able to catch the message, but clearer audio or the addition of on-screen text would significantly improve this moment and help maintain momentum. Fixing this would likely elevate the Fun Factor for future teams..
This room accommodates 2 to 10 players, but we believe that 3 to 5 is the ideal group size. Several cooperative puzzles are designed for pairs, which may leave others on the sidelines in larger groups. That said, at least one challenge benefits from having more players actively involved. During the paired tasks, non-active players can still contribute strategic input, but tactile interaction is limited. Our team rotated roles to keep everyone engaged throughout the game.
More experienced teams may find the overall content on the lighter side. Most puzzles fall at an intermediate level, though there's a decent range—some are fairly basic, while a few provide a more satisfying challenge. The puzzle design is nicely varied, incorporating different solving techniques, and several puzzles offered strong “aha!” moments that we found particularly rewarding..
Route 51 is currently offered as a 60-minute experience, though it was originally designed as a 45-minute game. We mention this because some early reviews downgraded the room due to its shorter runtime—so if you come across those, note that it’s now a full-hour experience. While the content arguably leans light for a 60-minute room, the extended format is a better fit given the mechanics of certain puzzles and the inclusion of an in-game cut scene that would take up too much time in a shorter version.
The game appropriately leans heavily on technology, which—aside from the audio cue mentioned earlier—functioned reliably and enhanced the overall experience. There is no crawling or navigating through tight spaces required, though one puzzle might call for at least one player to kneel briefly.
The hint system follows the standard PanIQ format: press a button and hints are delivered via an on-screen monitor. Every PanIQ staff member we met was friendly and welcoming, which always adds to a positive and enjoyable experience.
PanIQ’s new Los Angeles location is at 921 N. La Cienega Blvd. in the City of West Hollywood. We visited on a weekend and found plenty of metered parking nearby, but—as with any LA destination—be sure to account for traffic and parking when planning your visit. This location currently offers six bookable escape rooms, with more on the way.
If you’re in the area, we recommend checking out Route 51 at PanIQ—we had a great time playing this room. If you visit, please let them know you saw a Fun Factor Escape Room Review—and be sure to let us know what you think. HAVE FUN!