Review: The Ghost of Mentryville, Arcane Escape Rooms, Santa Clarita, CA (Los Angeles)
Fun Factor 8
Arcane Escape Rooms
23504 Lyons Ave #405B, Santa Clarita, CA 9132 (Los Angeles)
Date we played: May 17, 2025
Booking size 2 to 4 (we recommend 2 or 3)
Game time: 70 to 90 minutes (flexible)
Objective: In 1900 Mentryville, California you will meet Sammy and learn his story and help him retrace his steps of a family mystery.
Horror Theme: No. Not horror but a decidedly spooky theme and props.
Difficulty: Intermediate
We had a great time playing The Ghost of Mentryville at Arcane Escape Rooms in Santa Clarita, CA (in northern Los Angeles County), and we’re happy to recommend it with a Fun Factor of 8.
We found our invitation inside the room!
This rating reflects how successfully the game’s puzzles, sound, lighting, and prop work are all integrated into a clear and cohesive storyline. This is one of most successfully driven stories we have encountered. The game flow is strong, and the use of a compact but smartly detailed set allows the experience to feel full and engaging without ever feeling cramped. Arcane Escape Rooms makes excellent use of antique locks —including several we hadn’t seen before—which added charm and authenticity to the setting.
We especially appreciate escape rooms where the narrative drives the experience from beginning to end, and The Ghost of Mentryville excels at this. From the moment we entered the space and met “Sammy,” the in-character host, we were immersed in a story that unfolded in a deliberate and engaging way. Every puzzle advanced the plot, and the transitions were supported by thoughtful sound and lighting cues.
We also appreciate that Arcane Escape Room leans in to local history of nearby Mentryville, what was an oil drilling town.
This room isn’t horror-based, but it is genuinely spooky. There are moments of tension, and a few story elements and props that might be unsettling for some players. However, there are no jump scares or moments of total darkness, and players are never separated or required to crawl or enter confined spaces. The lighting design deserves special mention: it contributes to the mood without compromising visibility, helping players focus on puzzles without frustration. There is no strobe lighting.
The Ghost of Mentryville is an actor-led experience currently offered only on weekends. The actor—who portrays Sammy—remains stationary and functions as both narrator and in-game guide. Sammy communicates directly with players at key moments and occasionally narrates inner thoughts that can be listened to passively while solving. Hints are integrated organically into the storytelling. When we forgot a detail mentioned earlier, the actor found a seamless way to reintroduce it without breaking immersion.
One of the standout aspects of this game is how much content and texture it delivers within a small footprint. Puzzle progress is tracked through a multi-compartment mini-coffin, prominently placed at the center of the room. The game alternates between interactions with Sammy and physical exploration and content and puzzle elements within the many bespoke coffin chambers, with each phase smoothly connected through the narrative.
Group size is limited to four players—and for good reason. The physical space is intimate, and several puzzles take place in tighter areas that wouldn’t comfortably accommodate large groups. The game is also highly linear, making it best suited for groups of two or three. I am sure that four experienced players could take turns working as a group – but it might be better tobreak into pairs for separate bookings to explore and solve the puzzles as groups of two.
The game is listed on the website as lasting “approximately 70 minutes,” and no escape rate is posted. Arcane Escape Rooms emphasizes player experience over strict time limits, and the actor can adjust pacing to ensure all teams reach the end. In our game, Sammy did an excellent job of reinforcing key details when we seemed to miss them, without feeling intrusive. It’s clear that the priority is delivering the complete story to every group.
Arcane Escape Rooms is located in a professional office complex in Santa Clarita. We appreciated the effort they’ve taken to provide clear directions—including a photo guide on their website and confirmation email—which makes arrival stress-free, especially for first-time visitors. There’s also plenty of free parking available.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area, we think The Ghost of Mentryville is well worth your time—especially since it’s only offered on weekends and at limited times. LA’s infamous traffic is not as bad on the weekends – which is when The Ghost of Mentryville is offered. Booking at least a couple of weeks in advance is highly recommended. Let them know you found them through Fun Factor Escape Room Reviews—and let us know what you think! And HAVE FUN!!
