Review: The Neighbor, Steal and Escape, San Diego, CA
Fun Factor 7
Brain Games Escape Room
2602 Transportation Avenue, Suite B, San Diego, CA 91950
Date we played: April 26, 2025
Booking size 2* to 6; We recommend 3 or 4 (as of visit booking sizes of 2 are permitted with a minimum purchase of 3)
Game time: 60 minutes
Objective: You have been surveilling your neighbor, and the corporation wants you to steal the in-home AI technology they have. Break into his house, find and steal the tech.
Horror Theme: No.
Difficulty: Intermediate
We had fun playing The Neighbor at Steal and Escape and recommend it with a FUN FACTOR of 7. Our rating for this escape room is based on several key strengths, including a substantial variety of puzzle content, clever and unique use of props, and an immersive storyline where puzzles organically advance the narrative.
This was our first visit to Steal and Escape in San Diego, and fittingly, the scenario for "The Neighbor" involved some stealthy maneuvering. It initially required us to break into their home and then find and “steal” a powerful device.
If you play a lot of escape rooms, a scenario requiring breaking into a house, office or facility is probably something you have done a lot of. The game flow of The Neighbor is excellent and our progression through the set as we discovered additional spaces effectively drove the story. However, in contrast, we found the puzzles necessary to break into the house a bit awkward and bogged down the opening game flow.
"The Neighbor" accommodates groups from two to six participants, though note that groups of two must purchase at least three tickets. While two experienced players can indeed tackle the room, we recommend an optimal group size of three to four players, given the puzzle density and space constraints. Larger groups might feel crowded due to the generally linear puzzle structure.
We found the difficulty to be intermediate. We always appreciate a hint system that communicates with us in an immersive fashion. Hints delivered by the game host over a monitor, walkie-talkie, or god mic (loudspeaker) are fine, but that approach reminds us we are playing an escape room instead of being immersed in a scenario. We enjoyed the organic technique that delivered hints and essential storyline details integrated seamlessly into the game environment, enhancing immersion. Steal and Escape did provide a walkie-talkie as a backup, but we found no need for it.
The narrative progresses smoothly alongside puzzle solutions, naturally expanding the playable environment. One standout puzzle in particular featured an inventive and genuinely surprising prop that elevated the overall experience.
Steal and Escape is located in an office complex with plentiful free parking near its entrance.
If you are in the area, we recommend you play The Neighbor at Steal and Escape. Please let them know you saw a Fun Factor Escape Room Review - let us know what you think…and HAVE FUN!