REVIEW · MADRID
Madrid: Retro Escape Room “HEX Game”
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by The Box Escape Room · Bookable on GetYourGuide
You’ve got one hour to save humanity. The HEX Game turns a classic escape-room format into a retro arcade story where you play, solve, and try to escape before time runs out. I love the old arcade vibe and the fact that this is a true private session for your group—no awkward mixing with strangers.
Expect an indoor, story-driven puzzle game set up for 2 to 6 players, with a Game Master briefing you and staying nearby. You’ll get a focused safety briefing first, then you’ll have 60 minutes to crack the puzzles, find clues, and exit.
One thing to consider: your group needs to communicate and work together. Also, personal cameras and cellphones aren’t allowed, so if you’re thinking about documenting everything yourself, you’ll need to rely on the official success photos.
In This Review
- Key things I’d plan for
- HEX Game in Madrid: the quick reality check
- Location details that matter: Calle de Covarrubias 22
- How the 15-minute briefing sets you up
- Rules before you play: what’s allowed and what isn’t
- The main event: 60 minutes in the old arcade
- Why the HEX setup works for groups
- The role of the Game Master: helpful, not hand-holding
- Photos after the game: proof you survived
- Practical comfort: lockers and bathroom access
- Itinerary walkthrough (with what each step means)
- Price in Madrid: is $40 worth it?
- Who should book the HEX Game
- Should you book the HEX Game in Madrid?
- FAQ
- How long is the HEX Game in Madrid?
- How many people can play?
- Is the experience private or shared?
- Do children need to be accompanied?
- What languages are available?
- Where do we meet for the activity?
- Are cameras and phones allowed during the game?
- Is there any physical requirement?
- Are lockers and a bathroom available?
- What about cancellation and payment options?
Key things I’d plan for

- Retro arcade theme with the HEX mission at the center
- Private game for 2 to 6 people, run as a single group
- Game Master monitoring with help if you get blocked
- Lockers + bathroom on site, so you’re not juggling bags
- No personal photos/videos, but you’ll get group photos after
- Communication matters more than physical skills
HEX Game in Madrid: the quick reality check

This is an escape room inside the Community of Madrid focused on a future-stakes plot: you infiltrate an old arcade, play the games, solve the puzzles, and aim to save humanity from an Artificial Intelligence. The tone is playful and puzzle-forward, but the goal is serious: get the clues in time and exit.
You’re not doing a walking tour here. This is a challenge. Think observation, logic, teamwork, and staying calm when the clock gets loud.
It helps that the sessions are private. Your group gets one room, one timeline, and Game Masters who can actually follow what you’re doing.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Madrid.
Location details that matter: Calle de Covarrubias 22

You’ll meet at Calle de Covarrubias, 22. The exact check-in spot is inside a building, 2º IZQ (second floor, left door).
At the start time, call the intercom at the exact moment. Not early. Not late. If you’re the kind of person who hates procedures, this can feel fussy—yet it’s common in Madrid buildings, and it keeps the staff from guessing who’s arrived.
Plan to show up with a little buffer so you can get upstairs without stressing. Once the Game Master finds your group, you’re in.
How the 15-minute briefing sets you up

Before the main puzzle push, you’ll do a safety briefing. The itinerary lists it as about 15 minutes. It’s not just rules for the sake of rules. It’s the part where you learn how the game works, what’s expected from you, and how to avoid getting stuck due to misunderstandings.
This briefing also signals the pace: you’re entering a timed room with challenges that require you to talk to each other and notice details. Once you start the game, you’ll want your group already in sync—roles are underrated here.
Also, there are clear restrictions on what you can bring into the room (more on that next), so the briefing is your last chance to deal with anything that doesn’t meet the rules.
Rules before you play: what’s allowed and what isn’t
The HEX Game is designed for mental work, not physical effort. The rules say there are no physical requirements, just intelligence and observation.
Still, the game has a firm list of what you cannot bring or do:
- No pets
- No weapons or sharp objects
- No cameras
- No food or drinks
- No alcohol or drugs
- No video recording
- No climbing
- No cellphones
You will have free lockers, which is a huge practical win. It means you can store your belongings instead of worrying about them during the puzzles. It also likely covers the phone situation, since cellphones are explicitly not allowed.
If you’re traveling with a family, make note of the age rule: children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, and the activity is not suitable for children under 6.
Finally, remember this is not a guided tour. You won’t just follow a narrator around. The experience depends on you interacting with the room and communicating as a team.
The main event: 60 minutes in the old arcade
Now the fun part. After the briefing, you get the game drive—about one hour—inside the arcade setup. The core idea is simple but not easy: infiltrate, play the puzzles, find clues, and escape within the time limit.
Here’s what the pacing usually feels like in games like this:
First you orient. Then you test what works. Then you start connecting clues. If your group splits up mentally (or stays silent), you’ll lose time.
Why the HEX setup works for groups
This room is structured for observation and teamwork. Clues need to be shared. Solutions require discussion. Even if one person sees something first, you still need everyone aligned so you don’t chase the wrong idea.
The game also says sessions are monitored in real time, with help from the Game Masters if you get stuck. In practice, that changes the vibe. You’re not left totally alone in a dark corner hoping for a miracle. You’ll likely get nudges if the room stalls out—exactly what you want in a timed puzzle environment.
And yes, the theme matters. The old arcade setting helps you stay in the story. It’s a puzzle room, but the atmosphere makes the clues feel more meaningful than a generic locked door.
The role of the Game Master: helpful, not hand-holding
You’ll meet a Game Master when you arrive. Their job is to explain the details of the experience and monitor your game.
What I like about this approach is balance: you still do the work. But if your group gets truly blocked, you’re not stuck forever. That helps especially with mixed-experience groups—say, one person who loves puzzles and one who’s just along for fun.
One of the standout impressions from past players is that the staff is attentive and careful about keeping you from getting blocked. That’s exactly the difference between a frustrating room and a fun room. The goal isn’t to trap you. It’s to make you solve.
Photos after the game: proof you survived

After the game, you may take pictures to remember your courage and experience with the arcade crew.
More importantly, there are success photos with your group after the game. This matters because cameras and video recording are not allowed during the experience. So the room still gives you a souvenir moment, just in a controlled way.
If you like having a team photo to mark the trip, this is a smart setup. You’re not fighting with restricted policies mid-game—you get the memory moment at the end.
Practical comfort: lockers and bathroom access
This is the kind of detail that makes or breaks group activities. The HEX Game includes free lockers to leave your belongings and a bathroom available.
That means fewer worries about where to put bags, coats, or anything you’d rather not lug into the puzzle area. It also reduces stress if someone needs a quick restroom break before the clock starts.
If you’re booking with kids or family, this comfort factor can be a deciding point. Puzzle rooms can be fun, but only if the setup keeps everyone calm and ready.
Itinerary walkthrough (with what each step means)
Let’s map the day in the exact rhythm you’ll feel on-site.
Stop 1: Start at Calle de Covarrubias, 22
You enter the building and go to the second floor, left door. Call the intercom at the exact starting time.
Stop 2: Safety briefing (about 15 minutes)
This is where you get the rules and the game basics. It’s short on purpose, so you’ll want your group focused instead of chatting and wandering.
Stop 3: Game drive (about 1 hour)
This is your main challenge: solve the games of HEX, find clues, and escape within the allotted time. You’ll be monitored and can get help if you’re stuck.
Stop 4: Back to Calle de Covarrubias, 22
The activity ends back at the same meeting point. After the room, you can take pictures and get the success photos.
That structure is tidy. No long transfers. No surprise schedule changes. You’re in, you play, you exit.
Price in Madrid: is $40 worth it?
At $40 per person, you’re paying for more than “a room with locks.” You’re getting:
- A private session (no other groups competing or interfering)
- A set time window to solve puzzles
- Real-time monitoring and Game Master help
- Staff-provided success photos
- Free lockers and bathroom access
Whether it feels like a good deal depends on your group. If you split the cost across 4 to 6 people, it can be a very reasonable way to spend an hour doing something memorable and active. If you’re just two people, it’s still fair for a private, staffed puzzle experience—just keep expectations tied to the time limit.
Also, because cellphones/cameras are restricted, you’re not paying to document a generic activity. You’re paying for the experience itself: teamwork, problem-solving, and that retro arcade story.
Who should book the HEX Game
I’d book HEX if you want something different from a standard Madrid sightseeing day.
You’ll likely enjoy it if:
- You like puzzles and figuring things out together
- Your group can communicate and stay engaged for a full hour
- You want a private team experience rather than a public group
- You’re traveling with family or friends who enjoy interactive challenges
You might skip it if:
- Your group hates talking, teamwork, or time pressure
- You’re expecting a guided tour where you mostly listen
- You want to record video or rely on your phone to capture everything yourself (since cellphones and cameras aren’t allowed)
This one is best when everyone is in “let’s solve” mode.
Should you book the HEX Game in Madrid?
If your group likes puzzles and you want a private, staff-supported challenge in a fun retro arcade setting, I think this is a strong booking. The hour-long deadline makes it exciting, and the Game Masters watching your session lowers the risk of a total frustrating stall.
I’d book especially if you’re traveling in a small group (2 to 6) and you want a break from long walking days. Just plan for the phone/camera restrictions, and make sure you show up ready to work as a team.
FAQ
How long is the HEX Game in Madrid?
The game session is scheduled for about 1 hour. There is also a safety briefing of about 15 minutes before the game begins.
How many people can play?
The escape room is for 2 up to 6 players.
Is the experience private or shared?
It’s private. You won’t be playing with other groups.
Do children need to be accompanied?
Yes. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. It’s also not suitable for children under 6.
What languages are available?
The Game Master speaks English and Spanish.
Where do we meet for the activity?
You meet inside a building at Calle de Covarrubias, 22, at 2º IZQ (second floor, left door). Call the intercom at the exact starting time.
Are cameras and phones allowed during the game?
No. Cameras, video recording, and cellphones are not allowed.
Is there any physical requirement?
No physical requirements are listed. The experience focuses on intelligence, observation, and communication.
Are lockers and a bathroom available?
Yes. Free lockers are provided, and a bathroom is available.
What about cancellation and payment options?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.




















