REVIEW · MADRID
Madrid: Retro Escape Room “HEX Game”
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by The Box Escape Room · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A retro arcade plus a high-stakes AI plot makes this escape room a fun twist. I like the retro atmosphere and the way the game master watches your session and helps if you get stuck. The main thing to consider is that it is a true puzzle game, so if you want a sightseeing-style walkthrough, this won’t feel like that.
This experience puts you in an indoor private room for 2–6 players, with 60 minutes to solve the puzzles and escape. You’re there to communicate, observe, and work through the logic of the HEX challenges (no special physical skills needed). If you’re bringing a picky group that hates talking or coordinating, you may want to rethink it.
If you do like puzzles and teamwork, it’s hard to beat the combination of arcade-style gameplay, tight timing, and the sense that you’re actively shaping the outcome. One more practical note: cameras and cellphones aren’t allowed, so plan on relying on the success photos taken after the game.
In This Review
- Key Highlights I Think You’ll Care About
- Retro Arcade + HEX: What This Escape Room Really Is
- Where You Meet: Calle de Covarrubias Setup
- Stop-by-Stop: The 15-Minute Safety Briefing That Sets You Up
- The Main Hour: Your 60-Minute HEX Escape Attempt
- How help works (and why it’s valuable)
- The Retro Arcade Experience: What It Feels Like In Practice
- Rules That Affect Planning: Cameras, Phones, and What Not to Bring
- Lockers and Bathroom: The Small Things That Make a Big Difference
- Language Options: English or Spanish
- Who This Fits Best (and Who Might Feel Mismatched)
- Great fit if you want…
- Not the best fit if you want…
- Age considerations
- Cost and Value: Is $40 a Good Deal?
- A Few Practical Tips Before You Go
- Ending at the Same Place: What Happens After
- Should You Book HEX Game in Madrid?
- FAQ
- How long is the HEX Game escape room experience?
- Is this activity private or shared with other groups?
- How many people can play?
- What languages are available?
- Are cameras or phones allowed?
- Are lockers provided?
- Is it suitable for kids?
- Can I cancel and get a refund?
Key Highlights I Think You’ll Care About

- Retro arcade setting that turns puzzles into something you actually want to play, not just solve
- 60 minutes to crack the HEX challenges and escape, with pressure that stays fun (not stressful forever)
- Private sessions (you won’t mix with other groups), so your team’s rhythm stays yours
- Game master monitoring during the session, with help available if you stall
- English or Spanish is supported, so you can play without guessing what the room means
- Lockers on site plus bathroom access, which makes the logistics easier in a city day
Retro Arcade + HEX: What This Escape Room Really Is

The HEX Game in Madrid is an indoor escape room with a retro arcade vibe. Your mission is straightforward but dramatic: you’ll infiltrate an old arcade, play the games, solve the puzzles, and then make choices that determine the future of humanity under the influence of an Artificial Intelligence.
What I like about this setup is that it doesn’t just throw you into a generic door-and-key scenario. The room is built around game-style tasks and puzzle decisions, which helps a lot when different people in your group think differently. One person spots patterns faster; another catches clues by reading details; someone else may be better at trying combinations. This format rewards teamwork instead of turning it into a solo sport.
It’s also clearly designed to be manageable for most visitors. You’re not asked to climb, perform physical challenges, or handle anything risky. The activity is built around communication, observation, and interplay—plain skills that most travelers can use even if they don’t speak the local language perfectly.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Madrid.
Where You Meet: Calle de Covarrubias Setup

You’ll start at Calle de Covarrubias, 22. The meeting instructions are very specific, and I’d follow them exactly.
You meet inside a building, 2º IZQ (second floor, left door). When it’s time to start, you should call the intercom at the exact starting time, not early and not late.
Why that matters: escape rooms are time-boxed. Being early can mean you’re waiting in the wrong place, and being late can cut into your briefing or your puzzle time. If you’re arriving on foot, give yourself a little buffer so you can walk up, find the correct door, and make the intercom call without rushing.
Stop-by-Stop: The 15-Minute Safety Briefing That Sets You Up

Your first main moment after meeting is a 15-minute safety briefing. You may think, okay, boring. But in an escape room, that briefing is part of the flow. It’s where you’ll learn how the experience works, what rules apply inside the room, and how to communicate with the game master during your attempt.
This briefing is also your moment to ask questions if something is unclear. Since the game is monitored and help is available, you want to know the line between when you should try and when you should call for assistance.
No one wants to spend the first part of the clock figuring out basic rules. This stop helps prevent that.
The Main Hour: Your 60-Minute HEX Escape Attempt
After the briefing, you get the core game drive: about one hour of playtime structured as a 60-minute escape challenge. The goal is to solve the puzzles and exit the room within the time limit.
Inside, you’ll be working through HEX-themed challenges that involve arcade-style play. The room pushes you to combine observation with decision-making. You’re not just searching for hidden objects; you’re also interpreting clues and connecting them to the puzzle logic.
A big benefit of this setup is the way it keeps the team involved. When puzzles are integrated into gameplay, there’s usually something for each person to do—press, try, compare, look closer, and re-check assumptions.
How help works (and why it’s valuable)
Your game is monitored in real time by game masters. If you’re stuck, you can get help so you don’t waste the entire session spinning your wheels.
That matters for value. At $40 per person, the goal is not just to buy an experience where you suffer. You’re paying for a fun challenge plus support that keeps the room moving. And the feedback you’re provided is likely timed for flow, not for scolding.
In short: the room respects your time, and it doesn’t leave you helpless.
The Retro Arcade Experience: What It Feels Like In Practice
The HEX Game is designed to feel like an old arcade—so you’re not just in a themed room, you’re playing within it. That retro framing helps keep the puzzles engaging, especially when your group includes a mix of ages or comfort levels with escape rooms.
You also get a clear social rhythm:
- people split roles quickly (clue-finders, puzzle testers, clue readers)
- you talk constantly
- you confirm ideas out loud before acting on them
And because it’s a private session for your group (2 up to 6 players), you don’t have to coordinate with strangers. You stay focused on your own team, which makes it easier to keep momentum even if someone is shy about participating.
Rules That Affect Planning: Cameras, Phones, and What Not to Bring
This is where you should pay attention, because these restrictions shape how you experience the room.
Not allowed:
- cameras
- video recording
- cellphones
- food and drinks
- alcohol and drugs
- pets
- weapons or sharp objects
- climbing
You’ll still have plenty of ways to remember it. After the game, you can take success photos with your group.
So your plan for documentation should be simple: don’t count on filming during the puzzles. Consider bringing a small bag for personal items and using the free lockers (more on that next).
Lockers and Bathroom: The Small Things That Make a Big Difference
You get free lockers to leave your belongings. That’s huge in a city setting, because it reduces the constant worry about your bag and valuables during the game.
There’s also a bathroom available, which is a comfort detail you’ll appreciate if you’re scheduling this as part of a longer Madrid day.
If your group has kids or teens, lockers and bathroom access can be the difference between a smooth time slot and a frantic scramble right before the briefing.
Language Options: English or Spanish
The activity offers English and Spanish. That means the game master and game instructions can be understood by most travelers without relying on guesswork.
This matters most at the start, during the safety briefing, and again when you need help mid-game. Since the room encourages communication, having the instructions in a language you can follow removes a lot of stress.
If your group includes mixed-language comfort, it still helps to choose one shared language for solving so you don’t get stuck translating every clue.
Who This Fits Best (and Who Might Feel Mismatched)
Great fit if you want…
- puzzle time with real teamwork
- a retro arcade vibe instead of a purely dark, spooky theme
- a time limit that creates energy
- a monitored room where help is available
Not the best fit if you want…
- a guided tour feel
- minimal talking or low interaction
- lots of photo-taking during the game (phones and cameras are not allowed)
Age considerations
- children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult
- not suitable for children under 6
So it can work for families, but the family setup should be willing to participate. A group that treats it like a game together tends to do best.
Cost and Value: Is $40 a Good Deal?
The price is $40 per person, and the value is mainly in three places:
1) Private session for your group
You’re not splitting attention with other groups competing for the same space. That tends to make the experience feel cleaner and more personal.
2) Real-time monitoring and help
The game masters watch your session and can help if you’re stuck. That reduces the risk of losing your money to a dead end.
3) A complete package of experience details
You get the briefing, 60-minute escape attempt, monitoring, free lockers, bathroom access, and success photos after the game.
If you’re already planning one indoor activity in central Madrid, this can be a strong use of time—especially when the weather is unpredictable or you want something that breaks up the usual museum-and-walk pattern.
A Few Practical Tips Before You Go
You’ll enjoy HEX more if you walk in ready to act, not just observe.
- Assign roles fast: one person calls out clues, one person tries puzzle actions, one person watches time.
- Don’t wait for confidence—try, then regroup.
- Ask for help sooner rather than later if your team is stuck for long stretches. The monitoring is there for a reason.
- Leave your phone in your plan. Since cellphones and cameras are not allowed, the success photos after are your souvenir.
And if your Spanish and English aren’t perfect, don’t worry too much. The key is that the game master supports you, and the room relies on teamwork and observation as much as language.
Ending at the Same Place: What Happens After
When your 60-minute attempt ends—either by escaping or by time running out—you’ll wrap back up at the same meeting point on Calle de Covarrubias, 22.
You can then take success photos with your group to remember what you did. This is a nice way to turn the adrenaline of the game into a real memory, without needing phones inside the room.
Should You Book HEX Game in Madrid?
Book it if:
- you want a fun indoor break in Madrid that isn’t another museum stop
- your group likes puzzles and enjoys talking through clues
- you appreciate a room that monitors your game and doesn’t leave you stuck forever
Skip it if:
- your group dislikes interactive games or teamwork
- you’re hoping to take lots of photos and videos during the experience
- you want a sightseeing-style guide walking you through sights
If you match that first list, the HEX Game is an easy yes. The retro arcade setting, the 60-minute challenge, the private format, and the real-time support add up to a solid use of time for travelers who want something different.
FAQ
How long is the HEX Game escape room experience?
The experience includes a 15-minute safety briefing and then a puzzle challenge where you have 60 minutes to solve and exit.
Is this activity private or shared with other groups?
It’s private. Your session is for your group only (up to 6 players).
How many people can play?
The room is designed for 2 up to 6 players.
What languages are available?
The game master and game support English and Spanish.
Are cameras or phones allowed?
No. Cameras and cellphones are not allowed, and video recording is also not allowed.
Are lockers provided?
Yes. There are free lockers available to store your belongings.
Is it suitable for kids?
It’s not suitable for children under 6. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Can I cancel and get a refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

























