EXIT: The Stormy Flight vs The Secret Lab: Which to Play First?
By Thames & Kosmos Online Store | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: Comparisons
Compare EXIT: The Stormy Flight and The Secret Lab on theme, player count, and puzzle style to decide which escape room game fits your group's next game night.
Quick answer
If you want a straightforward, team-oriented start, play EXIT: The Stormy Flight first. If your group prefers solo-friendly puzzle solving with a medical mystery theme, choose EXIT: The Secret Lab.
Theme and setup shape the first impression
The Stormy Flight puts you in the shoes of crew members on a passenger plane bound for Barbados, so the premise is familiar and the tension builds from a routine flight gone wrong. The Secret Lab casts you as a volunteer in a medical research study who wakes up locked in a lab with a notebook and a strange disk. Neither game supplies a difficulty rating in the catalog, so your choice should lean on theme and group size rather than a promised challenge level.
Player count and play time are the clearest practical differences
The Secret Lab explicitly supports 1 to 4 players and lists a play time of 1 to 2 hours, with an age recommendation of 12 and up. The Stormy Flight does not list player count or play time in the supplied catalog facts, so treat those as open questions and check the box or product page if your group size is fixed. For a solo player or a pair, The Secret Lab is the safer bet because its supported range is stated.
Puzzle style: team coordination versus solo-friendly investigation
The Stormy Flight leans into a shared crew dynamic, which can suit groups that like to talk through every clue together. The Secret Lab's premise involves discovering a notebook and a strange disk, suggesting a more investigative, item-driven puzzle flow that works well for one or two players. Neither catalog description details the exact puzzle mechanics, so avoid assuming one is harder than the other based on theme alone.
Trade-offs to weigh before you choose
- Group size flexibility: The Secret Lab lists 1 to 4 players, while The Stormy Flight does not state a player count in the catalog. If you need a guaranteed solo or two-player option, pick The Secret Lab. Check the box for The Stormy Flight's player count if your group is larger than four.
- Time commitment: The Secret Lab lists a 1 to 2 hour play time. The Stormy Flight does not list a duration, so plan a flexible evening rather than a tightly scheduled slot. If you have a hard stop, The Secret Lab's stated range is easier to plan around.
- Theme preference: Choose The Stormy Flight for an aviation crew scenario with group coordination, or The Secret Lab for a locked-room medical mystery with investigative clues. Match the theme to what your group finds fun, since neither catalog entry gives a difficulty rating.
Product facts at a glance
- EXIT: The Stormy Flight: The Stormy Flight is an EXIT game set on a passenger plane bound for Barbados. The aviation theme gives groups an immediately understandable scenario, which helps new players settle in without a long setup story.
EXIT: The Stormy Flight - EXIT: The Secret Lab: The Secret Lab supports 1 to 4 players, ages 12+, with a play time of 1 to 2 hours. The stated player range and duration make it easier to plan a session for a solo evening or a small group without guessing.
EXIT: The Secret Lab
Which game fits your group?
Best for
- Groups of 2 to 4 who want a clear player count and play time
- Solo players or pairs looking for a puzzle game they can finish in one sitting
- Players aged 12 and up who enjoy medical mystery themes
Not for
- Groups that prefer an aviation adventure theme over a lab setting
- Players who want a guaranteed larger-group experience without checking the box first
