Did you know that over 2,000 escape rooms exist in the United States? It’s quickly becoming one of the most popular forms of group entertainment, possibly outdoing murder mystery dinners.
If you want to try out a Get Out of the Room Game, it might sound intimidating. Escape rooms that make it into the news often highlight the horror aspect of the game. But these escape rooms are at the extreme end of a wide spectrum.
Don’t dismiss the game yet!
So what are escape rooms and how you can play? We’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to help you learn more:
What is an Escape Game and How Do Escape Rooms Work?
An escape room game is a real-time adventure game. It takes place in a single location, and the experience differs depending on the theme of the room. It’s a new type of game, originating from Japan back in 2007.
The game arrived in the United States by 2013. Since then, it became a popular means of achieving a thrilling experience. Before starting, know that escape games require teams of at least 2 people, with a maximum of five.
Some escape rooms have varying adventure narratives. It gives nuance to the experience, with each room designed to reinforce the atmosphere. For example, you’ll be in certain locations like prison cells, abandoned hospitals, or haunted mansions.
Regardless of the adventure chosen, your goal will remain the same. It means your team should get out of the room within 60 minutes. The good news is that some locations will allow you to leave the room regardless of the time, allowing you to get more immersion.
TIP: Do you have a lot of people in your group? Then check out virtual escape room for large groups.
Who Can Play in Escape Rooms?
Most escape rooms allow people to go unsupervised as long as they’re 16 or older. If you go to escape rooms where horror isn’t an element, children aged 10 can come with parental supervision. The best part is that there are lots of rooms with no scary jump scares, relying more on the intrigue and logical puzzles to escape.
That’s why most escape rooms don’t lock their doors unless they’re the hardcore survival-themed ones. In most cases, you can tell the gamemaster your team needs to leave and they will show you the exit. These establishments focus on the fun factor of the game, meaning no one forces you to do anything.
How Big are Escape Rooms?
Each room will differ, so there are no standard measurements. But no matter what room you choose, it’s big enough to accommodate your teammates. You can walk around and explore alone or alongside your teammates.
Some escape rooms have thin enough walls that allow you to hear your teammates even when they’re in other rooms. But if you’re claustrophobic, some escape rooms might not be for you. If you want to try out a specific room, look for pictures online and check whether it’s comfortable for you.
Escape Room Tips
Regardless of the theme and enormity of escape rooms, these tips will help your experience more enjoyable. Read these tips to help your team escape:
1. Work Together
This is common advice for almost any game, but it’s different from escape rooms. Most well-designed games will always try to trick you by spreading the same puzzle parts through the rooms. It means, working together shouldn’t equate to standing around the same room looking at a single clue.
Most teams will rush to look when someone finds a piece of a clue. This is a surefire way to fail since your team spends more time in one place instead of covering more ground. Escape rooms even developed a name for this phenomenonbunching.
2. Talk About What You See
This is the most important tip, even when you’re trying out an escape room for couples. Your early game shouldn’t focus on solving the puzzle to escape. It’s all about feeding data to your team so everyone works using the same knowledge.
When you shout out clues, you’ll maximize the team’s eyes and investigative skills. No one needs to repeat the information if they happen to stumble upon it too. That way, you’ll have enough time to solve the puzzles and escape together.
If you don’t, you might experience a situation where your partner looks at the lock while you stare at the key. Sure, you’ll eventually realize the correlation, but it’s inefficient.
3. Work Fast at the Start
The 60-minute time limit for an escape room can seem like a lot of time. But don’t let this lull you into a false sense of security and dawdle at the start. This is a crucial part of the game and working slow in the beginning can threaten your success.
If you maintain a carefree attitude, you won’t realize the trouble you’re in until it’s too late. At this point, all the unsolved clues already piled up. Don’t think the last five minutes will give you the urgency to search for clues.
Asking for a hint isn’t cheating, so don’t feel guilty. Never ask for it five minutes before the deadline since it will only make you feel silly. You aren’t Sherlock Holmes, so there’s no shame in asking questions when you’re stuck.
4. Think Like Engineers
The best puzzles for escape rooms lean on each team members’ skills, like electrical and mechanical. If you’re feeling stuck, think about the escape room’s mechanics from a certain perspective. For example, thinking like a tech guy can help you solve a puzzle that requires manipulating a mechanical object.
5. Think Like Writers
An escape room has a plot, and most establishments start with narratives before designing. It has a general flow and an interesting story. If you feel you aren’t progressing, think like a storyteller.
Think about how the room makes sense using a narrative perspective. That way, you’ll start looking for clues related to your perceived narrative.
What are Escape Rooms? Find Out Today!
If you’re asking what are escape rooms?, this guide summarizes what you should expect. Use these to arm yourself with knowledge when you decide to visit.
Keep in mind that escape rooms are only the beginning! If you’re looking for new ways to have fun, feel free to go over our posts today. Discover all the amazing tips and tricks you need right here!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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