Escape room: the perfect game experience and adrenaline
Escape rooms have become increasingly popular in the last decade as a fun and challenging group activity. These interactive "escape" games are designed to test your problem-solving skills, teamwork and creativity as you try to escape from a room within a given time. Find out everything about the escape room experience below.
What is an escape room?
An escape room is similar to a video game, but it's one you'll play in real life! You will explore every detail of a room, solve puzzles and maybe even find secret passages with your team.
A few years ago, when they were a novelty, escape room games involved the "escape" of the players from a room in which they were locked and in which they had to find as many clues as possible and to solve some mysteries and riddles. Starting from 2023, however, new themes appeared and different game mechanics were introduced, so that the objectives also multiplied, reaching up to capturing ghosts or becoming immortal. In addition, some escape rooms today also use immersive experiences, some with visual and sound effects, but still calling on ingenuity and insight to solve the puzzles.
How is a game played?
The players are locked in themed rooms and have a given time interval to solve the situation in which they are. Mysteries can be physical, mental, or a combination of the two, and often require searching for hidden clues, handling various objects, and using your senses to discover hidden items.
Escape room games are designed for groups, usually between 2 and 10 players. Each game has a time limit, usually 45-60 minutes, but can reach up to two hours, during which the players must complete the game and leave the room or solve a mission. If time runs out before the team can escape or solve the mission, the game ends.
Escape room adventure steps
Choice of adventure
Although many escape rooms offer only one game option, there are also places where you can choose which type of game you prefer. Themes can vary from thrilling action or mystery to light and quiet games. You can choose an escape room with the theme "escape from prison", "secret agents", "haunted house", the theme from a movie or cartoon and many others.
Introduction to the game
The first step is the presentation of the game, a stage in which the team will receive all the necessary instructions and an introduction to the story in which they are going to enter beyond the door. In this way, the scene will be created and the context will be provided for the enigmas and challenges that follow. The game guide will explain the rules and answer any questions you may have before the game.
The start of the experience
Once in the room, players will have to work together to discover clues, solve puzzles and progress in the game. Communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential for success, as players will have to use their logic and creativity to understand each challenge.
Are you stuck in the escape room?
A basic rule is that, if you haven't made progress within 5-10 minutes, it's time to ask for a hint, to help you go one step further in trying to help the team escape or solve the mission .
The escape
For some escape rooms, the ultimate goal is to escape from the room, while other escape room variants have the goal of catching a saboteur or finding a treasure, or perhaps uncovering evidence for a crime or recovering a treasure.
Tips for success
It is possible that those who arrive for the first time in an escape room do not know exactly where to start, but the first thing to remember is that time is of the essence! So, here are some tips that will prepare you for your first game, if you are a beginner.
1. Search everywhere
A successful escape is based on the ability to be a good observer, to find clues and to solve captivating puzzles. When you first enter the room, don't hesitate to start looking for clues. Search in any open box, drawer or places that can be opened. Don't forget to browse the books in the room, look under the furniture and study the works of art on the walls.
2. Communicate in the team
One of the most important things in an escape game is teamwork. Make sure you keep in constant communication with your team members and share any clues or mysteries you discover.
3. Organize the clues
Put each clue found in a central location, so that team members can return to it as often as needed. In this way, you will be sure that everyone has access to all available information. Track which clues have been used and which mysteries have already been solved, putting things away. In this way, team members will not waste time with already completed puzzles.
4. Learn to delegate
Sometimes there may be several puzzles or clues that need to be solved simultaneously. Divide the team into several groups and use everyone's skills. Some players may be good at riddles, while others are good at pattern recognition.
5. Don't forget the time
Don't forget that you only have a limited amount of time to escape from the room, and when you focus on a problem, time can fly by without you realizing it. Don't waste time with irrelevant clues and don't stay stuck in one mystery for too long. Sometimes you might find a clue that leads you to something you haven't discovered yet. Move on and come back later if necessary.
6. Remember that you are there to have fun
Escape rooms must be fun experiences. Don't take them too seriously and enjoy the challenge with your team. Stay positive and don't give up!
What to expect?
Each escape room offers unique experiences, but there are some common features. Which are these?
Your race will be against the clock
Escape rooms are not necessarily competitive experiences, but they have a maximum duration of time to add more adrenaline. These time limits can add some pressure and competition to players looking to set personal records.
Although you've probably heard that escape room experiences last 60 minutes, the truth is that there is no rule for how long a game can be. The more you play, the more you will want the experience to be longer. That's why there are escape room experiences that last up to two hours.
Escape rooms don't just mean locks and keys
In many escape rooms you can measure your progress based on how many locks you opened or how many rooms you managed to enter. But escape rooms have other things to offer. Some games offer a room with a central puzzle and many smaller ones, while others have unique types of locks and puzzles.
Not all escape rooms are violent
The main objective in such a game is fun. Some rooms are brighter, others darker and somewhat more violent. For the darker games, relax, because they are neither horror nor is there any risk of something bad happening: there are no flamethrowers and no bottomless holes in any of the rooms. You only see something like this in movies, and at the escape room everyone must enjoy the experience!
You can always ask for help
If you get stuck on a particular mystery, you can always ask for hints. Some escape rooms will limit players to three clues or penalize you on the final score, depending on the number of clues required. But there are also escape rooms where the clues don't cost you anything, but just help you have the most beautiful experience possible.
Escape rooms offer a unique and wonderful form of fun, which will challenge you and strengthen your relationship with friends or family. Whether you are looking for a fun night with friends, a team-building activity or just want a new and exciting experience, an escape room is exactly what you need!
Frequent questions
Are you really locked in the room?
Not. Escape rooms are based on safety. All escape games are closely monitored by the team and any doors that are locked have an emergency exit button. You can leave the room at any time and for any reason.
What happens if you don't manage to "escape"?
It's no problem if you don't manage to escape from the room in time. The objective is to maximize the fun of escape games, and the experience will be fun anyway, even if you don't manage to get out of the room in time.
How long does a game last?
There is no generally valid rule. Some games can last an hour, while others reach up to two hours.