Are you an Escape Room Beginner?
If so, let me offer you some guidance...
Escape rooms are one big puzzle, find your first clue and you're on your way!
So what should you expect when locked in an Escape Room?
Escape rooms have existed for more than a decade, each offering a fun and unique physical puzzle which guests have to piece together to resolve one objective. Every escape room has a set objective, i.e. 'defeat the Dark Lord' or 'rob the bank', and these reflect the theme of the room, with each clue linked to the next to form an adrenaline-pumping narrative.
Escape room themes will vary from company, to venue, to country. Each will have a unique narrative which plays out throughout the course of the room. The escape room will have multiple stages before you reach the final objective - escape! Typically at the start of the game you'll hear what your objective is, and from there you can problem solve your way out.
The puzzles within the room must be unlocked in succession. Once you've unlocked one there may be a new clue hidden inside. Check carefully and don't leave anything behind! Now, follow your clues carefully because your next puzzle may be linked to the previous ones. You are the main character in the escape room, so take charge and work as a team. It's rare in escape rooms that you'll be left alone, they require team work and different perspectives to solve the clues.
Below is a list of handy tips to ensure your escape room experience is one you'll love.
Escape rooms will offer you a set of clues, if you can't quite decipher your clue(s), you can signal that you need a hint from the Gamemasters to get the ball rolling once again. At Escape This, we ask every member of the group to stand waving at the camera to draw our Gamemaster's attention, but each venue is different so listen and ask before you're left to fend for yourself.
Each room will have hidden features so keep your eyes peeled and touch EVERYTHING. Some escape rooms will have hidden rooms, secret compartments and jump scares. So be prepared for the small room you start in to expand and link to the next. Anything that seems out of place may be there for a reason.
Escape rooms are designed to be an experience - an escape from reality for an hour or so. Leave your worries, stresses and problems at the door and go into the space open-minded. Before you know it, you'll have escaped (or not, maybe), and will be signing up for your next escape!
Should you fail in your escape, you can of course repeat the room until you do manage to get free. The beauty of escape rooms is, "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again". There is no shame in giving it another go. Heck, at 'Escape This' the same group will come back multiple times just to say they've finally beaten a room. And when you do escape, be sure to keep track of your score time, because its always fun to beat yourself and make it into the escape room leader board.
Now, as promised a list of what you'll need to look for. Remember you are the biggest asset you can bring to the game. So be careful and patient.
What to look for in an Escape Room:
Find the locks.
One easy tactic is to find the locks before you search for clues. Once you know what you are looking for, the clue may jump out at you. If you see you need to find three numbers for a number combination lock, look around for three numbers. If you're looking for a key, search where a key may be hidden. Look carefully, because what you need is there somewhere.
Enter a theme you'll enjoy.
There is no point doing a horror room if you can't think or concentrate when your nerves are on a knife's edge. But if you work best under pressure, look at the difficulty ratings and find a room which fits you're skills. You don't know what your skills are? It's always best to start easy and work up from there. You can never be too good at escape rooms.
Communication is the key.
Have a good team around you. Once you step into the room you need to work together and communicate what you find. You'll naturally fall in to your strengths within the group, so work with people you trust and have a bit of fun. Escape rooms are fantastic for team building. Once you're locked in a room together with the same objective, all rivalries fall way as you work together to escape.
Touch everything (carefully).
In an escape room you never know where the clues are hidden. So touch everything, if it moves inspect it to see if it has a hidden meaning. Some clues are left in pain sight and are easily overlooked, so take care and be thorough. Before you enter the room the games master will tell you what you shouldn't touch and what doesn't move. So listen carefully and don't mess around, they'll be watching.
Don't break anything!
Each room is hand designed and a lot of care and repair goes into the maintenance of each prop, set and puzzle. If it doesn't easily open it isn't meant to move. Don't break or shove anything just in the hope of the next clue. You're mostly like missing a piece of the puzzle, so look around and use your brain not your muscles. Be patient and careful. Everything has a reason.
You have everything you need.
Everything you need to escape the room will be within the four walls of your escape room. There is nothing additional you need to bring or add. You don't need any prior knowledge to complete an escape room, everything will be there. Check the room and props carefully to find whatever you're missing.
Don't give up.
You can ask for clues, so don't give up hope. One clue may change the whole game. Remember when you're stuck, ask for help. Ask your Gamesmaster before you start what the signal is for a hint, there will always be a movement, or word. Few escape a room without a little guidance.
Have fun.
Escape rooms are big physical puzzles. You need to have a bit of fun and laugh at anything that goes wrong. Although the pressure keeps you accountable, you'll find a way to ignore the time and work together. Celebrate every clue and puzzle you complete and soon enough you'll be out and free again.
So there you go, you're now ready for the challenge. Go in open-minded and keep your eyes peeled. You are your greatest assist so don't doubt yourself.
