When you hear the term ‘escape room’, you might already have ideas and images of what that means flooding into your head. On the other hand, you might have no idea at all what that means and have a burning desire to find out all about it. Well do not fear, whatever level of understanding you have, this detailed guide will tell you exactly what happens in an escape room and as well as giving some useful tips and tricks on how to ensure success.
What to expect from an escape room experience?
Arrival – Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a member of staff who will check your booking and if everyone participating is present. Each company will have different rules but it’s advised that you arrive at least 15 minutes before your booking time. This will give the Games Masters time to get you checked in, settled and prepared for your escape room.
Team briefing – As soon as your room is ready to go, your Games Master will notify you and the game will begin shortly after. Just before you go in you will be briefed about the game you have chosen. This involves giving some further context to the theme of the game as well as things to look out for.
The game – Now for the fun part. You and your team will go into the room and the game will begin. You will have 1 hour to solve puzzles and piece together clues so that you may taste sweet freedom once again. Remember these rooms are designed to test you so do not be afraid to try anything and everything as you don’t want to miss any clues – some things you find may not be useful in your mission to escape but it’s always worth finding out! Teamwork is paramount in an escape room; good communication and positivity are key. You’ll need to work together and fill each other in on findings and ideas, you never know, you and a teammate could both be holding half of a solution. Provided all things go well, you will gradually make your way through the stages of the game until you solve it all and can, well… escape. Don’t worry if it isn’t smooth sailing the whole time though, it’s completely normal for teams to get stuck and your Games Master will always be on hand to offer clues and support whenever you need it.
Post-game – If you didn’t quite manage to escape the room, don’t be disheartened! They are designed to be challenging and most companies will offer a wide selection of rooms with differing levels of difficulty so as they say ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again’. If you are smart cookies and managed to achieve freedom then you have earnt the right to ride that high so enjoy it. Whatever the outcome, the Games Master will get a squad picture before leading you back to the communal area where you will be debriefed, receive your certificate and can get a drink, (let’s face it, you’ll probably need one).
Aaaaand Relax – Now the time is yours. Feel free to relax by the bar, have some food and drink, play some games and chill – you earned it!
What themes are on offer?
Each company is different and will offer different types of escape rooms with different themes. There are some staples of the industry, however… here’s a list of themes you are most likely to find:
Adventure
Sci-fi
Supernatural
Horror
Thriller
Now these themes can be executed in different ways depending on how the story is crafted. For example, an adventure-based room could involve being trapped in a Submarine that’s on the brink of being lost to the depths of the ocean forever.
Or a horror-based room could consist of the completely immersive experience of finding yourself Abducted by a deranged doctor who has a habit of dismembering and experimenting on his victims, provided they don’t escape his grasp of course.
There is really no right answer, it just depends on what sounds fun to the group. Be sure to check the company’s website for more information about their experiences in terms of theme, ideal number of players and any caveats such as age restrictions. This will allow you to make the best choice for you and your team.
Why do an escape room?
Escape rooms are incredibly fun for many reasons. They are a perfect activity to do with a group of friends or family as they get you working together in new and engaging ways. Working as a team towards a common goal is a great way of bringing people closer making it an ideal experience for couples as well.
With a wide variety of rooms which cater to all sorts of age ranges, there is something for everyone. You can usually only get a similar experience from a video game but an escape room puts you right in the middle of the action and allows for more than just 1 player. Really the question should be ‘Why not do an escape room?’ but we couldn’t think of any answers to that.
Don’t just take our word for it though! Check out some real customer reviews on TripAdvisor and see why they enjoyed it.
History of Escape Rooms
Years and years before escape rooms, there were similar attractions that involved placing the players within an environment for them to navigate and eventually ‘beat’ e.g., haunted houses, mazes and scavenger hunts. The format of solving puzzles contained in one room had been used in the TV landscape with shows like Crystal Maze gaining popularity in the 90s.
This was also replicated in the video game world in the early 2000s with the emergence of ‘escape the room’ video games – a genre where the player was trapped in a singular room and had to find clues and objects which would aid them in escaping.
It wasn’t long before someone had the bright idea of making these video games a reality which is exactly what Takao Kato did in 2007 when he created Real Escape Game (REG) in Japan. As expected, there was a snowball effect with REG gaining popularity bringing it to places like San Francisco in 2012, as well as other companies popping up in Australia and Singapore around the same time. With this growth, came the development of games with puzzles becoming more nuanced and advanced with the aid of technology.
This brings us to today where it is estimated that there are more than 50,000 escape rooms worldwide, all boasting different styles of experience – come a long way from pixels on a video game eh?
FAQ’S
Who can do an escape room?
Anyone! Depending on the room there are games that cater to all age ranges and group sizes.
Are you locked in the room?
No. We only create the illusion of being locked in; players can leave at any time if they wish.
Can I do this if I’m pregnant?
Yes. It is worth checking with the company beforehand as they will need to know about it for certain rooms but they will be more than happy to accommodate that.
What should I wear?
Whatever you want! You need to be feeling your comfiest to allow your brain to work at full capacity.
Can I just turn up?
Some companies may allow this, but most tend to work off a booking system. This can be sorted either online or by giving them a call. Be quick though, slots fill up fast!
What happens if we are late?
There is usually some slight leeway when it comes to this as companies will leave small gaps in between games on their system. However, the rooms need to be set in this time so as a rule of thumb, get there early on. On quieter days like weekdays, this is less of a problem as it is more likely there won’t be a booking after you.
How do I book?
Booking a room can be done through the company’s website or by calling them directly.
Hopefully, this has revealed some secrets of the mysterious world of escape rooms and experiences. All that is left to do is get yourself in one – Book now at The Great Escape Game to begin your adventure!
What to expect from an escape room experience?
Arrival – Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a member of staff who will check your booking and if everyone participating is present. Each company will have different rules but it’s advised that you arrive at least 15 minutes before your booking time. This will give the Games Masters time to get you checked in, settled and prepared for your escape room.
Team briefing – As soon as your room is ready to go, your Games Master will notify you and the game will begin shortly after. Just before you go in you will be briefed about the game you have chosen. This involves giving some further context to the theme of the game as well as things to look out for.
The game – Now for the fun part. You and your team will go into the room and the game will begin. You will have 1 hour to solve puzzles and piece together clues so that you may taste sweet freedom once again. Remember these rooms are designed to test you so do not be afraid to try anything and everything as you don’t want to miss any clues – some things you find may not be useful in your mission to escape but it’s always worth finding out! Teamwork is paramount in an escape room; good communication and positivity are key. You’ll need to work together and fill each other in on findings and ideas, you never know, you and a teammate could both be holding half of a solution. Provided all things go well, you will gradually make your way through the stages of the game until you solve it all and can, well… escape. Don’t worry if it isn’t smooth sailing the whole time though, it’s completely normal for teams to get stuck and your Games Master will always be on hand to offer clues and support whenever you need it.
Post-game – If you didn’t quite manage to escape the room, don’t be disheartened! They are designed to be challenging and most companies will offer a wide selection of rooms with differing levels of difficulty so as they say ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again’. If you are smart cookies and managed to achieve freedom then you have earnt the right to ride that high so enjoy it. Whatever the outcome, the Games Master will get a squad picture before leading you back to the communal area where you will be debriefed, receive your certificate and can get a drink, (let’s face it, you’ll probably need one).
Aaaaand Relax – Now the time is yours. Feel free to relax by the bar, have some food and drink, play some games and chill – you earned it!
What themes are on offer?
Each company is different and will offer different types of escape rooms with different themes. There are some staples of the industry, however… here’s a list of themes you are most likely to find:
Adventure
Sci-fi
Supernatural
Horror
Thriller
Now these themes can be executed in different ways depending on how the story is crafted. For example, an adventure-based room could involve being trapped in a Submarine that’s on the brink of being lost to the depths of the ocean forever.
Or a horror-based room could consist of the completely immersive experience of finding yourself Abducted by a deranged doctor who has a habit of dismembering and experimenting on his victims, provided they don’t escape his grasp of course.
There is really no right answer, it just depends on what sounds fun to the group. Be sure to check the company’s website for more information about their experiences in terms of theme, ideal number of players and any caveats such as age restrictions. This will allow you to make the best choice for you and your team.
Why do an escape room?
Escape rooms are incredibly fun for many reasons. They are a perfect activity to do with a group of friends or family as they get you working together in new and engaging ways. Working as a team towards a common goal is a great way of bringing people closer making it an ideal experience for couples as well.
With a wide variety of rooms which cater to all sorts of age ranges, there is something for everyone. You can usually only get a similar experience from a video game but an escape room puts you right in the middle of the action and allows for more than just 1 player. Really the question should be ‘Why not do an escape room?’ but we couldn’t think of any answers to that.
Don’t just take our word for it though! Check out some real customer reviews on TripAdvisor and see why they enjoyed it.
History of Escape Rooms
Years and years before escape rooms, there were similar attractions that involved placing the players within an environment for them to navigate and eventually ‘beat’ e.g., haunted houses, mazes and scavenger hunts. The format of solving puzzles contained in one room had been used in the TV landscape with shows like Crystal Maze gaining popularity in the 90s.
This was also replicated in the video game world in the early 2000s with the emergence of ‘escape the room’ video games – a genre where the player was trapped in a singular room and had to find clues and objects which would aid them in escaping.
It wasn’t long before someone had the bright idea of making these video games a reality which is exactly what Takao Kato did in 2007 when he created Real Escape Game (REG) in Japan. As expected, there was a snowball effect with REG gaining popularity bringing it to places like San Francisco in 2012, as well as other companies popping up in Australia and Singapore around the same time. With this growth, came the development of games with puzzles becoming more nuanced and advanced with the aid of technology.
This brings us to today where it is estimated that there are more than 50,000 escape rooms worldwide, all boasting different styles of experience – come a long way from pixels on a video game eh?
FAQ’S
Who can do an escape room?
Anyone! Depending on the room there are games that cater to all age ranges and group sizes.
Are you locked in the room?
No. We only create the illusion of being locked in; players can leave at any time if they wish.
Can I do this if I’m pregnant?
Yes. It is worth checking with the company beforehand as they will need to know about it for certain rooms but they will be more than happy to accommodate that.
What should I wear?
Whatever you want! You need to be feeling your comfiest to allow your brain to work at full capacity.
Can I just turn up?
Some companies may allow this, but most tend to work off a booking system. This can be sorted either online or by giving them a call. Be quick though, slots fill up fast!
What happens if we are late?
There is usually some slight leeway when it comes to this as companies will leave small gaps in between games on their system. However, the rooms need to be set in this time so as a rule of thumb, get there early on. On quieter days like weekdays, this is less of a problem as it is more likely there won’t be a booking after you.
How do I book?
Booking a room can be done through the company’s website or by calling them directly.
Hopefully, this has revealed some secrets of the mysterious world of escape rooms and experiences. All that is left to do is get yourself in one – Book now at The Great Escape Game to begin your adventure! 
