Not only are Escape Rooms a worldwide cultural phenomenon, but they allow you to experience a live-action game that places you at the heart of a story. With sixty minutes on the clock. It’s up to you and your team to gather all the relevant clues, solve puzzles and smash the case wide open before you run out of time.
From the moment you step into the Games Master’s lair (or office in most cases!) to breaking free into the real world once more at the end, a lot is going on in this fun, thrilling adventure game.
To whet your whistle, here are 8 facts about Escape Rooms you need to know:
The first Escape Room opened in Japan
While your local Escape Room may be well established, the first known Escape Room started life in Kyoto, Japan, in July 2007. Masterminded by Takao Kato. His goal was to bring a team of 5-6 players together in a fully immersive game where they had to solve interactive puzzles and make their escape from a locked room.
Back then, Kato launched his game as a one-room experience and often popped up in his local bars and offices around his neighbourhood. Now known as SCRAP, the company hosts thousands of players a year in their ever-evolving catalogue of thrilling, action-packed games.
You’re not actually “locked-in”
Yes, the whole concept of an Escape Room is centered around the idea that you, the player, are locked in a room until your time is up. Either you walk out with minutes or seconds to spare, or you leave the room beaten by the game.
First off, health and safety would have a field day if customers were sealed in a room with no exit options until after the game is finished! But secondly, it’s just not practical. What if you need to pop to the loo or there’s some sort of an emergency (unlikely, but you never know!)
Pop culture makes the world go round
Despite the plethora of ever-evolving and changing plot lines, zombie-themed adventures and prison escapes still sit at the number one spot when it comes to most popular theme.
Perhaps it’s down to zombie flicks like 28 Days Later or Zombieland, or TV phenomenon, The Walking Dead that has piqued the public’s interest. With Orange is the New Black and Prison Break still bubbling under the surface. Pop culture is a powerful tool when it comes to themes and branding.
Whether you’re a big Sherlock fan, a lover of the classic heist or even a good old crime thriller, then you’ll be blown away by the sheer selection of games available to you.
Team work really makes the dream work
Escape Rooms are accessible to all, but they do require something from you if you plan to beat the room. It all boils down to how well your team works together.
No matter how confident you are, if you’re a natural leader or you like to blend into your surroundings. Your voice matters in any game. If you see something of interest, say your thoughts out loud! Notice something odd or peculiar, speak!
Then there is a collaborative effort. The best teams are those that organise themselves. You get the worker bees gathering crucial evidence and the leader overseeing the whole operation. Or you might get a couple, who balance eachother out. One notices the devil in the detail, whereas the other uses logic to solve clues and get to the bottom of riddles.
Some props are just props!
Stepping into an Escape Room, you will notice several things all at once. The room will be dressed like a TV or film set in many ways. You will see authentic props from the decade you are exploring and the walls will be adorned with decor to make you feel like you’ve just woken up in The Matrix!
But like all detectives, thrill seekers and adventurers, you will want to touch, feel and crouch under tables to find the clues you need to find. While many of the props aren’t fixed to any surface, if they don’t budge or open easily, they simply aren’t meant to!
So don’t accidentally break that rare silver tea set from the Edwardian era out of curiosity! Instead, use your initiative. You’ll quickly learn what items are there to help you beat the room, and which one’s are there to add to the experience.
A fully immersive experience
Everything from the lighting and sound effects down to the artefacts dotted around your game. All are there to place you right in the heart of all the action. From the moment you are introduced to your Games Master to the final second on the clock. Your main focus is to beat the game. That means getting lost in the time period. Soaking up all the atmosphere and keeping a level head as you search for key clues often hidden in plain sight.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. If you want to take your gaming experience to the next level, you can dress the part. Whether you’re a seafaring captain, a reveller at a 1990s discotheque or feel the need to get your Peaky Blinder on, then you’re free to pull out all the stops!
You’ll likely get a sweat on!
Chances are when you leave your Escape Room, your adrenaline will be pumping! You’ve just spent an action-packed 60 minutes crawling on your hands on knees, scrambling around a room searching for clues. All while you try and piece together the puzzle and make sense of it all.
So come prepared. Wear clothes and shoes you’ll feel comfortable in, and pack a bottle of water to keep your fluids up post-game.
Mobile phones are a BIG no
While mobile phones have become an extra appendage for some, bringing one into a game is a big no! You don’t need any distractions while you’re in game. Let alone a chance to spoil the game for yourself and your team! So leave it locked away with your belongings. It’ll still be there when you get back!
With a plethora of brilliant games to choose from, where will your next adventure take you?