With many fantastic escape rooms popping up all the time, it’s easy to grab your team together for a wicked night out. You may be wondering about a few pointers or even where to begin when entering that escape room. Keeping in mind you’ll want to be as alert as possible for these games, here are some quick tips you can go over to help you escape that next room.
Set your goal prior to starting
Many players will realise this is an opportunity for a fun night out and will most likely want to simply have fun. For others (those ‘speed players’) – this is an opportunity to win, and show off their mental dexterity. Just make sure the group can be on the same page, to ensure everyone has the best night.
The all-essential clues
Your brain’s reticular activating system (that’s RAS for short) plays a big role in problem solving tasks, so understanding how your brain works will help give you that edge. Basically, in short, be aware of what you are mentally zoning in on! Because anything can seem like a clue, you’ll want to know what should and shouldn’t be ignored. Power outlets as well as drop ceiling tiles should generally not be played for safety reasons, so keep these off-limits.
Sleep – the true cheat code
It is highly recommended to get a good night’s sleep prior to playing the game. You may want to reconsider alcohol too if your team wants to win. Studies show that lacking even 3 hours sleep per night can decrease concentration levels drastically. You won’t want your sleep hygiene to be letting your team down.
Do your homework
A bit of researching on common codes including Morse code, braille, binary code, Mirror Writing, Caesar Cypher and Pig Pen Cypher will put you ahead in many escape rooms. These will offer you clues most players won’t pick up on, a subtle yet powerful advantage.
Occam’s Razor – the original escape artist
The general rule of Occam’s Razor applies that the hypothesis involving the least assumptions should be chosen when selecting hypotheses that form the same predictions. Applying this ancient thinking tool will set your team aside from the crop.
Play it out loud
Verbally playing out loud is key! Your teammates will be able to hear and work with your thoughts as they come to the forefront of your mind, as you form potential solutions. Most escape rooms around hold security cameras and microphones, making it easier for the game master to follow the game unfold. This will help you speed the game up and help prevent awkward miscommunication.
Follow your clues very carefully
Read the clues out loud to the group up to six times if you need to. To help bring out any important clues, mix things up. A new player to the task or even a fresh set of eyes to the clue can be the make or break.
Don’t forget to ask
When using hints don’t be afraid to wait too long. Always use the hints before it’s too late to win the game. A good rule of thumb is if it has been over 5 minutes and your group is stuck, feel free to reach out for help. A good reminder is the game is best when it is fun, not when your team is stagnant and stuck.
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A great mindset for you and your team is leaving your pride aside – giving everyone a better chance of winning. Remember it is a group activity, and the group wins together.
