You’ve heard of escape rooms, but you’re not quite sure what happens once you step inside. What do you do in an escape room, exactly? Well, it’s like stepping into your favorite adventure movie. You’re not just watching it. You’re living it. Your mission is simple—solve puzzles, crack codes, and beat the clock to make your escape.
The Basics: What to Expect
First things first, when you walk into an escape room, you’re in for a challenge. The room will be designed around a specific theme, whether it’s a haunted house, a pirate ship, or even a bank heist. You’ll usually have a team of friends, family, or maybe even coworkers with you, and the goal is to escape within a time limit—usually 60 minutes.
Once the door closes, the clock starts ticking. You and your teammates need to work together, finding hidden clues and solving puzzles to move forward. It sounds simple, but the pressure of the ticking clock makes every second feel more intense.
Finding Clues
One of the first things you’ll do in an escape room is search for clues. They could be hidden anywhere—inside a drawer, behind a picture, or even tucked away in a hollow book. The best strategy is to split up and comb through everything. Look in places that seem too obvious. Sometimes, the biggest clues are hidden in plain sight.
When you find something that looks out of place, don’t ignore it. A strange object or a weird pattern might just be the key to getting to the next stage. And remember, escape rooms are full of red herrings. Not every item will be helpful, so you have to use your wits.
Solve Different Kinds of Puzzles
Escape rooms are filled with all sorts of puzzles. You’ll probably run into a few types that are new to you, and that’s where the fun lies. Here are a few common escape room puzzles you’ll encounter:
- Word Puzzles: These can be anything from anagrams to riddles. You may need to unscramble letters to find a password or answer a tricky riddle to unlock something.
- Logic Puzzles: Think of these like mini brain teasers. You might have to figure out which switches to flip in a certain order or how to arrange objects to match a specific pattern.
- Math Puzzles: Don’t worry if you’re not a math whiz. Usually, these puzzles are more about simple arithmetic or recognizing patterns. They’re not meant to make you sweat over complicated equations.
- Physical Puzzles: Sometimes, you’ll need to physically interact with the room. You might need to piece together a broken object, fit items in a specific way, or even activate a lever mechanism. It’s a great mix of brains and hands-on fun.
Work Together—Seriously
Teamwork is one of the most important parts of an escape room experience. You can’t expect to do it all alone, and trying to go solo is a surefire way to run out of time. Communication is key. Share every clue you find and let others in on your thought process.
Assign roles if needed. Maybe one person takes notes, another looks for hidden objects, and someone else focuses on piecing together the story. Everyone has their strengths. Use them to your advantage. If someone is great with numbers, they should tackle the math puzzles. If someone is really observant, let them focus on finding hidden clues.
Manage the Time Wisely
The clock is always running, and time management is everything. Keep an eye on how much time you’ve got left and pace yourself accordingly. If you’ve been working on a puzzle for too long and it’s not clicking, don’t be afraid to move on and come back later. Fresh eyes can make all the difference.
Most escape rooms will offer you a certain number of hints, usually three, that you can use if you get really stuck. Don’t let pride get in the way—if the clock is ticking down and you’re struggling, take a hint. It’s there to help you have fun, not leave you banging your head against the wall.
Think Outside the Box
Escape rooms are designed to test your creativity and ability to think outside the box. Sometimes, the solution is less about following instructions and more about experimenting. Maybe that painting on the wall isn’t just a decoration—maybe it moves and reveals something hidden behind it. If you find a locked box, maybe the key isn’t in a drawer but hidden in a more unconventional place.
Overthinking can be your worst enemy. Often, the simplest answer is the correct one. Don’t waste too much time imagining overly complicated solutions. Just get hands-on, try things, and see what works. Remember, you’re meant to explore, touch, and interact with everything in the room.
Enjoy the Story
Every escape room has a storyline that ties all the puzzles together. Whether you’re solving a crime or escaping from a doomed spaceship, getting into the story can make the whole experience more enjoyable. Listen carefully to any instructions you receive at the beginning—sometimes, there’s a vital piece of information hidden in the narrative that will help you later.
Engaging with the story also helps make sense of what you’re doing. It keeps everyone on the same page and makes the entire experience more immersive. It’s not just about escaping the room; it’s about being part of a bigger adventure.
Use Your Hints Wisely
Almost every escape room will offer you hints. Some people are hesitant to use them, thinking it’s a sign of defeat. But hints are part of the game. They’re meant to keep things moving, especially if you hit a point where frustration is replacing fun.
Use them wisely, though. Don’t burn through all your hints early. Save them for those moments when you’ve tried everything and still come up empty-handed. A good hint can steer you in the right direction without giving away too much, and that little nudge might be all you need to keep the momentum going.
Avoid Common Mistakes
One common mistake beginners make in an escape room is focusing too much on one thing and missing the bigger picture. If a puzzle doesn’t seem solvable right away, move on. Sometimes, you need a clue from a different part of the room to solve it.
Another mistake is ignoring your teammates. Maybe someone’s found something important, but you’re too focused to notice them calling out. Keep communication open. Remember, escape rooms are a team effort. The more you work together, the better your chances of success.
Laugh, Learn, and Have Fun
The most important part of any escape room is to have fun. Things can get a bit chaotic. Someone might overlook an obvious clue. You might solve a tricky puzzle only to realize it was for something you already unlocked. It happens to everyone, and that’s part of the experience.
Laugh at your mistakes and celebrate the victories, even the small ones. Escape rooms are designed to be challenging but also enjoyable. Whether you escape with seconds to spare or don’t quite make it, you’ll still walk out with great memories and maybe a few funny stories.
Get Your Game On: Book an Escape Room Experience in Denver
Escape rooms are all about adventure, teamwork, and a bit of thinking on your feet. Visit EscapeWorks Denver at 1529 Champa St., Denver, CO, for the ultimate escape room experience. Gather a group of 2 to 12 friends and immerse yourselves in thrilling, theme-based challenges.
Each room gives you 60 minutes to solve puzzles, crack codes, and make your escape. Reserve your room now by calling (303) 945-6521 or book online for an unforgettable adventure. Don’t forget—we also offer private team-building events for larger groups. Ready to see if you can beat the clock? Let’s get started.
