Picture this: you enter a room with a ticking clock and a simple mission: exit within less than 60 minutes. That is what an escape room is all about.
Never tried one? We will tell you about the rules and what to expect when you play. Read on!
How an escape room works
An escape room is a live role-play team-based game during which you use puzzles to reach a goal within a set time constraint. The objective is typically to leave the room. In most cases, it comes in the form of a mission like:
- Preventing a fictional danger
- Locating a hidden item.
You and your group choose a themed setting. Some of the themes you will find in escape rooms Calgary, include:
- Prison break
- Jurassic escape
- Haunted house
- Spy mission
- Friendsgiving
- Heist scenario
- Revengers
- Ancient tomb adventure.
The room is filled with:
- Physical things
- Lockups
- Compartments
- Codes
- H
Your mission is to analyze the environment. Then, find patterns and crack interconnected puzzles. This results in new discoveries. A game master tracks your progress via cameras. They could give hints if your team requests one.
Before the game starts
You will receive a briefing. This includes:
- The storyline
- Safety instructions
- Regulations (no excessive force, no breaking down props, etc.)
- Time (45-60 minutes)
Follow these instructions. They define roles. They will help you to avoid punishment or time wastage.
You can also ask questions. Especially if the objective is ambiguous. Seek clarification before the timer starts.
What happens inside the room
The door is closed. The countdown begins! Expect the following:
Immediate exploration
Systematically search the space. Behind, under, and around:
- Decorations
- Objects
- Containers
- Drawers, etc.
Most puzzles depend on observation.
Pattern-based and logical puzzles
You may encounter:
- Combination locks
- Riddles
- Number sequences
- UV light clues
- Hidden keys
- Cipher wheels.
The puzzles are of different levels of difficulty. Some only demand simple arithmetic. Others require lateral thinking.
Team communication
When you locate something, call it out. Do not solve puzzles in silence. Share some of your findings so that others will be able to make the connection.
Time pressure
The ticking clock transforms behavior. You may feel rushed. This is intentional. So, do not panic. Just be organized.
What you should bring
You don’t need any special skills. However:
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Avoid high heels
- Carry reading glasses where necessary
- Arrive 10–15 minutes earl
Cell phones are not often permitted in the room.
After the game
Finally, the game master will enter when time runs out or when you finish the objective. They will give you a list of clues/logic of the puzzle that you missed. Many venues also offer a group photo.
