A group of people are locked in a room in which they must solve an enigma or fulfill a mission. The place is set according to the story. It can be a museum, a prison, even a submarine.
This is the traditional version of an escape room, a game that has become popular in recent years and is based on a physical and mental experience. But now, due to confinement, the pandemic has prompted the development of this adventure in its virtual version. Online escape rooms offer the user a set of challenges in the form of puzzles, logic or math tests, which can be solved individually or in groups. They are presented as a video game, with an interface associated with a story. Since the pandemic began, there are many online escape rooms have been created. This game is so popular, that on Instagram there are already the hashtags which are used by users when they publish photos of their favorite escape rooms, both traditional and virtual ones.
Although escape rooms are a form of leisure and have no other purpose than to have fun, we understand that all players want to fulfill the objective of the room, whether it is to escape from a murderer, save the world or steal a bank. If you are competitive enough for this article to be of interest to you, keep reading and you will discover a series of tricks that, no matter how simple, will help you reach the goal.
Contents
1. Pay attention to your Game Master
This advice seems very obvious, however, most of the groups forget (especially if you are newcomers) that the Game Master is there to help you and not to boycott you.
Before entering the room, they will give you a short speech about how the room works and escape games in general. Pay attention to both what the Game Masters say and what they do not say, there are many hidden clues. To give an example: in most rooms there are air conditioners so that you can play in summer without problems but, if they do not warn you that it is real, you may have to do something with the air conditioning in the room.
Also, the moment you choke on a test or you don’t know how to continue, remember that you can count on your friend who is watching you from outside to send you a clue. Know when to ask for clues and not be proud about it. Asking for a little help is not a disgrace and, furthermore, the vast majority of groups need it to go out. Remember: the strange thing is not using that extra help.
2. Come play with people you know
Obviously, the most likely thing is that you come to play with your acquaintances. What we are referring to is that it is better to know, before coming, in what things each one stands out. There are methodical players who are better at finding things, others are passionate about logic problems, others shine with mathematical tests and a long etcetera. It is impossible for a single person to be good at so many disciplines, so the optimal thing is that each one dedicates himself to his strengths.
Of course, you will have to trust your team. If not, you will return again and again to the areas that your companions have already explored and will lose much more time.
Another important point is communication. It is always easier to talk and tell others everything you are seeing in the room if there is trust between the players. However, this confidence can become a double-edged sword. You may get along so well that you all talk at the same time, so the result will be the same as if you did not talk to each other: you will not hear anything. Appoint a spokesperson to tell everything and to communicate what everyone does and finds or, simply, let the others speak and do not step on each other.
3. Have a plan before entering the room
As we said a bit above, it is important to meet your teammates and, since you know each other, establish an action plan as soon as you enter the room. When the game starts, take a moment to observe the room and decide who is dedicated to what and where to place the objects that you find (this will make it much easier for you to realize which objects are related to each other). Don’t forget that the more organized you are, the easier the game will be for you.
4. Don’t try randomly
If you find a padlock or some kind of device to put a code on, don’t try random numbers. As systematic as you may be, trying numbers one on one is a waste of time, as well as unsportsmanlike. Not only that. If by any chance, you manage to open a lock like that, you would lose part of the game you paid for and that simply does not make sense. Remember that the room will give you all the information and all the necessary objects to go out. The answer is somewhere, look for it.
5. Train
Each room has a multitude of tests and they will all be different from each other, however, many of them are repeated from one room to another. Therefore, the more rooms you play, the easier it will be for you to find, understand and overcome the various tests and challenges. Even if you have never done anything similar in any room. In addition, the internet is a great ally to practice. There are many web pages with logic games, riddles and others so that you can improve from the comfort of your home. Don’t forget to find out if you can solve Einstein’s riddle!
You know, practice makes perfect. So if you want to test the results of your training or practice a bit before facing your friends, we are waiting for you at Atlanta! Curious? Check here!