All our advice on how to become an escape game pro!
Here's some advice on how to get out of an escape game and win in time!
Now you're familiar with the concept of escape games, you've already played a few and the spirit of competition is taking precedence over the pleasure of discovery. All you want to do is win!
1. Put together a team of winners
If your ultimate goal is to win an escape room, you should choose your team wisely. Select enthusiastic players from your circle, whether they are people you know who have talked about escape rooms, games and puzzles, have a sense of humour or generally communicate well with others.
Bear in mind that it's better to go with acquaintances or colleagues who are excited by the idea and want to win, than with your best friend who thinks the idea is a bit stupid and therefore won't play well with the team.
2. Communicate with each other.
It may seem obvious, but some players still tend to play it by ear when it's time to repeat a clue given by the game master.
Communicate any information you find with your team while you're playing. A good rule of thumb is to split into separate areas to search and shout out what you find as soon as you find it. It may seem chaotic at first, but as you get to know the room, you'll be aware of all the elements to help you understand the puzzles and the clues to solve them.
Listen to a teammate if they think they've already solved a puzzle or enigma. Think about what you have found, or have heard other players find, that can help solve the puzzles. If you find yourself stuck on a puzzle, don't try to be a hero and put your pride aside. It has no place here. Ask for help, what is obvious to you is not obvious to others and vice versa. We can't stress this enough. The escape game is a team game!
3. Listen carefully to your game master.
Don't take the game master's interventions lightly. If he contacts you, it's to help you. When you ask for a hint, the answer you receive will help you at the point you are at in the game, so listen carefully.
Escape games generally work in stages, with a first puzzle to solve leading to a new puzzle and so on. The clues in the guide will help you solve whatever stage you're currently stuck on.
4. Turn everything over!
Ever since we were little, we've been told that we shouldn't touch anything when we're somewhere. Forget what you've always been taught, you're in an escape game! Don't leave anything untouched. Look under vases, tablecloths, tables and chairs, rummage through clothes and dustbins. Look inside drawers and cupboards. If you find something that's locked, there's probably a key somewhere that will unlock it and it's part of the puzzle series.
You won't have to climb or remove objects from the walls, as excavation is generally limited to 1.80m.
5. Stay focused and organised.
Creating a pile of things you've already used and a pile of things you haven't used yet helps people not to look at an item over and over again. Bear in mind that in some rooms items may be used more than once, but organising items in this way will help you stay focused on what's left to do. Some items may be specially placed to make you think they're a clue, when in fact they're not. Pistols and other plastic swords will entertain the most distracted, but remember: it's hard to search with your hands tied. Don't be fooled! And above all, don't spend too much time on a particular object if you can't find a useful purpose for it.
We can't wait to find out if these tips have helped you get out of the gym in time! Don't hesitate to share your tips with us!
