Escape rooms are an exciting and immersive way to challenge yourself, test your problem-solving skills, and enjoy the rush of adrenaline and excitement that comes along with it. Before jumping into the unknown, you should know some important things to ensure your first escape room experience is as enjoyable as possible.

Drum roll, please! You’re about to embark on a thrilling adventure, testing your wits and teamwork skills in the exciting world of escape rooms! But what exactly is an escape room, and why has it become such a popular activity?

In a nutshell, an escape room is a live-action, puzzle-solving experience where you and your team are “trapped” in a themed room. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to work together to solve puzzles, crack codes, and find hidden clues to escape the room within a set time limit, usually an hour. Sounds thrilling, right? But wait, there’s more!

Explore my article to know all that you need to before your first escape room.

Choosing an Escape Room

Before you jump into the action, you’ll need to select the perfect escape room for your team. There are many escape room themes – mystery, fantasy, science, future, murder, crime, and horror. Along with other specifications like budget, difficulty levels, and group size.

Here’s how to decide on an escape room –

Research potential options in your area

Researching potential escape rooms in your area is important as it allows you to find the best options for your preferences and budget. Discover escape rooms with interesting themes, challenging puzzles, and affordable prices to ensure you have an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Look at reviews and ratings to gauge the difficulty level and overall experience

Look up the escape room online and read reviews or ask others who have done it before about their experiences. This will help you better understand what to expect and how to prepare.

Consider the difficulty level, theme, and storyline of the room

When researching potential escape rooms in your area, consider factors such as theme, difficulty level, and storyline. Look for rooms that offer a unique and engaging experience with challenging puzzles and a well-designed storyline.

Decide on a suitable group size

The group size affects the overall experience in an escape game room. A group that is too small may struggle to solve puzzles, while a group that is too large may have difficulty communicating effectively. We recommend 2-8 players for our escape room games, although some rooms may allow larger groups. Contact us if your team is larger than 8.

Remember, it’s all about finding the right balance of challenge and fun to suit your group’s preferences and abilities! And by following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared for your first escape room adventure and ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way.

Preparing for the Challenge: What Do I Need To Know Before My First Escape Room?

Once you’ve chosen your escape room, you’ll want to be well-prepared for the big day. Preparing for an escape room challenge can make a big difference in your success at solving the puzzles and escaping before time runs out. Here are some essential tips –

Familiarize yourself with the rules and objectives of the game

Before you step into the room, make sure you understand what’s expected of you and your team. Pay close attention to the instructions given by the game master before the game begins. They will explain the rules and provide important information about the game.

Dress comfortably and avoid bulky clothing or accessories

Escape rooms can be physically demanding, so wear comfortable clothing and shoes that allow you to move around freely and bend down easily. No need for that fancy tiara or oversized belt buckle! You don’t want to be distracted by uncomfortable clothing or footwear during the game. 😉

Make sure everyone in your group is on the same page about their roles and responsibilities

Firstly, gather a team or group of friends or family members with whom you want to do the escape room. Make sure you have a diverse group with different skills and strengths. This will help in solving different types of puzzles. Also, communicate with your team and share any information or clues you find. Work together to solve puzzles and move closer to the objective. Communication is crucial in escape rooms, so establish a game plan beforehand and ensure everyone knows their part.

Arrive on time

Give yourself enough time to receive any necessary briefing or instructions from the staff. Arrive at the escape room location at least 15-20 minutes before your scheduled start time to ensure that you have time to sign waivers, use the restroom, and go over any rules or instructions.

Practice problem-solving

Do puzzles or brain teasers to sharpen your problem-solving skills before the game. This will help you think critically and creatively during the game.

Stay calm & Have fun!

Don’t get too nervous or overwhelmed. Remember that escape rooms are designed to be challenging but fun, and you are there to enjoy yourself. So remember to have fun!

What to Expect

Now that you’re prepared, let’s talk about what you might encounter inside the escape room.

Types of Puzzles in an Escape Room

Various types of puzzles that can be found in an escape room include physical puzzles like moving objects, mechanical puzzles like unlocking mechanisms, mental puzzles like solving riddles and math problems, and sensory puzzles like deciphering codes using sounds or smells. Each type of puzzle provides a unique challenge for players, requiring them to think creatively and work together to find a solution.

Logic puzzles

Logic puzzles are puzzles that require logical thinking. They can be of various types, such as crosswords, sudoku, mazes, or number/word games, and often have a set structure and logic to them, which makes them great for developing analytical skills.

Riddles

Riddles are questions or statements that require mental effort and clever thinking to answer or solve them. These often involve creative language and wordplay, making them an excellent way to increase verbal skills and creativity.

Pattern recognition

Pattern recognition is the ability to identify patterns within a set of data or information. Puzzles involving pattern recognition can include finding shapes in pictures, figuring out how pieces fit together, or recognizing relationships between objects and ideas.

Physical challenges

Physical challenges can include anything from a physical fitness challenge to an obstacle course or even team sports. Physical challenges help build strength and character and foster teamwork, problem-solving skills, determination, and sportsmanship.

Math Puzzles

Math puzzles come in many forms, including crossword puzzles, Sudoku grids, logic mazes, picture puzzles, word searches, jigsaw puzzles, and more. Some of the most popular types of math puzzles include number squares or logic boxes, where you have to fill in the missing numbers according to certain rules; Sudoku grids; pattern matching questions; mental math games; riddles that require numerical calculations or figuring out mathematical relationships between numbers; counting and sorting activities; grid-based problem-solving tasks; card games with a mathematical twist; etc.

Word Games

Some common types of word puzzles found in escape rooms include anagrams, where players must rearrange letters to form a word or phrase; ciphers, where players must decode a secret message using a variety of encryption techniques; and riddles, which pose a question or problem that players must solve through clever wordplay. Other examples of word puzzles in escape rooms might include hidden words or phrases within a larger block of text, crossword puzzles, or even word association games.

Escape Room Themes and Plotlines to Consider

To make the experience more immersive and engaging, escape room designers often incorporate various themes and plotlines to keep players engaged and invested in the experience.

Crime Scenes

Escape rooms with a crime scene theme typically involve players investigating and solving a murder mystery or other criminal activity.

Prison

Prison-themed escape rooms often involve players trying to escape from a cell or navigate through a prison to reach their goal.

Horror

Escape rooms with a horror theme are designed to scare and shock players with creepy ambiance, jump scares, and unexpected surprises. Revolving around a horror story, you are called to solve the mystery.

Historical Events

Historical-themed escape rooms are designed to transport players to a different time and place, allowing them to experience a piece of history while solving puzzles.

Science Fiction

Science fiction-themed escape rooms often involve advanced technology, futuristic settings, and extraterrestrial creatures or machines.

Mystery

Mystery-themed escape rooms are designed to challenge players’ problem-solving skills by giving them clues and puzzles to decipher to solve a mystery or crime.

Fantasy

Escape rooms with a fantasy theme often involve players taking on the role of a hero or adventurer, solving puzzles and riddles to defeat mythical creatures and find treasure.

Futuristic

Futuristic-themed escape rooms often involve advanced technology, complex puzzles, and a dystopian or post-apocalyptic setting.

Seasonal

Seasonal-themed escape rooms are designed to reflect a particular time of year, such as Christmas or Halloween, and often incorporate elements of the season into the puzzles and decor.

Tips for Succeeding at Your Escape Room Challenge

Want to become an expert for escape rooms? Follow these tips –

Listen carefully to the escape room game masters when they explain the rules and guidelines of the game, as well as any safety information.
Work as a team. Escape rooms are designed to be team experiences, so working with your teammates and communicating effectively is important. Encourage each other, listen to each other’s ideas, and divide tasks as needed.
Communication is the key in escape rooms. Make sure to listen to your team members and share ideas and information with each other.
Don’t forget to think outside the box – get creative!
Pay attention to details and take your time to analyze all possibilities. Look carefully for clues, puzzles, and hidden items in the room.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re stuck.
Use your time wisely as escape rooms typically have a time limit. Don’t spend too much time on any one puzzle or clue, and make sure to move on if you get stuck.
Organize your findings. As you find clues and puzzles, organize them in a way that makes sense to you and your team. You can group them by theme, color, or any other way that helps you remember them.
As time is limited in escape rooms, make sure you stay focused on the objective and don’t waste time on anything that is not related to the game.
Manage expectations. Remember that escape rooms are designed to be challenging, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your team to escape within a certain time frame.

Learn about the usual mistakes people make in an escape room.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some pitfalls to steer clear of during your escape room adventure –

Spending too much time on one clue or puzzle.
Focusing too much on individual tasks instead of working as a team.
Overthinking or overcomplicating the clues.
Panicking or getting frustrated if progress is slow.
Don’t break anything. Avoid breaking or damaging any items in the room.
Don’t use excessive force or tools to solve puzzles.

Etiquette and Safety

Remember to follow these guidelines for a fun and safe experience –

Respect the rules and instructions given by the staff.
Avoid using excessive force or breaking any props or equipment.
Follow safety guidelines, such as avoiding running or climbing on the furniture.
Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid causing any disturbances.

After the Adventure

Here are some post-escape room activities to consider –

Debriefing Your Experience – What worked? What didn’t?

After your escape room adventure, take some time to discuss your experience with your team. Identify the strategies that worked well and those that didn’t. This reflection will help you improve your skills for future challenges!

How did you work together as a team?

Examine your team dynamics during the challenge. Did you communicate effectively? Did everyone contribute? Use this insight to strengthen your teamwork in future escape rooms or even everyday life.

Talk about the surprises and unexpected challenges along the way

Escape rooms are full of surprises! Share your favorite moments, unexpected twists, and those “Aha!” breakthroughs that made your experience unforgettable.

Making Plans for Your Next Escape Room Challenge!

Now that you’ve tasted the action, it’s time to plan your next escape room adventure! Look for new venues or locations in your area that offer escape rooms, and try out different themes and puzzles to keep your challenge fresh and exciting.

Share stories with friends and family who may be interested in joining an escape room adventure too!

Word of mouth is a powerful thing. Share your experience with friends and family, and encourage them to join you on your next escape room adventure. Who knows? They might become escape room enthusiasts too!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prepare for an escape room, both mentally and practically?

Preparing for an escape room is a two-fold process. Here’s how to get ready mentally and practically –

Mentally –

Approach the game with a positive and open mindset.
Be open to new challenges.
Believe in yourself and your team’s ability to solve the puzzles and escape the room.
Practice solving puzzles or riddles to help you think creatively and sharpen your problem-solving skills.
Visualize yourself and your team successfully completing the game. Imagine the feeling of satisfaction and excitement that comes with successfully escaping the room.
During the game, stay focused on the objective and don’t get distracted by minor setbacks or obstacles.
Take some time to build your confidence by doing things that make you feel good about yourself. This could be exercising, meditating, or listening to music that pumps you up.
Get excited about the adventure ahead – this will be a blast!

Practically –

Dress comfortably to allow for easy movement.
Make a group with a dynamic set of skills.
Ensure everyone in your group understands their roles and responsibilities.
Arrive on time for any necessary briefing or instructions from the staff.
Listen to the instructions carefully.
Ask for hints when stuck.

What should I do first in an escape room?

Entering an escape room for the first time might feel overwhelming, but fear not! Here are some helpful tips for getting started –

Take a moment to survey the room and get a feel for your surroundings.
Keep in mind the theme and storyline of the escape room.
As a team, establish a game plan and designate roles for each member.
Begin by searching for clues and puzzles. Search every corner.
Communicate with your teammates at every step of the game.

Remember, slow and steady wins the race! Or, in this case, escapes the room.

Conclusion

To wrap things up, the key takeaways from this guide are the importance of preparation and teamwork in conquering your first escape room challenge. Remember to choose the right escape room, prepare accordingly, communicate effectively with your team, and most importantly, have a blast!

Now that you know how to approach an escape room as a first-timer/beginner, there’s nothing holding you back. So go forth, intrepid adventurers, and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of escape rooms!

If you are in Las Vegas or visiting Sin City, head to our Lost Games facility at 3075 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102, United States.

Happy escaping! Cheers!

The Beginner’s Guide to Escaping: How to Prepare for Your First Escape Room Challenge