How do you complete an escape room?
When thinking about your first visit to an escape room, you might ask yourself: Will the whole thing be as difficult as an IKEA wardrobe without assembly instructions? How do you actually use a key when you normally just fondle touchscreens? And where do you start - panic or surrender? Don't worry, we're ready to answer all these burning questions, with a wink of course. Welcome to this fascinating room where the inhabitants not only share secrets, but also know how to make a good joke.
The beauty of escape rooms is that sometimes the biggest novice will find the solution while the veteran is still struggling with the first door. Everyone is equal here: some bring their glorious failures as experience, others their ability to not immediately hide at the sight of a puzzle. Even if we sometimes argue like a family at Christmas dinner, we all agree that it's the little things in life (like the batteries that are always missing) that make the difference.
Remember the concept of "escape": The best escape is always through the door - unless you're a ninja and prefer the ceiling. So, if you see a door, look for the key. This method is more proven than trying to break through the wall with your bare hands. Don't shy away from clues: They are like the friendly ghosts that show you the way without you having to share the credit with anyone.
An enthusiastic escape room fan recommends scrutinising everything carefully - who knows, maybe the exit is cleverly disguised as a hatch in the floor? It is important to share every idea, even the craziest one, with the team. Who would have thought that "Let's pretend we're furniture" could be the solution?
A lover of tidiness advises collecting all found objects in one place. It's like a flea market - you never know what you'll find, but it's good to know where it is. Usually every object has its big moment in the escape room, after that it's just a nice souvenir. If you prefer the thrill of doing it yourself, ask the game master to only give you clues once you've gone round in circles three times and said "Please, please, please“.
Be prepared to orientate yourself quickly and understand the convoluted thought processes of the escape room creators. Don't touch everything at random - unless you really want to test whether the vase is part of the puzzle. However, if you feel the urge to explore everything, then do just that: chances are you'll come across something important. If an object resists, remember: less force, more head. Don't end up without the crucial decorative object.
We also advise you to keep calm and stay focussed - panic is not a good advisor, unless you are playing "Who will get hysterical the quickest". The good news is that there is always enough time to plan your next move and beat the attention span of a goldfish. The escape room will appreciate your efforts. The most important thing is to have fun playing the game. If you manage to do that, escape rooms could become your new obsession. "But that doesn't mean you don't have to think" - sage advice that even the most experienced players should remember, even if they are trying to escape from a replica Egyptian tomb.