Escape rooms are tough. Most groups do not manage to escape on their first visit. It’s not that people are not smart enough to solve things; it’s a matter of strategy and experience. However, there are a few tips and tricks that may give you an edge. At Escape This Frederick, we want everyone to have the best chances to get out. So we prepared a list of 10 tips and to beat even the hardest escape room!
1. Assemble your team
Now, your team must be ready to tackle anything in the room. There is nothing more stressful than that clock counting down every second. This is why everyone in your team must remain calm and keep in mind your roles, even in the most hectic situations. There are many roles in an escape room, and BGNlab has developed a list of 8. Roles that consist of searchers that will flip the room upside down looking for clues, a quartermaster to keep track of puzzles, or the brain that focuses solely on solving and deciphering puzzles. You’ll find a role for everyone in your group here.
2. Searching everywhere
Speaking of searching, this is something that everyone will do at some point in the game. It’s important to look around, find things that match and always make others aware of what you find. By letting others know what you find, you’ll save time avoiding any confusion among your group. You have no idea how many times we see players trying to solve a puzzle their group has already finished. Make sure you always communicate with your team what you find in the room.
3. Organize your items
Organizing the items you find in your escape room is going to make your life a lot easier. If you find something that looks like a puzzle but doesn’t do anything yet, there is a good chance you will need it later in the game. Try to keep all of your items in one place, that way you don’t have to scramble and think about where you left that item when you need it. Now, once you have used something, make sure you forget about it. Most escape rooms won’t make you use items twice. Then later in the game, you will only have a few items to worry about and focus on.
4. Keep it simple
We see a lot of groups that tend to overcomplicate everything. Trying to come up with the most complex of solutions. The truth is, most of the time, the easiest answer is also the correct answer. Remember you don’t need any outside knowledge to solve most escape rooms (you certainly don’t for any of ours), and our rooms are made for everyone. There may be an easier way.
5. Focus on what is stopping you
An hour goes by very fast in an escape room. So it’s important to focus on the puzzles that are putting your team to a halt. Escape rooms may be linear or nonlinear, but you’ll never be able to solve the last puzzle in the game in the first 5 minutes of the room. Take a moment to focus on the puzzle that’s slowing you down and look for ways to solve that. You don’t know how many times this has helped my team. You need to keep moving in an escape room. Keep an eye on that clock and if you’re stuck on a puzzle for too long, make sure you ask for a hint.
6. Pay attention to the locks
Our game masters will go over any complicated locks before the escape room to make sure you don’t waste any time on those. Now, you need to keep in mind that certain locks could be a hint themselves. If you see a directional lock inside of a room, you may need to find some directions. The same goes for any other locks. Keep track of your locks, and make sure you communicate with your team what kind of locks you have and what you need to look for.
7. Keep track of codes and ciphers
This one will come with experience but there are common ciphers and codes among escape rooms. Such as morse code, messages within other messages (with a capital letter, first letter of words, etc.) alphabet shifting, and things like that. The main idea is to keep in mind that, if you see something in the room that doesn’t make sense, there may be a way to make it make sense.
8. Match items
There are many times where you need to match patterns in an escape room, this way you know what puzzles are related. Whether it be shapes, colors, or even something as simple as a similar symbol on two items. This is similar to the lock situation. Keep an eye on these patterns to help you match things throughout the game. The most experienced groups will be able to see what puzzles belong together just by finding a matching pattern between items.
9. Use your hints
It should not be a whether should or shouldn’t use hints, it should be when should use them. Remember, the hints are there to help you guys finish the game, make sure you use them. Now, as for when to use your hints. Use them when you are stuck, they are designed to get you unstuck.
Escape rooms are only 60 minutes. That may sound like a lot of time right now, but once you get in there, a couple of minutes standing around may be the difference between escaping and not. A lot of groups only make it out with few seconds to spare.
10. Listen to your game master
Their clues are only as good as you make them. The game masters are there to make sure you guys have a good time and guide you through the game. They know the escape room you’re playing inside out, and they are trying to help. So let them!
Be sure to read their clues carefully because they will help you reach the next step in your game. Sometimes these clues may seem obvious or redundant, but clues may be cryptic, so make sure you decipher the clue before you go on with your game. Also, if your game master asks you if you’d like a hint, there may be a reason for that. Your game master will always be the one giving you the tips to beat any escape room.
Bonus Tip – Make sure you have fun!
At the end of the day, escape rooms are games. They are designed for you to have fun. Whether you win or lose, having a good time should always be the final objective. Remember, escape rooms are challenging. Most people will fail their first one, it’s a matter of learning from the experience and getting better. Hopefully, these tips help you beat your next escape room.
We believe you’re going to get out because obviously, you’re great. However, the greatest part about escape rooms is that you don’t need to escape the room to have fun in the room. The escape rooms and staff here at Escape This Frederick will make sure you have the best experience.
So there you go! Your 10 tips to beat even the hardest escape room.
If you enjoyed this post make sure you check out some of our other blog posts.
Now, if you think this list made you ready for your escape room make sure you check out some of our escape rooms and book your room online today!