We all love a thrill, which is why escape rooms in Australia and beyond are so popular. However, naturally, some have a higher tolerance for fear than others. If it’s your first time heading to an escape room for someone’s
birthday party or perhaps a team-building corporate event, but you’re not sure if it’s going to trigger an unhealthy dose of fear, we’re here to provide some answers.
But are escape rooms scary, really?
Escape rooms are designed to induce a small amount of fear through psychological elements. It’s all in the imagination – you and your friends, ‘trapped’ in a room, trying to search for clues to aid your escape before the time runs out! Sounds like it would trigger at least a few hairs on your arm to raise, right?
Read our blog to discover whether escape rooms are scary, and how you can manage the fear if it starts to become anything more than fun.
Table of Contents
- Spooky, Not Scary
- Avoid Jump Scares
- Step Outside For A Breather
- Keep Yourself Calm & Grounded
- Are Escape Rooms Scary? Only If You Want Them To Be
Spooky, Not Scary
Generally, escape rooms are designed to be more spooky than scary. Through storytelling, props and lighting, you’ll likely walk into a mysterious room with a hint of intrigue. However, if you’re shaking in your boots, you won’t be able to think straight to solve the puzzles and escape the room! Above anything else, escape rooms are games created to be enjoyed, not feared.
Before starting your experience, take a deep breath and remember that the game has designed to be fun, not to give you nightmares or make you genuinely fearful for your safety. Your imagination has the power to control your reactions. Just remember you’re in a controlled environment and nothing in the room is actually there to harm you.
Avoid Jump Scares
Often, we find ourselves feeling scared or experiencing a surge of anxiety when jump scares pop up. This might come in the form of a loud noise, a pop-up prop, or even an actor in the room. Speak to the person running the game in advance to ask about jump scares, so you can be prepared, and if necessary, find out whether they can be removed. They’ll be happy to adjust the game for you however possible so you can have a more enjoyable experience.
If there’s something you find particularly scary, alert your gamemaster so they can make the necessary changes before you start the game. For example, if you have a phobia of snakes, you can make sure any snake props are removed. Or if you just don’t like being in a dark room, you can play the game with the lights on.
Step Outside For A Breather
In almost every escape room, you won’t actually be locked into the space. Though you’ll be working your way through the game to escape through a hidden or trapped exit, you’ll often simply walk into the room through a standard door. If you suffer from claustrophobia, you can take a breath of fresh air by momentarily leaving the room until you feel comfortable to step back in.
If you’d prefer to keep the door ajar or even fully open, speak to your teammates and gamemaster. It’s better to communicate your fears and anxieties so people can help you navigate them during the game.
Keep Yourself Calm & Grounded
When you first step into the escape room, and throughout your gameplay, keep reminding yourself that you’re in a safe, controlled environment, and any elements in the room that you might find scary are there to entertain, not hurt you…
Are Escape Rooms Scary? Only If You Want Them To Be
We’ve explored whether escape rooms are scary, and how you can mitigate your fear if you are prone to claustrophobia or anxiety. As long as you avoid the scariest escape rooms, you should be ok!
It’s normal, and sometimes encouraged, to feel a little bit of fear before stepping into an escape room. However, above all, remember that you’re only playing a game – you won’t ever be in danger and you won’t actually be trapped. Try to enjoy the experience as though you’re playing a role in a film, and immerse yourself in the storyline whilst having the confidence that it’s not real or harmful.
Be brave, and have fun!
If you’re feeling more confident after reading our blog to try an escape room, book your slot now. Or, speak to the team at ERM for more information. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and ensure you have the most comfortable experience. We want you to enjoy playing the game as much as we enjoy inventing them, so don’t be afraid to see what adjustments we can make to improve your time in our escape rooms.
