Stepping into your escape room for the first time, whether it’s an old gaol, a darkened warehouse, or a musty library, can have even the coolest of cucumbers on their toes.
The adrenaline kicks in, the door slams shut, and the clock starts ticking. But for those who are not so used to that odd sensation, knowing the escape room rules and etiquette can be a bit of a challenge.
After all, you’re not really locked in a room, but you still have to work your way out of it.
In this handy guide, you’ll discover the escape room do’s and don’ts with our escape room rules lowdown, to make sure and your team have a successful experience, which comes down to two things: getting out, and having fun!
1. Do: Practise Teamwork
Escape rooms are all about team bonding. Whether it’s a corporate event, a family get-together, or an escape room for couples, the entire point is to work together to solve challenges. Often, you’ll need to be working on multiple clues and puzzles at once, so sharing the load is essential.
Cooperation is the literal key, so tell your teammates what you’re working on, and keep each other in the loop as you make progress, including what doesn’t work, to save time of someone else repeating the mistake.
2. Don’t: Be A Lone Hero
It might be tempting to swoop in and save the day, but an escape room is not the place for lone soldiers. Not only will this slow your escape room operation down; it simply won’t be fun for the rest of your group.
It might take you quarter of an hour to work out something your teammate can suss instantly, and ultimately hamper your escape. But above all, letting everyone have equal access to the puzzle-solving ensures an enjoyable experience for all.
3. Do: Think Outside The Box
Our escape rooms are designed to test your logic and creativity. One puzzle may be a simple numbers game, one may draw on common cultural knowledge, one may have you untangling letters, and one might require some physical dexterity.
Our escape room games in Melbourne have been designed to test every part of your brain, and get those intelligence muscles flexing. So don’t be afraid to posit a wacky idea and try things out.
4. Don’t: Ruin The Magic
Yes, we know, you’re not really in an abandoned circus, or down a dusty mine. Part of an enjoyable escape room experience is getting lost in the adventure. We’ll do our bit to set the scene with our room props and decoration, but ultimately it’s up to your imagination to immerse yourself in the story.
Pointing out the reality of the situation won’t do anything to improve the experience for you or your teammates.
5. Do: Ask For Help
Asking for hints shouldn’t be seen as throwing in the towel. It’s often a vital part of the game, and a valuable resource that can prevent your escape room experience from becoming stagnant.
Did you know the average escape room only has a 30% success rate? You’re not supposed to glide through them, so make use of your gamemaster and call out for help when your team gets truly stumped.
6. Don’t: Tamper With The Items
Part of our escape room rules involve being familiar with the concept that all our puzzles are solved using your mind. Though you might be opening doors, cracking into chests, or entering codes, you won’t be physically breaking your way out of anything.
You might need to lift something up, turn it around, or use two items together, but you’ll never have to damage them. Remember, we have cameras in all the rooms keeping an eye on your progress.
7. Do: Give Everyone A Voice
Some people are naturally quieter, though that doesn’t mean their minds aren’t whirring away with solutions. The key to improving your chances of getting out of an escape room is making sure every single person in the room has the ability to tackle the clues equally.
More importantly, it will make everyone feel heard, and that’s the best way to ensuring everyone enjoys the experience, whether or not you make it out.
Overview Of Escape Room Rules & Etiquette
Escape room rules are simple: don’t be held back in your thinking, and work effectively as a team. Remember that a successful experience shouldn’t be defined by whether you make it out of the escape room or not, they’re a chance to bond with your teammates and get lost in an adventure that offers something different.
Now you’re clued up on how to tackle an escape room, delve into our 4 transportive escape rooms, including the oldest escape room in Australia.
You can book online with our seamless user experience website, or get in touch to find out more about what each escape room entails.
