Escape rooms have emerged as a prime choice in the live entertainment space over the last few years. Especially after the popular Escape Room movies by Adam Robitel. Let’s look into 4 fun and essential facts about these immersive adventure games for first-time players.
A brief introduction to escape rooms
Remember those video games and MMORPGs you used to play when you were younger? Did you dream of being inside those games instead of playing from the outside, with limited control?
With escape rooms, you can, to a point. They are a real-life version of video games and movies. Movie-like sets and special effects set up the scene while puzzles and missions create a sense of challenge.
Now let’s look into some amazing facts about escape rooms.
There Are 2 Kinds of Escape Rooms
First of all are the original type – The physical escape room games. These take place in actual game spaces specially set up to project the storyline and game environment. Most escape rooms are physical escape rooms.
Then there are virtual reality escape rooms. Think of them as VR games, with storylines adopting the escape room format, i.e., a time limited mission. There are different kinds of VR escape rooms – hand-tracking, seated, standing, and so on.
Both have pros and cons. Physical escape games allow for real-life interactions, but can have certain limits in terms of special effects. Whereas VR games allow for a wider range of situations (like floating around in zero gravity), but lack the real-world charm of physical rooms.
Themes and puzzles vary wildly
Escape rooms themes are limited only by the game designer’s imagination. They can be anything from standard “investigate a place” to more unique “finish assignments before the bell rings.”
Puzzle types range from classic lock-and-key to mini-board-games, listening challenges and even electromagnetic ones.
It’s crucial however, for the puzzle types to match the game theme.
Escape Rooms are Perfect for Team Building
Escape rooms are designed to be group activities. Players need to work together to solve mysteries and escape before the time runs out. They need to interact and think as a team—the basis of team building. Plus, that interaction is great for strengthening relationships and group bonding.
If you Google things like fun things to do in Rochester, NY, you’re bound to find escape rooms frequently among the top results.
Escape Rooms Started In Japan
In 2007, Takao Kato of the Kyoto Publishing Company wanted to take part in a real-life version of the “click-and-point” online mystery games that had become quite popular at the time. So he developed “Real Escape Game”, the name emphasizing the real-life aspect of the experience.
Parapark was the first escape room in Europe, set up in 2012 in Budapest, Hungary. And the first American escape room was Puzzle Break, set up in Seattle by game designer Nate Martin in 2013.
FAQs
Are escape rooms good for celebrating special occasions?
Google “Are escape rooms fun“, and you will find a variety of answers, but all agreeing that escape rooms are the perfect blend of entertainment and challenge. This makes them a great choice for celebrating special occasions from the well-known ones like birthdays to less frequently cited ones like graduation, or even getting your first paycheck.
What should I wear to an escape room?
You should be as comfortable as possible while playing in an escape room. Thus, it is advisable to wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Do not wear tight-fitting or restrictive clothing that will limit your movement.
How difficult are escape rooms?
The difficulty level of escape rooms varies to some extent. Venues provide ratings to help you choose a room that matches your skill level and preference.
Can I participate in an escape room alone?
There are just a handful of escape rooms that allow solo participants. The majority allow a minimum of 2 players at a time. You will enjoy solving mysteries in an escape room with a group.
Conclusion
You will remember your first time in an escape room – the novelty of the experience alone guarantees a lifelong memory. However, to maximize the occasion, take time to build your team and select an escape room whose storyline you really appreciate. Go through their website and reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, and elsewhere to gain insight and make an informed decision. Happy escaping!
