Ever looked at the leaderboard of an escape room and wondered how a team completed the room in such good time? Or just fancy knocking down your escape times some more? Take a look at our top tips to solving Escape Room’s like a pro:
1 . Read your written clues carefully!
Whilst reading any written clues you’re given, keep an eye out for play on words, misspellings, anagrams, acrostics, and anything highlighted in bold! Often, these sly plays will allow you to extract key information you need to solve a puzzle. Be careful not to skim read though, as you may miss some vital intel you need for the puzzle or game objective.
For smaller written puzzles such as single liners, lists and clues that take note form, see if these reference anything else you might have spotted in the room such as books, initials, or places as they may coordinate with other puzzles you weren’t yet able to solve.
2. Search the room thoroughly.
If you’re not sure where to start when a game begins, or after moving into a new room, have a good search around! You may find hidden objects, clues or uncover a stand alone puzzle you can have a crack at! Escape rooms will place objects you need to collect for a puzzle, or items needed for later on in the game, dispersed throughout a room to look as if they’re props. Depending on the room theming, clues may also have been placed in slightly less obvious locations to encourage you to explore the room or draw your attention to a particular prop/feature of the room.
3. Pay attention to locks.
Make note of where your padlocks are in the room and which type of locks you have (number combination locks, letter locks, directional locks, classic key locks etc.). Paying attention to the number of digits/letters required to undo the locks will also help you out during the game. When you obtain a series of numbers/letters you think may be a code, try these in multiple locks at once to help get into your next task quicker. Or if you’ve obtained a key, having a mental note of where your key padlocks are in the room will also help with speed.
4. Work out if the game is linear or parallel.
Linear games have a set flow in which puzzles will be completed one at a time. Parallel games have points throughout where players are able to complete multiple puzzles at once, these puzzles will not necessarily have a set order to them, but all still allow you to work towards your objective. Figuring out if the room your playing is linear or parallel can be as simple as asking your Games Master or can be determined yourself, early into the game. By learning if the room is parallel or not, you’ll know if your team will be stronger by focusing on one thing at a time or by splitting up to work through the puzzles.
5. Don’t overthink!
Overthinking a puzzle is one of the most common mistakes made in an escape room, it’s one of the biggest causes of lost time! The best approach for a puzzle you’re finding to be a challenge, is to work with what you know and build up from there! Sometimes the solution is much simpler than you think it will be.
Now its time to put your new skills to the test! Do you have what it takes? Book one of our rooms online now to find out.
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