Escape rooms have been somewhat of a common activity for friends, families, and even coworkers in the need to hash out some camaraderie. Beating an escape room can be challenging, but it is achievable by using the right strategies and keeping in mind the common mistakes or pitfalls.
Coupled with this, the escapades have come to be one of the breakout! So, here are six strategies to enable you to beat an escape room and six things you really need to avoid.
Strategies to Beat an Escape Room
1. Communicate Effectively
The thing that will get you through an escape room is good communication. If you turn up a clue or crack a part of the puzzle, let others know immediately.
This creates an environment where the team members will be working on equal grounds, hence able to pool any ideas or expertise toward the challenge. Feel free to raise your point if you have a notion of something or have observed something that might be relevant.
2. Delegate but Use Strengths
Know your team’s strengths and delegate accordingly. Let someone good at riddles take care of the word puzzles, while others search the room for clues.
This way, you can be efficient and effective by doing activities based on individual strengths. Remember to switch tasks if one person gets stuck or frustrated.
3. Keep Track of Time
Probably one of the most important resources that you have in the escape room is time. Most of the games are limited only to about 60 minutes.
Setting mini-deadlines for parts of the room will help in keeping you on track. If you feel like you and your team have been stuck in a puzzle for way too long, maybe it is time to move to the next one and come back later. This way, you avoid wasting precious minutes.
4. Be Organized
Keep the room and your thoughts organized. From when you find the first clue to the very last, keep the things you find/collect together so as not to miss an important object.
Keeping it organized will let you reference clues and progress with no hassle. Do not leave things all over the place, where they can be forgotten or overlooked.
5. Attention to Details
Details are everything in an escape room. Look for patterns, numbers, letters, or anything out of order. Sometimes, the smallest detail may turn out to be what gets you to the missing link toward solving the puzzle.
Anything is not to be ignored, however inconsequential it may seem. Instructions and clues are essential, so do listen. More often than not, the answer lies in easily overlooked details.
6. Work Together
Teamwork makes the dream work. An escape room is not a solo mission; it requires collaborative effort from all. Work as a team with your fellow companions by tapping into their strengths and knowledge to help in solving these problems.
Don’t try doing everything by yourself. Be ready to give and take ideas and build on them. The united team has higher chances of success than when individuals work on their own.
Things to Avoid in an Escape Room
1. Overthinking
Don’t overthink the puzzles and clues. In most of the cases, though the escape rooms are designed as difficult ones, solutions to them are pretty simple in design. Overthinking leads to lots of confusing and frustrating thoughts.
In the case of thinking about a clue too much, then just step back and look for a simple explanation about the clue.
2. Panic and Stress
Keep calm and composed. Panic and stress will disrupt your thinking capabilities to find the solution to the puzzles.
In case you get overwhelmed, take deep breaths and refocus. Gently remind your teammates to be calm as well. It is said that a relaxed mind can find solutions.
3.Do Not Ignore Instructions
The instructions given by the game masters are there to guide you and give hints to you in times of need. Listen to any instructions given at the start of the game and take heed accordingly.
If you get stuck, then ask for a hint. Ignoring instructions may lead to missed clues and time-wastage.
4. Cluttering the Space
Avoid clutter in the escape room. As you search through things and find clues and other objects, make sure to store them at a single point. Do not leave such items all over the room as that also may get you confused and hence lose count of what you have found.
A cluttered room may cause you to pass over critical clues or objects. Keep the room clean, tidy, and organized for your brains to stay focused.
5. Work on One Puzzle Only
Never waste your time on a single puzzle because if you get stuck in one, move to another and then get back to the previous one later. This is because working on one puzzle for a long period can result in frustration and valuable time is wasted.
Switching tasks, you can keep the momentum going and perhaps find clues or solutions which otherwise may help you in the tricky puzzle later on.
6. Not Listening to Teammates
Do not shut out ideas and suggestions of your teammates. Everyone’s input counts, and sometimes, most of the time, it just needs a different angle. Let your teammates express themselves, even if you feel your idea is good.
It only takes collaboration and an open-minded nature to overcome such escape room challenges. Respect contributions from one another and work as a team.
Conclusion
An escape room can be beat by applying some combination of effective communication, teaming, and strategic thinking. Following these six strategies above can better your chances for success and increase your fun in going through such an experience. Remember the six strategies to win an escape room: communicate openly, delegate tasks according to strengths, manage your time wisely, keep things organized, pay attention to details, and work together as a cohesive team.
No less important are the common pitfalls that impede your progress. Not overthinking, staying calm and clear-headed when under pressure, being meticulous in adhering to the instruction, keeping the space organized, not sticking or dwelling too long on just one puzzle, and, finally, observing your fellow teammates. Keeping away from these common mistakes will ensure you get through challenges in the escape rooms more smoothly and help you have higher chances of being out within the prescribed time.
Besides, it’s a really cool way to exercise your problem-solving skills and apply teamwork. For a group of friends, family, or even coworkers to emerge victorious from an escape room challenge requires the ability to work as a team and harness all sorts of creative thinking. With a little planning of strategies and a good attitude, there’s no escape room challenge that can’t be conquered.
