Escape Room Tips & Tricks

We’ve compiled 35 tips and tricks to boost your escape room experience. Dive into BrainXcape’s treasure trove of escape room strategies. Enjoy these tips, and let the fun begin!

TIP 1 – TEAM SPIRIT IS KEY

Are you venturing into BrainXcape escape rooms? You’re not alone! A successful team hinges on collaboration rather than size. Unity and trust in your group are vital. Choose a leader and rely on your team. But be warned: too many chiefs can lead to chaos!

TIP 2 – TRUST EQUALS TEAMWORK

Teamwork is about more than just sticking together. Divide tasks and conquer challenges – each team member can handle a different puzzle, saving precious time. Need help? Ask for it! Struggling teammate? Lend a hand! Remember, patience and kind words can make all the difference when stuck.

TIP 3 – PICK YOUR DREAM TEAM

Choosing the perfect team? Team members should cooperate effortlessly and communicate freely. So, avoid that couple going through a rough patch! Variety in thinking is also essential – a mix of skills can solve various puzzles. The secret to success? Diverse abilities.

TIP 4 – SPLIT AND RULE

Divide the room into sections, assigning each to a team member. For instance, an 8-member team can split the room into eight parts. Each person then takes charge of their section. Everyone can seek help, but this method simplifies sifting through room clues.

TIP 5 – KEEP THE ENERGY UP

With time ticking, some teammates might get frustrated and lose steam. Don’t let that happen. Maintain enthusiasm and keep spirits high. High morale leads to increased energy.

TIP 6 – ROTATE AND REVIEW

After splitting the room, it’s time to rotate! You should look into hidden clues in less-obvious areas. Always remember to double-check everything as a team. Fresh eyes bring fresh insights.

TIP 7 – LINEAR OR NONLINEAR ROOMS

Right upon entering, understand the room’s nature. In linear rooms, one lock leads to the next in a sequence. For such rooms, get the whole team on the same puzzle. The locks are scattered in nonlinear rooms, and you can tackle multiple elements simultaneously.

TIP 8 – RULES ARE YOUR FRIENDS

Escape games have rules for safety, fairness, and fun. If a rule forbids wall climbing, that’s okay! But also, keep an eye out – inspect every picture, lift every rug. Unless explicitly told not to do something, chances are, you can.

TIP 9 – LISTEN, ASK, AND MOVE

Pay attention to game masters. Memorize essential codes, and don’t hesitate to ask for hints early on. Make every minute count!

TIP 10 – LEAVE BAGGAGE BEHIND

Leave personal belongings, prejudices, and preconceived notions outside. Start with a fresh mindset!

TIP 11 – BE IN THE GAME

If you’ve signed up, immerse yourself entirely in the game!

TIP 12 – KEEP IT SIMPLE

Often, the most straightforward answer is the correct one. Don’t overthink. Stay focused.

TIP 13 – BRING OUT YOUR INNER CHILD

Draw upon your childhood puzzle-solving skills. Let your imagination run wild; don’t limit yourself!

TIP 14 – COMMUNICATE EVERYTHING

Speak out about everything you see or discover. You never know when your observation might help solve a puzzle.

TIP 15 – TAKE ANOTHER LOOK

Need help with ideas? Now’s the time to go through the room, seeing things from a fresh angle. Dig deeper into everything you’ve checked, and you might stumble upon something new!

TIP 16 – EMBRACE DETAILED OBSERVATION

Immerse yourself in the room as soon as you step in. Leave no stone unturned: scrutinize the floor, the walls, corners, furnishings, color schemes – every detail! Familiarize yourself so well that you could recreate the room with your eyes closed. Quick memorization will speed up problem-solving if you need to reference anything from the room. This tip is beneficial for the entire team.

TIP 17 – BE MINDFUL OF MISDIRECTIONS

Remember, escape room games are designed to challenge you and crafted by experts. If something seems too easy, it might be a diversion. Look for patterns, but remember to search in the most unconventional places. Revisit your initial observations and question what felt awkward or suspiciously perfect.

TIP 18 – ADOPT A STORYTELLER’S PERSPECTIVE

Consider taking a short break to devise a narrative when your all-star team hits a roadblock. New strategies may emerge if you link elements in the room to a story. After all, game designers often craft their rooms with a compelling narrative in mind.

TIP 19 – MIND OVER MUSCLE

In BrainXcape, every second counts, but remember your primary weapon is your intellect, not brute force. Maintain composure even if progress seems slow. As this is a game, physical aggression could damage elements of the room and spoil the experience for subsequent groups.

TIP 20 – CHERISH EVERY CLUE

A practical strategy is to keep every clue or potentially useful item you find. If you discover a key but can’t determine its purpose, save it! Sometimes, items found early on only become helpful towards the end.

TIP 21 – LEAVE A TRAIL

Efficiency is key! If you’ve already inspected a drawer, leave it open, so your team knows to save time revisiting it.

TIP 22 – CONQUER YOUR FEARS

Confronting fear is the best way to overcome it! An unexpected power outage, for instance, could rattle your nerves. Stay calm, remind yourself it’s just a game, and remember the thrill you sought when booking the experience. If you’re too panicked, request to exit respectfully, so your teammates can continue the game.

TIP 23 – EXPECT RED HERRINGS

Seasoned escape room enthusiasts might notice that many items are often inconsequential. That’s part of the challenge. If every item served a clear purpose, the game would be too easy and less fun.

TIP 24 – AVOID INTOXICATION

While drinking might be enjoyable, escape rooms aren’t designed for intoxicated players. Alcohol impairs clear thinking and could result in missing key clues.

TIP 25 – UTILIZE ALTERNATE LIGHT SOURCES

Sometimes, something hidden becomes visible only under different lighting conditions. If you stumble upon a black light, switch off the room lights and examine all surfaces. You may uncover codes or instructions marked with a black light pen.

TIP 26 – PRIORITIZE COMFORT OVER STYLE

While it may sound trivial, comfortable attire is advisable for escape rooms. You won’t be permitted to take cameras inside, so there’s no need to dress up for selfies.

TIP 27 – JOT DOWN KEY INFORMATION

If the game allows it, take notes. Some players find note-taking beneficial as it quickly references previous findings. If you uncover a code, sharing it verbally with your team and jotting it down could expedite your escape.

TIP 28 – BALANCE SPEED WITH COMPOSURE

Act swiftly! You only have an hour, but rushing could lead to unnecessary errors. Be quick but not hasty. Pause, evaluate, and then act on your decisions.

TIP 29 – OBSERVE GAME OPERATORS’ REACTIONS

In some rooms, the game operators can see and hear you. If they’re in the room, observe their reactions. They might unknowingly give away whether you’re on the right track. However, they are usually well-trained to keep a straight face!

TIP 30 – UNDERSTAND THE THEME

Every escape room has a unique theme; understanding it can give you significant clues about the type of puzzles you’ll encounter. For instance, a Victorian-era-themed room might involve puzzles based on historical facts, while a science-themed room may require basic scientific knowledge to solve its mysteries.

TIP 31 – DON’T RELY ON PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

While understanding the theme is essential, don’t rely too much on your past knowledge or assumptions. Escape rooms are designed so that all the information needed to solve them is contained within the room itself. Anything beyond that is likely a coincidence.

TIP 32 – DON’T IGNORE AMBIENT SOUNDS

While it’s easy to dismiss background noise as simple atmosphere-setting, the audio in an escape room might hold hidden clues. Pay close attention to ambient sounds, music, or even the occasional seemingly random noise.

TIP 33 – ASK FOR CLUES SPARINGLY

Most escape rooms offer limited clues or hints. Use them wisely and sparingly. If your team is genuinely stuck, request a hint, but try not to rely on them for every obstacle. You’ll feel more accomplished solving puzzles independently.

TIP 34 – FOLLOW YOUR GUT

Sometimes, your intuition can guide you to the right solution. If you have a hunch about something, follow it (unless it contradicts the game rules). Discuss your ideas with your team to ensure everyone has the same understanding.

TIP 35 – ENJOY THE GAME

The last but arguably the most crucial tip: Remember that escape rooms are designed for fun. It’s not just about escaping—it’s about the journey and the shared experience with your team. Whether you escape or not, the most important thing is that you enjoy the game and create lasting memories. After all, games should be fun!

CONCLUSION

Now that you know all the best tips, we hope they help you have the best time while you try to escape our rooms. Prepare yourself, put those tricks to use, and good luck!