Escape rooms: expectations versus how the game really works

An escape room is a live team game. Your team goes into a room designed around a particular story and, within a set time, usually about an hour, solves one puzzle after another to complete the mission. A Game Master watches the whole game and gives hints when you need them. Despite the name, it isn’t always about escaping, and nobody necessarily locks the door.

“Will we really be locked in?” and “do you have to be great at maths?” are questions people often ask before their first visit. The answers depend on the venue, so below we separate the assumptions from what’s worth checking before you book.

Is the door locked?

Plenty of descriptions online say that players “get locked in a room”. In practice, it depends on the operator. For example, Gamescape in Krakow states plainly in its rules that the rooms aren’t locked, the door stays open and there are safety buttons inside. You can leave at any time.

So don’t judge the safety rules by the name of the game alone. Before you start, find out how to leave the space and how to contact the staff. The briefing should explain this clearly. If someone in your group struggles with enclosed spaces, mention it when you book. When you book, also say that it’s your first game and how many of you there are.

What does a visit look like, step by step?

The details vary from company to company, but it usually goes something like this. The description below is based on the rules published by Gamescape:

• Arrival: it’s worth getting there 10 to 15 minutes before the start, to get to know the place and the rules. Arriving late can cut your game short, because other teams are booked in after you.
• Introduction: the Game Master presents the story, the goal of the mission and the rules. You don’t need to know or learn anything beforehand. Put your conversations on hold at this point, because the goal of the mission later explains why a particular clue matters. It’s also worth asking which parts of the room aren’t part of the puzzles.
• The game: your team looks for clues, connects information and unlocks the next stages. The Game Master sees you on a monitor and stays in constant voice contact with you.
• Time’s up: if you’re literally a moment away, the Game Master may give you that moment, as long as no other group is waiting. It depends on the situation and isn’t a rule.

How long does the game take, and how many players do you need?

The time depends on the scenario. At Gamescape the standard is 65 minutes, and the longest room lasts 90 minutes. On top of that comes arriving before the game, the introduction and a chat after the finale. So don’t book your next activity for the exact minute the mission is supposed to end.

You can play with just two people. The upper limit depends on the room: in Gamescape’s line-up it’s five to eight people per scenario. The limit is organisational information, not a measure of difficulty. For example, Enchanted Amulets has a range of 2 to 8 players on its card, which doesn’t mean it’s easy for beginners. A bigger group can split into several teams and play in several rooms at the same time. Gamescape says that up to 30 people can play there at once.

The key isn’t always the finale

Your team might be looking for treasure, gathering evidence or finding an artefact needed to save a fantasy world. Solving the puzzles brings the story to its end. Opening the door on its own doesn’t have to mean anything for the plot.

Do you have to be good at maths?

No. Tasks may ask you to read a clue, spot a pattern, combine items or carry out an action following instructions. Don’t expect an encyclopaedia exam, but don’t assume there’ll be no text or counting at all either. If a certain type of task is a barrier for you, ask about it when you book.

For example, knowing a symbol might suggest an association, but only the rest of the game will show whether it’s the right one. It helps to keep what you can actually see separate from what just seems likely. That’s why, in the room, attention and talking as a team count for more than knowledge.

A hint is part of how the game works

The Game Master keeps an eye on how the game is going and helps in the way set for the scenario. At the introduction, find out how to ask for a clue and whether it affects your result. Not every team needs the same level of support. Asking for a hint isn’t a failure, it’s a way to keep the fun from grinding to a halt.

The theme changes the mood of the outing

Scenarios differ in atmosphere: from adventure and legends, through secret-agent action, to a dark crime story. That doesn’t mean any room suits everyone. Check the room card for age, theme and warnings, such as tight passages or adult-only content. Someone may love logic puzzles but still not want low light or a crime story. So agree on your limits together (low light, tight passages, more intense scenes) before you buy. Gamescape’s rules actually require the person booking to read the warnings for the chosen game and pass them on to all the players.

What to know if you’re going as a bigger group of friends

• Clothing: comfortable. It’s a workout for your brain, not your body.
• Alcohol: save it for later. At Gamescape, drinking alcohol during the game is forbidden, and so is damaging the set.
• Language: if some of your group are from abroad, ask about playing in English. At Gamescape, clues are given in Polish and English.
• Children: they can play under adult supervision, but check the age listed on the card for the specific room.

The best preparation isn’t learning the solutions. All you need is to pick the right story, know the rules and leave yourself room to be surprised. You’ll find the rules this description is based on in the questions and answers section of Gamescape’s escape rooms page.