Escape Room Etiquette and Excellence: Your Guide to a More Rewarding Visit

Escape rooms are an increasingly common venue for fun and interesting outings, in Canada and elsewhere. It isn’t just that they offer an interesting activity to enjoy; escape rooms offer a unique blend of intellectual challenge, team-based collaboration, and immersive storytelling. Wherever you find them, these interactive adventures provide a thrilling departure from the everyday, especially if you’re looking for a novel and challenging activity to spice up your events and enjoy with your friends. 

To fully embrace the excitement and maximize your chances of success, however, requires more than just a sharp mind. It demands a commitment to both etiquette and excellence. This guide will give you some essential points to keep in mind to ensure your next escape room visit is not only successful (hopefully) but also a truly rewarding experience for all  involved.

Pre-Game Preparations: Setting the Stage for Success

Like any activity, your escape room visit actually starts before you start. Which only means that before the timer even begins its relentless countdown, your approach to the experience can significantly influence its outcome. Start preparing early to ensure you make the most of your time. 

1.  Assemble Your Team Thoughtfully: 

Collaboration is the name of the game when playing an escape room, and so it’s prudent to bring along a team where everyone has distinct strengths. When forming your team, consider a diversity of skills and perspectives. A group composed solely of mathematicians may struggle with a physical puzzle, while a team of artists might overlook a critical numerical sequence. A balanced team (where each member's strengths can shine and cover for each other’s weaknesses) is a formidable one.

2.  Arrive in a Timely Manner: 

Punctuality is paramount, here as much as anywhere. Most escape room facilities operate on a strict schedule, and so arriving on time (or even better, earlier) is a must to secure your play time.. Arriving at least 15 minutes prior to your booking allows ample time for necessary preliminaries such as signing waivers, using the washroom, and stowing your belongings safely. It also ensures you are present for the crucial pre-game briefing from your Game Master.

3.  Dress for the Adventure: 

Comfort should be your guiding principle when selecting your attire. You may find yourself kneeling to inspect an object on the floor, reaching for a clue just out of arm's length, or moving swiftly between sections of the room. Opt for sensible clothing and footwear that allow for ease of movement. Leave any cumbersome jackets and bulky bags in the provided lockers.

4.  Embrace a Positive and Open Mindset: 

Last of all, have fun out there! Enter the escape room with an attitude of curiosity and enthusiasm; moods are infectious, and knowing how to create a positive mood for yourself goes a long way toward starting your event on a high note. A positive outlook is infectious and can buoy your team's spirits, especially when faced with a particularly perplexing puzzle. Leave your stresses and preoccupations at the door and prepare to be fully immersed in the world of the game.

In the Thick of It: Conduct Within the Room

Once the door closes and the narrative begins, your behaviour and interactions become the linchpin of your experience. Paying attention to your briefing and surroundings is key to being a respectful good sport and immersing yourself in the room and its narrative. 

5.  Listen Attentively to the Game Master: 

Your Game Master is your guide and facilitator. The introductory briefing they provide is not merely for thematic effect and setting the scene for your chosen room; it also contains the essential rules, safety guidelines, and often, subtle clues disguised within the storyline that may help you solve some of the puzzles. Pay close attention in any case, as this information will set the parameters for your adventure.

6.  Communicate Clearly and Constantly: 

Effective communication is the lifeblood of any successful escape room team. When you discover an item, a symbol, or a potential clue, announce it to the entire group. Even a seemingly insignificant object you find might be the very piece another teammate needs to solve their puzzle. Describe what you see and what you are attempting to do.

7.  Establish a "Found Items" Area: 

To maintain a sense of order amidst the excitement of discovery and successful puzzle-solving, designate a central location within the room (such as a table or a specific corner) for all found keys, puzzle pieces, and other important objects. This prevents items from being left out of the way or forgotten in a pocket. Similarly, create a discard pile for items that have already been used (ensuring your team doesn't waste precious time re-examining them).

8.  Search Thoroughly and Systematically: 

The initial moments in an escape room should be dedicated to a comprehensive search of your surroundings. Assign different zones of the room to each team member to ensure every nook and cranny is explored. Look high and low, behind and beneath objects. Remember to be gentle; if something is meant to open, it will not require the brute force of a lumberjack.

9.  Respect the Environment: 

The intricate props, detailed set designs, and clever puzzles are the result of countless hours of creative effort. Treat the room and its contents with care. Do not force locks, climb on furniture unless explicitly permitted, or tamper with items marked with "do not touch" symbols. These markers are often in place for your safety and to protect the integrity of the game. Remember, you are a guest in this carefully crafted world.

10. Think Collaboratively, Not Competitively: 

While the desire to be the one who solves the final puzzle is understandable, an escape room is a team game and true success in an escape room is through cooperation. Avoid the temptation to hoard clues or work on a puzzle in isolation. If you are struggling with a particular challenge, invite a fresh pair of eyes to take a look. Two heads are (more often than not) better than one.

11. Do Not Be Afraid to Ask for Hints: 

Requesting a hint is not an admission of defeat or indication of unintelligence; it is a strategic decision to maintain momentum. Game Masters are there to ensure you have an enjoyable experience, and they would rather see you progress with a little nudge than remain frustrated and stagnant. If your team has been stuck on a single puzzle for an extended period, collectively agree to ask for a clue.

12. Manage Your Time Wisely: 

The ever-present ticking clock is a core component of the escape room experience. Keep a general awareness of the time remaining; if you have any particular time management skills, now’s the time to put them to use. If a particular puzzle is proving to be a significant time drain, consider moving on and returning to it later with fresh perspectives and potentially new information.

The Aftermath: Post-Game Graciousness

Your conduct after the timer has stopped is just as important as your actions during the game. Like any other game, it’s important to be gracious after playing, whether you’ve won or lost. 

13. Be a Gracious Winner or Learner: 

Whether you escape with minutes to spare or the clock runs out, maintain a positive and respectful attitude. If you were successful, celebrate your collaborative achievement and ensure you share credit as a group. If you did not manage to escape, take the loss as a learning experience and an opportunity to analyze your team's performance for future adventures. 

14. Engage with Your Game Master: 

Take a few moments after your game to discuss the experience with your Game Master. If there were some puzzles in the room that had you stumped, they can offer insights into the ones you found challenging and reveal the solutions to any you did not solve. Their perspective can offer some interesting perspectives that might serve you well in the future (whether you come back for another go at that room or if you try your hand at another).

15. Preserve the Mystery: 

The thrill of an escape room lies in its secrets. Refrain from posting spoilers, detailed puzzle solutions, or photographs of the room's interior on social media to maintain some secrecy and intrigue for other guests. Allow those future players to experience the same sense of discovery and accomplishment that you did.

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Like any other game, it’s vital you approach an escape room with an eye to etiquette. Maintaining an air of class and good sportsmanship allows you to transform a simple game into a more enriching experience. The game isn’t just about playing to win and escape the room, but also fostering a deeper sense of camaraderie with your teammates and gaining a greater appreciation for the artistry and ingenuity of the escape room creators. With these insights, the next time you find yourself standing before a locked door with a ticking clock, you will be well-equipped to face the challenge with grace, intelligence, and a spirit of true collaboration.

Are you looking for a fun and challenging escape room venue? Then take a look at The Escape Theory. We boast a series of immersive and brain-teasing escape rooms suitable for visitors of all ages, whether newbie escape room players or seasoned veterans. Give us a call now at (905) 669-3938 to book your visit and start your escape room adventure.