Escape Room Tips from a Game Master

Escape rooms can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the world of puzzle-solving. Jumping in can be overwhelming - there’s so much calling your attention and the clock is ticking! You need to know what to focus on, what to ignore, and most importantly, how to have fun.
    So here’s a couple pointers that can make or break your game:

​1.  Communication is Key!
You’ve heard it a million times: communication is key. Nowhere is this more true than in an escape room - communication is the key that’s gonna unlock your way out, or it might just lock you in! It’s important to know when and how to communicate most effectively with your team.

• Confused? Ask for help! 
   If you get stuck on a puzzle, sometimes all you need is a second pair of eyes. Ask another player and put your minds together to figure out the solution.
• Keep calm and carry on!
  I know it may be overwhelming but don’t panic! Too much talking over each other is going to create more chaos. When there’s a lot of noise in the room it gets difficult for players to effectively receive information from each other.
• Don’t give away your clues too early!
  It can be tempting to share everything you find with your team, but this habit may just get you stuck and your team distracted. Our CABIN 13, GEORGIE and ZOMBIE RISING start off as a split start and many times the clues players find are the ones they’ll need so be sure to check around your room to see if things correlate with each other before handing them off. And remember, in all of our games, items are used one and done! Once you’ve used an item, your team won’t be needing it again so be sure to communicate your used clues.
  
  

2. How to Spot A Clue
If you’re new to escape rooms, knowing how to spot a clue is the most important element for keeping your game on track. Remembering these points will help narrow down what you need to focus on. Games are meant to be accessible. A wide variety of people come to play our games, so we want to make sure everyone who comes is capable (but also a good challenge!) of solving puzzles and finding clues. This means: 

• Clues won’t be too high up or tucked in difficult places
• You won’t have to break a seal or use force to find a clue
• You wont need anything more than common knowledge
• Most puzzles are meant to be intuitive - so try not to over think it too much!

If you hit a dead end on a puzzle, don’t fret! You could be on the right track but you might not have everything you need for that puzzle yet. Put a pin in that idea and move on to something else for now; you’ll likely be led back to that puzzle later on!

3. Ask for hints!
There’s no shame in asking for help! If you feel yourself getting stuck, or your momentum is slowing down more than you would like, all you might need is a little nudge. The Game Master is watching and will know if you’re on the right track or what you might be missing. And as a Game Master, we’re here to help!


Be a team player. Everyone sees and thinks differently, and this can strengthen your team! Offer help and support to your teammates, but if they’re getting stuck, don’t become another roadblock for them. Remember: it’s never a sign of weakness if it means that everyone gets the chance to have fun.

Escape rooms aren’t so puzzling when you go in with a strategy. Hopefully this guide eased your nerves and instilled confidence. Check out our 4 different escape room game themes, see which game you and your team want to conquer next! Good luck!

Author: Maya C.,  Legacy Escape Rooms Game Master