When it comes to escaping one of our escape rooms, two of the biggest problems that first-time escapologists face are not knowing what to expect and choosing a game that’s right for them. We’re not going to sugar coat it, without preparation, attempting to escape can be frustrating. That’s why here at Escapology, we created a list of 6 steps to ensure an AWESOME first escape room experience!

1) Get to know your teammates prior to your game.

When it comes to solving puzzles, everyone has a different strategy. Luckily, at Escapology, we only hold private escape room experiences. That means you’ll never be put in a room with strangers. So this one can be easy. Whether you decide to play a game with friends, family, or co-workers, it’s important that you and your teammates are on the same page to increase your chances of success. Take a few minutes before your game to get to know their mindset before it's too late.

2) Choose a game based on the theme, not the level of difficulty.

Now, we know what you’re thinking. “Wouldn’t it be better for beginners to play the “easier” rooms first?” Hear us out. Sometimes “easier” escape games might not engage players due to the simplicity of the puzzles. In an ideal situation, you want to choose a game that is appropriate for both your team’s skill level and common interest that you all share. This way everyone has the opportunity to immerse themselves during gameplay.

However, if you rather choose your experience based on difficulty, that’s okay too. After all, each of our escape rooms has a different theme. Whether you choose to solve a murder, catch a spy, take down a hacker, prevent a war, escape imprisonment, rescue the President, or even save the entire world, the possibilities are endless and adventure awaits!

3) Do your research.

You’re excited. Time just can’t seem to go fast enough until your experience starts. But once you’ve entered the game, you realize you have no idea how things work. Now, for some, this may seem thrilling, but for others, going into an escape room blind can be a bit nerve-wracking. That’s why we recommend taking 5 minutes to do a bit of research on how the locks inside the room and game itself actually work. After all, how annoyed would you feel if you just barely missed the sweet taste of victory because you spent just a little bit too much time trying to figure out how a directional lock resets after a failed code entree…..? Exactly.

4) Be punctual and make reservations.

If you’re making plans for a special occasion, it’s important that your party agrees on a date and time that works for everyone. Making a reservation for your escape room is simple, but sticking to your reservation is key. At Escapology, we understand that life gets in the way, which is why we’re always willing to work with our escapologists on changing times, dates, the number of players, etc. But if you decide to cancel your reservation, it’s best to be sure to let us know 12-24 hours prior to your game.

For those that follow through with your plans, it’s important that we remind you to always arrive 10-15 minutes early to ensure you have enough time to take care of everything before your scheduled time. Picture losing 5 minutes of game time because Johnny over there had too much to drink on the ride over. An early arrival assists in making sure you have a 5-star experience, allows everyone in your group feels like they got enough value from the game, and gives you the perfect opportunity to discuss last-minute strategy with your teammates.

Although, if a late arrival cannot be prevented, we encourage you to please give us a call and we will do our best to accommodate you.

5) Take things at face value.

As adults, we tend to overthink things and feel trapped by the rules you learned in school. For example, you might read a mathematical poem, the first instinct is PEMDAS, but as it's a poem those rules might not apply in an escape game! So take things at face value and remember to not over think things.

6) HAVE FUN!

It sounds crazy, but sometimes escaping isn’t the most important part of the experience. Yeah, it feels great when you get to swing open that door and scream in victory, but to us, that’s just the icing on the cake. Win or lose, having a great time with your friends and family is the most critical factor of any escape room experience. Spending 60 minutes seeing how your teammates respond to certain situations, hearing the wild ideas people come up with, and seeing the smile on everyone’s face when the sound of a lock opening goes around the room like a title wave. Escape Rooms truly are an experience like no other.

Well, that ends our list. Did you find our tips helpful? What would you tell a first-time escapologist? Let us know! In the meantime, find your local Escapology and have an experience of a lifetime! Hurry, because time is of the essence.