An escape room is an exciting physical game where you are locked in a room with your friends or family and need to use elements of the room to find clues and solve puzzles for a common goal to eventually make your way out in a limited time period.
While many aspects of each challenge will differ depending on which type of escape room experience you choose, some common puzzle ideas appear across almost all the games. Depending on the level of the game, the level of the puzzles differs.
For all the escape room geeks or newbies, gather your escape team for team building activities or for fun reality games! A quick key to winning your escape game room is to pay attention to the game guide.
Linear escape rooms and non-linear escape rooms all include different kinds of escape room puzzles. The only difference is that non-linear rooms can be solved in any manner and linear rooms include one puzzle at a time, and only after solving it, it takes you to the next puzzle.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the 7 most common types of adventure challenges used in today’s escape room experience—are you ready? Let’s unlock the mystery together!
1. Number Games
Not to worry. You won’t have to break your head or have traumatic flashbacks from your junior school mathematics classes! A few basic number games that will ask you to find a pattern or a basic addition or multiplication will get you through the next step.
There can be a basic game of sudoku or a crossword that paves your way forward. It can be an escape room code as well.
These puzzles are found on every level of escape games and are generally used to figure out a valid password or to find a combination for a lock.
Discover this blog if you are looking for ways to solve escape rooms like Sherlock!
2. Hidden Objects
Objects, notes, and keys are always hidden under posters, wall hangings, paintings, or anywhere in the room design. This a common escape room puzzle, and every time you enter one, your first work will be to unfurl all the things in the room to find a puzzle.
And if you do not find anything, do not be heartbroken. At least this way, you will have fewer spaces to look for puzzles.
Also, depending on the room’s theme, use your mind to look for hidden spaces accordingly. There is a possibility of secret compartments or puzzles hidden in plain sight. So look through the room thoroughly.
3. Filled with Puzzles!
Escape Rooms are filled with only puzzles. And then, there are different kinds of puzzles. Puzzles include – Jigsaw, matching puzzles, logical puzzles, word puzzles, physical puzzles, or combination puzzles.
These puzzles vary from escape room to escape room, but the very crux of it is the same.
Words that sound the same or may have multiple meaning consists of word puzzles.
Physical puzzles include puzzles that require your physical strength to solve them.
There may be a repeat in the pictures that are present inside the escape room. The same pictures are a clue, and you will be able to find answers or may even lead you to your next puzzle.
Logic puzzles include any clue that involves you thinking logically. They can consist of numbers, words, matching puzzles, and many more. Technically, every puzzle is a logical one.
Combination puzzles include all the different kinds of puzzles mixed and matched to form a combination that includes all of the above-stated ones. It might be a combination lock as well.
4. Lock and Keys
Keys are always a puzzle away. You generally have to solve the puzzles, and they lead you to the key or keys.
The escape room locks are very obvious, and that is your clue to look for a key. Look for hidden compartments or combination puzzles to get to your key.
5. Lights and Sound
Escape rooms have a theme, and according to the theme, the lights and sounds are adjusted. Most of the fun escape rooms use UV paint to hide the clues.
In these cases, you will often find a flashlight inside the room. Shine it all over the room to reveal the invisible clues or puzzles. They may also be hidden, so make sure to see the entire room through.
6. Mysterious Symbols
Any symbol that feels out of place with the theme of the room is a mysterious symbol. An ankh, pentagram, or Sanskrit symbol placed in the room is trying to draw your attention.
They may be placed to deviate your attention or sway you away from the ultimate goal. Look for it and if you do not find much use for it, let it go. Concentrate on finding other common puzzles in the escape room.
7. Visual Design
Clues hidden in the decor of the room are a common escape room puzzle. Escape Room designers like to play tricks with your mind and hence, hide clues in plain sight.
Pay close attention to the wall hangings or paintings tilted or any object that feels out of sight or kept strangely.
Tilt your head, or look upside down to look for your clue!
The most important of all is cooperation. When you are working with a group of friends or with family members, spread yourselves in the entire room. And shout out aloud when you find anything. Do not keep it to yourself, as your piece is valuable to solving the game.
Have a presence of mind, and keep going! Almost all escape rooms have a difficulty level helping you to choose your game level. Depending on the level, the difficulty level of the escape room clues also varies.
Most importantly, do not forget to have fun with your team members! Head to my other blog on how to beat escape room challenges tactfully.
If you are in Virginia Beach, drop by our facility or book online at Escape2Win, at 5241 Cleveland St, Suite 101.
Cheers!