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If you know that you're going to be taking part in an escape room game, then it's not surprising that you'll want to know beforehand exactly what you're getting yourself into. It's only natural to want to be prepared. The problem is that by their nature, escape rooms will have puzzles and clues that we have never before seen. Each room, no matter where, is going to be based on a different theme, with a differing game play needed to reach the final result. But, having said that, there must be some form of commonality between the puzzles. Though we have no idea what the actual puzzles will be, they do tend to all follow the same general pattern. Let's have a look in more depth.
Keep in mind that all these games are designed for regular people to solve, not just for eggheads. So, any math or numbers that require a solution are going to be relatively easy. It's more about how you put things together. For example, if you find a Sudoku puzzle on the wall, then there's a good possibility that you'll need to solve it to unlock something before moving forwards. Equation puzzles are an excellent place to hide solutions. So, if you spot a mathematical sign or some numbers in the room, there's a very good chance that there's one missing. Like wise with crosswords and missing-letter puzzles. Maybe there's a missing word from a poem or there's just a jumbled pile of letters that'll need sorting. Whatever the case, always look deeper.
Knots will need undoing, as a given. If there are any large objects in the room, like a dresser or wardrobe, then there's always the possibility that it might need moving to see what's behind it. But whether it actually needs moving, will come apparent from another clues. So we're not saying the first thing you should do is start moving the furniture around. But if for example, the unit looks out of place, then go a head and knock yourself out. Any objects that can be moved with ease will be apparent. So if something is not movable, then please don't force it to the point where it breaks. All physical puzzles will rely on dexterity as opposed to brute strength.
With everything that's going on around you when you first enter the escape room, be sure to keep your ears open. There can be background noises which actually contain clues, whether in the song title or in the form of Morse code. Even the direction from which the noise is emanating can be important. Listen to see if you can make out any lyrics. Likewise, if you start a recorder and a voice starts speaking, make sure you take a note of what's being said. Hiding clues in songs is very popular. It's the same story with lights. On the whole, if a spotlight is high-lighting a particular area, then there's reason behind that. Also note that a lack of light can sometimes serve a purpose.
Clues will not be left for you to find with ease as soon as you enter the room. Most will be hidden. Once you find them, then you'll start the process of solving them. One of the first things to inspect will be any books you might see. Often there's a book-safe, with a part of the book's insides hollowed out in order to conceal something. When it comes to draws, open them and then leave them open once you've thoroughly examined them. This will let other members of your team know that this task has been completed. There's no greater waste of time than re-doing something that already been done. When you open a draw, don't just look inside. feel around the edges and the bottom of each draw. Something could be written or stuck there. Once you discover something, don't assume that that's the only clue to be found there. If there's a load of books and you discover a book-safe, keep inspecting all the others just in case there's something else important to be discovered.
All escape rooms are designed from the floor up. Many of the puzzles will be actually built into the fabric of the room itself. Look at the edges and skirting boards carefully. Look at the pattern of the wallpaper. Often there are codes hidden in plain site. If there are pictures hanging on the wall, then it's probably hanging there for a purpose. Take it down and check the back or the wall behind it. Remember that you're looking for anything out of place. It's these anachronisms that'll help you find the clues.
On the whole, the majority of escape room games are going to be based around the use of logic. To that end, one of the first things to look for are patterns and repeated themes. Maybe a bookshelf contains six of the same book and yet another book is totally out of place. Well, there's going to be a reason behind this. Though the puzzles are not so deep as to be unintelligible, the answer might not be the simplest solution....so look a little deeper as well. And sometimes it needs a completely new way of looking a something for the clue to jump out. So, if you're stuck, ask as many other players for some input. You'll be surprised as to how others perceive the world and how different that can be from your own perception. It's also about thinking outside the box. Another common clue are mysterious symbols. Every escape room has them. Make sure you turn them sideways and upside down. Look and see if there's a matching symbol somewhere.
This is about combining several results to find the one. As time is of the essence here, you should go a head and try every possible solution, no matter how nuts it might seem. You have to remain flexible. Maybe a puzzle you thought you'd solved isn't solved at all. Because you were looking at the wrong code. Or because you didn't realize that the code was part of a bigger picture. It doesn't matter. What matters is being able to stay flexible whilst at the same time be totally alert.
If you have to play a lot of escape room games, then you'll develop the mind-set of the game's designers. Finding their clues will become easier, as not only will you know what to look for, but you'll also have a better idea how the clues are written. If you do get stuck, then don't waste time by hesitating. Ask another team player for help. Of course what you're really asking for is a different way of looking at the same problem. And that's the beauty of these escape room games. Everyone see the world differently. And it's all those opposing and differing world views that'll help you solve the escape room faster
