This list of tips has been compiled by our wonderful gamemasters! They have learned a lot in the countless hours helping patrons escape the room and have some valuable knowledge to share! Book Here for any of our escape room games in downtown Boston!

Pay attention to the time!

Each room has a different completion time, with many being around one hour. Make sure you know exactly how much time you have and keep an eye on the clock or timer (if the room you are doing has one). That being said, don’t feel hopeless if time is low; you never know just how close you could be to winning! 

Don’t give up on a puzzle too quickly!

It’s easy to get frustrated if you are struggling with where to even begin. If you think you are solving something correctly and it’s not reacting as you expect, don’t walk away! You might be on the verge of a breakthrough and with the help of your fellow room escapers you will figure it out in no time.

Be gentle!

Everything has an elegant solution. If you are using more than a gentle tug to open something, there is probably more to it. You are testing your brains and not your brawn. If it is meant to come open, it will once you find the correct solution.

Don’t be afraid to ask your friends for help!

Escape room enthusiasts tend to be competitive, but you don’t need to compete with the people in the room with you. If you are struggling with a puzzle, there is no shame in asking for help! A fresh set of eyes may help you see something you’ve missed or help you look at the problem in a new way.

Listen to each other’s ideas!

Often times someone will throw out an idea and be dismissed, and the group will later discover that the person was correct or on the right track. Even if an idea does not seem right to you immediately, there is no harm in seeing where it goes!

Try different perspectives!

If you are looking at a puzzle and it’s just not making sense, try looking at it in a new way. Stand back to see if there is a larger pattern, look closely to see if there’s something hidden, upside down, or sideways. The answer may be right in front of you, but not in the way you expect!

Explore the room(s) thoroughly!

Don’t be afraid to move stuff around, open things up, etc. Most rooms will make it clear if you aren’t supposed to move or touch something. First time players are especially timid when getting started. Don’t be aggressive and yank things open/off the wall, but also don’t worry you will get in trouble if you open a drawer, pick something up, flip a light switch, etc,.

Keep track of everything you find!

You want to stay as organized as possible. Try not to pocket any keys or locks, and make sure you are aware of what you have and have not used. You don’t want to end up wasting time trying a code or key when you’ve already used it to open something else.

Divide and conquer!

Your group may move as a pack, but separating into smaller groups can help save time. This is especially true for larger groups as our games are designed to have multiple parallel puzzle streams. Spread out your resources, but make sure to collaborate on your findings. Don’t forget to ask your gamemaster for a walkthrough at the end in case you missed any puzzles or have any unanswered questions!

Communicate!

Whether your group consists of two people or twelve, you will work best when you communicate effectively. Let your group members know when you’ve found something or when you have an idea. Let them know when you’ve solved or used something. If you receive a hint from a gamemaster, make sure it’s heard/read by everyone in the group! Effective communication can save time and eliminate frustration, confusion, and misunderstandings.

*Bonus Tip* HAVE FUN!

This is what it’s all about! Having a good time and connecting with your friends, family, and fellow humans! Smile and solve those puzzles! Book Here for an experience you won’t soon forget!