Play an escape room and essentially you're playing a challenge. By dint of their very design, you'll need to put on your thinking hat and work out the many intricate puzzles as you look for clues. These need to be difficult enough to make the game worthwhile in terms of entertainment value. On the other hand we don't want to make them too easy, other wise there's no satisfaction once you complete the game. Sometimes, you will get totally stuck on a puzzle, unable to move forwards. Of course, getting frustrated isn't going to help matters. Here at ExitTheRoom we've seen it all, winners who sail through without a hitch, and other teams where a number of challenges bring the whole group of players to a stand still. So these are some of the most common reasons why you're struggling to complete the room.
Going Scavenging
You're spending too much time looking for things that are going to be of no help to you. Any escape room worth it's name will not base clues and puzzles on the fact that you have to search them out. Nope, the puzzles are normally in view and it's the solving of them that'll take up the time and effort. Searching for clues is a waste of valuable time. We put our efforts into making stimulating and interesting puzzles and clues. So stop your searching and deal with the objects you already have in front of you
Stop Hoarding
Here's the thing; it really really rare for a prop to have multiple uses. That would just be lazy on our part. So don't go around collecting props. Leave items in the position that you found them. This is because though you might struggle to solve them, another team member might find it much easier. Bringing a clue from one room to the next is going to complicate matters and lead to lots of wasted time. No one will know what's been solved and what's not. So, once you've examined the object or item in question by turning it over and looking at all parts, then please put it down in the same place and position that you originally found it. Thank you!
Lack Of Communication
For the thousandth time, communication isn't just shouting or barking orders. Yelling at each other, as the clock ticks down towards the crisis point will not suddenly produce the winning solution. One of the reasons that companies like to use escape rooms for team building is that it forces people to communicate clearly and quickly. And that involves, listening, speaking and being open to new ideas. The number of times we've seen just one player acting with greater concern for their own ego, than for the whole team of players. Simply put, if there's any shouting or beating of chest, then everyone in the group should take a step backwards and reconsider if they are really communicating or just being an ass.
No Organization
If you want to win at anything in the life, then you'll need to be organised. Escape room games are no different. And part and parcel of that organizational skill needs to be finding a good strategy. We suggest that someone takes on the mantle of being team leader. This doesn't mean you're the boss. What is does mean is that you're a kind of "over-seer", making sure tasks are being performed efficiently and keeping the whole group of players focused on what's important. The last thing you want is to waste more time going over areas of the room or puzzles that have been already covered or solved. Depending on the group dynamic, you might want to delegate some tasks to different areas of the room.
Bad Attitude
We seen all types come and go at ExitTheRoom. Some start off super confident and feeling that they'll crush the game within the first ten minutes of game play, only to see their struggles turn to frustration. Other teams enter the escape room with a relaxed and fun attitude, and then proceed to have a wonderful time. One thing is certain, leave your ego at the door when you come in. It's just a game and, as the old adage says, it's the taking part that's important, not the winning. People who start off being super competitive, quickly lose their mojo as they struggle with any number of clues. If the group starts with a easy, happy-go-lucky vibe, then not only to they have a better time with very little arguing or conflict, but they tend to win the game faster.
The above are some of the major behaviors that stop teams from either getting the most out of an escape room from an entertainment point of view. You might find yourself struggling to try to pinpoint the exact area where your team is deficient. Sometimes it just takes some small adjustments to increase your chances of victory. As well as increasing the fun factor. Focus on what's good, remain positive and clear headed, and you'll be winning every room in no time.
