An escape room or exit game is a physical adventure game in which players solve a series of puzzles using clues, hints and strategy to complete the objectives at hand. Players are given a set time limit to unveil the secret plot which is hidden within the rooms.
Some tips on playing escape rooms and exit games.
The more games you play, the better you will be! The first game you play, don’t expect to get out on time. As you play more games, and try out a variety of themes and styles, you will start to learn about how to look for clues and where to find them. You will understand the varieties of locks that are out there; reducing the time you spend just figuring out how to enter the answer into the lock. You’ll learn about word-number puzzles, and what parts of the room are made to move and which are not.
Choose your teammates wisely. You want to have a good mix of leaders and followers, those who prefer different types of puzzles, and people who are okay with yelling at each other! A lot of your success at an escape room game will come down to who is in the room with you. If you can interact with each other in high stress conditions, you should be fine. We definitely don’t recommend escape games for dates, particularly first dates.
If you are stuck on a puzzle and simply can’t figure it out, switch places with a group member. Fresh eyes are always important. Don’t be afraid to have someone try the lock once again. Comments of, “Oh I tried that already” don’t really work in escape rooms. Let someone else try as well! It might just make the difference.
Every puzzle master provides a set of rules and/or instructions before players begin. These may be given in the form of a paper you need to read, a speech, or a video to watch. Pay attention! These rules are important for a reason, and they may even give you some guidance on types of locks found inside the space. Unusual locks can trip people up, so if you hear the puzzle master mention something then listen!
From the Casebook: The Turn of the Screw
In 2019 The Theatre of Dark Encounters brought to life Henry James’ classic Ghost Story told in the atmospheric settings of Wymering Manor and Stansted House.
A young governess agrees to look after two orphaned children in a seemingly idyllic, but remote, country house. But shortly after her arrival, she realises that the house is haunted by a troubled past. The Governess will risk everything to keep the children safe, even if it means giving herself up to the ghosts. As the audience arrived in the impressive entrance Hall of the Tudor Manor House, Wymering Manor, or the country house grandeur of Stansted House, characters from the play beckoned them deeper into the house where the story unfolds and the tension increases.
The Theatre of Dark Encounters created a truly unique immersive experience, where actors taking the roles of Serving Staff, moved the group around the location as characters emerged from corridors and entrances and even windows around them as the sinister ghosts finally sought revenge against the Governess.
