So you’ve decided to play an escape room… but which one?! Escape rooms are one of the most popular options for fun things to do, and there are a ton of choices out there. Here are LockHouse’s tips for choosing which escape room to play!
Choosing a venue
Escape room venues all provide escape games, but they’re not all identical! Some things to consider when you’re deciding where to book:
Location. How easy it is to get to? What about public transport? Look into what else is in the area, whether you’re making a day of it with some other activities, or just looking for somewhere convenient to grab a drink and celebrate your escape afterwards.
How it works. Look into how the game runs, and what sort of interactions you can expect to be having with your games masters. Is it just puzzles, or is there an immersive story? How do hints work? Some escape rooms provide limited hints, while others have a time penalty; here at LockHouse we offer as many hints as you want, with no penalty, so you can tailor your game experience to suit your preferences.
Reviews. It’s also worth checking out the reviews beforehand. Escape rooms tend to be quite highly-rated across the board. As well as numerical ratings, reviews are a great way to find out what other players particularly enjoyed about their experience!
Choosing a game
Once you’ve decided where you’re going to play, it’s time to pick your game! Most escape room venues will have a range of different games, offering something to suit everyone. Things to bear in mind:
Difficulty. Are you experienced escapers, or complete newbies? Some rooms are tricky, while others are downright fiendish. Check the difficulty ratings for an idea of what to expect. Of course, playing an escape room is about the experience — if you think you’ll have more fun in a harder room, even if you fail, then go for it!
LockHouse’s three rooms provide a range of difficulty to challenge every escaper. Egyptian Tomb is our most beginner-friendly experience, while Secret Agent is considered our hardest challenge. (But don’t just take our word for it — come and test it yourself!)
Group. Think about who you’re playing with! Different rooms can have different player capacities, so make sure you’re booking a room that’ll fit your group. If you’re playing with kids, check which rooms are best suited for younger players.
Theme. One of the most important things to consider when deciding which escape room to play is the theme! Part of what makes escape rooms so exciting is the immersive setting and story that provide a context for the puzzles. Have you always wanted to be a heroic explorer or carry out an undercover spy mission? Has 2020 got you wishing desperately to be launched into space? Escape rooms have got you covered.
Which escape room should you play?
Still don’t know which escape room to play? We’ve put together an extremely serious and comprehensive questionnaire to help you decide which of LockHouse’s three rooms to play first!
How many people are you bringing?
A) I don’t know, a few?
B) The perfect strategic number
C) As many as physically possible
Have you played an escape room before?
A) No, never
B) Yes, lots
C) Yes, a couple
How do you feel about giant ticking countdowns?
A) They stress me out
B) A bit of pressure is fun
C) I crave them in order to feel alive
How physical do you want this to get?
A) Crawling through tunnels sounds perfect
B) My spy training covered how to handle a few steps
C) Are you kidding? I’m playing an escape room in order to avoid physical activity
What is your dream outfit?
A) A dashing khaki ensemble
B) If I told you I’d have to kill you
C) Lab coat? More like fab coat!
Pick a franchise
A) Indiana Jones
B) James Bond
C) Doctor Who
Pick a fate to befall you if you don’t escape*
A) Entombed forever by a vengeful god
B) Blown up by a dastardly bomb
C) Flattened by an apocalyptic asteroid
*Disclaimer: we promise none of these things will actually happen.
Finally, pick a color!
A) Ancient Pyramid Yellow
B) Top Secret Red
C) Cool Space Blue
Mostly A: Come adventuring in our Egyptian Tomb
Mostly B: Start your mission with Secret Agent
Mostly C: Save the world in Armageddon
And if, after all that, you still can’t decide… don’t worry! Once you’ve played one escape room, you’ll probably find yourself hooked. The best answer to the question ‘Which escape room should I play?’ is All of them!
LockHouse Escape Games is reopening! Find out more and book your game on our website. Plus keep an eye on our Facebook for everything from updates to brainteasers!