Common Mistakes in an Escape Room - Blog

Escape rooms are a fun and exciting way to test your problem-solving skills and work as a team, but they can also be frustrating if you make common mistakes. Here are the most common mistakes people make in escape rooms and how to avoid them:

Not paying attention to the rules

Before you start the game, make sure you understand the rules and what you're allowed to do. For example, some escape rooms may prohibit you from breaking things or moving furniture. At Unity Escape Rooms, our friendly and helpful staff will cover important rules and guidelines with you. These rules are there to make your experience safe and enjoyable. Check out our frequently asked questions for some important information before you start your escape experience.

Not communicating effectively

Escape rooms require teamwork, so make sure you're communicating effectively with your teammates. This means listening to each other's ideas, discussing potential solutions, and dividing tasks. This is important because each player may have different strengths and skills, and by working together, players can use their individual strengths to solve the puzzles and escape the room. Listening to each other's ideas and discussing potential solutions will help ensure that no idea or solution is overlooked. Dividing tasks will also help ensure that everyone is working efficiently and effectively.

Not searching thoroughly

Many escape rooms require you to find clues and items that are hidden in plain sight. Make sure you're searching thoroughly and not overlooking anything. This means looking in every nook and cranny, behind and under objects, and even in unexpected places. It's also important to pay attention to details, as small details can often hold important clues. Additionally, players should be sure to examine any items they find, as they may have hidden compartments or other secrets. Something that might not seem important now can be the key to the next puzzle.

Not asking for hints

If you're stuck, don't be afraid to ask for a hint. Many escape rooms have a hint system in place, and the staff will be happy to help you out.

It's not uncommon for players to get stuck at certain points during the game, so don't be afraid to ask for a hint. Many escape rooms have a hint system in place to help players who are stuck. At Unity Escape Rooms, we utilize in-room hints as well as verbal hints. These hints are usually designed to help players move forward. They are meant to nudge players in the right direction, rather than providing the answer outright.

Asking for hints should be a positive thing and not a sign of weakness. Escape rooms are designed to be challenging, and it's normal to need a little help along the way. It's important to ask for hints in a timely manner, as this can help you to avoid getting stuck for too long and to keep the game moving forward.

Pro Tip: don't let your pride get in the way of your success.

Not keeping track of clues

As you find clues, make sure you're keeping track of them.

Puzzles are often interconnected and require multiple clues to solve. Clues can also build on each other. For example, one clue may lead to another, and so on. By keeping track of all the clues, players can better understand the connections between them, identify patterns, and make progress in solving the puzzles.

There are a few different ways to keep track of clues and it's up to your team to decide what works for you. Here are a few of our suggestions:

• Write down your clues as soon as you find them. This will help ensure that you don't forget them later on when you need to use them to solve puzzles and escape the room.
• Create a system for organizing the clues, such as labeling them by location or by order of importance. This will help players quickly find and reference the clues they need when they need them.
• Keep a space where you can place related clues. This will help ensure things do not get lost or misplaced and can help visualize patterns.

Being too competitive

Escape rooms are a fun and exciting way to test your problem-solving skills, but they're not a competition. When players focus on "winning" over teamwork, this can lead to tension and conflict within the group, which can make the experience less enjoyable for everyone. Additionally, when players become too competitive, they may neglect to share clues and information with the rest of the group. Remember to work together and have fun.

Getting frustrated

Escape rooms are difficult by design, so it's natural to get stuck at times. But getting frustrated or giving up can derail the rest of the team's progress and make the experience less enjoyable for everyone. If you are reaching your breaking point, take a step back and focus on another task or clue and come back with a fresh perspective. By changing the task or clue, players can come back with a fresh perspective and renewed energy to solve the puzzle. Additionally, players can take a break and clear their mind by stepping away from the room for a few minutes. And just another friendly reminder to ask for hints when you need them :).

By keeping these common mistakes in mind and avoiding them, you'll have a much more enjoyable and successful escape room experience. So, next time when you plan to play an escape room, remember these points and have a great time with your friends and family.

Now that you know the mistakes to avoid, check out our winning strategies, more tips and tricks, and learn about the different personalities in an escape room.