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Escape tips, advice, and strategies. Cross Roads Escape Games is here to help you start winning and working as the ultimate escape team!

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The Stretch: Guide to Escape Room Monsters

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With the Halloween season upon us, I thought we could discuss something scary today: Monsters! They walk among us and hide in the shadows under our beds- creeping, crawling, slithering, and the like. It would seem only natural that a few monsters would follow us into our escape rooms as well; lurking there unseen until they are ready to pounce!

Today, I will be lifting the cloak on one such monster and revealing it to the world; all so that we may better protect ourselves from it. I can no longer stand idly by watching this abominable beast get away with attack after attack on escape room players. So put on your brand-new reality-vision sunglasses folks. Let’s discuss The Stretch.

The Stretch lives in every escape room, regardless of theme. If you have ever played an escape game I can almost guarantee that you’ve encountered this beast at least once before; sometimes without you realizing it! This monster can prey on players of all ages and skill levels. It is an insidious hunter capable of influencing its victims and striking before you ever know it is there.

But do not fear, dear reader, for I am here to teach you what you need to survive any attack The Stretch may throw your way. Stick with me, and you will walk out of every Escape Room experience knowing it was YOU making those decisions, not The Stretch.

First, we will discuss the most important question of all: what is The Stretch? It tends to sneak into the room right behind players as they enter, possessing a person at some point during the game; sometimes with frightening immediacy. Often, The Stretchtargets one player at a time, but in more severe cases the entire group could become afflicted. As far as I am aware, there is no way of ridding the world of The Stretch.  Fortunately for you, however, there are ways to fight it off.

The Stretch will subtly possess your friends’ thoughts and words. It will then force its target to act and say things that would seem absolutely ridiculous in the normal world. Lucky for you I am a Game Master/survivor that has witnessed numerous attacks by this creature. Here are my hard-earned tips on how to identify someone that is being influenced by The Stretch.

  1. NONSENSICAL CODES

Did you find the manufacturer’s mark on the bottom of a chest and now you’re trying it on every lock? That’s The Stretch. Seriously. Think about what you’re doing before you do it. The Stretch feeds on incessant guessing.

  1. COUNTING LETTERS

Are you counting letters in the alphabet, just because? Turning letters into numbers based on their placement in the alphabet? That’s The Stretch. Unless, of course, you are told to do so, you will never need to count letters.

  1. CODING BACKWARDS

Did you try a code one way and someone thinks you should try it again, but backwards? That’s The Stretch. Try a little, don’t make yourself easy prey.

  1. IMPROPERLY SIZED CODES

Are you wasting time trying a 4 digit code on a 5 digit lock? That’s The Stretch. Look around! Take stock of the room before trying a lock!

  1. BREAKING RULES

Are you considering breaking previously laid out rules to accomplish something? That’s The Stretch.Generally, it is wise to never attempt to break anything. You’re simply wasting time and feeding The Stretch’s animalistic instincts.

  1. RECYCLING CLUES

Are you using clues you previously used on another puzzle? That’s The Stretch. Unless SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED, you will never need to reuse clues.

  1. PREDICTING THE FUTURE

Are you insisting on working on one lock before the other with no other reason other than “it feels right?” That’s The Stretch. Oh, it got you good on that one. Don’t worry, this is the most commonly used strategy of The Stretch, so keep your pride in your pocket!

  1. OUTSIDE KNOWLEDGE

Are you trying to bring in all of your knowledge of the X-Files to solve a sci-fi themed room? The Stretch LOVES picking out that one guy or girl in the group that knows the most about the subject material. Filling their heads with lies, it insists they should use their encyclopedic knowledge about X-Files to solve the room and prove how smart they are. THAT’S The Stretch. Again, pride àpocket.

 

There you have it, lads and lasses of Escape Rooms everywhere. Now YOU are prepared to enter any room with the tools and weapons to identify and vanquish The Stretch before it keeps you locked away forever. Just remember, you can never be smarter than a room to solve it; that will only lead to overthinking, overanalyzing, and an exponential growth of Stretch attacks. So next time your friend tries to lead you astray with ideas of absurdity, you can slap them with the truth (metaphorically speaking, of course) and keep your team on the road of logic– the road to escape!

Zach Dahm
Asst. Manager and Game Master
Cross Roads Escape Games

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Escape Room Dictionary

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As is common with any sort of hobby or occupation, escape rooms have a common set of words that help staff and players communicate with each other.  Though you can look up these definitions in a dictionary, some of them take on a more nuanced meaning within the realms of escape games. Here’s a handy reference guide if you are just starting out so you can also be hip with the lingo, as they say.

ACTOR: A performer within the game used as a living element for further immersion, atmosphere, or even interactive puzzle. Similar to a Game Masterbut are a specific character within the game.

BRUTE FORCE: Most often refers to the process of guessing the last bit of missing information from a puzzle, either by process of elimination or trying every remaining option. Similar to hacking but involves guessing only part of a puzzle.

CLUE:Parts of a puzzle needed to correctly find an answer.

ESCAPE ROOM: A game with a time limit in which one must find clues and solve puzzles to reach a goal (often, escaping a room).

EUREKA EFFECT: (Also known as the A-ha! Moment) The common human experience of suddenly understanding a previously incomprehensible problem or concept.

FORCE:More strength than one would normally use to open a simple drawer, door, or book. More than two fingers’ worth of effort to move something. Ripping, prying, pulling, or dismantling.

GAME MASTER:The person or persons monitoring a game to ensure safety, enforce rules, offer hints, and reset games. Can sometimes be physically within a game, but most often is outside of the game.

HACKING: The process of guessing every possible combination on a lock instead of trying to solve the puzzle. Can also refer to unlocking a lock by feeling the tumblers catch. More often than not throws off the flow of the game and confuses players.

HINT: Some advice or clarification used to nudge players in the correct direction. Often given by a Game Master, hints are not normally included as part of a puzzle but are supplemental to the puzzle if needed by the players.

IMMERSION: When the fourth wall becomes unclear or unapparent. The degree to which an escape room can make you believe you are in and part of the world in which the game takes place.

JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS: To make a hasty judgement before considering all the facts.

LINEAR:Refers to a game design or series of puzzles that lead directly from one to the next.

LOCK: One of a variety of fastenings that requires a key or combination to open. Can also be used as slang to describe how many (visible) puzzles are in a game. For example, “We still have three locks left in this room!”

NON-LINEAR:Refers to a game or series of puzzles that don’t lead directly from one to the next.

PUZZLE: A problem or lock that can be solved using a set of clues.

RED HERRING: A puzzle or element within a game designed only to throw players off.

RIDDLE: A mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved. Often includes a play on words.

RULES: Set guidelines that must be followed by participants the entire duration of the game. These are not to be broken.

SET DRESSING: Elements within the game designed to make the environment more realistic, believable, and immersive.

 

Escape Room Slang (Common Terms):

3-, 4-, or 5-Digit: Short hand for a lock that requires a 3-, 4-, or 5-digit number combination to unlock.

4 or 5-Letter: Short hand for a lock that requires a 4- or 5-letter combination to unlock, often but not always a word.

Call Out: Reaching outside of the game for assistance from the game master, often for hints.

This is by no means a complete list of the terminology used every day in escape rooms, but if you are new or need help describing something to a new escape room enthusiast, this list is a great place to start.

Have any definitions you think we should add to our dictionary? Leave us a comment on our blog! And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for the most up-to-date news on our games!

Happy escaping!

Geoff Durham
Game Master & Manager
Cross Roads Escape Games

Cross Roads Escape Games

Which game should you choose- The Fun House or The Hex Room?

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Quite often when people call to book a game with us, they ask us which game they should choose. While both of our games provide highly-immersive and entertaining experiences, they are two completely different themes. Use this handy guide to help your team decide which adventure they should take.

Do you consider your team as ‘beginners’?

If your group is composed of mostly (or all) first-time players, I highly recommend The Fun House. With its light-hearted atmosphere, whimsical puzzles, and the fact that everyone is working as a team, The Fun house is a great way to introduce new players into the world of escape rooms. The game is packed to the brim with puzzles, meaning everyone in your group can try their hand at solving something. The integrated hint system can provide help at any time with no penalty.

Are you looking for a challenge?

If your group has played a few escape rooms before and is looking for a challenge, The Hex Room is for you. The Hex Room changes how a traditional escape room works by separating you into individual rooms within the game. Because of this, each player is responsible for solving their own puzzles as well as working together with the group. Unlike traditional escape rooms where some players can fall to the background and observe, each player must be present and active within this game. Furthermore, The Hex Room has an extra, optional puzzle within the game for players to further challenge themselves should they so choose.

Does your team enjoy being scared?

The Hex Room is a horror-themed game. Though we do not have any live actors within the game, being separated within the game as well as the set design, lighting, and audio makes for an intense horror experience. If you team is easily frightened or does not want to be separated, I highly recommend The Fun House.

Is your team over the age of 16?

No one under the age of 16 is permitted to play The Hex Room. Our age limit is very strict. However, The Fun House is a challenging game that all ages can play.

Should you play Fun House or Fun House KIDS?

We offer an alternate version of our Fun House game designed specifically for kids under the age of 13. If you are trying to decide whether to play the original or the Fun House KIDS, this should help you decide. If your group is comprised mostly of younger kids (equal to or greater than the number of adults), especially if nobody has ever played an escape room before, I recommend the KIDS version. For groups of young teens, I suggest talking with them and seeing which version they would prefer. Remember, our integrated hint system can provide help at any time during the game, so if they want to take on the challenge of the original version, they can ask for a push if they feel they are falling behind.

If you have a group of mostly adults with one or two younger kids, we can add a special puzzle into the original Fun House just for the kids with a special prize if they compete it! Just give us a call after you book and ask for the extra puzzle for kids.

The most important thing to do when deciding on a game is to talk with your group. You might find it funny to surprise your friends or family with the fact that they will be separated in a horror-themed game, but I can promise you they will not find it quite as funny. Let your team know the theme and anything that might make one hesitant before they agree to play.

Let us know if this guide helped you to pick a game, or if there are some other questions you have while deciding on a game. Let us know by commenting below!

Geoff Durham
Game Master, Manager
Cross Roads Escape Games

The Fun House

What I Look For In An Escape Room: Jason

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Personally, I love escape room and I will try and solve ANY puzzle I come across. I love puzzles, riddles, scavenger hunts, and even the pixel hunt kind of games in video games. I love the process of going from being completely unaware of the answer, to a full understanding of the puzzle by piecing together the clues. If a puzzle can do that for me, then I am over the moon!

The puzzles are a HUGE part of what I look for in an escape room. Though I don’t think that puzzle design can carry the experience on its own, it is definitely one of three big factors to my enjoyment of a room.

When I solve a puzzle, I want to know exactly how the puzzle works just by solving it. For example, there have been times where I thought “I don’t think this makes sense but maybe ____ is the answer?” Then it works, and I feel a little disappointed, even though I got the answer correct. The reason I feel let down is because the puzzle didn’t work the way I had thought it was going to.

Now I know what some of you might be thinking. You didn’t like the puzzle because it didn’t work the way YOUthought it would? And I completely understand the eye rolls that I might be getting right now but let me explain!

Making a good puzzle is very much like writing a good plot twist into a story or movie. If the twist is not foreshadowed earlier in the movie, then it just feels like a plot device. But if there are subtle hints from earlier that influence how you should be thinking, then when the twist happens you are like “WHOA! I knew that that painting from earlier was going to be important!” Same goes for puzzles. If your team has been trying things to no avail and then you look at one clue you haven’t used yet and suddenly everything clicks and you exclaim “WAIT! What if the ____s are actually showing us how to use these other clues!” then you have yourself a GOLDEN “aha moment!” And in the end, isn’t that what all puzzles are really about?

The next thing I look for in an escape room is theme. At the end of the day, if you don’t like the theme of a room then you won’t be having as much fun as other people that can really engage with the setting.

I am a huge Horror film junkie! I watch them all; everything from the Exorcist to Zombie Mutant Vampires from the Hood! What can I say? I am a silver lining kind of person. I can find diamonds in just about any roughs. However, just because I enjoy the genre does not mean that all horror movies are good. Same goes for escape rooms. The theme of the room is kind of like the salesman for the room: It is what catches my eye fastest when I am looking for an escape room to play. However, once I actually get into the room, I feel that theme carries the least amount of weight on whether I will find the escape room enjoyable or not.

Third, and possible most importantly, is immersion. I don’t care if my team is being hunted by a serial killer or if we are all aliens trying to break out of area 51, I need to be sold on the idea. It isn’t enough to tell me that I am a fish in an aquarium, you need to sell me on that every moment of the experience.

This can be achieved in many ways. It could be as simple as giving everyone a mask to wear, or as complex as having actors in the room that interact with the players in a certain way to get the desired result. Trust me, nothing convinces someone that they are an outlaw in the wild west more than giving them a cowboy hat, a bandana, and having the “law dogs” lock them up in a jail cell. We’ve already talked a lot about immersion in one of our other blog posts, so I don’t need to go too far into how to achieve full immersion… but it is VERY important!

So, to sum this up, when I am looking for an escape room to play the three things I am looking for are:

1) What is the theme?

2) Do they have well thought out puzzles? (This is kind of hard to find an answer without spoiling anything, but reading people’s reactions to the puzzles in reviews is often a good way to find out how good the puzzles are.)

3) How immersive is the game? (One thing I look for is people discussing a game’s hint system in the comments. I ask myself if it makes sense for the setting or not.)

Look at the escape room’s website to get an idea for theme, and then if you are intrigued read some reviews. I can temper my expectations based on other peoples’ reviews and how well the room markets itself. I have only played around 30 escape rooms so far, so I would not consider myself an expert, but this method has helped me search for the next game my team will take on.

What do you look for in an escape room? Let us know in the comments below!

Jason Sakal
Game Master & Manager
Cross Roads Escape Games

Summer Escape Rooms

Keeping Your Cool- Confessions of a Game Master

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With the summer heating up, escape rooms will be a popular outing for families, friends, coworkers, and teammates. They provide a getaway from the sun and heat in an adventurous and fun environment. Sometimes though, putting groups of people in rooms and telling them to find a way out can lead to some heated discussions and emotions. Not to worry, though: Our game masters have a few tips that will help your team work more smoothly and keep the tension between players as low as possible. Check out the latest Confessions of a Game Master!

Escape rooms are fun but potentially stressful situations. You’re locked in a room, given handfuls of puzzles, bombarded with information and rules, and placed under a time constraint. All of that can add up to a pretty intense experience, and that’s to say nothing of the theme of the room. Though part of the fun of escape rooms is the rush of racing against time, our game masters have a few tips to help you keep your cool in an escape room.

One of the best ways to beat the heat of an escape room is to remember that you are here to have fun. Of course everyone likes to win, and it’s very exciting to hold the record for “best time,” but remember that your first and foremost goal should be to enjoy the game you are playing. Quite often when groups arrive determined to break the record, they get so caught up with being number one that they don’t take the time to enjoy themselves. This also adds pressure to the less experienced players since there is a huge burden on them to perform better than most players.

If it sounds like I’m not a fan of fastest time records, it’s because I’m not. Or really, I don’t think they should be as important as people make them out to be. “Fastest Time” can tell you how quickly a game was solved, but it won’t tell you how much fun the group had or how many memories they created. I encourage each group to enter every game with the goal to do their best, not the best. Your escape room experience will be instantly less stressful when your goal is to fully experience the room. And if you happen to make the best time while you’re at it? That’s the cherry on top.

What are your tips on staying cool under pressure in an escape room? Let us know in a comment below! Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss a Confessions video and for other escape room goodies.

Geoff Durham
Manager, Game Master, King of Cool
Cross Roads Escape Games

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Dear Zoltar #1: How To Be A Good Leader

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Hello, dear readers and escape enthusiasts. In an effort to spread my great wisdom and wit with the world, I have taken on an advice column. Yes I, the Great and Magnanimous Zoltar, Seer of Secrets and Keeper of Escape Room Secrets, will be lending a (beautifully painted) ear to those in need of some guidance through their escape room journey. Our first letter comes to us via Red Tailed Hawk (much more reliable than owls and also work during the day) from someone who may be just like you.

Dear Zoltar,

My friends and I have played many escape rooms and so far, we haven’t won a single game. I have played with friends, with family, with strangers! Every time it seems that victory is just out of reach. What are we doing wrong?

I know that every great team needs a great leader, so I do my best to push my team and make sure we are all working together to try and escape! I start every game by giving each player on my team something to do. One person will be in charge of looking in drawers on one side of the room, while someone else will be in charge of figuring out which puzzle we need to tackle first! I have each of them explain their answer so that I can try it on the locks. I stay in touch with everyone constantly! I let them know how much time we have and try to motivate everyone by pushing them to work faster.

We are never fast enough!

What can I do to help my team more and get us our first win?

Sincerely,
Natural Born Leader

 

Dearest N. B. Leader,

‘Tis I, Zoltar the Great, the seer of secrets and your guide on how to be a better leader for your escape team! Now, I know that it can be hard to face so many challenges and still come out with no victories, but the most important bit of advice that I can give you is this: If at first you don’t succeed, then try, try again!

Solving puzzles and escaping from escape rooms is a skill like any other skill. The more you practice, the better you will get. It is good that you are playing rooms and switching up your team each time. This allows a level of adaptability, that some leaders do not have. This will also give you a chance to work on identifying the strengths and weaknesses of newer players. Supporting your team mates by allowing them to play to their strengths is the truest sign of a good leader.

There has been a previous blog post describing the types of players in an escape room. Perhaps you should take a look at it and see if you can identify which type of player each one of your friends or family is.

Sometimes being a leader means gently guiding your team rather than pushing them. I can tell you from experience that constantly reminding players just how little time is left can be more stressful than helpful. While sometimes a good reminder is needed, save it for good intervals. If you tell your team how much time is left every minute, you will only be adding to the noise already in the room and could create more confusion.

I don’t believe your team really needs to explain every puzzle to you before they try solving it. If they think they have the correct answer but it doesn’t work, they should definitely explain their thought process! But explaining everything before trying a code is a good way to burn through your very limited time. Perhaps you should allow others to try their codes on the locks and offer an ear and another point of view if they get stuck.

I have no doubt that if you keep playing and keep growing as a leader that you will lead a group to victory someday soon. Just remember to let your group play to their strengths and give gentle guidance. It will make for a more enjoyable game for everyone and just might improve your results.

Til next time, dear reader,

Zoltar The Great
Seer of Secrets, Advice Guru,
The Fun House at Cross Roads Escape Games

P.S. Are you in need of some escape room advice? Send me an email at info@crossroadsescapegames.comwith the subject DEAR ZOLTAR and you may see your letter answered in the future.

Characters of The Hex Room

What Your Hex Room Character Says About You

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Good! So, you’ve taken our online personality test! But do you know what it means to be a Jock, Nerd, Virgin, Rebel, Prom Queen, or a Detective? In case you haven’t watched as many horror movies as we have, here is some information on what your horror movie stereotype says about you and how you can best live up to your role within your very own horror movie. It’s basically a mood ring, but instead of colors, it’s made of archetypes!

Detective

The Detective is the person who has enough rapport with everyone to actually get them to listen to what they say. They are great listeners and when people talk, they pay close attention. However, the Detective usually spends most of their time trying to keep the other characters alive instead of actually solving the mystery.

  • Has the highest chance of being killed while helping another character.
  • PROS: Great communicator, great multitasker, good puzzle solver.
  • CONS: High responsibility, so much paperwork, dresses like they’re in the 70s.
  • EXAMPLES: Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) in The Wicker Man (1973); Dewey Riley (David Arquette) in Scream (1996).

 

Rebel

The rebel is known for doing rebellious things (who would have guessed it). This leads many of the other characters into thinking that they are more prepared for the horror movie than they actually are. I mean, if they are already used to doing crazy things, how much harder can it be to try and fight for your life against an insane serial killer… right? They are independent and don’t ask for other characters help, usually to their own dismay.

  • Has the highest chance of being killed after separating from the group.
  • PROS: Thinks outside the box, focused, outside observer.
  • CONS: Not really a team player, probably has a tragic backstory.
  • EXAMPLES: Marty (Fran Kranz) in Cabin in the Woods (2012); Taryn White (Jennifer Rubin) in Nightmare on Elm Street III (1987).

 

Jock

Probably the only person in the group that voted against the rest of their team’s decision of leader of the group. Most likely, they voted for themselves. Plays enough sports to think that they are good at everything.

  • Highest chance of suggesting the group split up to search for clues. Probably dies shortly after.
  • PROS: Brave, protective, loyal.
  • CONS: Can’t easily change their mind, relies on strength over brains, has to ask Coach for permission.
  • EXAMPLES: Glen Lantz (Johnny Depp) in Nightmare on Elm Street (1984); Curt (Chris Hemsworth) in Cabin in the Woods (2012).

 

Nerd

Has watched the most movies, horror or otherwise, of any of the other players in the group. They remember small bits of information from each movie, quotes and factoids mostly, and they are happy to tell people this information

  • Highest chance to be killed right as he figures out some piece of vital information.
  • PROS: Observant, good memory, planner, book smart.
  • CONS: Nobody listens to them until it’s too late, loses their glasses like way too much. Seriously, get contacts.
  • EXAMPLES: Randy (Jamie Kennedy) in Scream (1996).

 

Prom Queen

Probably showed up to the escape room late or right on time. Also, is most likely to have read the question “how many people have you kissed?” and asked if they have to answer that question.

  • Highest chance of dying after saying the words “Hello? Is anyone there?”
  • PROS: Driven, confident, has small group of close friends.
  • CONS: Can get caught up on appearances, trust issues, can’t run in heels.
  • EXAMPLES: Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) in I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997).

 

Virgin

The person that was brought along because everyone actually likes them. This being said, the virgin is most likely to be the one that is too afraid to fill out the questionnaire fully. They will leave answers blank in hopes that if they don’t admit to having fears, that they won’t have to deal with anything scary. Most likely to have not realized that the Hex Room is a horror themed escape room when they were invited/when they booked the room.

  • Highest chance of surviving the ordeal only to drag a new group of friends into the sequels!
  • PROS: Sweet, friendly, avid reader.
  • CONS: Too trusting, prone to being sacrificed, is going to suffer.
  • EXAMPLES: Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) in Halloween (1978); Sally (Marilyn Burns) in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974).

Keep in mind, being the Virgin doesn’t guarantee you are the “Final Girl,” a common horror movie trope pertaining to the last remaining victim of a horror movie. After all, remember Sigourney Weaver’s wise words from Cabin in the Woods: “It doesn’t matter if the virgin lives or dies, as long as she suffers.”

After taking this personality quiz, we are sure you will better know yourself and be better prepared for surviving a horror film. Want to put your new understanding of self to the test? Get your most trusted group of friends together and enter The Hex Room.

Jason Sakal
Game Master and Manager
Cross Roads Escape Games

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Tips on how to solve puzzles in an escape room!

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Being good at playing escape rooms is just like any other skill: it takes some practice. As you play more and more escape rooms, you will learn what methods work for finding solutions to puzzles and what habits just waste time. If you are a new player or are already an escape enthusiast looking to improve your gameplay, here is some advice and techniques I have found effective when solving puzzles in escape rooms!

#1) Look at the lock!

This is such an important step that I see a lot of players skip. Even if the puzzle doesn’t have an actual “lock” per say, look at what it is that you are putting your solution into. What kind of solution do you need: Does it require numbers? Letters? Directions? Colors? Look at what it is asking for even before you look at the clues that you have found. After all, once you know what you are looking for, the clues you need will stand out to you!

#2) Look at the clues!

Do not be that one person that looks at the lock and instantly starts guessing random codes. The odds are that you aren’t going to get the right combination and even if you do guess the right code… congratulations… you are still going to need to solve the puzzle to figure out which clues have been used and which clues haven’t. I can tell you from experience, if you don’t separate the clues you should have used and set them aside, your team will continue trying to use them on EVERY SINGLE PUZZLE they come across. You may have saved five minutes by hacking a lock, but you have wasted 15 minutes throughout the game just trying clues that no longer have any purpose. TRUST ME… just look at the clues.

Once you know what you are looking for, the clues will begin to make more sense. Once the clues start making sense, it becomes easier to deduce the correct answer. Remember, solving puzzles is a matter of deductive reasoning.You start with infinite ideas on how it can be solved and begin narrowing the possible solutions based on what the clues are telling you

#3) Talk it out with your team!

This is the point where your team mates become invaluable. If you are looking at the clues and aren’t coming up with a solution to the puzzle, bring everything you’ve discovered to your team mates. Tell them what the lock is looking for, tell them what clues you’ve found and what you think those clues are telling you. Once you’ve done that, tell them everything that you’ve tried so far so you don’t waste time coming to the same conclusions. Talk it out and brainstorm different solutions. Don’t worry about being 100% right on what you guess during the brainstorm. This is the point where everyone brings their ideas to the table and everyone talks about what works/doesn’t work and why. You and your team will narrow the possibilities down until you come up with a solution that uses the clues to open the lock!

#4) Try the solution twice!

Uh Oh! The lock didn’t open. You review your solution and you are POSTIVE that you have the right answer. But it didn’t work the first time! Don’t panic. If you are sure you have the right solution, try inputting the code into the lock once more. Sometimes you have the number on a lock slightly off, or you accidentally press an extra digit on a keypad. It happens. Just make sure everything is lined up perfectly and take your time inputting the code. If you want to be extra sure everything is done right, then have your teammate impute the code the second time; just in case you are doing it wrong. And don’t forget, you may need to give a lock a gentletug to open.

#6) Come back to it.

If you have tried everything to solve a puzzle but you are missing a piece or just aren’t getting it, come back to the puzzle later (if possible). Most escape rooms have multiple things that need to be done at any point in time. If you’ve given the puzzle your best shot, then perhaps you don’t have everything that you need to solve it yet. You might think you know the solution only to discover a clue later that changes EVERYTHING! So, don’t get stuck! Feel free to step away from a puzzle and come back to it!

I hope these tips can help improve your gameplay and make you more effective escape artists. Do you have some tips that should have made the list? Leave other escape enthusiasts your best advice in the comment section below! And be sure to test your escape artistry in either The Fun House or The Hex Room at Cross Roads Escape Games!

Jason Sakal
Manager and Game Master
Cross Roads Escape Games

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FAQ: In Depth Answers

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If you are reading this, then you have probably already looked over our FAQ and have a few more questions that you might want some clarification on. Here are some of the questions that we get asked on a day to day basis.

Player Limits?

The two rooms have different maximum player capacities based on the size of the rooms. For the Fun House we can accommodate 4 – 8 players at once. For the Hex Room we can accommodate up to 5 – 10 players at once. Both rooms were designed for approximately six players, but we can have up to 8 in the Fun House and 10 in the Hex.

This last statement is important to note. When people see that the maximum is 8 or 10, and the minimums are 4 and 5, they always seem to ask one of two questions. Can we have more than the maximum or can we have less than the minimum?

Can we play with more?

No, the maximum player limit is very strict. We get asked a lot if we could fit “just one more” person into the game, and the maximum listed is our cut off point. With more than the maximum number of players, the game becomes cramped and chaotic. It’s a perfect example of “too many cooks in the kitchen.”

We are dedicated to bringing you the best escape room experience and our maximums are in place to make sure you get the best experience possible.

Can we play with less?

For the Hex Room, no. Five players are needed in order for the game to be playable. Because each person is split into their own separate room in the beginning, you MUST have at least 5 players; as there are clues in each room that will be important to solving puzzles and escaping.

As for the Fun House, yes! You can play with less than four players. However, since the Fun House is a private game, you must pay for the minimum number of tickets, which is 4, in order to reserve the room. In the Fun House, everyone starts in the same room and there is A LOT of puzzles to solve, which is why we suggest you bring at least 4 people to tackle this room.

How do you accommodate groups larger than 18?

Since the maximum for the Hex Room is 10 and the maximum for the Fun House is 8… what can we do to accommodate large groups of more than 18 people? Since we cannot have more than the maximum number of players in either room we can run multiple games back to back.

For large groups up to 36 players we recommend renting out our private lounge for 18 people to wait in while the other 18 people are inside the game, and switch when the first games are over.

Do you have actors in either room?

Neither of our rooms have actors in them. You will have a game master watching you the entire time, but they will not be in the room with you.

What is the difference between Fun House and Fun House for Kids?

The difficulty levels. In the Kids version, we take out some of the more complicated puzzles and replace them with a few puzzles that are a bit more straight forward and hands on. It is a great room for children that are looking to become young escape enthusiasts!

Which room is better?

I get this question at least twice a day. My answer is always this. It is a matter of taste. Both rooms are fun and immersive experiences, but they have different themes. The Hex Room is a dark and sinister experience that is intense and thrilling. Whereas the Fun House is a very light-hearted experience that is humorous and whimsical. Do you want to try and escape a crazed killer that is obsessed with horror movies or do you want to put up with the AMAZING Zoltar and all of his silly antics as you try to prove yourselves worthy magicians? The choice is yours and, honestly, as far as I’m concerned you can’t go wrong with either one!

Jason Sakal
Game Master and Manager
Cross Roads Escape Games

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Secrets of Successful Groups- Confessions Of A Game Master

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Welcome back to Confessions of a Game Master. As game masters, we have seen many groups attempt our games and have noticed some traits that the most successful groups have in common. In this month’s edition of Confessions, our game masters explain some of the things that can help make your team more successful (as well as some examples of what not to do.)

Support each other.

Under the pressure of a ticking clock, many people can fall victim to the stress. This can lead to harsh words, hurt feelings, and not escaping. The easiest way to alleviate some of the stress is to support the rest of your team. Offering help to friends who are stuck, re-explaining a puzzle, or just offering words of encouragement can make all the difference. Keeping morale high will keep everyone engaged and having fun.

Successful groups are willing to listen to everyone in their team.

In escape rooms, you cannot do everything on your own. Even the most brilliant puzzle-solvers will occasionally over-think a puzzle or find themselves stumped on something. The most successful groups are the ones that will listen to an idea from anyone in their group and give it a try. From first-timers to seasoned veterans, everyone has input on the game, which leads to more ideas, which leads to the right idea.

Successful groups pay attention.

From the very beginning to the very end of the game, it pays to pay attention. If someone mentions that they’ve noticed something that could be important, then the group will remember when it becomes important later on in the game. Listening to the instructions before the game can often times be the difference between escape and certain death.

Successful groups will accept help.

Even though it feels great to solve a room on your own, sometimes the group just cannot make heads-or-tails of a certain puzzle. The most successful groups will know when it’s time to accept that help is needed so they can move on to the next puzzle. Whether it’s asking another player for help, or using the game’s hint system, sometimes all you need is a little push to get right back on track. This is a great thing to keep in mind for The Hex Room, where players are separated into different rooms. It’s not always easy to know when someone is stuck when you are physically separated. If a player is stuck on a puzzle in their room, I find they often get to the solution after they ask other players for help. If everyone on your team is stumped, there’s no shame in asking for a hint. At Cross Roads Escape Games, we have integrated hint systems that provide a seamless and immersive way to receive help within the games.

What are some things that make a successful escape room team? Let us know your tips in the comments, or tell us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Make sure you stay up to date on our Confessions Of A Game Master by subscribing on YouTube!

Geoff Durham
Manager, Game Master
Cross Roads Escape Games

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