Tips for Escape Room Experts: Confessions of a Game Master

We’ve seen a lot of escape room players over the years, from first-timers to full-on escape artists. That is no surprise though as escape rooms make for great outings or party destinations! With the popularity of escape rooms on the rise, it’s not very hard to find a new game to play near wherever you may be at the moment. But after you play a certain amount of games, they may begin to blend together and start to feel familiar.

Here at Cross Roads Escape Games, our games were designed by escape room enthusiasts for escape room enthusiasts. Owners, Luke and Madison, have played over 250 games together, and we’ve seen several groups with hundreds of games under their belts. How do they keep each game fresh and exciting? Our game masters share some of their observations and tips to ensure you get the most out of each of your escape room experiences, even if you consider yourself an Escape Room Expert.

Tips for Experts:

Teamwork makes the dream work!

Instead of solving a familiar puzzle by yourself, coach someone less familiar through it. That way you’ll both get the experience of solving a puzzle, but also have the chance to work together, making the game more enjoyable for both of you.

Treat each game as a new game.

Even if you think you know how a game is going, allow yourself to discover the room as though it’s your first time. This will prevent you from skipping puzzles, jumping to conclusions, or missing out on hidden clues or experiences.

Be conscious of your group size.

Ask for the suggested group size before making a booking. Games like The Hex Room were designed with a certain number of players in mind. Try playing with the optimal number of players and avoid maxing out a room if possible.

Look for games that push the boundaries.

o Games like The Hex Room and The Psych Ward were designed to push the boundaries of what an escape room can be. Look for games in your area that offer something different that your traditional escape room.

Ask your game master for suggestions.

Often times, game masters have experience with other games in the area and can point you in the direction of your next game. Tell them what you’re looking for in a game (scary, silly, competitive, point-based?) and ask them what their favorite games are.

Remember to have fun.

Remember why you are playing. Don’t let yourself get too worked up on something, and if you feel like you’re flying through a game, take a moment to take a breath and see if there are any experiences you are passing up. I’ve done a few games that offered interactive elements or side quest-type experiences that I could have fun with.

Are you an escape room expert? What are some of your tips for keeping your games fresh and fun? Let us know in a comment below!

Geoff Durham
Game Master, Manager
Cross Roads Escape Games