How to stay calm and focus on finding clues to escape the room!
So you’re looking for expert tips to beat horror escape rooms, like our Zodiac Killer game?
Wondering how to stay calm, find & solve clues, and escape the room before time runs out?
You’ve come to the right blog post!
We’re enthusiasts ourselves, always looking for new and novel escape room strategies.
Plus, our own scary adventure gives us direct insight into the specifics of horror rooms.
Consider us your go-to resource for all the tips and tricks that you need.
Here’s how we’ll go about it -
First, we’ll break down the key elements of a scary mystery room.
Next, we’ll go through our tips to ace horror-themed escape games.
And finally, we’ll revisit basic strategies for any escape room, which should prove useful for newbies.
Ready? Let’s begin!
Key elements of a horror escape room
Breaking these down lets you have a fair idea of what you can expect, so you can prepare better. If you’d rather head straight for the tips, skip this section.
Engaging Theme: Typical themes are exploring haunted houses & performing rituals and plot twists.
Set Design: Detailed and realistic decor like dark corridors and dilapidated surroundings.
Lighting: Flickering lights, dimly lit rooms, and sudden blackouts. We will revisit this point in the tips and tricks.
Sound Design: Creepy sound effects, ambient noises, and unsettling music.
Jump Scares: Timed and triggered scares, such as filling in a puzzle piece triggers a sudden loud noise.
Live Actors: Live actors can interact with players as in-game characters, adding an unpredictable human element.
Special Effects: Special effects like fog machines and visual effects are projected onto walls.
Psychological Elements: Separating or blindfolding players can make them feel isolated.
Now you know what to expect in a horror escape room.
Pro tips to beat scary escape rooms
Remember basic escape room tips (scroll below for a list)
With all the flickering lights and jump scares, it’s easy to forget basic tips like focusing on the pre-game briefing and being organized.
However, it’s crucial that you avoid this.
Need a refresher on these escape room strategies? Scroll past this section to the next (it has the heading “Basic escape room tips”).
Go through the game description and FAQs on the escape room website
Both are excellent sources of important information on what you can expect.
The game description may include specific points (like whether there’s a live actor) along with the storyline.
In the FAQs, look for questions on age limits (terrifying games would be off-limits for non-adults), whether the games are suitable for people with claustrophobia, and so on.
Pro tip: Check the game’s reviews on Google and TripAdvisor. You may find hints on whether there are live actors, gory special effects and so on.
Prepare for jump scares
As we said, jump scares are a horror room staple.
Stay close to your teammates to minimize the fallout from a jump scare. This may "diffuse" the tension.
You can plan beforehand for one team member to be a "lookout" for jump scares. May not be very effective, but can give you peace of mind.
Finally, fall back on your fear management strategy (we will discuss this next).
Pro tip: Suspiciously empty or overly decorated areas of the game space are prime spots for jump scares.
Adopt a fear management strategy
A fear management strategy helps you avoid sudden shocks or getting overwhelmed.
Figure out your fear trigger (could be anything from darkness to sudden noises) and prepare accordingly.
Let your teammates know if you feel overwhelmed.
Go for deep breathing techniques to calm down.
Finally, remember that it's just a game. None of it is real—However horrifying or lifelike it seems.
Don't expect over-complicated puzzles
We've seen newbies (and even some experienced players) confuse these, so let us clarify -
Horror is the theme of an escape game.
It's different from the difficulty level—Which determines how complicated the puzzles are.
Remember, a well-designed escape room will never seek to frustrate you with obscure riddles or unbreakable codes.
Pay attention to the special effects
Yeah, we know.
Ignoring special effects can seem a great way to avoid being rattled.
However, escape room clues are sometimes embedded within special effects.
For example, fog could be hiding a hidden door. Sounds could spell out a code.
Pro tip: If the special effects change suddenly—such as a light flickering slowing down—it can mean you're on the right track.
Select appropriate teammates
Having the right team is one of the most basic escape room tips.
Question is—What do you mean by a "good team"?
Most blogs on escape room tips will tell you it's a group of people with different skills.
As escape room enthusiasts ourselves, we completely disagree!
You don't select your team with a bullet list of skills in hand, checking each one off.
You select your team to be people with whom you like spending time.
That being said, make sure some of your teammates can keep calm and continue solving puzzles. Even if Michael Myers is standing in front of them.
Use available light effectively
Poor illumination is a key element of scary escape games. The space could be simply dark, or lights could flicker.
Whatever it be, you need to utilize whatever lighting is available.
If you're given flashlights, use them in all the darker places.
If you get multiple flashlights, spread them out. Focus on different areas simultaneously.
And if you aren't given flashlights at the beginning of the game, either they aren't needed—or you’ll get them during the game.
Pro tip: Some of the flashlights could be UV, which can expose otherwise invisible writing.
Don't panic and start running wildly
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Basic escape room tips (must-read for newbies)
Here’s your refresher course on tips and hints for all escape rooms!
Pre-Game Briefing: Critical rules and background information can be shared. For example, it may tell you that certain props are just decor, so you won’t waste time trying to “solve” them.
Good Communication: Whether you find something or are stuck, let everyone know. Sharing discoveries and ideas can lead to quicker solutions.
Time Management: Keep an eye on the clock to ensure steady progress without rushing.
Be Organized: Keep track of used clues, keys, and solved puzzles. For example, place solved puzzles in one corner so they don’t get mixed up with unsolved ones.
Ask The Gamemaster For Help: A nudge in the right direction can save valuable time.
Wear comfortable clothes: Opt for sneakers and flexible clothing instead of high heels or tight jeans. Remember, you’ll be moving around a lot.
Stay Positive: It’ll keep the team motivated and focused.
Don’t Damage The Room: Treat props and puzzles carefully. Don’t force things, or touch or move things you’re asked to avoid.
Tips to ace horror escape rooms—Frequently asked questions
How do you prepare for a scary escape room?
Simple!
Go through the game description and FAQs on the escape room website and learn as much as possible about the experience.
Adopt a fear management strategy.
Go through the other tips we’ve outlined in this blog post.
And remember, it’s just a game—nothing you see inside is real!
And if you feel frightened, fall back on your team for support. You can also ask the game master for help.
How can the game master help you in a frightening escape room?
Specifics vary from room to room, but there are three main ways the game master can help.
They can calm you down, reassure you that you’re in a controlled and protected environment, and encourage you to proceed with the game.
They may be able to control certain aspects of the experience to relieve your anxiety (for example, turning down or shutting off a sound that’s making you nervous).
And if need be, they’ll guide you out of the room so you can take a break.
Can they touch you in a horror escape room?
Whether the in-game live actor can touch you varies from escape room to escape room. In some cases, you may find it mentioned on the website itself.
If you or anyone on your team is uncomfortable with that, let the escape room know in advance. They will adjust the game accordingly.
Do they lock you inside a scary escape room?
Most escape rooms simulate being locked in, but you're never really locked inside.
Either the main door will remain unlocked, or an emergency exit will be available. You can leave the room whenever you feel uncomfortable or need a break.
The illusion of being locked in is part of the immersive experience, but your safety is always the top priority.
What is the scariest escape room?
The scariest escape room experience can vary depending on personal fear triggers, but some of the most terrifying and highly recommended ones include:
"The Basement" in LA: It’s known for its intense storyline involving a serial killer and live actors. A favorite among horror enthusiasts.
"13th Gate Escape" in Baton Rouge, LA: This venue is famous for its elaborate set designs and highly immersive themes, such as "Death Row" and "The Collector."
"BrainXcape" in New York, NY: With rooms like "The Haunted Hotel" and "Rikers, 1932," BrainXcape offers a blend of fear and surprise with highly detailed sets and eerie atmospheres.
Scary escape game tips and tricks—Key takeaways
Armed with these expert tips, you're ready to take on any horror escape room.
Remember, it's all about staying calm, working with your team, and immersing yourself in the experience.
So go ahead, gather your bravest friends, and book that eerie escape room for Halloween!
Who knows?
You might just find that you love the adrenaline rush and the challenge of outsmarting the most terrifying rooms. Happy escaping!
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