Search for Escape Rooms - www.FunInNewEngland.com

The newest craze sweeping the world. Escape rooms are an interactive reality amusement where a group of people are locked (not literally) in a room and must find clues, solve puzzles, and do tasks in order to open locks and escape (often combination locks). Rooms have a theme and a storyline which usually involves a fictional mystery. A few places incorporate horror elements. In very rare cases an escape room may have one or more live actors in costume. Escape room venues may have anywhere from one to ten different theme rooms to choose from. Most rooms consist of a single room, but more advanced venues may have multiple doors, passages, and rooms. There is usually a 60 minute time limit (sometimes 45 minutes). Team members must work together using their mental skills.

Most escape rooms are designed for adults and older teens. Children under a certain age must be accompanied by an adult. Younger children are often not allowed, but even when they are, the puzzles may be too difficult for them. Rooms are generally designed for 2 to 10 players (4 to 6 is often recommended). Some places will combine groups if a minimum number of players are not booked together. Escape rooms are usually reserved in advance via their website with a credit card. Popular places can be booked solid for days. Less popular places may take walk-ins. Participants must typically arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled play time in order to fill out paperwork and be briefed on the rules. Once in the room players usually stay in the room, but they may leave to take a break, use the restroom, or use their phone. Places vary on their rules about whether or not a player is allowed back into a room. A "game master" watches each room via video cameras and may give a group hints if requested. Most places have a three hint limit. The goal is to solve all the puzzles and escape the room before the time runs out. The success rate varies depending on the difficulty of the room and the mental abilities of the players. Success rates often vary from 25% to 70%. If a group fails then at the end of the game the game master will let them out and may tell them which clues they missed. A group photo is usually taken at the end of the game. The cost is generally $25 to $30 per person.