Escape room hints are tips that help players solve puzzles, unravel riddles, and locate clues. The most enjoyable part of escape rooms is figuring out how to solve problems. Examples include paying attention to smaller objects, watching for patterns, and ignoring irrelevant items. The purpose of these pointers is to help players get out of a fix and progress before the time runs outs.
These hints are similar to escape room tips and strategies for escape games.
This article contains:
- virtual escape room hints
- escape room hints for kids
- escape room hints for adults
Here we go!
List of 14 Escape Room Hints
Each escape chamber is like a new chapter in a novel with unique mysteries and clues. To get to the bottom of these mysteries, you need not need a Ph.D. in mathematics or years of practice. Instead, an escape room’s first rule of thumb is to know exactly where to look for clues and when to ask for hints.
1. Light is Important
If you are playing an escape room, it is very challenging to work in total darkness. As a result, the light is full of hints and possibilities. If you are in a dark room and have not been told you cannot use the light, then search for a light switch!
Many folks think if there is no light in the room, then light is a no-no. Sometimes, the clue you need might only be visible when the light is off. For example, the lettering may be visible on the wall or under UV lighting. The hint could be locating the light switch and turning it off. Turning off the lights or illuminating the area with UV light might reveal numerous hidden clues. For example, some rooms may have dimly-lit hidden entrances.
It is best to pay attention to tools like UV lights, flashlights, and lamps, as these accessories are likely critical to the game!
2. Watch Out for Patterns
Although it may not be immediately apparent, each escape room has a plethora of unique riddles or puzzles. Sometimes players spend too much time looking for complicated clues when the answers are in the open. However, these puzzles are relatively simple if you are savvy.
For example, drawing the correct order is a frequent form of such challenge. The room contains letters, numbers, or other elements you might use while looking for clues.
By combining the pieces, you already acquired, you may swiftly unlock a new clue and leave the escape room. The next step is to choose the colors for the design. If you and your team see several repeated colors, then you may want to take special note. To advance to the next clue in this mystery, you may need to place these colors together in the proper order. You should pay attention to items that may be sequenced, such as letters, numbers, or other symbols. It would help if you got ready to engage with any colors that match the ones you have found.
3. Recognize Irrelevant Items
There are a few items that rookie escape room players often uncover that are not critical to the game’s outcome. Unfortunately, paying attention to those irrelevant items might waste time that you do not have. These elements include identifiers or serial numbers imprinted on antique furniture and electrical components like wires or power outlets. The easiest way to learn this tip is by trial and error, yet experienced escape enthusiasts often instinctively ignore these objects.
Also, avoid looking behind a drop ceiling or touching the ceiling. This action is time-wasting and hazardous. One of the escape room hints for kids is overlooking unnecessary items and avoiding distractions.
4. Clues and Mysteries Hide in Ordinary Objects
When it comes to passing escape rooms, the most common mistake is not paying attention to seemingly innocuous objects. Locating clues in escape rooms is fascinating, and putting hints in everyday home items is a great way to have fun during the activity.
For example, a book makes an excellent hiding spot for clues. Secret information may appear within the pages’ text, and a hollowed-out novel can contain physical objects like keys.
Players put in a lot of effort undertaking unnecessary tasks and increase the game’s difficulty. Sometimes the only step is picking up a piece of paper, a pen, or a random ordinary-looking item to discover the answer. You can learn a lot from clues by paying attention to everyday things like books and notebooks. The objects you are overlooking might be the answer to the mystery.
5. Encrypted Prompts Contain Solutions
Morse code, Braille, or Hieroglyphics are all ciphers. The game masters can make the game more interesting by enclosing hints in one of the encryption techniques. You will enjoy trying to decipher illogical characters and finding a logical solution to them. Unless you overthink, these riddles will not take long to solve, despite their seeming difficulty.
Remember that there is always a translation of the ciphers in the escape rooms if you pay attention. When a letter replaces a number, do not be alarmed before the fact! If you do not comprehend what you are supposed to do, you will not be able to follow the next set of instructions correctly. You will find a translation together with the encryption. Your call is to decipher the encryption without panicking.
6. Smaller Clues are Important Too
Many players ignore small characters or symbols and assume these markings are irrelevant. However, some of the most crucial information will be in unexpected locations, such as a magnifying glass next to a newspaper in a corner. It is possible to be stuck in an escape room for too long if you ignore the literal tiniest details. It would help if you used instruments such as magnifying glasses, monocles, or microscopes to look for clues. You can grab a magnifying glass or other small-details-detection device and be very cautious at all times. Escape rooms need meticulous attention to detail.
7. The Last Set of Letters or Digits is Needless
When playing in an escape room, every minute counts, which means you should try to skip steps when possible. For example, in most cases, you do not need to decode every single letter to figure out what the words of a cipher say.
If you know the first three numbers of a four-digit combination lock, then you may cycle through the remaining alternatives to get the fourth digit. The process of cracking a word lock’s last 5 is similar to completing a crossword puzzle. For instance, you can try MAGIC if your five-letter word begins with M and finishes with C.
Players can skip the final few numbers or characters when deciphering them is time-consuming. However, completely omitting a puzzle is not a good idea.
Since many online escape games are highly text-based, this advice is one of the best virtual escape room hints.
8. Labyrinths Require Patience
Labyrinths often require that an item be moved from one end to the other to get hints. If you lack patience, then you may struggle to escape the room. However, some tips and tricks can help you solve the maze faster.
The only element that makes one labyrinth different from another is how you move the item through the maze. Using magnets or rotating the object in various directions, the subject may easily pass through all the hurdles. Even though this puzzle may not appear strenuous, it can be annoying! If there is a maze map at the entrance, it also helps to position a team member at this location to guide other players through the windy path verbally.
If you have the patience and willingness to complete the escape room, then you will be able to receive a hint or have your friends assist.
9. The Secret Door Opens
Many escape rooms include hidden doors that lead to the exit. To unlock an entry like this, you will need to gather all the relevant clues, as well as locate the door itself. For example, the door may be tucked away behind a huge painting, under a bookcase, or even beneath the bed.
Sometimes, it is more difficult to open such a door than discover it. Special ciphers, filling in gaps, and retina scanning are all options that might impede your progress when trying to exit the escape room. You should gather any clues that might be useful, such as numbers and text fragments. Every item you collect could hold the key to unlocking the door.
10. Actors Conceal Many Secrets
It is hardly unexpected that escape rooms featuring actors have grown so popular recently. The narrative of a movie or a play takes on a life of its own as quests get more vibrant and engaging. Therefore, the hunt for clues takes on a new level of excitement as your squad takes center stage.
Helpful actors may point out clues and provide instructions on where to find them, which can speed up your progress in the escape game. However, these actors may also try to trick you! Your best bet is to observe the actor and take nothing they say at face value. Even actors who aim to be helpful will likely conceal clues like riddles. Be sure to watch the performer’s body language as well as listen to them when they speak.
11. Hints are Present in the Room’s Design
Some escape rooms are truly stunning in their beauty or spooky ambiance, but most importantly, they help you better plunge yourself into the quest’s story. Hidden clues are included in the room’s design to make the job easier for the participants.
You may need to turn at a certain angle or swivel your head in the right way to find specific hints. The floor may be uneven, the walls may have various colors, the windows may have distinct shapes, and the size of the beds may be hints as well. This design is there to fool you into thinking that the structure is perfect. You should double-check. From the size of the door handle to the flower pot’s color, carefully check each item’s design since it might distract you from the instructions.
12. The room’s scenario tells a tale
Escape room plots are a core part of the experience. In most cases, the chambers in an escape room have a narrative or a theme to them. In addition to enhancing the adrenaline of escape rooms, these tales may play a part in problem-solving. You should remember major plot points while playing an escape room since they might be crucial to completing puzzles or breaking codes. Escape room hints for adults usually revolve around this information.
For example, when playing a game centered around a lab, you may want to search for items like test tubes and specimen jars. Be sure to note slight variations that might result in a pattern, like colors, numbers, or the number of items.
13. Locks are Important
Before the escape room, game masters will review any tricky locks to ensure you do not waste any precious time. However, you should note that some locks may include hints of their own. If you find a directional lock in a room, then you may need to seek out instructions. The same holds true for every other kind of locking mechanism. You can list your locks and share this information with the rest of your team. As you search the room, keep an eye out for keys, numbers, and letters, as these items are often the ways to open locks. However, some locks may need other information to open, such as musical notes. It also helps to make separate piles for locks and keys you have already tried and keep track of combinations.
14. You Can Ask for Help
Sometimes you have to watch every element, hit every switch or button, turned off the lights yet without finding the clue. All the necessary telephones, receivers, and the like are in the space. In most cases, you still have work to do to ensure that you have enough time for the following assignment. You will have a lot more fun if you look for the answers independently, yet frustration can set in when you hit a dead end. Remember that you can always ask the game master for a hint to avoid wasting too much precious time.
Conclusion
Escape rooms are intentionally tricky. As a result, many challenges have a low success rate. However, you can improve your chances of beating the game by following a few basic hints. When these golden rules fail to uncover the answers, do not hesitate to ask escape room staff for help.
The game masters are only there to ensure that you and your friends have a nice time and help you progress through the game. The hosts understand the game you are playing inside and out and are happy to assist. You will make considerable progress if you closely observe the escape room hints. You should ensure you comprehend the hint before proceeding with your game, even if the pointer seems apparent or unnecessary. Solving puzzles will become simpler and more fun with tips.
Next, check out this list of escape room books and these escape room movies to watch.
FAQ: Escape room hints
Here are frequently asked questions about escape room hints:
When should you ask for hints in an escape room?
As the clock ticks down, the pressure mounts. Every moment you stop working toward a goal, the clock begins to win. It would help if you used the option of asking for help when you need it. You can ask for a hint if you and your team remain stuck for longer than a few minutes. It is preferable to get a few pointers than to fail the game.
What are some good hints to give to escape room players?
Some of the hints you can give players in an escape room include thinking inside the room, checking the room’s design, keeping matching items together, and watching out for ordinary items.