Are you excited or nervous about your first puzzle room? Don’t worry—that’s a typical reaction. We’re happy to demystify the process for you to give you a feeling about what to expect at Trapped Puzzle Rooms.
Puzzle rooms are excellent ways to explore group dynamics, whether in a corporate, personal, or family setting. Setting out to solve a fun challenge is an excellent way to enhance team building skills. They’re also great when it comes to getting to know new friends and being paired up with other participants you never met can also prove fun. What do you need to know about to have a great time on a new adventure?
Every Group Needs a Finder
Does one member of your party consider themselves good at finding things? They will come in handy in a puzzle room. Before you can solve puzzles, you have to see them. That’s where your finder friend comes in.
They’ll use their talents to scour the room, uncover puzzle pieces and clues, and bring them back to a central location. (Most puzzle rooms feature a flat table or desk so you can gather your items.) The finder should also be prepared to look around the room for secondary and tertiary clues revealed by the items they’ve already collected or puzzles you’ve already solved.
Collaboration is Essential
No two people think alike, which means it’s necessary for your team to combine skills and collaborate. You can best accomplish this by:
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Sharing information: If you’re on the same team, resist the urge to compete. When you think of something, mention it. If you believe different pieces or codes fit together, try them.
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Being receptive: If your colleague suggests a solution to the puzzle or another strategy, consider it. Don’t belittle them or make them feel like their ideas are bad. Our escape rooms will get your creative thinking juices going; remain open to all ideas.
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Using a centralized location: Gather all of your recovered information (as well as your notes) in one centralized location. A table or desk makes the most sense for this.
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Designating a leader of information: The group should choose one person to be in charge of the information and puzzles collected. The leader should also make sure everyone has a chance to review the collected and solved materials
Remember: different people are going to be better at solving different kinds of puzzles. Some might ace cracking codes, while others may excel in physical challenges.
There’s Also a Time Limit
Before you go in, make sure you know what the time limit is because one the door shuts, the game begins! It’s important, too, to know how much time is left before the challenge is over.
You may want to spend more time trying to figure out that very last clue, but unfortunately, you can’t stay all day. But you can always come back and try again.
One Clue Leads to More
Escape Rooms may contain clues that are contingent upon finding or solving initial puzzles or clues. Doing this will ‘unlock’ new clues or puzzles. Keep this sequence in mind if you feel overwhelmed or find the clues are too nebulous at first.
And there are times when a new feature unlocks, such as a drawer popping open, and it’s important to inspect them immediately as they may contain vital information for the next step.
It’s Not Always About the Escape!
At Trapped Puzzle Rooms the emphasis is on solving the puzzle – completing the mission – rather than escaping a room. The door is not actually locked. That means if you feel uncomfortable at any time, or even just have to use the restroom, you can leave. Safety is a priority, and you can have the most immersive puzzle room experience when you know we keep safety in mind. We’ve found this makes for a better experience for everyone.
We’re Here to Help
We don’t send you into an escape room without a clue. We’ll go over rules and offer puzzle-specific tips, trick, and advice for making it through. Make sure you show up promptly at the appointed time to ensure you make the briefing.
You have not been abandoned! You’ll get hints and clues along the way, so pay attention. We won’t try to trick you or throw you off the track. Our clues are always meant to help you complete the challenge, not to distract you or send you down a wrong path.
Ciphers, Codes, and Cross-References
Our escape rooms feature multiple types of puzzles to solve. These may include ciphers, word puzzles, physical challenges, lock boxes, and more. You’ll need to use your best thinking skills. Be prepared to solve a variety of puzzles. While you don’t have to be an expert at puzzle solving, knowing the basics (and what you’re good at) can help when you go into the room.
Leaders Aren’t Always Who You’d Expect
What is your role in your group? In many escape rooms, leaders are not always who the group expects them to be. Often, a more reticent team member ends up being the most adept at organizing information, answering questions, while someone else demonstrates amazing abilities at directing results and solving mysteries. Everyone in the group will have a different set of skills to contribute to the solution.
Bonus: Friendly Staff Members
At Trapped Puzzle Rooms, you can expect friendly staff members. A staff member is always present to answer questions when you need help. Aside from being safety-conscious, we want to provide your group with a fun and rewarding experience. We’re here to tell you how to get the most out of your puzzle room experience, too.
Are You Ready to Experience a Puzzle Room?
Do you think it’s time to accept the challenge? If adventure calls you, you should call us at Trapped Puzzle Rooms. Book a puzzle room experience today. Puzzle rooms are ideal activities for coworkers, friends, couples, and families—and it’s an especially great way to get to know people better. Gather a group of friends, or for your next family activity, call us and book one of our amazing 3 locations – Uptown Minneapolis, St. Paul or the North Loop.