WHAT IS AN IN-PERSON ESCAPE ROOM?
You may be asking yourself, "What exactly is an escape room?" Well, let us happily enlighten you . . .
Over the past several years, escape rooms have grown significantly in popularity as more and more people are seeking out creative, socially-based ways to spend quality time with family, friends, and co-workers. An escape room is an exciting and adventurous (live) game in which participants are "locked" into a themed room with their team (usually 10 - 12 people), and they must race against the clock to solve puzzles, riddles, and clues in order to navigate their way out of the room - BEFORE THE TIME RUNS OUT!
There is often a time limit of 50 - 60 minutes to solve every puzzle before "escaping" the room. If the time expires before all clues are figured out, then unfortunately - it's game over. However, you can always try your luck again with a different themed room because All In Adventures is a family-friendly venue that specializes in offering a variety of live game experiences which include a host of visuals, sounds, wits, and puzzles.
Sounds exciting, right? If you're ready for your adrenaline to pump, your brain to scatter, and for an exhilarating race against the clock, then look no further! You're sure to have a ton of fun and a memorable time when you choose AIA for your next big adventure!
WHAT IS A VIRTUAL / ONLINE ESCAPE ROOM?
Virtual Escape Rooms and Online Escape Rooms take place "virtually" over the internet, with remote participants (friends, family, co-workers, etc.,) using their preferred tech device (typically a mobile phone, computer or tablet) to search and navigate through hidden riddles, clues and puzzles . . . all in an attempt to "escape" the room before the allotted time runs out!
Want to know the difference between Virtual and Online Escape Rooms?
Virtual Escape Rooms are navigated through by a Game Master who uses a (body or selfie-stick) video camera, to physically touch, unbox, and reveal puzzles and clues you and your virtual teammates decipher and instruct them to handle. This platform lets you and your group work together as if you would in a real-life escape room - but from essentially anywhere in the world.
Online Escape Rooms are games specially designed for online audiences. Remote participants/groups work together virtually (online) to decipher clues, riddles and puzzles through a virtual escape room environment. Without a game host serving as guide, online players must work together - pointing and clicking their way through as they attempt to escape the room. Online Escapes tend not to have time limits and can be played anywhere, at any time - making them perfect for special occasions and socializing distantly with friends, family or co-workers.
THE HISTORY OF ESCAPE ROOMS
Escape rooms are essentially puzzle-based games that started off as interactive video games. The first video game escape rooms were called Crimson Room and Myst, and they were made by Japanese video game companies around 2004. These games fall under the category of point-and-click games, and the goal is very simple - to get out of a locked room using everything at your disposal, mainly clues, and intuition. Very soon, the developers and the fans of the game realized these games could be transformed into real-life adventure games, with rooms that are custom made to look like the ones from the video games.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST ESCAPE ROOM GAME?
In 2007, the very first real-life escape room game was created by SCRAP, a Japanese company. The room's name was "Origin" and it was inspired by the detective mystery novels of Agatha Christie. It didn't take long before this trend started spreading around the world. Hungary was the first European country to open an escape room.
After that, around 2012, we could see the beginnings of the escape room craze in the US. They started off as relatively bland rooms with no real design thought put into them, but only a few years later the US started opening some of the best escape rooms in the world. Now, there are literally thousands of these rooms scattered across the world waiting for you to solve them.
Finally, their popularity has gone beyond just playing the games. For instance, the Science Channel made a TV show in 2015 called Race to Escape, and it's based on the escape room games.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR FIRST ESCAPE ROOM
3 Easy Steps to Book Your Online Reservation:
Step 1. Choose an escape room theme. Select it for play.
Step 2. Choose an available (open) time slot directly online to book (lock in) your reserved time for a group size ranging between 2 - 10 people. Or, call your local escape room store and a representative will assist you with setting up your large group event or party.
Step 3. Arrive 15 minutes before your reserved start time. Your Game Master will walk you through everything you need to know about the escape room and game experience.
SEE ALL GAMES AND EVENTS
WHO CAN PLAY AN ESCAPE ROOM?
Our Escape Rooms are suitable for people of all ages (6 years and up)!
Just about anyone can take on an escape room. Whether spending quality time as a couple, family, or as a corporate work team, All In Adventures is the place to help build bonds and to build the team. Our locations have the capacity to accommodate small gatherings (2 - 12) people, up to larger groups ranging in size from 75 - 100+. With so many experiential games to choose from these days, AIA is an attractive social option for customers of all ages and backgrounds.
COMMON THEMES
Escape rooms are a whole new way of experiencing storytelling. By combining social interaction with challenging adventures, each room is designed to immerse you into entirely new worlds that feel somewhat like Hollywood blockbusters. No wonder they're so addicting! Here are the top ten most common escape room themes:
In recent years, the production value of escape rooms has also reached a whole new level. Watch the video below to see the trailer for the game Ruins: Forbidden Treasure from All In Adventures that has a treasure hunt theme!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE GO INTO THE ESCAPE ROOM?
When you arrive at an All In Adventures venue, you are greeted by a Game Master. This is the person who will go over safety rules, explain how the game works, provide you with an overview of your selected game room, and be there if/when you need help or hints.
Be aware: as soon as the Game Master exits and closes the door, the countdown timer starts immediately and the game begins! You and your partner or team need to start communicating, searching for clues, and deciphering riddles and puzzles - all in an effort to achieve the great "escape"!
WHAT GENRES OF ESCAPE ROOM ARE THERE?
All In Adventures has an escape room theme for any and everyone to enjoy.
The classic scenario involves a detective mystery. Players are introduced to an office where clues and puzzles have been hidden to ultimately reveal either a special device, a criminal suspect, or the solution to a mystery. You and your team are the investigators tasked with sleuthing out the solutions.
Horror-themed escape rooms are very popular. Players must beat the timer - and overcome their own fears as they work to find a killer on their trail or maneuver and outwit a psychopath's twisted plots and games. These rooms are full of jumps, scares, darkness, and creepy puzzles - perfect for those who love a good thrill.
There's nothing quite like playing a heist-themed escape room. Whether players are tricking guards to escape a prison, or grabbing as much cash as possible before dashing from a casino, these rooms offer realistic settings that will surely have you feeling like a true criminal mastermind.
The classic scenario involves a detective mystery. Players are introduced to an office where clues and puzzles have been hidden to ultimately reveal either a special device, a criminal suspect, or the solution to a mystery. You and your team are the investigators tasked with sleuthing out the solutions.
Sci-fi themed escape rooms are filled with clever puzzles, crazy clues and props, and present some of the biggest twists and surprises. Whether players are attempting to stop a deadly leak in an immersive lab, or making their way through a time traveling adventure, these rooms are for the cleverest of clogs.
WHAT RULES ARE THERE IN ESCAPE ROOMS?
Your Game Master will go over all rules and instructions for your specific escape room before you begin. Here are a few universal guidelines and tips you should know before diving into your game.
No photos or videos: Guests are allowed to bring their personal cell devices in the room, however, as a courtesy we ask you not to take photos/videos of All In Adventures rooms, clues and props. Escape rooms are all about the mystery and the big reveal, so taking photos/videos (to potentially share/post socially) would ruin the game for other/future patrons.
No excessive force: There are plenty of doors, boxes and hidden compartments in escape rooms, but they are all designed to be opened without force. As a rule of thumb, if you have to strain to open one of our clues/props, this most likely means it isn't supposed to opened. No worries - everything is designed to be easily accessed (once you figure out where it is).
Clues are allowed: Sometimes sorting through an escape room can be difficult and you can get stuck on a particularly brain teasing clue or puzzle. Rather than waste precious time, you can simply buzz your Game Master for a hint. (They'll explain how to use the buzzer before the game begins). While some players seem to enjoy trying to escape without ANY hints or assistance, there are those who could use a teeny bit of help which means your Game Master is waiting in the wings to provide you with a hint, or two . . . or three.
WHAT TO EXPECT
1. Select A Theme
First, you'll pick which epic, themed escape room you want to play! Themes range from exciting and action-packed to quirky and light-hearted. Popular themes include treasure hunting, prison breaks, and Zombie escapes.
2. Meet Your Game Master
After choosing a room, you'll meet your Game Master. The Game Master escorts you to your room, explains a few safety and housekeeping rules, and answers any questions you may have before you begin your adventure.
3. Enter The Game And Watch A Mission Video
Once you're ready to begin, your team will watch a short intro video explaining the overall mission of the game. This video describes the world your team will become a part of, what you'll be attempting to accomplish, and why it's important to complete your mission before the time runs out. Some missions involve a prison break while other missions might not be centered around escaping, but instead, you may be attempting a heist or launching a martian spaceship.
Once the video ends, your 50-minute timer starts counting down!
4. Escape The Room!
To begin your escape journey, your Game Master will most likely provide you with a starting point/hint. Look for patterns or connections and communicate with your teammates! Together you can find solutions. You'll solve puzzles, uncover clues, and crack codes to progress through the game!
5. Get A Clue
Don't forget to call for hints or ask your Game Master for help! They're there to make sure you have an awesome experience and to help your team escape!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are You Locked In A Room?
Nope! Players are never physically trapped inside of any of our escape rooms. Anyone who needs to leave at any point during the game, can simply step out at their leisure.
How Do You Escape?
To escape, you'll need to find and decipher clues and puzzle pieces around the room. Each clue will help you unlock locks and solve puzzles, advancing your team through the room until you escape!
What Happens If You Don't Escape In Time?
If you don't escape in time, that's okay! While it is exciting to successfully escape and complete your mission, escape rooms are still a blast for those who don't make it out before the clock runs out! Plus, it gives you a goal to work towards the next time you come and play!
How Do You Reserve A Game?
To reserve a game, either book online or call one of our local escape rooms directly. Walk-ins are always welcome, but booking in advance provides you with a host of advantages when it comes to preparing for your adventure beforehand and securing your most desired game time!
Get more answers to frequently asked escape room questions here!
ESCAPE ROOM TIPS
Escape rooms require you to uncover hidden clues, crack tough codes, and solve challenging puzzles. Everything you notice in the room could be a potential clue or puzzle waiting to be solved. But hurry, the clock starts ticking the moment you enter the escape room!
Look At, In, And Under Everything
Upon first entry into an escape room, examine everything! Try to get a good idea of props that have the potential to be opened, or have hidden compartments or items inside. Time runs quickly and these first few objects are critical clues that could ultimately propel you through the game! Don't forget to look underneath rugs, sift through books on shelves, and take a close look at all the different paintings on the wall!
Search For Patterns
This goes without saying but answers to hidden clues aren't exactly obvious or overt. Look closely at every clue, object, and wall printing to find any similarities (or inconsistencies). These could be the key to solving a puzzle!
Utilize Everyone's Skills
Some team members may be great at jigsaw-type puzzles whereas others are good at analyzing a set of patterns. Just remember, escaping successfully requires a full team effort, so work amongst yourselves in a collaborative fashion until all clues are uncovered!
Keep Track Of Solved Puzzles And Used Clues
Once a puzzle is solved or a clue is uncovered, it's usually no longer needed in the game. One great tip from seasoned escapers is to create a discard pile of used clues so the team doesn't waste precious time duplicating their efforts.
Stay Positive!
To most players, racing the timer can be exciting and exhilarating, but to a select few it may seem daunting and discouraging to watch the minutes quickly tick away - especially when your team is struggling to find clues. The best advice we can offer is just don't give up! Not everyone/team escapes the room before time runs out, but there's more to be gained than just "the win". Working together and having a memorable time with your family, friends, or co-workers is what escape rooms are truly all about!
ESCAPE ROOM - THE MOVIE
There's an escape room movie, you ask? Well . . . sort of! The "Escape Room" psychological horror movie series is a fictionalized account of an escape room adventure. Released by Sony in 2019, the first film features a group of contestants who compete for a major cash prize in a terrifying series of escape rooms. The sequel "Escape Room: Tournament of Champions" (2021) follows a group of six people trying to survive a new series of more deadly escape rooms.
While there are indeed real-life, horror-themed escape rooms, most aren't considered "scary" and none involve monetary prizes or life-threatening scenarios. Needless to say, escape rooms are meant to be fun - not deadly!
READY TO PLAY?
We think you are! You should have everything you need to book your next great escape with All In Adventures!