Escape rooms and puzzle games

In short: In an escape room a group solves a series of puzzles within a time limit to complete a task, such as leaving a room or solving a case. Teamwork, careful observation and clever reasoning are what count.

In more detail: The idea comes from computer games in which you have to escape from a room. Since the 2010s many cities have had real rooms, and there are also escape games for home in the form of board games or puzzle books.

In detail

• How it works: Usually two to six people play, often with one hour on the clock; a game host watches from outside and gives hints when needed.
• Types of puzzle: Combination locks, hidden objects, codes, logic tasks, sounds or light signals are linked with one another.
• Themes: Anything from a detective story to a space station or a spooky cellar is possible; some rooms are also suitable for children.
• Teamwork: Announce your finds out loud and collect them in one place so that nobody searches twice for clues or overlooks them.
• Sharing the work: Tackle several puzzles in parallel and keep each other up to date.
• Using hints: If you are stuck, ask for a hint rather than lose the fun; that is explicitly part of the game.
• No force: Nothing has to be opened by force; the operators explain at the start what is not part of the game.
• Safety: Reputable operators explain the emergency exit before you start; you can stop the game and leave the room at any time.
• At home: Escape board games and puzzle books offer similar challenges at the kitchen table (kreuzwortraetsel-und-raetsellogik, pen-and-paper-rollenspiele).