A relatively new and still not entirely well-known form of entertainment, escape room games, continue to take the United States by storm. While still fairly new to America, escape rooms are popping up across the nation at unprecedented rates, continuing an international craze.
International Origins
Escape rooms were first created in Japan back in 2007, inspired by a variety of simple video game puzzles of a similar nature. The idea didn’t take long to catch on and spread, becoming a worldwide sensation nowadays that’s found in most major cities. Originally, European countries were some of the first to partake in this new and unusual hobby, but within just a few years it made its way to the United States and quickly grew in popularity. According to the New York Times, the number of escape rooms grew from 22 in 2014 to 2,000 in 2018.
Why The Appeal?
What draws people into these bizarre entertainment companies? Perhaps it’s the intellectual challenge. Many people see the puzzles as a way to test their own knowledge and skill in a safe, controlled environment. Or perhaps it’s the family-friendly appeal of the attractions, as many escape rooms, if not most, are designed for audiences of all ages.
While escape rooms across the world tend to have a family-friendly appeal, the themes they feature vary greatly. Some resemble more closely resemble a haunted house, while others pick historical themes, and still others rely on fantasy. In almost all of them, the room attempts to solve a story while also presenting a puzzle, providing the same narrative interest as a video game.
How Do You Get Out?
While solving the puzzle is part of the fun, sometimes a hint or two is needed. Rather than relying on your few clues during your escape room experience, use these tips:
- Look at photos before going to get an idea of what puzzles you might be up against.
- Make your ideas heard so that everyone in the room gets the same clues.
- Check reviews to see just how difficult the puzzles are before you get there.
Escape rooms are a growing form of entertainment that can be fun for the whole family, and are likely to continue to grow in popularity well into 2019.
