Escape room games have become hugely popular nowadays, giving people a chance to go through movie-like experiences while challenging key skills like observation, quick thinking, time management, teamwork and so on.
And a key part of the experience is the puzzles in the game – as you know, the experience consists of players solving puzzles to find clues on how to proceed and eventually win the mission.
In this blog post, we are going to take a look at the most popular and mentally stimulating escape room puzzle types, beginning with…
Logic puzzles
Logical puzzles are a staple in escape rooms, and have been so since this form of entertainment began.
Participants have to apply deductive reasoning to solve problems.
For example in a jail breakout game (like you can find in Solve The Room NJ), you may chance upon a series of clues pointing to various prison cells containing key items – items that would come in use at a final challenge.
You may even need to figure out a specific sequence in which to use or present the items.
These challenges encourage teamwork and analytical thinking.
Physical puzzles
One of the best features of traditional (real-world, as opposed to VR or digital) escape room games is the opportunity for a “hands-on” experience.
And physical puzzles are a cornerstone of this feature.
These can be anything from participants having to manipulate objects to reveal hidden compartments to physically arranging certain items to create a particular pattern.
Light and sound puzzles
Light and sound puzzles engage escapers’ visual and auditory senses, and can play a key part in both setting the atmosphere and also in developing the quick response approach.
Some examples would be deciphering what a sequence of flashing lights means or picking up patterns in a medley of sounds.
Supernatural-themed games like BrainXcape’s Haunted Hotel may feature multiple such puzzles, and they can both unnerve players and also present a tough mental challenge to unravel.
Hidden object puzzles
Please note, when we say “hidden”, it may not be in the sense of being concealed away from prying eyes.
A hidden object puzzle could require you to find something hidden behind secret panels…or it could require you to spot something that’s in plain sight, but not presented in an obvious manner.
For example, a museum heist game may feature a challenge requiring players to find certain blueprints hidden in the artwork.
Code and cipher puzzles
Do we really need to tell you that cryptic codes and symbols are a go-to favorite of escape game designers?
These puzzles may be well-known, but still add an element of intrigue and mystery – especially if the game designer comes up with a particularly unique code.
Ready to test your abilities?
Cracking puzzles and spotting clues is the key challenge in escape games, so much so that numerous escape rooms have phrases like “test your skills” as their call-to-action.
And now that you’re familiar with the most popular puzzle types, are you game for a showdown?
Search for an escape room that you like and put your solving skills to the test today!
Also Read: Securing Funding for Your Mobile Game: A Comprehensive Guide
