It's No Mystery Why Escape Rooms Are So Popular

from Cocoa Beach Explorer June 2019

Volunteering At Your Local Health First Hospital

WRITTEN BY: Doug Baker, Editor, Cocoa Beach Explorer

You have 60 minutes. You and your team of private investigators must solve a decadesold cold case regarding the location of the millions of dollars stolen in the 1950 Great Brinks Robbery in Boston. Your team has finally located the outdated apartment of the prime suspect, now an old man, but the bigger mystery still remains—where did he hide the money?

The back story of Escape Cocoa Beach’s 2325 Tremont Street is based on actual events that took place in January of 1950. Game players find themselves immersed in a story world filled with outdated décor, old furniture and period magazines clearly setting the scene of a suspect holed up for years since his 1950s heist.

I promised not to reveal the secrets of the game, after all that would ruin it for everyone else, but I can say there were some very inventive hiding spots for essential clues and items including an “I think I know what I need todo, but I’m not doing it unless the gamemaster tells me to” moment.

In a world where entertainment is now dominated by screens, the concept of a live-action adventure where players must work together to find clues, solve puzzles and crack codes in order to escape the game before time runs out is exactly the kind of interactive fun needed.

How does it work?

A group of players, usually 4-8, are briefed on the room’s storyline and rules (like no breaking things and don’t take the blank apart) by the “gamemaster”. The timer is set, the door shut (the doors are not actually locked) and then, game on.

If you are an escape room newbie, you will probably find yourself with no idea where to begin. Just start trying things: open drawers, look for locks, look under/inside items, look for patterns. Know this, the key to successfully escaping any game room is communication. You must communicate with your team. Find a clue or pattern, shout it out! Find something but you’re not quite sure how it plays into the game, shout it out! It’s amazing how each team member, given the same clues, will think and put things together differently.

It’s inevitable that at some point in the game you will get stumped. The key is to never waste too much time before asking for a hint.All escape room games are monitored from the outside by a “gamemaster” via a live feed allowing them to see and hear your game and give clues to help you move forward with solvingthe puzzle at hand. Rely on your gamemaster, and don’t be afraid to ask for a clue. This was one of the hardest lessons I had to learn. Wasting 15 minutes on one clue is the difference in getting out or getting skunked.

On a personal note, I’ve now played all of Escape Cocoa Beach’s games. I’m not embarrassed to say I didn’t escape them all (yes, I was too proud and waited too long to ask for a clue), but I certainly had fun playing. One of my favorite rooms I’ve ever played: 2325 Tremont Street. Give it a try and you’ll see why.