Escape rooms are getting really popular lately and you should try them out because it’s always a thrilling experience! While you might worry about being a rookie and probably a novice to how they work, escape rooms are a pretty easy game to play. 

Although you need to be analytical most of the time, the rules of escape rooms are pretty straightforward: do whatever it takes to exit the room. The game is more about applying logic to solve riddles and puzzles than they are about being a smartass. As long as you open your mind, question everything you see and think out of the box, you will be able to solve the puzzles, and enjoy the experience.

However, if you’re still curious about what common puzzles you’ll find in escape rooms, or how to enjoy your experience while inside, we’ve created a shortlist for you. Enjoy!

1. Hidden Puzzle Objects

One of the most common kinds of puzzles you’ll find in escape rooms is hidden objects. Sometimes, these objects are hidden somewhere in the room and need to be found before the puzzle can be completed. These objects may be well hidden in hard-to-spot nooks and crannies, or sometimes in plain sight. So, you’ll need to observe things critically and promptly use your imagination to solve these puzzles.

A very useful tip for finding hidden objects in escape rooms is to look out for objects that look slightly out of place as you explore the room.

2. Numbers, Text and Equation Puzzles

Please, don’t panic! Sometimes, you can also find numbers and equation puzzles in escape rooms. There’s no cause for alarm. They are often simple puzzles involving numbers that may be in plain sight or may be integrated into common objects such as books, pictures, and wall posters. The equations may have blank spaces where operator symbols such as a plus or a minus must be inserted to find the correct answer. 

Texts are often used too, both for combination puzzles and also for providing additional information to other puzzles. Sometimes, they are written upside-down or hidden on mirror surfaces where you have to breathe on to reveal them. Therefore, you need to open your mind and look critically at every text you see in escape rooms.

3. Practical Puzzles

Another common type of puzzles in escape rooms is the ones that require physical interaction or movement. These might include untying some complex knots to release a key, hitting the target with an object like a ball, dart or water gun, or sliding levers along a pattern of slots to open something or anything similar. 

Other common types of puzzles you’ll find in escape rooms include light and sound puzzles, riddles, and visual designs.