„I'd love to try an escape room, but...“

We hear this phrase quite often at Verschlusssache Escape Rooms. And it’s usually followed by a question that shows there are still plenty of ideas about escape rooms that have little to do with reality.

Some think of dark cellar rooms, others of complicated maths problems, and yet others seriously wonder whether they will ever get out again after the game.

Time, therefore, to dispel five of the most common escape room myths.

Myth 1: „Am I really locked inside the escape room?“

No. At least not in the way you might be imagining.

The term „escape room“ naturally sounds at first like one is locked in a room and has to somehow free oneself, for example in Escape Room: Death Row at Herten, a prison-break-themed escape room. That is precisely the feeling the game is meant to convey – but of course your safety always comes first.

Before the game starts, our Game Masters will explain everything you need to know. And if you need or want to leave the game for any reason, that is of course possible. You can independently leave any of our escape rooms at any time. A spontaneous trip to the toilet, dropping out of the game or simply taking a short break are therefore always possible!

The „being locked in“ is part of the story and atmosphere in many (though not all) escape rooms – not a real forced situation.

And that is precisely the appeal: for an hour, you can immerse yourselves in the feeling that you are genuinely right in the middle of a mission, without having to worry about whether you actually won't be able to get back out.

In short: Feeling locked in? Gladly. Actually being locked in? No.

Myth 2: „It's pitch black in the escape room.“

That is not true either.

Of course light can be an important element of the atmosphere. After all, an escape room is not an ordinary living room. Depending on the story, it can well become a bit darker, more mysterious or more atmospheric.

But you don't have to grope around in the dark trying to find some locks with your hands outstretched.

Finally, you should be able to solve puzzles, discover clues and communicate with each other.

And if you're thinking now, „Oh great, then it's boring“ – don't worry. A good atmosphere doesn't just come from darkness.

Appropriate decor, sounds, lighting, stories and many little details ensure that you really feel like you are in another world.

Those who still prefer it dark and gloomy will find what they are looking for at Horror Escape Room: Hunt for the Vampire in Soest fully satisfied.

Myth 3: „Escape rooms are scary.“

That entirely depends on which escape room you are playing.

An escape room is first and foremost a game concept – and not a specific genre. There are adventures, criminal cases, fantasy stories, science fiction, historical scenarios and of course also Horror and scare rooms with live actors like Tief im Schacht in Recklinghausen.

If you don't fancy having something suddenly jump out at you from the dark, you don't have to choose a horror room.

At Verschlusssache, there are all sorts of different stories and atmospheres. After all, the fun of an escape room doesn’t necessarily come from fear, but from the suspense: What’s behind this clue? What does this number mean? And why on earth doesn’t this key fit anywhere?

So an escape room does not automatically mean horror.

However, if you are explicitly looking for a room that gives you a slight shiver down your spine, there are, of course, suitable scenarios for that too.

Myth 4: „I'm definitely too thick for an escape room.“

That is probably one of the biggest escape room myths ever.

And at the same time one of the most common worries for people playing for the first time.

The good news is that you don't need an above-average IQ, a degree in mathematics or even secret agent training. Even our The escape room "The Crazy Laboratory" in Wuppertal can easily be played even by children..

Escape rooms work precisely because different people have different strengths.

One person discovers things that no one else has seen.

The next person is exceptionally good at deduction.

Someone else is thinking completely outside the box.

And then there is the person who claims for five minutes that their idea „can never work“ – and in the end is actually right.

Above all, teamwork is what counts.

You need to talk to each other, share your discoveries and think together. And if you ever find yourselves completely on the wrong track, there's always your Game Master, who can give you a little nudge in the right direction if needed.

So you don't have to be particularly clever. You just have to be willing to engage with it.

And let's be honest: there is hardly anything better than when someone on the team suddenly shouts „I'VE GOT IT!“ and everyone else simultaneously realises that the solution was right under their noses the whole time.

Myth 5: „Escape rooms are just for kids and teenagers.“

Quite the contrary.

Escape rooms have long since been an experience for all age groups.

Friends play together, families compete against each other, couples try their hand at puzzles and Companies use escape rooms as a shared experience for their employees.

And adults themselves sometimes find that it does quite a lot of good to switch off their phones, work and daily routine for an hour and solve a mission together.

In this context, it doesn't matter at all whether you are 18, 30, 50, 70 or older.

You also don't need years of escape room experience. Many of our guests are stepping into an escape room for the very first time.

The crucial thing is not your age, but the desire for a shared adventure.

Regarding age: we also have, for example, for Children's birthday parties for ages 9 and over matching offers!

Also: Which escape room myth has put you off so far?

You're not really locked up.

You don't have to play in the dark.

Escape rooms are not automatically spooky.

You don't have to be a puzzle genius.

And no – escape rooms are definitely not just for children and teenagers.

So perhaps it is simply time to examine the myths themselves.

Put together your team, choose a mission and see what happens when the countdown suddenly starts.

Because there is a lot to be said about escape rooms. But the most fun is playing one yourself.

Discover Verschlusssache’s escape rooms and find your next mission with Germany’s largest provider of escape rooms.