Escape room 101:
your first room
July 2026 | MISSION LOG #001
This article is going to be a bit stream of consciousness and will cover ... probably, a few different topics. I'll try to talk about some pragmatic "what is an escape room" and also probably dive into how to convince friends, families, your partner, etc. to try a room.
I do not pretend to be a professional around escape rooms. I'm a fan, work professionally in marketing and advertising and am a Gen X'er so those bias will come through in everything on this site.
If you have any additions or suggestions to the tips here, please reach out on social or email as I'd love to hear your thoughts. Also if there is a POV from game masters, I'd love to add your thoughts to the article.
One thing I hear over and over from people who own, design, run, or play escape rooms is that "escape room" isn't really the best name for this hobby.
After all, you usually aren't actually locked in. You can step outside whenever you need, and most games will let you head right back in.
These 60- or 90-minute adventures aren't really about escaping.
They're about solving riddles, recognizing patterns, decoding ciphers, finding hidden clues, thinking creatively, and becoming part of a story. This is why they make great team building environments for professionals.
So how do you prepare for your first room?
Start by finding a game that fits your style.
The Morty app is a fantastic place to begin. Google reviews tell you whether a business is good; Morty reviews tell you how a room actually plays.
Love spooky stories? Great. Prefer fantasy, adventure, comedy, or mystery? There are amazing rooms for every style. And if horror isn't your thing, many locations can reduce the scare factor while keeping the immersion intact.
If you have accessibility concerns—whether it's crawling, climbing, color blindness, or hearing—don't hesitate to ask the venue. Escape room owners genuinely want you to have a great experience and will usually accommodate you whenever possible.
Arrive about 30 minutes early and chat with your Game Master. Let them know it's your first room and how you'd like hints handled. We always ask for gentle nudges.
We'd rather receive a small push in the right direction than the answer itself, and we'd much rather finish a room than spend twenty minutes stuck on one puzzle. There isn't a right or wrong way to approach this btw - go with what you like.
Afterward, take a few minutes to talk with your Game Master. Ask questions, tell them what you enjoyed, and if you had a great time, leave a review on Google and Morty. It helps these businesses more than you know.
One final tip: don't be afraid to play with just two people.
We play as a couple most of the time. Just avoid choosing the hardest room at a location for your first adventure. Every company has its own style—Dare2Escape, Escape Ventures, The Bureau, Evasive Escape, Riddler's, and countless others all design games differently. As you discover what you enjoy, you'll naturally find the experiences that fit you best.
Most importantly...
Have fun.