Lifestyle / Fantasy to Life: Escape Rooms

Fantasy to Life: Escape Rooms

Lifestyle Jan 15, 2015

by Naemah Abid

Indoor Fun With Mystery

Growing up, I followed the adventures of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, which left me fantasizing about one day solving a mystery of my own. Unfortunately — or maybe fortunately — life hasn't given us a murder mystery or a crime scene investigation opportunity where we could practice our Sherlock Holmes skills. But for all you thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies, CSI enthusiasts and James Bond fanatics, let me introduce you to the wonder of escape rooms. This is a contagious indoor interactive gaming concept spreading from Japan to India, Europe to North America.

Also called "adventure" or "mystery" rooms, they usually involve you and your friends getting locked up in a room with 60 minutes on the clock. Your aim is to escape using the clues, puzzles and codes hidden in the room. The games are offered at various skill levels: beginner, intermediate and expert. To solve the mystery, you or someone in your group should be able to follow simple instructions for the most part and have basic math and problem solving skills — but, most importantly, you should be imaginative.

Themes

The adventures come in a variety of themes and the choice is yours when picking your challenge. My favourite options are haunted themes — not for the faint of heart. You're most likely going to be locked in a dark room with flashlights in your hands, which makes finding clues or reading puzzles even harder. Some games also put on scary music or creaking noises to throw you off. If that isn’t enough to get your adrenaline pumping, then there are zombie escape rooms. Yep, you're locked up in a room with a zombie!

Another popular theme is jail break — available at mystery rooms in both Toronto and New Delhi. Sometimes you start the game handcuffed to the wall — making it difficult for you to move around and reach for clues. These mystery rooms pretty much have everything from Egyptian tombs and archeological sites to space adventures, just to keep things interesting.

Technology

You can expect to use a wide array of elements — from lasers to tablets, projectors and radios, remote-control toys and electronic safes. One of my favourite components is the use of a black light and finding glow-in-the-dark clues. In one game, we had to align mirrors to a laser source to open a door. Weight- and touch-sensitive puzzles are another tactic to keep you guessing!

Element of Surprise

The games are very well thought out. They involve hidden rooms behind shelves, safes behind pictures and secret passageways! Not to worry: you're never alone. The staff has cameras in every room, and sometimes fire exits and telephones too. Some places also allow you to call for help or a clue if you're stuck on a puzzle for too long. And don't be afraid when the timer runs out if you haven't solved the mystery — the staff will come and set you free!

So grab a bunch of friends, put on your thinking caps and head to some mystery rooms for puzzle solving fun!

^{_{Cover photo courtesy of Pascal

Prison cell photo courtesy of Mark Doliner

Group photo provided by Naemah Abid}}

Naemah Abid

Author

Born in Saudi Arabia and originally from Pakistan, this Canadian immigrant is all too familiar with airport life. After taking her first pleasure trip abroad post-graduation, Naemah was hit with the travel bug. Find this frequent traveller sharing pictures and experiences, offering up advice and tra...

COMMENTS

British Curry Awards Celebrates 10 Years

Meera Syal Hits The Theatre In 'Behind The Beautiful Forevers'

Smart Grocery Shopping Tips

Fitness Regimen For The Holidays

Is Your Biological Clock Ticking?

Why Do We Judge Others?

Boomers Vs Millennials: How They Handle Money Differently

Holiday Decor Tips

Rowenta Vacuum: For Every Type Of Cleaner

4 Tourist Destinations In South Asia

Manage Holiday Stress

Author Spotlight: Frost Bites

How To Handle Awkward Questions At Holiday Dinners

3 Idiots Actor Launches A New Book, 'Warrior'

Tips For Staying Healthy During The Holidays

Thrifty Holiday Gifts

Food Addiction Is A Disease

Single-Parent Family Vacations

Hot Spot: Rick's Cafe, Jamaica

Hot Climate Getaway Care Tips

Have Your Kids Help Out This Year

Executive Chef Wins Entrepreneur Of The Year Award

5 Tips To Keep Your Body Hydrated

Pakistan Tragedy Aftermath

New York's Famous Free Hot Spots

Fun Stocking Stuffers

Holiday Drinks To Amp Up Your Entertaining

Holiday Hangover Cures

New Year Celebrations Around the World

An Interview With Anna Sui

Nickelodeon Experiences At Azul Hotels

Recipe: Bombay Turkey Wellingtons

Missing AirAsia Flight QZ8501

CBC To Release Documentary 'Muneeza In The Middle'

Staying Fit for the Rat Race

Bounce Into Health

Top 5 Inspiring Home Decor Instagram Accounts

Warm Up Your Living Space

Paris Attacked: 12 People Killed

Fight Chronic Pain With Superfoods

How To Treat Specialty Fabrics

Ice Skating - Have You Tried It?

Habits That Can Harm Your Teeth

The Practice Behind Spiritual Wellness

Pet Care During Winter

The Cruise Life

Hot Spot: San Francisco

Herbs To Grow In Your Kitchen Year Round

Decorate Your Pillow With Text

DIY Valentine Gift Ideas

Siblings: Friends For Life

Recipe: Goan Shrimp Curry

Leave The Kids At Home - Guilt Free

Morocco: A Magical Mystery Tour

ANOKHI MEDIA Announces The Launch Of A First-Time Coffee Table Book To Celebrate The South Asian Community!

Spiritual Anorexia

CEO Raj Girn Invites YOU To ANOKHI MEDIA's 12th Anniversary Event!

Super Bowl Party Etiquette Tips

Finding Yourself In Your Relationship

Healthy Super Bowl Snacks

Recipes To Banish Winter Blues

Celebrate Love In These Seasonal Spots

Deepika Padukone Opens Up About Her Battle With Depression

Book Review - Capitalism: A Ghost Story By Arundhati Roy

Human Waste Could Be The Key To India's Water Shortage

Steps You Can Take To Avoid Vitamin D Deficiency

Top 5 Fashion Designers To Inspire Your Home's South Asian Style

Valentine's Recipe: Cocktail Idli Hearts With Coconut Chutney Shots

Indoor Plants With Health Benefits

Have You Tried Numerology?

Fast & Affordable Workouts For Busy People

Conscious Parenting

Create A Simple Framed Piece Of Art With A Big Impact

Spring Break 2015 With The Kids

How To Do No-Sew Repairs On Soft Furnishings

Why Are We So Afraid Of Change?

Healthy Spaghetti And Meatballs

Is Water Birth For You?