Answering your most frequently asked questions about Escape Rooms

New to the world of escape rooms? No worries! Our blog is here to provide you with all the essential information you're curious about before diving into our escape games. We've compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about escape rooms – from the basics to the details. This way, you are fully prepared to start your next adventure.

1. What is the ideal team size for an escape room?

We think that the ideal team size depends on whether you are experienced or not. Some groups work beautifully with two people whereas others prefer to have six different brains working full-steam in the room. 

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That being said, every escape game is different and so are their mechanics, thus impacting the flow of the game depending on the amount of players you bring with you. For instance, when playing our room called The Vault, we do not recommend teams of only two people as many duos have struggled to actually finish the room. In this case, gathering between 4 and 6 people should prove ideal for your experience. But this is all at your own risk! Sometimes an overabundance of players leads to a chaotic escape and clues end up being lost in this chaos…

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Now if you’re wondering who to bring along, we previously compiled a comprehensive guide to escape game player types that might resonate with you and call to your mind the perfect teammates to bring along.

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2. At what time is it best to arrive?

We recommend arriving at least 5 minutes before your game, you don’t want to be late! Our rooms are located in the centre of Amsterdam and it can sometimes be complicated to reach them on time so plan your departure a little bit in advance.

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For the most competitive of you, we encourage you to take your time discussing tactics and strategies with your team around a cup of coffee! Part of the fun is the preparation, the build-up, the anticipation! The lovely Bistro Berlage sits right next to our rooms so this is the perfect hangout spot before starting your Sherlocked experience.

3. Is there any preparation to do beforehand?

You do not have to prepare anything before playing and there is no prior knowledge you need to have to beat our escape rooms. Just bring your wit, your humour, and some competitive spirit and you’ll be good to go and escape. Of course, it never hurts to warm up your brain with some puzzle exercises beforehand but we don’t expect you to be an expert in everything and anything!

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If you want an even deeper dive into what to expect when escaping, check out our ultimate escape room guide to prepare like a pro for your adventure.

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4. What can I bring to the escape room?

We recommend you bring your reading glasses as there might be some text or small things to look at. Otherwise, phones or smart watches are not allowed in the rooms, along with any electronics you might use to bypass the mechanics. Just bring your detective attitude along with some playful spirit, that you will need!

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5. What should I wear to an escape room?

In escape rooms, you should wear clothes that allow you to move freely. Nothing too tight, nothing too heavy. Don’t wear too much jewellery either, you don’t want to lose a ring out there! You should pick an outfit in which you feel comfortable so you don’t have to think about it while you play. Check out this blog on what to wear in escape rooms for more details!

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6. How difficult are the rooms?

Our escape rooms will definitely challenge you, whether it is physically or intellectually. You will need to think outside the box if you want to escape! Each has its own atmosphere and level of difficulty, but you won’t find the same puzzles and elements in them. 

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1. The Architect is a 60-minute escape room adventure set in the quaint and picturesque old study of famous architect HP Berlage. Perfect for beginners, but still great for experienced enthusiasts.
2. The Vault isn’t exactly an escape room but a ‘break-in’ experience, which is slightly more demanding. A bit more challenging than The Architect, also longer and involving a bit more theatrics. Perfect for those longing for fully immersive thrills as high-class thieves…
3. The Alchemist is a 90-minute magical adventure where you recreate the most dangerous ritual in the history of alchemy. This room is both a bit more puzzly than the others and high on spectacle and intrigue.

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From the novice to the expert, we’ve made sure every player should find something to their taste!

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7. Is there any age restriction?

Our age restriction is 14+. Below this age, we ask your group to have a chaperone of at least 16 years old so the younger players can enjoy their experience to the fullest.

8. How accessible are the rooms?

Our location isn’t wheelchair accessible, unfortunately. The entry of the Beurs van Berlage is only accessible by stairs and our rooms, located in the basement, also require our players to climb and crawl. Although they aren’t explicitly arranged for deaf-mute individuals, our game masters can adapt themselves to the group if need be, when made aware of a team’s limitations.

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9. Are the escape rooms scary?

Our rooms are not intended to be scary and there aren’t any jumpscare. Though the games were designed to be as immersive as possible and some are played in the dark, our goal isn’t horror. Rather, our mechanics of immersion lead you to feel the pressure and suspense as you race against time. 

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10. Are we really locked in the escape room?

Don’t worry, there is always a way out of the rooms. We have emergency exits that can be opened at any time so even if your host locks you in, you can always escape! These exits don’t require any puzzle or mystery to solve, so don’t worry about claustrophobia. If you are feeling uncomfortable, let your game master know and you will be able to exit anyway.

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11. What happens if the time runs out?

Depending on the room that you are playing in, you might experience a different ending if your time runs out and you don’t manage to escape. Either way, your host will make sure to get you out of the room and you might want to try again some other time to succeed in your next escape!

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