The Different Types of Escape Room Games

The Different Types of Escape Room Games

Escape rooms have expanded far beyond the traditional “locked room” concept. Today, there are many ways to enjoy the puzzle-solving experience depending on your setting, budget, and preferences.

In-Person

The most traditional type of escape room. These are room-sized games played in a physical space, complete with props, puzzles, and immersive set design.

Virtual

Essentially the same as in-person rooms, but played over video chat. This format surged in popularity during 2020 when travel and gatherings were restricted. It gave players the chance to experience escape rooms from around the world, though it has largely fallen out of style as businesses reopened. Because these games take up the same physical space as in-person bookings but are priced lower, most venues have moved away from offering them.

Digital

This broad category includes simple online formats, such as escape rooms created in Google Forms. While limited in scope, they still deliver a puzzle-driven escape room experience.

Pen and Paper

Some businesses offer downloadable, printable games that can be played from home with just paper, pencils, and your team.

Board Games

Escape room board games are hugely popular, bringing the puzzle-solving experience to the table. Even we’ve entered the space with plans for a replayable escape room board game of our own.

Books

Choose-your-own-adventure books often include escape-style challenges. Other books, like Impossible Maze, provide immersive puzzle experiences that feel like flipping through a room of clues page by page.

Browser-Based

Unlike simple Google Docs rooms, these digital experiences feature full graphics, sound effects, and point-and-click adventure mechanics: offering a richer escape room feel.

Phone Apps

There are countless mobile apps designed around the escape room concept, great for gaming on the go.

Escape Crates

A unique option we offered during 2020: portable, rentable escape rooms that could be delivered to homes or offices. They became popular with businesses and organizations that couldn’t host offsite team-building activities.

Podcasts

Escape rooms have even entered the audio space. Some podcasts review escape rooms, while others run full audio-only escape games that you can listen to and solve along with.

If you love the thrill of escape rooms, chances are you’ll find another format that scratches the same itch. Whether it’s a physical adventure, a board game with friends, or even a podcast in your earbuds: there’s a version of the escape room world out there for you.