Want to Sherlock your way through an escape adventure with only Watson by your side, but not sure whether it’ll be an enjoyable experience?
Wondering if you can do escape rooms as a 2-person team?
Want to do an escape room with only one very close person but not sure whether it’ll be an enjoyable experience?
Speaking as an escape room in Chicago, here’s the lowdown…
Can you do an escape room as a couple/as a two-person team?
Gif via giphy.
An escape game is a perfect idea for a date night (and a top Valentine’s Day activity), or spending quality time with your closest friend.
They are a perfect opportunity for you to bond, learn how to communicate with each other, and test your creativity and powers of deduction.
Now, escape rooms vary, but most are designed for teams of at least 3 to 4 players.
However, that’s no reason not to try them out as two people - you may even find it an incredibly cozy, intense, and unforgettable experience!
Convinced? Check out Chicago's best two-person escape rooms!
If you’re a newbie, here are some things to know before playing an escape game.
Doing escape rooms as a 2-person team - the pros
As we shall see, a 2-person escape room experience has several advantages, ranging from being a more intimate and enjoyable experience to giving both of you plenty of opportunities to test your skills.
It might prove a more exciting experience!
Think about it.
Who would be the other person on your team? Your better half. Your closest friend from school. Your child.
It’s much more personal.
PLUS
If you do accomplish your mission in time, you’ll have done it despite being a smaller team than the challenge was designed for.
That’s an extra cherry on the cake, isn’t it?
Want to give yourselves an awesome name? Here’s how you can set a killer escape room team name.
Communicating between yourselves will probably be easier
It may be easier to keep one person abreast of clues you find or ideas you come up with than it is with four to five people.
As you may well know, everyone needs to be on the same page to succeed in an escape room.
And with groups of five to six people scattered around the room, you could end up with folks talking at once, and nobody will be able to understand what's being said.
There’s more space to move around
Generally speaking, an escape room won't feel crowded if your team doesn't have more than the recommended number of players.
However, when it's just you and your partner in the room, the space will definitely feel more roomy, giving both of you more chances to explore and check out the decor and props inside.
You both have things to focus on
With just the two of you handling everything, there will be plenty to keep both of you occupied.
Sometimes having more people on your team can lead to some players feeling left out.
This shouldn't happen in a well-designed adventure, but it is a possibility. Especially if you have someone who's extra competitive or a leader who's too controlling.
Doing escape rooms as a 2-person team - the cons
As you may have guessed, most of the cons stem from the fact that it’s just the two of you doing something which may have been designed for more than 2 participants.
However, as we shall see, you CAN beat the odds.
You’ve got just 2 sets of eyes
Larger groups can disperse across the space and start looking out for clues.
If it's just the two of you, you may not be able to spot things that fast.
Secondly, if you're stuck on a visual clue, an extra set of eyes can help.
Speaking of larger groups, here are some reasons why escape rooms are great for team building.
Brainstorming creative ideas can get tricky
Brainstorming fresh ideas can become tricky with only two people on the case.
Often, two-person teams end up thinking alike and get stuck at some points.
A third person could be able to see things in a different light, or provide a fresh perspective that the two of you were just not seeing.
However, there's a simple remedy for this - check out the tips and tricks we've outlined below.
It may take you longer to solve puzzles
In particular, puzzles that require physical interaction (like moving objects in a certain way) can prove challenging - and would have been quicker to go through had you had an extra pair of hands.
However, this isn’t an ironclad rule. If you are systematic and approach things in an organized manner, you can easily match a larger team or even beat their time!
Tips and tricks to enjoy doing an escape room as 2 people
Before you book a game, ask if it’s a non-linear adventure.
If it’s non-linear, you’ll have to solve multiple puzzles simultaneously, as a particular clue may require multiple inputs to decipher.
Couples do enjoy such escape rooms too, but you should know what you’re letting yourself in for.
Figure out ways of dividing and conquering everything you do.
This is especially crucial if you’re taking up a non-linear challenge or if you’re facing a clue that requires multiple physical interactions (like sliding many objects across a surface).
Don’t hesitate to ask the game master for help.
Many players make it a point of pride not to ask for help until it’s too late.
Remaining stuck on the same puzzle will certainly not enhance your experience; it’s likely to frustrate you.
Remember, game masters are trained at their craft and know how to help you out without making things too easy.
ENJOY the experience!
It’s like you and your partner are in your favorite movie as a team. Treasure the experience instead of focusing too much on whether you’re winning.
Escape room adventures for 2 people in Chicago
Here at Chicago’s best escape room, the adventures are designed for teams of 3 to 5 or 6 players, but they are playable by 2.
We have four adventures that you can choose from:
The Bank: You’re heading for the bank to make a rather unusual withdrawal directly from the manager’s office.
The Prison: Incarcerated in a maximum-security cell, you have one shot at breaking out.
The Bunker: Set in the late 1970s. Your mission, should you accept, is to infiltrate a top-secret bunker.
Zodiac (for adults only): You’re trapped in the lair of someone that seems to be California’s most notorious serial killer. Can you keep your wits about you and escape?
We can adapt The Prison and The Bunker to make them child and teen-friendly - call us at least 24 hours before your game.
Ready for an exciting experience with your special person?
Book your adventure now!
BLOGS
Please wait