The Conjoining - St Kilda
For fans of horror, the thrill of stepping into a world filled with eerie atmospheres, spine-chilling soundtracks, and unsettling mysteries is irresistible. Horror escape rooms provide the perfect blend of adrenaline and intellectual challenge. But with so many options available, how do you choose the one that will truly send shivers down your spine? How do you even know you’ll get the scare you want? Here are some tips for finding the perfect horror escape room experience.
1. Understand Your Group’s Preferences
Before booking your escape room, consider the preferences and limits of your group. While some people thrive on terrifying scenarios with jump scares and gory imagery, others might prefer a more psychological approach to horror.
Scare Level: Now all escape games are created equal, this is doubly so for horror rooms. Some horror escape rooms are designed only for the ‘fear factor’, to frighten participants with actors, loud noises, and sudden surprises. Others focus on creating an eerie atmosphere without being overly scary allowing you to focus on the story and puzzles. Make sure the scare level matches your group’s comfort zone.
Age Restrictions: Horror escape rooms often have age restrictions due to their intense themes. Check the rules to ensure everyone in your group meets the minimum age requirement.
Experience Levels: As the title of this post states, if your group includes beginners, opt for a room with a moderate difficulty level. Veteran escape room enthusiasts might prefer more complex puzzles paired with a horror theme. Remember, you’re meant to enjoy the experience, not just scare your friends or be ‘that person’ who wants to beat records when no one else does. Make sure you’re all in alignment on what you want out of the experience.
2. Check the Theme and Storyline
Horror escape rooms come in many different flavours, from haunted houses and abandoned asylums to cursed tombs and supernatural encounters. Choosing a theme that resonates with your group can elevate the entire experience. Here are some popular horror themes to consider:
Supernatural Thrills: Ghosts, poltergeists, and haunted houses - like our Conjoining and Its Nightmare rooms
Gory Adventures: Blood-soaked traps and survival like our Hacksaw and Hacksaw 2 rooms.
Psychological Horror: Mind-bending stories that play on paranoia and suspense like our Alice into Darkness room.
Classic Horror: Inspired by iconic horror movies or legends such as our cult favourite The Last of Them room, a zombie thriller!
Read the storyline provided by the escape room venue to ensure it aligns with your horror cravings. A well-crafted narrative can immerse you further into the chilling experience.
3. Research Reviews and Ratings
One of the best ways to choose the right horror escape room is by reading reviews from other players. Websites like Google, TripAdvisor, and escape room-specific directories often have detailed feedback.
Atmosphere: Look for comments about the design, sound effects, and overall ambiance.
Puzzle Quality: The puzzles should be challenging but fair, and they should tie into the horror theme seamlessly.
Scare Factor: Pay attention to how other players describe the fear elements—this will give you an idea of what to expect, focus on what the majority say, not the guy who needed to tell the world he didn’t find it as scary as everyone was saying. Ps. don’t be that guy.
Customer Service: A professional and accommodating staff can make or break your experience, especially if you have questions or concerns.
Hacksaw - Hawthorn
4. Consider the Use of Actors and Special Effects
Many horror escape rooms elevate the fear factor by including live actors or advanced special effects. Decide if this element appeals to your group:
Live Actors: Actors can make the experience more interactive and intense, but they’re not for everyone. If you love being chased or interacting with “characters,” this might be the perfect choice. At Rush Escape Game, we don’t use actors in the rooms, we let the rooms do the talking for us.
Special Effects: Advanced technology, such as fog machines, animatronics, and lighting effects, can enhance the immersion without requiring human actors.
If you’re unsure, check the escape room’s website or call ahead to ask about these elements.
5. Evaluate the Duration and Group Size
Escape rooms at chains typically last 45 minutes, however, Melbourne is host to dozens of bespoke independent operators much like us here at Rush Escape Game, who provide a minimum of 60 minutes of playtime. Make sure the time commitment aligns with your group’s preferences. Additionally, check the recommended group size for the room:
Smaller Groups: For intimate, creepy settings with minimal distractions.
Larger Groups: For high-energy experiences with more puzzles to solve.
Overcrowding can diminish the experience, so avoid booking beyond the recommended capacity.
6. Look for Local Gems
Sometimes, the best horror escape rooms are hidden gems run by local businesses. These venues often put extra care into creating unique, handcrafted experiences. If you’re in Victoria, Australia, for example, you might find our handcrafted rooms provide that authenticity you’re after. Ps, did you know that most of our props for our Conjoining room were upcycled from deceased estates? Probably why sometimes things move without us knowing…
Also, our Game Masters love the industry and are enthusiastic about sharing our other favourites!
7. Prepare for the Experience
Once you’ve chosen the perfect horror escape room, take some steps to prepare for the adventure:
Dress Comfortably: Wear clothes and shoes that allow you to move freely.
Arrive Early: Give yourself time to get acquainted with the rules and storyline.
Bring the Right Mindset: Embrace the fear and have fun! Remember, it’s all part of the game.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right horror escape room is all about balancing your group’s preferences with the unique elements each room offers. Whether you’re chasing jump scares or diving into a psychologically intense narrative, the perfect room is out there waiting to thrill and terrify you. Take the time to research, and you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable experience that will have your heart racing long after the final puzzle is solved.
Are you ready to face your fears and escape the nightmare? Start planning your horror escape room adventure today!
Check out our favourites:
The Conjoining (St Kilda), Its Nightmare (South Yarra), The Last of Them (St Kilda), Alice into Darkness (St Kilda), Hacksaw (Hawthorn), Hacksaw Chapter 2 (St Kilda)
Its Nightmare - South Yarra