By Barbara Klonowska
MANAGERS OF escape rooms in Leeds agree that playing the physical adventure games can boost brainpower and reduce stress for students caused by exams and dissertation deadlines.
Escape rooms have risen in popularity in the past decade – with groups of people locked in a room and solving puzzles together to get out, similar to TV show The Crystal Maze.
Kiera Gardner, supervisor of The Great Escape Game in Leeds, said a wide range of clients take part, from corporate groups interested in teambuilding, to families on holiday and children celebrating birthdays.
“It’s almost like being transported to different kind of place, it’s like escaping the reality. Escape rooms are appealing to everyone at the moment,” she said.
Nathan, a member of The Gr8escape team in York said: “We’ve had a family of four different generations take part and they all loved it. Our players have ranged in age from eight to 92.
“We’ve also had quite a lot of university staff and faculties come down to play our rooms. They’ve started getting competitive about their times between departments! Economics have the best times so far.”
Games are set in a variety of fictional locations, such as prison cells, dungeons and space stations.
James Stewart, venue manager said: “You get to test your brain, do something different and do something exciting, that you can tell other people about.”
Kiera said: “The main things which you will be learning is communication skills, problem solving skills and your team work ability. But it’s a lot of fun as well.”
There are two escape room in Leeds; The Great Escape Game, Tick Tock Unlock and Locked In Games. There are also two in York Can You Escape and GR8escape.