Choosing a game
Haunted House or Escape Room?
If your group enjoys piecing together clues and following a story, start with a puzzle-focused escape room. If you want live actors, dark sets and suspense, a haunted house may suit you better. Some venues combine both, so ask what happens during the session when you book.
What will you spend the session doing?
| Feature | Puzzle-focused escape room | Haunted house |
|---|---|---|
| Main experience | Find clues, connect them and complete a mission | Move through scenes built around suspense and scares |
| Live actors | Depends on the scenario | Part of many experiences |
| Pace | Changes as you solve puzzles | May include surprises and sections that require movement |
Choose as a group
If some friends want a scare and others would rather avoid it, a heist or detective story can be a good choice for everyone. If you want horror and puzzles, ask how much of the session is spent solving clues. Puzzle difficulty and scare intensity are separate. A game can be challenging without being scary.
Four questions to ask before booking
- Are there live actors, and how do they interact with players?
- Are there dark sections, loud noises or jump scares?
- Will we spend most of the session solving puzzles or moving through scenes and obstacles?
- What should someone do if they want to pause or leave?
Explore our city guides by game type. If it is your first time, read our beginner’s guide to escape rooms.