Wanting to play an escape room but have something holding you back? Perhaps you love puzzles, but you are petrified you’ll encounter a clown when you’re uncovering a clue, or be startled by spider as you’re solving. While many venues do like to keep the contents of their experiences mysterious, it’s always worth giving them a call before you book or visit to calm any worries you may have. At The Escape Effect our hosts will be happy to assure you, or even tailor an experience to your preference, such as turning the lights up for your game if you’re scared of the dark.
Ready to face your fears?
Claustrophobia
Fear of enclosed or tight spaces
Some escape rooms can have small rooms, which when coupled with a large team, can lead to you feeling cramped or unable to move freely around the space. Other escape rooms can feature crawl spaces or tunnels, where a team member will have to squeeze through a small space to enter another room.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
None of our rooms feature tunnels or overly cramped spaces, in fact all our games are ADA accessible. We also have a recommended team size for each of our games for the optimum people to space ratio, and At Odds With The Gods is perfect for larger groups.
Phasmophobia
Fear of ghosts
If you have a fear of things that go bump in the night, then you’ll probably already be aware of the kinds of escape room themes you should avoid, such as haunted houses, eerie attic spaces, and spine-chilling asylums.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
Our game Fright Before Your Eyes features tales of spirits and apparitions throughout the room and story, but at no point will you actually witness a ghost in the game.
Agoraphobia
Fear of being in situations where escaping might be difficult
Ah. Well, you see…the thing about escape rooms is…
All jokes aside, if you have this fear but you are still set on wanting to experience the puzzle-solving fun of an escape room, try to remember that all thrills and scares are carefully simulated, and your safety within the experience is always paramount. You’ll never be in any real danger in an escape room.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
We can guarantee that there is always an escape route when you’re playing a game at The Escape Effect, and the door to the exit will never be locked. You are free to leave at any time, for any reason. Hopefully that will alleviate any fears of truly being trapped within the game.
Nyctophobia
Fear of the dark
Escape room designers frequently use lighting as a tool to create an atmosphere which complements the theme or feeling they are trying to convey to the players. This often results in dimly lit and dark spaces which adds tension and mystery.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
Those with a fear of the dark will want to avoid Fright Before Your Eyes, and being placed on the dungeon side in A Knight To Escape. Elsewhere, you’ll find brighter spaces within our games. If you heart is set on those experiences, our hosts will be more than happy to turn the lights up if requested.
Acrophobia
Fear of heights
While it is more unusual, some escape games will include stairs, or have the rooms spread across several levels. Usually, when experiences feature more physical challenges, these requirements are clearly listed on the venue’s website at the time of booking.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
Don’t worry, you’ll keep your feet firmly on the ground at all times during The Escape Effect.
Arachnophobia Or Entomophobia
Fear of spiders or insects
Ok, not that kind of spider, but we didn’t want to trigger anyone with a photograph of an eight-legged friend above! Sometimes escape room designers deliberately want to play on those common phobias, so if you play a game set in a jungle or an ancient temple, you might just find an insect or two along the way.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
Put that bug net down, there are no creepy crawlies in any of the games at The Escape Effect.
Social Phobia Or Social Anxiety
Fear of social or performance situations
If being in a social situation makes you feel nervous, you may have some hesitation playing as part of an escape room team, especially if you might not know everyone in the group. You also might be worried about not being able to solve a puzzle, or not being able to escape in time.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
It’s natural to be apprehensive, but we guarantee once you’re in the moment you’ll enjoy your experience. At The Escape Effect our games are 100% private, so you won’t need to worry about being placed with strangers either.
Necrophobia Or Skelephobia
Fear of dead things or skeletons
Horror-themed escape rooms are the most popular genre out there, but if you’re the type to hide behind a pillow during a scary movie, then you’ll likely want to ask the escape room venue beforehand about any potential jump scares or gory content. Common themes which often feature this kind of subject matter might include serial killer scenarios and zombie outbreak storylines.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
You’ll find a prop skull or skeleton in most of our games, but nothing gory. The worst you’ll encounter is skeletal remains in the dungeon of A Knight To Escape, or a sinister magician’s journal entries and drawings in Fright Before Your Eyes.
Hemophobia
Fear of blood
Similar to the above, this fear is more specifically for that of the red stuff itself. Sometimes a set designer or prop maker will include a little (or a lot of) fake blood to ramp up the fear factor in a scene, or on a particular set piece. While we all know it’s not real, it can definitely play into our phobias!
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
No, there is no blood featured in any games at The Escape Effect.
Atychiphobia
Fear of failure
Love puzzles but anxious you won’t make it out on time? You needn’t worry. Whether it’s your first game, or your hundredth, you’ll always have those feelings of trepidation going into the unknown! The important thing is not to let the fear of failure stop you having a good time.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
At The Escape Effect, our helpful hosts are always watching your game, and they’re ready to give you a nudge in the right direction to help you keep your flow throughout the game. Our hint button in the room allows you to request help should you need it, and there is absolutely no shame in doing so!
Monophobia
Fear of being alone
Ever played an escape room and pushed your team mate in front of you to investigate that spooky-looking room first? Sometimes games will even specifically split up players, or have a space in which there is only room for one person to enter.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
The only time you’ll be purposefully split up from your team is in A Knight To Escape, and even then, you’ll be with at least one other player. At no point will you be completely alone in any of our games.
Coulrophobia
Fear of clowns
Joyful, funny, colorful…what could be so bad about clowns? Oh wait, that’s right, they’re terrifying! If you dislike those squeaky-nosed and large-footed fellows, then there are definitely a few escape rooms you won’t want to play! Luckily, it should be obvious from the theme which ones these are. It’s highly unlikely you’ll come across a clown on an archaeological adventure, or space exploration mission, after all!
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
Relax, there are no clowns in any of the games at The Escape Effect.
Bacteriophobia Or Mysophobia
Fear of germs or contamination
If you’ve got a fear of all things unsanitary then you’ll probably want to avoid those zombie apocalypse or laboratory-based games, where you’re tasked with finding the antidote to a deadly virus or infection. Sure, it’s all fake and for dramatic effect, but it can still sometimes give us the ‘ick’.
Will I find this at The Escape Effect?
No, you won’t find anything along these lines in the games at The Escape Effect.
Ready to face your phobia?
Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from having a good time!
