The Psychology Behind Scary Escape Room Games

There's a reason why the best escape room games manage to draw you in, even if you're scared of what's coming next. The psychology behind these scarily immersive experiences is fascinating and ever-evolving. While different people will feel differently about their visit to an escape room game, some common elements remain constant.

Just like movies and other forms of storytelling, escape room games rely on the suspension of disbelief. You have to be willing to accept that you have been thrown into an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous world.

By suspending this disbelief, you are opening yourself up to the possibility of discovering something new and uncovering hidden secrets.

Remember how Gandalf said, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us”? This is a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates the challenge of escape room games. You are presented with a given amount of time, and it’s up to you to make the most of it. 

Let's delve deeper into the psychological elements of playing a scary murder escape room game.

Everyone’s experience is different depending on their predisposition to feeling scared or anxious in a game of this type. However, in murder escape rooms, there's a whole lot of psychology being pitted against you.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of a murder mystery game is how it plays on our brain’s natural instinct to fill in the missing information. This is known as “seeing without context”. Our brain seeks to make sense of the pieces of information that it perceives, and in the case of an escape room game, this can be quite difficult.

By seeing without context, we’re able to make connections between seemingly unrelated clues and objects. This encourages us to think about the larger picture rather than just focusing on the immediate puzzle in front of us.

For instance, let’s say that you find a pocket watch in the middle of a room. At first glance, it doesn’t seem to have any relevance to the situation. But by looking at it in a different light, you might be able to connect it to a character from your past who always wore a pocket watch. This connection allows you to think about the larger picture and use your newfound knowledge to progress in the game.

Decision paralysis is another common element of escape room games. Because these experiences are so immersive, they can be intimidating and overwhelming. You’re being presented with a constant stream of puzzles, clues, and decisions, and it can be difficult to make sense of them all.

The best way to tackle this is to take a step back and evaluate the situation. Think about what you’ve seen and heard, assess your options and then make an informed decision.

Remember, you only have a limited amount of time to escape the room before it’s too late. This added pressure can make it difficult to think clearly, so take your time and think about each step before you take it.

Functional fixity is an interesting concept that can have a huge impact on your success in an escape room game. Basically, this refers to our tendency to perceive objects in the same way, even when there are other potential uses for them. This is why it’s important to be open-minded and think outside the box when it comes to problem-solving.

For example, let’s say you come across a hammer in the game. Your first thought might be that it’s a tool used for construction. However, if you take a few moments to think, you might realize that it can also be used as a weapon – an important clue in the game.

By being open-minded and willing to look at objects in new ways, you’ll be able to progress much faster.

Escape rooms are designed to tune your brain and find a balance between focus and relaxation. You need to be able to concentrate on the task at hand but also be able to take a break and look at things from a different perspective.

It's important to take a step back and evaluate the situation. Think creatively, be open-minded, and don’t let the ticking clock get to you. Focus on the task at hand, but also take moments to relax and reset your mind. With this balance, you’ll be able to make the most of your time in the murder escape room game.

Ultimately, a successful game of murder escape rooms requires players to change their perception of reality. This means being willing to see things from different angles and thinking outside the box. It means understanding that objects can have multiple uses and looking for clues that aren’t always obvious.

When you’re able to break down your preconceived notions and approach the game with a fresh perspective, you’ll find that you’re much more likely to progress and escape the room. So don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and your perception of reality – it will only make you a better player!

If you find yourself struggling in an escape room, take a moment to pause and reflect. Consider the background information presented here and challenge your perception of reality to increase your chances of success.

At Lock Paper Scissors, we believe that everyone has the potential to be a master escape artist. That's why we've created an immersive murder escape room experience to help players train their brains, hone their problem-solving skills, and test their wit. So don't be afraid to push yourself and take on the challenge – you won't regret it! Good luck!