“Escape Game” vs. Escape Room?

Is There a Difference between THE ESCAPE GAME & the Escape Room?

If you are confused about “the escape game” and “escape room,” then you're not alone. While often used interchangeably, these two phrases may, or may not, refer to distinctly different experiences.

The Escape Room

Physical Location: Immerse yourself in a themed environment.

Time Limit: Solve puzzles within a set time frame.

Puzzle Focus: Primarily based on solving physical puzzles and riddles.

Example: Magic Escape Rooms in Columbus, Ohio offers themed, immersive escape rooms, such as the Magician’s Secret, where you and your team must work together to find clues, solve puzzles and complete a mission within a set time limit.

The Escape Game

Virtual or Physical: Might be played online or in a physical location.

Broader Scope: Might incorporate elements like role-playing, and storytelling. We call our transportable games our Columbus escape games.

Flexible Format: Might be adapted to different group sizes and skill levels. Our escape games can be adapted for different size groups and various time frames.

Time Flexibility: Time limits may or may not apply.

In essence, some believe that escape rooms are a specific type of escape game. They offer a physical, immersive experience with a strong focus on puzzle-solving. Escape games, on the other hand, can encompass a wider range of experiences that can be adapted to different preferences (but not always elsewhere).

For example, at Magic Escape Rooms, we call our games “escape rooms” even though the goal is not to “escape” but to have an adventure. Because story telling and role playing may occur in some of our immersive experiences, we could also consider them to be “escape games.” But in Columbus, Ohio, we’ve noticed that the “escape game” and “escape room” appear to be labels used more interchangeably than as a game type distinction.

Whether you prefer the physicality of an escape room or the flexibility of the escape game, both offer exciting opportunities for fun, teamwork, and problem-solving.