West Michigan’s first “live escape room,” is opening next month in the town of Walker, near Grand Rapids.
Based on the popular video game genre, players are locked in a room where they have to solve puzzles and link clues to eventually escape.
Teams of players choose which scenario they want to play through, and then once locked in, their progress is monitored by the “game master,” who is available to provide help if they get stuck.
Escape Michigan’s marketing manager CJ DeVries told us that while being trapped in a room might be an unsettling thought for many, it isn’t meant to be a scary experience.
“If using your mind terrifies you then it might be scary,” she says, “but other than that it is not scary at all. It's meant to be fun, not meant to be like you're staying in there forever.”
DeVries says it's a great team-building exercise, and they hope to attract school and church groups as well as anyone looking for a unique way to spend a night out.
Escape Michigan currently has two rooms to choose from and will open in mid-June.
Visit their website to learn more.