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23 de August de 2024
the Difference Between an Escape Room and a Role-Playing Game
Lately, escape rooms have been popping up everywhere like mushrooms after rain, and that’s great. But, as often happens, quantity doesn’t always mean quality. We’re seeing more and more places offering games that stray far from the original concept and resemble a poorly done role-playing game.
Why is it so important to tell them apart?
The essence of an escape room is simple: you’re locked in a themed room and need to solve a series of puzzles within a set time limit to escape. The best part is that these puzzles are designed to be universal, meaning anyone from anywhere in the world can understand them. That’s why the puzzles rely on symbols, colors, numbers, smells, and lots of visual clues. To solve them, you need keen observation skills, logic, teamwork, and a bit of imagination.
A role-playing game, on the other hand, is much more open-ended and narrative-driven. Players create characters and dive into a story. A game master guides the action, and the players’ decisions shape how the story unfolds. In role-playing games, the focus is on character interaction, dialogue, and story-building.
Why is too much text a problem in escape rooms?
Escape rooms filled with text lose the magic of being universal and make the experience far less fun. Long and complicated texts distract from the puzzles and can cause players to get lost in the story. Plus, if the text isn’t well-translated or is unclear, frustration is guaranteed!
Why is this an issue?
1. For those who don’t know the difference: If you’ve never experienced a real escape room, you might be disappointed when you end up somewhere that feels more like a role-playing session.
2. For escape room fans: If you’re someone who loves puzzles and mental challenges, you’ll feel cheated if you find yourself in a game filled with texts and vague riddles.

Each Game Has Its Audience
Both escape rooms and role-playing games are loads of fun, but they offer very different experiences. An escape room is a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping adventure—perfect for spending time with friends. A role-playing game, on the other hand, is more immersive and creative, ideal for those who love storytelling.
To Sum It Up
An escape room and a role-playing game are not the same thing. An escape room is all about logic and observation, with puzzles that are universal—you don’t need to know any language to solve them. Role-playing games, however, are more narrative-based and require a lot more player interaction.
It’s Important for Players to Know the Difference
Understanding the difference between the two helps you choose the experience that suits you best. Don’t be fooled by fake escape rooms trying to cash in on the trend!
We want more genuine escape rooms and fewer role-playing games in disguise!
Harry Potter