At first there were text quests in the console on the computer. Later they were replaced by quests with 2D graphics. Then there was a wave of browser-based “Escape the Room” quests, which migrated to smartphones.
Quests in reality are the next turn of the spiral. This is an attempt to bring avid questers offline and a new entertainment that has millions of fans around the world.
In 2007 they appeared in Japan. The first Russian quests were “Ward No. 6” and “Beginning” in Yekaterinburg, and two years later “Claustrophobia” opened quest rooms in Moscow.
Why do people go on quests and how to win this game? Revealing the secrets of victory 
What is a quest in reality?
A quest is a chain of riddles placed in a specific location. Actually, there are escape rooms - when the puzzles are located in a small area, for example - in an apartment of several rooms. And the current room usually has a key to the next one. They don’t tell you in advance how many rooms there are.
And there are quests that take place over a large area - in parks, large abandoned buildings or on the scale of an entire city. Usually these are bicycle or auto quests, because you can’t cover tens of kilometers on foot in a few hours.
The essence is always approximately the same: complete tasks and solve riddles that bring you closer to victory. To make it more interesting, the creators of the quest come up with a legend, take a historical or popular plot.
You usually have 60 minutes to complete the escape room. Other quests – several hours.
If you don’t have time, you will lose (you will die, you will let the forces of evil take over the world, you will fall into the hands of the police, you will not save the princess, etc.). If you have time, you will win and have the opportunity to take a photo with a sign with the treasured time. And if you’re lucky, they’ll also give you a magnet, stickers, etc.
Often quests are based on films or books. Indeed, some of them seem to be tailored for a quest. Remember “Exam” or “Saw”: here you have limited space, mind-bending puzzles, and a fixed time.
Performances are a different story. These are quests with the participation of live actors. Spoiler: performances always take place, actors help in the right places. It’s just that they are not so much about riddles, but about immersion in the atmosphere and the opportunity to become part of the performance.
Kaeya's problems
To begin the quest, find Kaeya at the Knights of Favonius Headquarters. Talk to him, starting the Secret Pirate Treasure quest chain. He will send you to the adventurers guild to collect evidence. Talk to Cyrus, who is standing in front of the Adventurers' Guild building, and you will be sent back to Kay. Once you return, you will complete the quest Kaeya's Troubles and begin the quest The Secret of the Ruins of Arcadia.
Why do people go to escape rooms?
To distract yourself and immerse yourself in a certain atmosphere. Get a bunch of tasks and a strict deadline. Test your strength and see your friends in an unusual environment. Feel like a superhero. Tickle your nerves, finally - when a maniac has chained you to the wall and snaps a shocker in your face, the sensations are still the same!
In fact, everyone has their own reasons. Quests are quite suitable even for dates (just keep in mind that the operator will see you in all rooms). They are often used for team building.
An hour in a confined space full of secrets and mysteries makes hidden abilities and talents awaken. This is a great brain booster and teaches you to think outside the box. And it provides impressions for the month ahead!
How to choose a quest
It’s better to start with large franchises that are not on the market for the first time. Such companies have already developed certain standards, so the quality of execution will be at the same level.
And this is important - it happens that a lot of time is lost due to glitches and breakdowns of mechanisms. Of course, the operator can add minutes or restart the quest. But the impressions will not be the same.
Review sites are very helpful. You just have to look critically and distinguish real opinions from paid ones.
In general, if there are a lot of reviews on the quest, and they are mostly positive, you can safely go. Spoilers in reviews are extremely rare, so they will not help you complete the quest. But they will give you an idea of what’s inside and how complicated everything is.
Another indicator is the average time to complete the quest. It may be indicated on review sites or on the quest booking page. Easy quests usually take 40-45 minutes. The most difficult ones take 58-60 minutes out of 60. The results of those who fail are not taken into account.
Pay attention to how busy the quest is. If you go to the site on Friday and see that there are no free slots in the quest for Saturday and Sunday (all sessions are occupied from morning to evening), then this is a worthwhile option, even if not for this weekend. If only a couple of sessions are full, then the quest is either old and everyone who wanted to completed it. Or he's just so-so.
There are quests that cannot be completed by two people - for example, if you need to simultaneously press buttons at three different ends of the room. This is indicated in the description. But, as a rule, you can go in a group of 2-4 people.
Feel free to check with the operator over the phone how difficult the quest is and how many people are desirable to complete it. Operators, most often, actively go to quests themselves, so they will not particularly advertise an obviously unsuitable option.
Children and quests
Quests may have age restrictions. But in fact, there are stories that are really strictly 18+ (for example, if the plot involves shooting people or the horror is too creepy). And there are quests in which children will simply not be interested - for example, based on an adult book or film, with a lot of logical riddles, etc.
Children under the age of 14 should definitely not be taken to horror films. It will not bring pleasure to them or you. No, there are, of course, exceptions, but... There are also more interesting options for them.
Children under 6 years old also have nothing to do in quests. There is little help from them there. In addition, they will distract from solving riddles, and there is a high chance that you will not meet the deadline. It is not customary to leave the quest for a drink, to go to the toilet, etc. - they will let you out, of course, but this will not add excitement.
Although now there are many quests designed specifically for children. If you want to give your child and his friends a quest for their birthday, check with the operator whether they can complete it themselves or whether the presence of an adult is required.
Lifehacks for completing quests
As soon as the front door closes behind you, look around carefully. You can do anything that doesn’t disrupt the situation. Feel and tap the walls, open all available drawers, look under furniture, behind paintings. Pay attention to the pictures on the walls - they often give a clue.
Keep in your head locked boxes, mechanisms that are missing something, puzzle pieces. This makes it clear what you need to find.
Don't spend too much time on one puzzle. If you stagnate in one place for more than five minutes, it means you are doing something wrong. Try looking for more clues or items.
Keys and other quest items are most often used only once. This is an unspoken rule. If the item will be used again, the operator will hint to you about this before starting the quest. Leave the keys in the locks and you will be happy.
There are a minimum of random items in quests. If something looks unusual, it almost certainly performs a specific task.
Check any strange stickers, protrusions, or other elements for magnetic properties. For example, mechanisms are often triggered by magnets built into key objects of a certain size or by a precise weight.
Listen. All the words you hear in the quest have meaning and help you complete it.
Designate a person responsible for time. It’s easy to get carried away in a quest and lose track of the minutes. The person in charge should bring you back to reality and adjust if necessary. You cannot take a watch or smartphone with you. But most often there is a timer inside or you can ask the operator about the time.
If you have to enter a dark room or crawl through a narrow passage, close one eye for a minute. When you open your eyes, you adapt to the darkness faster. By the way, pirates wore an eye patch for the same reason - so that when going down into the hold, they could immediately see clearly.
Finally, if you realize that you are definitely stuck, ask the operator for help. Perhaps you are doing everything right, the mechanism just didn’t work. Or maybe you are trying to open the door instead of moving it to the side. Everyone is stupid, especially in a new stressful environment)))
They don’t make riddles that are too complex or impossible to complete, because it’s important for the creators to please you and ensure that you come to the next quest. If you think a little and look from a different angle, the solution will turn out to be insanely simple.
Most importantly, remember: quests are fun. The goal of any of them is to have fun.
Don't take them to heart, don't be afraid and don't quarrel with your friends because they do something wrong. Don't complicate everything, just enjoy the process and the atmosphere.
Windmill of Monstadt
The first clue reads as follows: “In a city on a lake there live three six-armed giants. Two guard the statue, One is the treasure.”
This clue refers to the three windmills in Monstadt. Go up to the southwest mill. If you can't find your way, simply climb onto the nearest building and glide to your destination. There's a chest waiting for you at the top. Inside you will find another card with another clue. Your treasure hunt is not over yet.
How to save money on quests
During business hours on weekdays, sessions are always cheaper. Finding a suitable quest near your place of work or study or going during your lunch break means saving several hundred.
Before the quest closes, auctions of unheard-of generosity are also held. Usually the quest lasts for a year and a half, then a new one is built in the same room.
It happens that a discount for the next one is hidden inside the quest itself. Operators warn about this. Pay attention to special stickers, cards, etc.
In addition, many companies regularly hold promotions: they give a discount for reposting, offer special prices for students, those who have attended other quests of the franchise or partners.
They are also looking for “experimental subjects” before opening new rooms. Of course, it happens that something is unfinished there or it takes more time to complete. But it’s free + you’ll take a direct part in creating the magic of the quest, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to look at the inner kitchen.
Advertisements are usually given on social networks, so subscribing to the pages of quest companies is profitable. But if the operator tells you that a new quest will open soon, do not hesitate to call after a while and remind you about yourself - this way you will increase your chances of getting into the new quest for free.
Hint: usually they are looking for either very experienced players or beginners to check the level of the quest.
What quests have you already completed? Share your favorite rooms in the comments %)
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