Collaborative adventure games have gained popularity over the past years among the gaming community and outside, as gaming becomes more remote and online-focused. It has made gaming more accessible to players from any region of the world a fair chance to compete and join teams without geographic and travel restricting exclusions.
Remote adventure games, otherwise known as virtual escape room games, are games where online gaming teams are presented with a scenario by a game host.
The scenario is usually a case wherein players are virtually ‘trapped’ in a room and have to work together to escape. The team has to analyze clues and solve puzzles, which can then unlock more clues that can help them escape.
If you’re interested in trying out an online adventure game with your friends or colleagues, then you’ll need to know the main components and what they consist of.
Here’s what you need to know about adventure games and how they work.
The Teams
The first step in adventure gaming is to gather your team of players and choose a set date and time suitable for all of you to play. There are adventure games available online for single players, but due to the time limit and the number of intricate clues that need to be solved, playing by yourself could lead to time running out.
In this case, the‘ two heads are better than one’ principle applies, as having teammates could mean that you can help each other solve the clues faster. Most virtual escape rooms don’t have a limit on the number of players who can participate but recommend how many players are ideal for each game
You and your team have the option to meet and play together. Although, since this game is hosted online, players can conveniently play in the comfort of their homes. All you need is a computer and a stable internet connection.
The Host
Most escape room games will have a host or presenter. After signing up and each player paying the fee, you and your team will be redirected to meet your host in a virtual online call. The host will act as a guide for the entire duration of the game.
During this introductory escape room call, the host will briefly explain the aim and scenario of the game you’ve chosen. This host will be physically present at the scene of the escape room and is dressed in full costume for the occasion to match the theme of the selected adventure game. This mix of virtual live feed and in-person representation is what has made online gaming popular in recent years.
Once you start playing, the host will then be your team’s avatar and will do as you and your teammates instruct him to do. The game interface will give you a live 360-degree view of the virtual room. When you spot an item that could be a clue, you can ask your host to interact with it. When you think you’ve figured out the clue, you cantell the host, who will then check your answers and direct you from there.
The Puzzles
This is the main part of the remote adventure games. You and your team have to solve puzzles and clues according to the scenario presented to you by your host. Each clue you get correct opens up another related clue until it leads you to the end key to unlock the escape room and win the game. All of this has to be done within the time limit, or the game will end with your team still inside, and you’ll have to start again.
The puzzles within the remote adventure games themselves are chosen thematically to cater to the room’s scenario or challenge. For example, there are murder mysteries to be solved in a crime-themed room. The puzzles can be hidden or be obscure objects such as keys, books, clothing items, boxes, gambling chips, whiteboards, and scrolls with the clues written on them.
The types of puzzles you may encounter are brain games that will allow you to exercise logical and out-of-the-box thinking. More so, part of the challenge is you can’t cheat by looking for answers online. Instead, you have to depend on yourself and your team’s capability to solve each clue and puzzle.
Conclusion
Multiplayer remote adventure gaming is seeing a surge in interest from the gaming community and busy executives looking for a challenge alike. These games foster teamwork and are designed to develop and test your puzzle-solving skills while you have fun.
These escape rooms can be played virtually from the comfort of your own home or at work as a team-building exercise. The aim is to escape the room you’re trapped in within the set time limit. You can expect each game to come with a host to guide you through the adventure as you follow the clues. All of these components come together to provide you with engaging entertainment that also doubles to better your brainpower.
