How to Choose the Perfect Escape Room for Your Group Size and Skill Level

We had a call today from someone who'd never played an escape room before! They were looking for something to do in the school holidays and asked us, What is an escape room? We've answered a few of the common questions below. Whether it’s for a birthday, work do, or just something different to do on a Saturday, picking the right game makes all the difference. Some rooms are better suited to first-timers. Others really push you to the limit. And then there’s the question of group size - too few and it’s a struggle, too many and you might end up standing around with nothing to do.

If you're based in or around Cardiff and trying to figure out which escape room is right for your group, here are a few things worth thinking about - including a few tips from us at Puzzled Escape Rooms in Taff’s Well.

Group size first, always

This is the one most people don’t think about. A lot of escape rooms say 2–6 players, but that doesn’t mean the experience is the same whether there’s two of you or six. Some rooms have loads of puzzles going on at once, which works great with a big group. Others are a bit more linear - one puzzle at a time - so if you’ve got too many people, it can feel like a few are just watching.

If you’ve got a large group, it’s worth checking whether the venue can run more than one room at a time. At Puzzled, for example, we’ve got two games and we can split big groups across both or run one after the other. It works well for birthdays, family meetups, and work socials.

Be honest about your team’s experience level

There’s no prize for picking the hardest room if half your group has never played before. If it’s your first time, go for a room that eases you in gently - something with a bit of variety and some early wins to get everyone going. You don’t want to spend 20 minutes staring at a wall wondering what you’ve missed.

On the flip side, if you’ve done a few rooms already and want something with a bit more challenge, we’d always recommend letting the host know. At Puzzled, we’ve got an award-winning game (AI Apocalypse) that’s perfect if you’re after something a bit meatier - and we can always adjust the gameplay slight or change the hinting style based on your confidence level.

Mixed ages? Different skill sets? Go for balance

If your group’s a mix - maybe some kids, a grandparent, a couple of puzzle-heads and a few people just along for the ride - you’ll want a room that has a range of puzzle types. Look out for games that combine logic, searching, physical props, and maybe even a bit of tech. The best rooms give everyone a chance to get involved, whatever their strengths.

We try to design our rooms with this in mind - not just one right answer, but lots of little moments where different players can step up and have their moment. And more often than not, it’s the person who says “I’m rubbish at this kind of thing” who ends up solving something no one else could see.

Think about comfort and accessibility

Not every room is suitable for everyone - and it’s not always obvious from the website. If someone in your group uses a wheelchair, or if anyone’s better off seated, ask before you book. At Puzzled, all our rooms are wheelchair accessible and one of our games (AI Apocalypse) is entirely sit-down - which also makes it great for anyone who wants to focus on puzzles without rushing around.

We’ve also got a private car park and space to sit before or after the game - good to know if you’re organising a surprise or bringing cake along!

One last thing - don’t be afraid to ask

If you’re ever unsure, just ask. A decent host will always steer you towards the room that suits your group best. We regularly get messages from people saying “there’s six of us, one’s done a few, three are new, one’s nervous, and it’s someone’s 40th” - and we’ll always help you pick the right room or suggest how to run things.

So whether you’re planning your first escape room or your fiftieth, it’s not just about choosing the theme that sounds the coolest - it’s about finding the one that fits your group best. Get that right, and the rest takes care of itself.

Book your escape room at Puzzled - and if you’re not sure which room to go for, drop us a message and we’ll help you figure it out.

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