A new horror escape room is hiding just around the corner…

It seems a long time since we introduced the virtual reality experience Ninja Trials. Want to know a secret? I didn’t like it at all! I’m an escape room purist and Ninja, while having escape room elements, isn’t “escape roomy” enough for me. I very nearly didn’t add it to our range at all. Now I’m glad i did because it’s been really well received. (Which just goes to show how little I know.) The developers noticed my lukewarm reception and asked:

What should we do next? What’s missing from the rooms we have? What theme shall we go for? What do your players want most?

So we told them….

We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of our latest VR immersive experience – Alien Infection. This new escape room will take you into the darkness. Where your fear sits in the shadows. You’ll embark on a terrifying adventure filled with eerie creatures and unsettling surprises.

But before you sign up for a heart-pounding, spine-chilling experience, you might be wondering – why do people want to scare themselves in the first place? I mean… take a look at this….

It’s beyond me. I can’t stand horror. Why is “is it scary?” the most asked question we receive? Why is our creepy Manor of Escape escape room the most popular of all our games, by far!? What is the matter with you crazy people!? Why do you like scary escape rooms?

It’s a fascinating question, and one that has intrigued psychologists, game designers, and thrill-seekers alike. So here’s some ideas exploring the psychology behind why so many of you love creepy games, haunted houses, and horror-themed experiences. Why do people like scary games?

1. The Adrenaline Rush

One of the biggest reasons people enjoy creepy games is the rush of adrenaline that comes from being scared. When we’re exposed to something frightening – whether it’s a dark woods full of strange sounds or a creepy alien creeping closer – our bodies release adrenaline. This “fight or flight” hormone heightens our senses, making everything feel more intense.

For many, this heightened state of alertness creates a sense of exhilaration. It’s like riding a rollercoaster, but without the seatbelt. We seek out those moments that make our heart race, not because we’re in danger, but because it’s thrilling to feel alive. Scary games like Alien Infection push our bodies into that state of heightened excitement without real harm, allowing us to explore our limits in a safe environment.

2. Facing the Unknown

Fear of the unknown is one of the most primal fears we have as humans. Yet, there’s something oddly comforting about confronting that fear head-on. In creepy escape rooms, the unknown is built into every corner – from mysterious sounds to unexplained movements – everything keeps us on edge. We know it’s all part of the game, but our brains still react like we're in danger.

This push and pull between curiosity and fear is why so many people are drawn to horror-themed experiences. We’re compelled to face our fear of the unknown, pushing past our instinct to run away. The experience of solving a puzzle or overcoming a scary moment gives us a sense of achievement and bravery, all while safely remaining in control.

3. Catharsis: Releasing Built-Up Tension

Many people find that experiencing fear in a controlled environment actually helps relieve stress. The intense emotions that come with playing creepy games, or even watching a scary movie, help us process and release built-up anxiety. It’s a form of emotional purging that allows us to release tension in a safe and structured way.

When you finally solve that alien-related mystery or escape the clutches of a terrifying scenario, you experience a powerful sense of release. That cathartic moment provides a psychological payoff, leaving you feeling lighter and more relaxed once the fear has passed.

4. The Social Bonding Experience

Creepy games, especially those in escape room settings, offer something else beyond the fear factor – they provide an opportunity to bond with friends, family, or even strangers. The shared experience of being scared can strengthen relationships. Think of it as a “survival” activity where, through teamwork and mutual support, you face the fear together and help each other through it.

When people go through a scary escape room experience together, they create lasting memories and often form stronger connections. Those who can laugh together after surviving the scares have a sense of camaraderie that’s difficult to replicate in other types of activities.

5. The Attraction to Horror as a Genre

Horror as a genre has a long history of captivating audiences, from literature to film to games. It’s a unique genre that combines both psychological and physical reactions. Horror taps into a deep, almost universal human curiosity: what lies beyond the ordinary? What happens when the rules of reality are bent or broken? These questions are intriguing and make the horror genre inherently appealing.

Scary escape rooms like Alien Infection offer a unique blend of storytelling, immersive environments, and intense suspense that allows people to explore darker themes in a controlled space. For those who are passionate about horror, these games provide an opportunity to “live” inside the genre and interact with the terrifying elements directly.

6. Escaping Reality

Lastly, horror and creepy games offer an escape from the everyday. Life can be stressful, and many people turn to scary games as a way to break away from the mundane. In the immersive world of Alien Infection, participants aren’t worrying about work, bills, or the daily grind. Instead, they’re thrust into a world of mystery and danger, where survival and problem-solving take center stage.

This level of engagement allows players to temporarily escape reality, providing a form of mental respite. Once the game ends, they return to reality with a sense of satisfaction and a little extra adrenaline in their system.

Ready to Conquer Your Fears?

At VRescape, we’re all about offering experiences that excite and challenge you. With Alien Infection, we’re adding a thrilling new horror themed game to our escape room collection. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of scary games or simply looking for an exhilarating new challenge, we can promise you an unforgettable experience filled with mystery, suspense, and, of course, scares.

Are you ready to face the unknown? Come and experience the chilling thrills of Alien Infection and discover for yourself why so many people love to scare themselves – safely!

Now, please don’t go mentioning this to any younger players just yet as until we’ve played through it more and run some test games we won’t know what age restriction to set on it. I’m not really the right judge.

Blair Witch was a 15. Alien started life as an 18 and is now considered a 15. Head further back though and Jaws was a PG when I was a kid! Now if I’m in the sea and there’s even a shadow on the water, I start hearing a John Williams score! If you’re too young to have seen those films do take the time. They’re very good!

On the other hand, I’m very used to being in VR, so i’m pretty much immune to fear created by the very real proximity of things in the virtual world. I do understand that others might not be. There’s something very different between an immersive experience and just watching a film. A seven and a half foot alien isn’t scary on your tv, but he might get the pulse rate up when he’s stood right next to you. When people come to play our test games, we’ll be asking those with kids what they think would be an appropriate age - how would kids they know react?

This game has been pretty thoroughly tested already, but we still need our hosts to learn it. For that we set aside a couple of sundays and invite people to book at a reduced rate so we get back to back intensive run throughs with teams who understand that we won’t be offering much by way of hints etc. If you fancy being one of those teams you can click here to visit the Alien Infection booking page. Dates will become available as soon as we have the training days determined.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what you make of this experience.

Craig