The phrase describes an interactive form of entertainment where the player’s primary objective involves escaping a precarious or disorienting scenario. Success hinges on problem-solving, resource management, and navigation within a simulated environment. For instance, a narrative might place participants in a sprawling forest, tasking them with locating a path back to civilization through clues and strategic decision-making.
This category of digital experience can cultivate heightened cognitive skills, enhance collaboration among players in multiplayer settings, and offer immersive storytelling. Historically, these experiences evolved from text-based adventures to graphically rich simulations, often drawing inspiration from survival literature and folklore.