RATING: 5 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 12:32
The City of Light is about to be snuffed out, as a sinister thief threatens to harness powerful sacred stones to turn all of Paris into dust.
Beneath the streets of Paris, a dangerous plot is unfolding…
The notorious thief known only as Voleur has spent years scouring the globe, hunting down six ancient stones said to hold the power to keep nature in balance. Now, five of the stones are in his possession–and the delicate harmony of the world is beginning to unravel.
Voleur is hot on the trail of the sixth and final stone hidden deep within the catacombs of Paris. If he finds it first, the consequences could be catastrophic.
And the Architect will not stand for that…
He is tasking your team to infiltrate Voleur’s hidden lair to recover the five stolen stones, and beat the thief to the sixth.
Can you outwit the world’s most elusive thief and restore balance before it’s too late?
Ah, Paris, the City of Light. Except it is not so luminous at the moment, as the ne’er do well Voleur has thrown the city into turmoil with his “acquiring” of worldly treasures. This is particularly true with his current fixation, the mystical stones of earthly harmony.
Voleur has built a rather impressive collection of artifacts, all obtained quite legally, or so he would like you to think. His furnishings present a scholarly and well-traveled air, but something sinister lurks beneath the surface. He fancies himself as an archeologist, when he’s really more of an arch… enemy to history.
The catacombs beneath his lair provide a glimpse at the fate that awaits the denizens of Paris should the stones not be recovered. The only way to prove worthiness to The Architect, the Creator of Worlds, is to find the missing stones and return harmony to Earth.
Voleur’s chambers are a dimly lit look into the mind of a madman. The walls are littered with maps and charts, highlighting just how global the thief’s escapades have been.
He clearly has an interest in a wide array of subjects, ranging from astronomy to Egyptology to classic literature, if the adornments are anything to go by. However, it’s obvious that the miscreant’s misdeeds lean more towards pilfering than preservation.
Voleur seemingly has a mild fascination with light torture. Various ropes and wrought-iron cages strewn about indicate that he likes to confine anyone who attempt to thwart his thievery.
Even his storage spaces and the catacombs themselves show how twisted this man truly is. Common apothecary items such as oils and tinctures lay interspersed with goods of the consumable nature- because everyone knows that pickles are best served alongside gunpowder! The underground tombs also look like they are on the verge of collapse; Voleur must have a lot of faith in those walls to not cave in and bury his findings forever!
Relic recoverers are faced with a variety of tasks in their quest to procure the missing stones. From retracing the routes Voleur used in his world-wide escapades to deciphering ancient languages, investigators will do everything in their power to determine where that pesky grave-robber has stashed those elusive crags.
A small amount of dexterity is required, as certain puzzles necessitate the use of crouching for brief moments. All challenges serve to further the storyworld, as they demonstrate how Voleur has traversed the continents to obtain his appropriated curios. While predominantly linear in nature, there are certain riddles that can be solved simultaneously. ensuring that multiple sleuths can provide ample contribution.
While the sacred antiquities are visually reminiscent of the Shankara Stones from Indiana Jones lore, this Parisian adventure makes for its own unique tale. This harrowing caper allows historians to fully restore the famed City of Light to its normal state of grandeur, whilst still outsmarting Voleur at every opportunity.
Expedition Unknown provides a glimpse into the past, ever expanding as each purloined object is uncovered throughout the hideout. Chase the thief, recover his stolen treasures, and of course, leave no stone unturned.
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Venue: Encrypted Escape
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Number of Games: 5
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 10 people
Group Type: Private / You will not be paired with strangers.
Cost: $51.42 – $68.56 per person, depending on group size
We thank Encrypted Escape Room for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.
