RATING: 4 Keys RESULT: Win REMAINING: 30:30
With public viewing commencing in only one hour, a magnificent crown becomes the next target for an infamous art thief’s collection.
The Vieux Carré Art Gallery is hosting a ball to showcase the new jewel of its collection – the King’s Crown. Security may be tight, but the main gallery is off-limits to guests for one hour – giving you just enough time to pose as gallery staff and steal the King’s Crown for yourselves. Can you get into the gallery and back out with the priceless art, or will you be caught red-handed and spend Mardi Gras in the slammer?
Burglarizing a treasured attraction requires deliberate planning as well as precise timing. This carefully procured group of thieves must find a way into the main exhibit hall and then override the security safeguards to swipe the regal headpiece – all without setting off the alarm and alerting the authorities. Spending carnival season celebrating this latest catch sounds a lot more festive than prison.
Exploring the behind-the-scenes personnel-only spaces of the facility may seem like a waste of precious minutes, but will eventually lead the way to the invaluable contents of the showroom. It looks like careful attention to detail and effective two-way communication will be the keys to success in this mission.
Operatives begin the infiltration in two separate areas. The small break room holds an employee locker, a shift clock, and a weekly work schedule. Black plastic shelves are filled with a variety of cleaning supplies. On the opposite side of the museum, two rows of garments line the racks of the coat check nook. A white podium sits against the wall, holding a clipboard and a black walkie-talkie, the only means of keeping tabs on the rest of the team. Not being able to see what is going on elsewhere adds to the high-stakes immersion.
Transitioning from the mundane, utilitarian back-of-house staff areas into the bright, colorful main gallery creates an impactful visual contrast that truly sells the illusion of sneaking into a restricted exhibit. Popular New Orleans paintings celebrating Fat Tuesday hang on the walls with gold identification placards posted underneath. In the center of the floor, the prized possession sits majestically beneath security glass that appears to be protected by sophisticated laser technology. It becomes clear very quickly that this time-sensitive operation is not going to be a simple walk in City Park.
Due to the split start, it is recommended to strategically divide the team of burglars to ensure a strong communicator is positioned in each opening room. Sharing detailed intel with the other art collectors is vital; this is not a mission that can be accomplished alone. While there is some linear structure to this story, there are several instances where more than one task can be solved simultaneously to keep everyone engaged in the job.
The puzzles in Carnival Heist are intuitive and well aligned to the museum theme. Clues flow naturally from one step to the next, minimizing frustration and keeping momentum high throughout the sixty minutes. Several challenges are logic based and make creative use of the space. Though many tasks involve numeric codes and key pads, some also require physical manipulation of objects and a little dose of math, too. The experience culminates in a high-energy, Indiana Jones-esque final sequence. Navigating this climactic obstacle under the pressure of the ticking clock provides a remarkably satisfying payout to the heist narrative.
Clue Carré has created a fun family-friendly adventure perfect for escape game lovers of all ages and levels of experience. Carnival Heist packs quite a few challenges inside its walls despite its compact blueprint. The physical demand of the space is low; there is no crawling or climbing required, making it accessible even to those who have limited mobility.
This art theft escapade will only be available at Clue Carré until August 24, as the New Orleans venue is moving to a new location. Make plans with a few shady friends to schedule the next grand extraction today. Will the thieves once again succeed and become wealthy monarchs, or just end up a royal flush?
Show your support for Escape Authority and get social with us:
Venue: Clue Carré
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Number of Games: 4
GAME SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
Duration: 60 minutes
Capacity: 8 people
Group Type: Private / You will not be paired with strangers.
Cost: $35 per person
We thank Clue Carré for inviting us to play this game. Although complimentary admission was generously provided, that in no way impacts the opinion included within this review.
