Review: Sandbox VR at Gravity Max Wandsworth
Review: Sandbox VR at Gravity Max Wandsworth
Toby Lofthouse reviews Squid Game and discovers a great immersive experience for the family this half-term
Virtual reality is something that most of us are familiar with. Whether you have it at home yourself, played it with a friend or even just heard about it, VR is sociable, fun and sometimes even a healthy way to burn time. Having VR myself, of course I already knew all of this, however it is a completely different experience when doing it with Sandbox VR.
Set in Gravity Max in Wandsworth, there’s a cool bar right beside Sandbox, where you can have dinner or drinks after the experience with your friends or family, and there are other attractions too such as crazy golf or high-tech darts. From the moment I entered, I was greeted with a modern and slick look, with action packed posters of the games you can choose from hung up on the wall. Once we checked in, a variety of games grasped my attention, but in particular I wanted to try the trending Netflix show Squid Game, especially after having just watched it.
You strap on your ankle and wrist sensors, a vest and a helmet, and are then put into a gaming area big enough to ensure walking and jumping around are safe, something I definitely won’t be able to get away with when I’m at home. You then choose the character/avatar you want to be. I must say, seeing your little brother as a bold old man and your dad as a skinny blue haired woman can be alarming but nevertheless was very comical. From the moment you enter the game, expect an instant sense of competitiveness amongst you and your companions.
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In Sandbox’s Squid Game, there are six rounds you must compete in, each with a different spin and goal. Personally, I found the ones where you could target an enemy were the most fun. For example, in round three I was in a team with my brother against my parents, whacking spikey bombs at each other, desperately trying to blow up opponents to earn the most points. The virtual world created works really well with players set in a vast hall and there are fun effects work well such as when you ‘fall off’ a platform, you do feel that sense of falling. A slight glitch at the end of the game made it so my brother couldn’t play a bit of the last round which was quite frustrating for him. This isn’t a huge problem though, by raising your hand, the friendly team at Sandbox can pause the game and fix any issue.
Overall, me and my family enjoyed the experience a lot but there was some divide as to which game we preferred – we have played Seekers of the Shard at Sandbox in Covent Garden, which my dad enjoyed more but I argue that they are completely different experiences, for instance, with Seekers, you get a gun to blast the villains, Squid Game involves more thought as to how to solve different elements. My mum also preferred the more striking visual world of Seekers. My brother and I liked Squid Game the most but perhaps due to the fact that we have watched the show. It’s worth noting that it is nothing like the gory TV series and is suitable for all ages.
- Suitable for 1 to 6 players, £25 – £50 per guest.
