VR-Hut: Our Review of This New Virtual Reality Center
We tried out virtual reality at VR-Hut
We tried out virtual reality at VR-Hut, and we're going to tell you what we thought.
Virtual reality is a topic that has always fascinated me. In fact, I had devoured the book *Ready Player One* long before the buzz surrounding its movie adaptation. Anyway, I'm a fan of the concept, but right now, VR (Virtual Reality) requires a substantial budget for a high-end headset and PC, or else investing in a PS4 and PlayStation VR, which are less expensive but also offer more limited performance.
Fortunately, for those who want to try it out without having to spend all their money on the necessary equipment (and space), virtual reality centers are popping up more and more. That’s why Quantic and I headed to Waterloo to check out VR-Hut, a rapidly growing virtual reality center.
We were curious to see what VR-Hut had to offer—not just for VR “newbies,” but also for people like us who are familiar with the subject and have our own equipment at home.
The staff at VR-Hut are very friendly, and the decor offers a refreshing contrast to the ultra-modern VR concept—there are two large screens connected to a Super Nintendo Mini and a Mini Mega Drive, perfect for passing the time between VR sessions.
First VR Experience
For those who are completely new to VR, you can also try a VR experience to get a little familiar with it. So I got to try the famous “plank” challenge, but in horror mode…As I waited for the elevator doors to close, hundreds of spiders were crawling out from everywhere… Still, it’s really the act of walking across that plank that’s the most impressive. Even though you know full well you’re standing on solid ground, it really feels like you’re walking on that plank over a void! Plus, after my turn was over, seeing Quantic—who’s afraid of heights—panic after he’d made fun of me was really funny! In short, the VR-Hut waiting area already offers a “little” VR experience, which is a pretty good introduction.
Main Benefit of the VR-Hut
However, the main appeal of VR-Hut is the ability to play multiplayer VR games. Quantic and I were able to try out Elven Assassins and Front Defense VR .
Elven Assassins puts us in the shoes—or rather, the armor—of an elven archer who must defend a city from waves of enemies in co-op mode or kill all the other players in PvP (player versus player) mode. Honestly, both modes are a lot of fun. Since the controls are relatively simple (you just mimic the motion of nocking an arrow, pulling the bowstring, aiming, and releasing), it doesn’t take long for anyone to start having fun. Plus, to avoid any potential VR-induced motion sickness, you move around simply by aiming at certain predefined locations.
We got hooked on the game very quickly. In co-op mode, we coordinated our efforts to take on waves of orcs and dragons by showering them with arrows, while in PvP mode, we happily killed each other. By the end, I was pretty tired: even though it’s a relatively static game in the sense that movement is done via teleportation, you still have to move to aim, turn around, or even duck to avoid an enemy axe or arrow. I spent quite a bit of time crouching, and honestly, I had a lot of fun.
A Change of Atmosphere
Front Defense VR took us in a whole new direction, shifting from a fantasy world with elves to the harsh reality of war. Quantic and I tried to reenact the Normandy landings, but on opposing sides. The game turned out to be more tactical, with slightly more complex (and even realistic) controls: here, you really have to mimic every movement just to reload your weapon. So, you have to remove the empty magazine, grab a full one, insert it, and chamber the first round—not as easy as it sounds when you’re under fire! I’ll admit I had a few mishaps!
Similarly, moving around required a bit more concentration, since you had to use the VR controller to guide your character to the desired location. Honestly, it wasn’t always easy, and it took some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it starts to be fun. So, in the second part, set in a bunker, I was able to find a strategic position to mow everyone down in “Aelya Loves Camping” mode.
The experiment was a success
In both cases—whether it was *Elven Assassins* or *Front Defense VR* —we didn’t even notice the time passing, which proves that the experience was a success. It’s the kind of activity that’s a lot of fun to do in a group: I can already picture myself doing a team-building exercise with my coworkers on Elven Assassins! Or coming back with my sister and her boyfriend to kill zombies in Arizona Sunshine. That’s the advantage of VR-Hut: it offers a social experience where you can play with others.
The price is 30 euros per machine per hour, which is a reasonable price for the experience offered.
That said, we hope VR-Hut will soon set up a full free-movement VR room similar to the one Quantic and I discovered at Gamescom 2018: playing VR as if you were really there—that is, by actually moving around—where the entire room becomes a real playground. The immersion would then be total. In the meantime, the experience offered is truly interesting and reasonably priced, whether for people who want to try VR for the first time or for groups of friends eager to play together.
You can find all the necessary information on the official website of VR-Hut.
The article is available atCouples of Pixel.
Want to try a game here? Book your VR session in Waterloo.