I’m always on the lookout for the latest and greatest in tech and entertainment. So when my family and I took a trip to Las Vegas recently, I was thrilled to discover Level Up – a hip virtual reality lounge located inside the MGM Grand casino. We’re huge video game nerds in my house, so the promise of next-generation VR gaming had us all super excited.
In this blog post, I’ll give you the inside scoop on our epic adventure battling aliens, defusing bombs, and solving puzzles in virtual worlds that felt astonishingly real. From the thrilling gameplay to the slick decor, Level Up delivered an unforgettable experience that brought my inner child joy. Read on for the highlights of our Level Up visit, including plenty of laughs along the way!
The VR Games
The main event at Level Up is the VR arena, powered by Zero Latency. Groups of up to 8 players work together in zombie-apocalypse-themed missions, armed with sci-fi guns and communication devices. My wife and kids suited up while I observed, eager to see their reactions when immersed in hyperrealistic virtual worlds.
The 30-minute adventures began with a training level to get acclimated with gear and gameplay. My son John whooped excitedly when a menacing robot materialized before him. “No way, I can see my hands!” he yelled, staring down at his virtual body. His movements precisely matched his real motions as he aimed the digital rifle. “This feels crazy real,” my daughter Jenette remarked, tentatively poking a VR ladder.
When the sci-fi adventure commenced, an ominous portal opened, and out charged grotesque, bloodied zombies hungry for brains. My family blasted away, shredding the horde with thundering machine guns. Adrenaline spiked as undead beasts lunged within inches of their faces. Ducking debris and dangling walkways, my crew battled through an alien-ravaged city teeming with threats. It was exhilarating madness simply indescribable to an observer.
“That was INTENSE!” my son roared after completing the mission. My daughter grinned wildly, still coming down from her battle high. My wife mopped sweat from her brow, amazed at how vivid and visceral the experience had felt. The cutting-edge VR delivered a riveting adventure beyond anything we could’ve imagined. We all wished it could’ve lasted longer than half an hour!
The Decor
While my family recovered, I explored the Level Up space. Sleek neon lighting accentuated the VR lounge’s underground atmosphere. A towering wall mural depicted a futuristic dystopian warzone – hinting at the immersive chaos within the VR arena. Throughout the venue, steampunk elements like filigree portals and ironwork gears added sci-fi mystique.
Level Up’s decor also catered directly to my nerdy interests. Video game character cutouts and graffiti art energized the space with vibrant pop culture motifs. A colossal Stay Puft Marshmallow Man menaced folks at the bar while Pac-Man ghosts hunted along a far wall. In a corner nook, the iconic duo of Mario and Bowser dueled playfully.
Retro arcade cabinets offered classic button-mashing action for waiting players, though a few seemed unfortunately out of order during our visit. Air hockey and basketball hoops stood mostly neglected, but gatherings around the foosball table created lively competition. Level Up even included a mini bowling alley which delighted my kids, along with rows of plush couches for lounging.
We spread out chips and sodas on a centrally located bar table, fueling up between VR missions. Two full-service bars poured everything from craft drafts to video game-themed cocktails like the Princess Peach. Under pulsating party lights, Level Up achieved a welcoming balance – a social hub by day, and a buzzing nightlife attraction by night. The ambiance left my gamer family feeling right at home.
The Service
While setup and decor won me over, customer service failed to impress. Upon arrival, no staff members greeted or assisted us. Signage didn’t indicate where to purchase VR tickets, so I awkwardly shuffled between registers attempting to get our adventure started. When I finally made it to a kiosk, booking our mission slot involved a convoluted process of scanning QR codes that no employee explained.
Once our reservation time came up, Level Up staff hurriedly checked us in and rushed through a five-minute VR tutorial without allowing any questions. Our family stumbled through suiting up in poorly fitted, sanitized gear ourselves. Before we felt fully prepared, employees ushered us straight into the perilous zombie arena. Thankfully the straightforward shooting mechanics proved easy enough for newbies, but their brusque support definitely disrupted immersion during the opening minutes.
I hoped to give additional VR missions a try after my family finished, but not a single attendant bothered to approach me. 40 minutes passed as I loitered around trying to capture someone’s attention. Eventually, I flagged down a manager who curtly informed me that no openings existed for solo players that evening. With little empathy for my visible disappointment, he offered no alternatives — simply sipped his drink and turned his back on me.
Family Fun Factor
Despite the spotty hospitality, Level Up’s recreational perks shone bright enough to carry the overall experience. My family and I spent hours blasting intergalactic baddies, bowling strikes, battling classic arcade bosses, and tossing ping pong balls in heated Beer Pong face-offs. We relished time together laughing loudly, cheering triumphs, and smearing pizza sauce on each other’s faces in the carefree ambiance.
My daughter snagged a stuffed Pikachu from a basketball hoop carnival game, hugging her new cuddle buddy tightly. My son discovered a secret button combo on the Street Fighter cabinet that unlocked Akuma, his all-time favorite fighter. We shared a mountain of cheesy fries and swapped silly stories from our VR missions.
By nightfall, the atmosphere took an even livelier turn. Dance music pumped through the air as groups young and old gathered for drinks under splashes of rainbow light. Weekend entertainment like 80s cover bands, country nights, and karaoke sessions promises recurring Vegas flavor.
Watching my kids soak up new adventures while my wife and I reconnected – that’s what family trips are all about. For delivering joyful bonding and non-stop laughs, Level Up proved itself a uniquely entertaining gem along the Strip. The cutting-edge VR exceeded expectations and left us all wanting more, though inconsistencies remain.
Conclusion
After spending an evening battling aliens, jamming twin levers on Fix-It Felix Jr., and living out my Tron dream battling glowing discs in 3D fields, I’d definitely call Level Up a success overall for families and gamers. The immersive VR adventures transport players to worlds impossible in reality, while the ample recreation like foosball, bowling, and arcade keep long lines from dragging. Plush lounging and full bars serving themed cocktails round out Level Up’s allures for adults too.
With wallet-friendly pricing compared to many Vegas attractions, you get plenty of bang for your buck – especially with daily happy hours offering food and drink deals. As technology improves and more interactive multiplayer games get integrated, I expect Level Up’s futuristic fun to only intensify over time. They occasionally host special events like dance parties and open mic comedy too!
Just don’t expect royal treatment from the staff, as customer service clearly takes a backseat to the tech. On busy nights, good luck flagging down an employee for any help as most seem more distracted by friends than guests. The venue itself could use more attentive upkeep as well – several arcade cabinets sat out of order and restrooms desperately needed sprucing during my three hours there.
But service issues are a minor price to pay for the transportive escapism Level Up delivers. Ultimately we spent an unforgettable evening connecting as a family, and making lifelong memories – isn’t that what adventures in Vegas are all about? So next time you’re strolling the Strip in search of offbeat attractions beyond glitzy shows and smoky casinos, I definitely recommend descending into the glow of Level Up’s underground oasis.