We’ve talked about The VOID before here at The Roarbots. Last year, we checked out Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire and were kind of blown away by it. So it was a definite thrill to return and experience two more of their immersive VR experiences.

We already discussed Avengers: Damage Control, so today we’re taking a look at Jumanji: Reverse the Curse.

First of all, in case you aren’t familiar, The VOID is a fully immersive virtual reality experience that drops you into an entirely different world that feels incredibly real. Think of it a bit like a virtual escape room… that feels like a movie… and you’re the star.

Jumanji: Reverse the Curse is based on the recent films that rebooted the series (i.e., not the original Robin Williams movie). The experience begins with a quick movie that introduces the world, sets up the storyline, and explains a few key logistics (i.e., how to play). The video features Rhys Darby as Nigel (aka the gamemaster) who explains that “the evil Haka’ar has stolen the Scepter of Se’payu, which contains the Red Jewel of Jumanji. You and your companions must enter the game, take on the form of its heroes, and recover the scepter.”

The four possible cards you’re given at the beginning of the experience

Then it’s time to get suited up. You not only gear up with VR goggles – actually, an entire helmet – but also get strapped into a haptic vest that will help immerse you into the experience more fully.The helmet lets you SEE and HEAR the virtual world around you, but the vest lets you FEEL it.

Once you’re geared up, you’re led into the first room of the experience. Look around with your mere mortal eyeballs, and it’s just a small room with a blank slate of four black walls. Pull the helmet down, and you’re thrust into the world of Jumanji.

What you actually look like is somewhat random. Since the maximum number of people in a group is four, there are four possible identities you can assume: Dr. Smolder Bravestone (The Rock), Professor Shelly Oberon (Jack Black), “Mouse” Finbar (Kevin Hart), or Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan).

The actual height of each person in your group is maintained, though, so if you have a kid who becomes Dr. Bravestone, you’ll see a miniature version of The Rock… otherwise known as The Pebble.

Likewise, I became Shelly, whose… considerable belly only gets bigger with his height. And since I’m over six feet tall, I’m told I was the fattest Jack Black you’ve ever seen. (You can see yourself in a mirror at the very beginning of the experience, but that’s it.)

In addition to those nifty haptic vests, the (unseen) physical structure around you also has fans (to mimic wind), heat lamps (so you can feel heat in specific scenes), and other tools to simulate environmental conditions you’re experiencing in the virtual world. In short, it’s quite convincing.

Each member of your team also has a unique skill, so you must work together to solve riddles and follow clues. For example, Prof. Oberon can “translate” ancient languages (a written clue appears in English for this player while it looks like gibberish to everyone else) and “Mouse” Finbar can talk to animals (this player is the only one who can hear what they’re saying).

As in the movie, each player has three “lives,” so you need to make wise decisions along the way. Don’t waste them.

There are also coins to collect, treasure chests to open, and even moments when you unknowingly interact with VOID employees in the space with you (saying more would be a spoiler).

Yes, there a few jump scares that will literally make you jump. And yes, you actually need to shout out “JUMANJI!” in order to win the game and end the experience.

Of the three experiences we’ve done at The VOID, Jumanji: Reverse the Curse is by far the most interactive… and I daresay enjoyable. Listen, I’m a huge Star Wars and Marvel fan, but Jumanji is the only one I’d consider doing again. It’s really a lot of fun.

Some important logistics:

• Group size is limited to four people, so if you have a larger group, you’ll be split up.
• Yes, you can wear your glasses beneath the helmet. And yes, the VR effects still absolutely work as intended.
• Minimum height requirement is 48″ (presumably so the vests will fit properly), and The VOID recommends a minimum age of 10. However, my son was 8 and had no problems.
• The entire experience lasts about 30-40 minutes, but that includes time to gear up and watch the movie. The actual VR experience will breeze by (believe me).
• Cost varies a bit by location, but it averages $40 per person. Which, yes, is very pricey, but damn is it fun.

For a family or group of four, we’re talking an expense in excess of $160. No matter how you figure it, that’s a lot. And although the experience is interactive, it isn’t incredibly dynamic or differentiated at all. There aren’t really any choices to make that will affect what happens. In short, it’ll be roughly the same experience each time.

Is it worth it? It’s a load of fun, and I’d certainly put it high up on a list of “special occasion” activities. If you’re going to choose just ONE experience in The VOID, I’d do my homework and choose wisely. But it’s hard to go wrong with Jumanji.

It was unanimously our favorite experience of the three we’ve done.