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 this month and experience two more of their immersive VR experiences.

Today, we’re talking about Avengers: Damage Control. (Check back soon for our 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… with superheroes.

If at-home VR systems like Oculus or Vive are 8-bit Super Mario Bros., then The VOID is more akin to Super Mario Odyssey. It’s several steps above and beyond the familiar.

Avengers: Damage Control begins with a quick movie that introduces the world, sets up the storyline, and reminds you of a few key logistics (i.e., how to play). The video features Letitia Wright as Shuri, who has recruited you to test her latest prototype – a suit that combines Wakandan and Stark Industry designs. In short, it’s a cross between Iron Man and Black Panther, and it’s what you’ll “wear” during 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. For example, as you’re flying around blasting enemy robots, they’re also firing back at you. And if you don’t hold up your shield, then yeah, you can feel their shots (sometimes) find their mark.

Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt. On a scale of laser tag (i.e., no sensation whatsoever) to paintball (i.e., could be painful), The VOID is much closer to the former. You’ll feel a slight tingling or ping when a shot hits you, but it’s just a mild sensation… that frankly pulls you further into the simulation and separates you from “reality.”

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 suddenly thrust into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Be still my heart.

As the experience continues, doors open and you move through several different rooms. Keep in mind that if you see a wall in the virtual world, there’s a wall there in the real world. Reach out and touch it if you don’t believe me.

I talked with employees, and they claim that every week, there are multiple people who have to be pulled out of the experience because they forget and run full speed into a real wall. Please, everyone, don’t run in The VOID. There’s absolutely no reason to.

I don’t want to spoil too much of the storyline, but if you watch the trailer above, you’ll see who the villain is. You’ll also see that many of your favorite characters make an appearance. In fact, Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), and Evangeline Lilly (The Wasp) all voice their respective characters when they show up. But they’re far from the only familiar faces you’ll see around you.

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 one scene, the smell of buttered popcorn is pumped in.) In short, it’s quite convincing.

Avengers: Damage Control is, at its core, a game, so you’ll want to interact with your environment and try to destroy all the bad guys. There’s no score, per se, but you will be given a tally at the end of how many enemies you took down (as well as inadvertent “friendly fire”). Honestly, it’s kind of hard to “lose,” so even if you aren’t very good, you’ll still get to the end.

So how was it? Was it worth it? It’s hella fun, no lie. It’s thrilling to be thrust into this world, and it’s awesome to feel like you’re fighting alongside so many of the Marvel characters. However, the limits of your firepower are two different blasts from your hands (Iron Man style). Which, at first? Way cool. I mean, who hasn’t dreamed of having Iron Man “pew pew” or Spider-Man “thwip” powers? However, after about 20 minutes or so, holding your hands up in various directions got a teensy bit old. And in Damage Control, pretty much all you have to do is fire at enemies. There’s not a TON of variation, is what I’m saying.

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 since the experience, though interactive, isn’t dynamic or differentiated at all, it’ll be the same experience each time.

Is it worth it? If you’re a die-hard Marvel or MCU fan, then I’d say yes. It’s a load of fun. Is it the best experience The VOID offers? I’d have to say no. If you’re going to choose just ONE time in The VOID, I’d do my homework and choose wisely… and read our upcoming review of Jumanji: Reverse the Curse.