WHAT IS DNA VR?

DNA VR is London’s first virtual reality arcade that offers a catalogue of immersive experiences for those eager to try them out. Mixing the old with the new, DNA VR brings together retro Arcade games into futuristic virtual reality.

I was a huge gamer growing up, owning pretty much every handheld Nintendo and PlayStation game. I loved Super Mario, Rayman, Crash Bandicoot (those were the good old days), and even now, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t slightly obsessed with PUBG. I’ve only tried VR once at Omescape, so I was very excited when I received an invite from LovePopUpsLondon to review DNA’s interactive gaming space.

LOCATION

Situated approximately a 15 minute walk from Kings Cross Station, DNA VR is in easy reach for those living in and around London.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a short introduction of how the games would work, and were moved to individual gaming booths where we were fitted with our gear. Each gamer received a high-tech headset, headphones, and two simple hand controllers, which would help transport us into another realm for the next 60 minutes.

THE GAMES

Currently, they provide over 50 different types of VR experiences. Whether you want to conquer Everest, explore the Universe, or survive a Zombie apocalypse, DNA VR has it all. They also stay true to more classic arcade games, with Fruit Ninja and Serious Sam also available to play.

With such a wide range of games on offer, I managed to try around 6 in the hour. Here are some of my favourites:

Sky-front

Sky-front is a fast-paced multiplayer FPS built exclusively for VR. The game launches you into mesmerising zero-G arenas, equipping you with an array of awesome weapons and impressive special abilities. As this was multiplayer, each gamer can have their name attached to their avatar so we knew who was who inside the arena, but remember to do this in the menu before you launch! This game consisted of us flying around the sky, shooting other members to score points. VR is so realistic that it genuinely felt like I was suspended in the air and took some time to get used to the realisation that I wouldn’t fall. This game was so much fun and definitely brought out my competitive spirit as there was a leader board at the end!

Arizona Sunshine

Another favourite of mine was Arizona Sunshine; a game built exclusively for VR that puts you in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. This allowed me to freely explore a post-apocalyptic world, putting my survival skills to the test. The controllers allow you to handle weapons with real life movements, shooting zombies as they stumble towards you. The difficulty increases as you progress through the game, exploring the derelict canyons of the Arizona desert. It was a lot of fun, and again, incredibly realistic. At least I’ve now had some practice if a zombie apocalypse ever occurs!

The Last Hope

The Last Hope was fun but terrifying! If you’re like me, and have severe arachnophobia, then be warned! Why? There are gigantic spider-like monsters that run towards you and once you’re inside the game they are incredibly realistic. For me, even the smallest of spiders make me run out of the room screaming. Once I had to sit outside my house until my Grandad drove over to remove the spider from my staircase…. of-course, he dropped it, and to this day, we still haven’t found it. It took me a few days before I could walk the stairs like a normal person! In the game, the spiders start off at a reasonable distance, so I was able to shoot them down, but at one point, I turned around, and there was an enormous ‘spider’ literally centimetres from my face. Do I even need to explain my reaction? Let’s just say I ended up on the floor with the wires and headphones in disarray.

Beat Saber

A game I wish I had have played was Beat Saber. It is a VR rhythm game that requires you to ‘slash’ the beats with your controllers (saber) to the beat of the music. The game resembles guitar hero, if any of you played that when you were younger, and is one of the most rated games in the arcade. Check out some of the videos on YouTube!

There are so many more Arcade games to play that I would love to try out on my next visit. What I found incredibly unique and interesting, is that they host DJ’s and singers for live concerts in the virtual world. Everyone logs in with their VR headset which takes them to a virtual concert, and someone in real life could be in their bedroom playing their own music to all those tuned in to the virtual world. Pretty cool! I love this concept as it is a great way to live out your dream in an alternate reality.

Check out my interview with Love Pop Up’s below for what to expect:

I would strongly recommend DNA VR to those wanting to experience gaming in a more realistic way. From absolute beginner to hardcore gamer, the uniqueness of DNA VR is to be enjoyed by all. Even if you aren’t a gamer, take a trip around space, or visit the moon – there is something for everyone wanting an escape. For only £30 per hour, it’s pretty good value too!

For more details, and to book, see their website: DNA VR

Disclaimer*

I received complimentary tickets in exchange for a review. Views are my own.