First Virtual Reality Experience: Beating Galaga At The Garage, City of Dreams

With seemingly endless technological advances at every turn,  it comes to no surprise how Virtual Reality became a huge part of the entertainment industry. I remember growing up between the years where outdoor play with your neighbors (spell patintero, luksong baka, chinese garter) transitioned into indoor play with family computers, gameboys, Playstations, etc. Fast forward to my adult years, that same excitement (and competitiveness! Haha!) I had as a kid was still in me – and when I got invited to try out The Garage Virtual Reality (VR) Zone at City of Dreams – I immediately said yes!

Quick photo opportunity at this pretty mural!

The Garage VR Zone is found inside COD Manila. Aside from the wide array of Virtual Reality games, it also houses a food hall – presenting gamers and non-gamers alike a variety of dishes from all over the world. It is the perfect place to bring a big group of people (friends and family alike!) because everyone can surely find something to do. A group of blogger friends and I were given the liberty to try out the games, and we did so with gusto (well, okay. Not all games. Explanation for that in a bit!)

First off, the star of the VR Zone, the iconic game from the 80’s, Galaga Fever. I got to the event a bit late, so I had the chance to interview the people who already finished the game! I got very polar reviews, one saying it was super scary and the other saying it was okay and manageable. I am the type of person who finds it hard to believe something unless I experience it myself, so I went on ahead and played the game with my friend Arnie. The objective of the game was to beat Galaga by shooting lasers from the handheld guns given to you. It starts with an elevator ride (where you can hear and feel the wind rushing and the floor shaking!) then being met with a swarm of flying robots (which you also have to shoot!) I was never afraid of heights and this was probably the part where my friends felt scared the most. Because in all fairness, the “elevator ride” felt legit! This game required team effort, and unfortunately, Arnie and I wasn’t able to beat Galaga – most probably because we were giggling and laughing (bakit nag ba kasi sis? Hahaha!) and not focusing on the instructions of the staff (they will go behind you when they see you are not reaching the goal haha!) the whole while! Galaga, we will get you next time!

Other games in the zone includes Ski Rodeo, Winged Bicycle, Hospital Terror (Aaaaaah! This is definitely a must try with your friends! Test of friendship haha!), and our group’s favorite – Mario Kart Arcade VR! I say favorite because we went on it twice – after experiencing the trauma from Hospital Terror! Haha! Why you ask? Well, you just have to experience it for yourself! View list of ticket prices here.

If you’re looking for date ideas, family day trips, and a fun bonding with your friends, The Garage VR Zone is the perfect place for you! Which games would you try? Let me know in the comments down below!

P.S. Present the code #5VRFREEFCCA to get a FREE Family Computer for a single receipt purchase of 5 VR Tickets! Limited stocks only!

The Garage VR Zone is found inside City of Dreams Manila. Open Sundays-Thursdays 12NN-11PM, and Fridays-Saturdays 12NN-12AM