Let the games begin

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This article was published 20/02/2020 (2267 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If your experience of entertainment arcades includes aisles of quarter-fed video games, tilt-prone pinball machines and pop-and-potato-chip food options, prepare for a game changer.

Compared to the sketchy arcades of old, The Rec Room, newly opened on Sterling Lyon Parkway, looks like gamer valhalla. The 42,000-square-foot space operated by Cineplex accommodates old-school entertainment — 10-pin bowling, Ping Pong and Pac-Man — alongside virtual reality games, Halo pods and even axe-throwing (which is extremely old school, come to think of it).

Free Press reporters took a tour of the facility Wednesday, the day after its official opening, led by operations vice-president Christina Kuypers. She says this is the eighth Rec Room to open across the country. While it’s an all-ages space, Kuypers acknowledges millennials are a prime demographic for the facility’s one-stop shop of food, drinks and games. That’s why it’s so big.

“We want to make sure it’s easy to accommodate large groups,” she says. “Millennials — and I’m one of them — we move in packs.”

The attractions:

VR

Among the “extras” offered at The Rec Room is the VR space. In the larger area, the VRcade Arena, up to six people can play one of several games. There are also three smaller pods, called VRcade Atom, which can accommodate one or two people.

During our visit, we played three different levels of the Barking Irons Gunslinger game in the larger room. For those who have never done VR, it takes a minute to get used to the game and the 360-degree virtual-reality view. But once the action starts, it’s fairly instinctive. Pro tip: you will be moving around and ducking behind things, so wear clothing you can bend and crouch in easily. Also, consider leaving your hefty winter pullovers at home; you will work up a sweat wearing the necessary headset and backpack while playing these active games.

 

The Hall

Something a little unexpected is The Hall, a multi-purpose event space in the back corner of the building. It has a stage and sound system. The plan for this space, which has standing room for 200 people, is to host a variety of events — from live music to trivia nights to burlesque, comedy and panel discussions — some of which will be free and others that will be ticketed.

Cineplex representatives say both local and touring acts will be booked to play the space. Canadian screamo band Alexisonfire recently played a surprise set at the Toronto Rec Room, for example. The first event listed for The Hall is a free live band karaoke night on Saturday, starting a 9 p.m.

 

Axe-Throwing

If you’ve never tried your hand at tossing the old tree chopper, you can do it safely and with your friends in the comfort of a not-too-intimidating locked cage where some very supportive coaches will guide you through proper technique and safety guidelines.

The overhand throw is the best for beginners because it gives you more control over the direction and speed of the axe, but a one-handed throw is an impressive feat. Making the axe stick on the board is harder than it looks — it’s not like throwing a baseball and takes a bit of practice to nail the right rotation and power behind your action.

“I didn’t succeed in my five attempts,” says axe-throwing novice Frances Koncan. “But I feel confident that with a few more practice shots, I’ll be feeling stress-free.”

 

Retro-gaming

While you may feel free to blast digital aliens from the comfort of, say, a high-tech Halo pod, The Rec Room offers more old-fashioned options. But even if you decide on 10-pin bowling, Kuypers says the facility is outfitted with modern features.

“If you’re bowling with the kids, you program the kids into the play,” she says. “When they go up to bowl, we actually have bumpers that come up automatically, and when an adult goes up to bowl, the bumpers descend. It makes for really seamless play.”

The pool games and Ping Pong tables are without any such augmentations. But if you try an arcade staple such as Space Invaders, prepare for major upgrades.

“Instead of shooting aliens by manically stabbing at a ‘fire’ button on the old console, you’re essentially firing this Howitzer-like gun at a huge screen,” says Randall King. “I’d call it an improvement.”

 

Food and Drinks

The Three10 restaurant (named for the three territories and 10 provinces that make up Canada) emphasizes Canadian cuisine.

“But we’re celebrating multiculturalism, with fun and friendly dishes with a twist. We’re actually a scratch kitchen,” says Kuypers. “The quality of the ingredients and the freshness makes a big difference, especially for a chain.”

An option to the sit-down restaurant is The Shed, a counter service “offering an opportunity to fuel up and get back to the games,” Kuypers says. A popular specialty is a Jamaican Cheeseburger, a cross-pollination of cheeseburger and a classic Jamaican meat patty.

The huge bar, equipped with large-screen TV screens, features local beers, a choice of 16 drafts and signature cocktails. You can take your drinks just about anywhere… except the axe-throwing cage.

Randall.King@freepress.mb.ca

Frances.Koncan@freepress.mb.ca

Erin.Lebar@freepress.mb.ca