Would it surprise you to learn that the most fully realized dystopia within the Westfield Oakridge mall in San Jose is no longer the miraculously still-operating Hot Topic store?

Thanks to a partnership with Cinemark, the operator one of the busiest cinemas in the San Jose area, Spaces opened their first location-based virtual reality experience in the spacious lobby of the Cinemark Century 20 Oakridge and XD theater. On Friday, February 8, the ambitious collaboration opened its doors to the public, allowing visitors to visit the futuristic world envisioned by the film Terminator: Salvation.

The experience begins in the lobby of the theater, where you’re greeted by an enthusiastic team who guides you to a tablet interface where you’ll register and, most importantly, undergo a “face scan.” Each player has their face digitally mapped onto their model T-600 avatar, so that teams of up to 4 players can identify each other while playing. It’s a unique feature that sets the Spaces experience apart from many of its competitors.

Once that’s complete, you’re on to a quick orientation/briefing (by the in-person team and by video), and then you’re suited up. Having donned a VR headset, haptic vest, and trackers for your hands and feet, you’re ready to enter the battle. As with similar location-based virtual reality games, the experience takes place in an open space, untethered by wires. The virtual space is mapped out in the physical plant. Walls and assorted objects in the game are physically present in the space and can be touched or manipulated in both real and digital space.

The main thrust of the game is, unsurprisingly, shooting terminators. The game is ostensibly based on the 2009 film, Terminator: Salvation. Having only seen the original two Terminator films (and the excellent, gone-too-soon Universal Studios 3D attraction), I can’t say whether any specific reference was made to that film, but I wasn’t lost in the generic Terminator universe (and those who aren’t familiar with the films won’t have any difficulty comprehending the battle against Skynet).

Early in the game you’re handed a weapon, which is surprisingly weighty and provides good tactile feedback with each blast. The rest of the gameplay is intuitive and exciting. The world is detailed and responsive, and there are secrets and Easter eggs to be discovered in the periphery. There are some other basic tasks to complete, which allow for additional tactile/physical interaction with the game space and the objects within it. They were mostly intuitive, and, if anything, our in game guide was a bit too generous in clueing.

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The game ends a bit abruptly, and, although it climaxes with a moment that does take advantage of the strengths of the VR technology, I found myself wishing for an additional set piece. That’s a minor complaint, though, as the experience itself was enjoyable from start to finish, and it didn’t overstay its welcome.

The facial mapping is a unique and appreciated facet. There’s definitely something to be said for watching your friends or family making their silliest or most oblivious expression while blasting away terminators. The faces are also not impervious to the blasters themselves and can take (albeit temporary) damage. There’s also a brief moment of gameplay in front of a mirror, so that players can see themselves in full mechanical Judgment Day regalia, which is a satisfying as it sounds.

Another perk of the digital facemasks — the after-game video. Players are able to watch themselves playing the game afterwards. While reliving the experience on the small screen isn’t quite the same as continuing to play, it does extend the experience a bit after its finale (you can also get a digital copy of your video emailed to you).

Terminator Salvation: Fight for the Future is ultimately a very enjoyable entry in a rapidly growing market of location-based virtual reality experiences, and, as the first of its kind locally, it’s a welcome addition the Bay Area.

Terminator Salvation: Fight for the Future is open now for ages 10+ at the Westfield Oakridge Shopping Center, 925 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA. Tickets are $19.95.

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