Feeling the VR Arcade Fever in Viva Las Vengeance

Viva Las Vengence

Zombies, ugly, snarling corpses of rotting flesh that have managed to ingrain themselves in popular culture over the last few decades to such an extent that we’ve all played a videogame or watched a movie with one in. The most recent was director Zack Snyder’s Netflix collaboration Army of the Dead, dropping folks into a ravaged Las Vegas for some wall-to-wall action. And if you loved the movie then you’ll probably want to check out Viva Las Vengeance, the virtual reality (VR) experience tied to the film.

Army of the Dead - Viva Las Vengeance: A VR Experience
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 28: Grand opening of Army of the Dead – Viva Las Vengeance: A VR Experience at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Netflix)

Just like its cinematic cousin Viva Las Vengeance is all about that wild (theme park-style) ride, where explosions and rampaging hordes of the undead fill in those annoying gaps left by a lack of plot. But in a VR experience that lasts around 30 minutes is that necessarily a concern? For the most part not at all, as long as you know what you’re in for.

The location-based entertainment (LBE) industry was hit hard by the pandemic as it was really starting to shine beforehand, attracting VR studios who were looking for alternative revenue streams. With things now settling and getting back to normal, everyone’s interested in getting out again making VR arcades an attractive escape for those after a modern entertainment experience.

And that’s really what you do get with Army of the Dead: Viva Las Vengeance, plenty of tech and an all-encompassing journey that does try to ground you in the whole setup; even if it is somewhat cheesy at points.

Viva Las Vengence

Up to six players can enjoy the VR experience at once, with the core gameplay section held within a modified taco truck with bars on the windows for your protection. In actuality, this is one of those 4D, hyper-reality simulators with wind, heat and rumbling floor effects for that truly immersive setup.

Before you get anywhere near the taco truck you’ve got to jump through a few setup hoops first, some more unusual than others. For instance, it’s not often that these kinds of LBE titles will give you a gun selection, let alone accessories. But in Viva Las Vengeance you get to select between a shotgun for close-range power or an assault rifle that’s great for popping heads at a distance or exploding a few barrels. This is where teamwork already comes into play. For this early test, there was only two of us, one on either side of the truck. Armed with the rifle it didn’t need reloading but there were points where it seemingly overheated and stopped, so a teammate with a shotgun next to me would’ve been really nice.

After the loadout selection comes the cheesy military briefing, telling you why you’re there and what you need to accomplish. It really was just background noise as we attached a couple of OptiTrack sensors to our hands. That was all that was required as there’s no running around a big space. In actuality the taco truck setup meant four were employed at the same time, allowing for an efficient rotation of guests at the Westfield London location.

Army of the Dead - Viva Las Vengeance: A VR Experience

Inside the truck, there were Valve Index headsets and StrikerVR guns to give that nice recoil effect. Alas, the build-up of excitement didn’t quite match the gameplay experience on offer. Because as you might expect from a taco truck driving through a zombie-filled Las Vegas, its point, shoot and repeat for about 10-15 minutes.  

If this were a VR videogame at home you’d play it once, get bored and want a refund. However, this being a VR arcade experience it needs to be viewed as a whole, combining those additional effects, the gun and the physicality of it all. In which case Viva Las Vengeance is a short, sharp dose of exciting VR you can’t get elsewhere.

When there are zombies climbing all over the truck, reaching through the bars which I’m trying to shoot but made all the more difficult because the floor is rumbling away putting my balance off it, quickly becomes very engrossing. And it should for that time duration, intense yet fulfilling enough that everyone leaves with a grin. Plus you can all compare your scores afterwards as well as pose for the obligatory group shot with a superimposed Army of the Dead background for good measure.

I’d class Viva Las Vengeance as an above-average LBE VR experience but certainly not one of the best. It’s ideal for those new to VR as the coordination required is minimal, you stand or sit in one spot shooting zombies out the window with an occasional waft of wind to the face. Those more experienced in VR who’ve tried the free-roaming options available at other locations may find this a little limited in scope. Don’t set your expectations too high and bring some mates to enjoy Army of the Dead in VR.

Army of the Dead VR is Heading to London in September

Viva Las Vengence

Netflix has released some exciting TV shows and movies during the course of 2021, one of the biggest films being Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead. As revealed in May, the movie is accompanied by a travelling location-based VR experience (LBE) called Vive Las Vengence. It’s now been confirmed that the UK leg of the tour is coming to London in September.

Viva Las Vengence

The tour began this month kicking off in Los Angeles and New York City, followed by Las Vegas and Washington D.C. London will be the first city outside the US to see the VR-enabled mobile taco truck arrive, offering VR and zombie fans alike the chance to battle hordes of the undead on the Las Vegas strip. The story is set several years before the events of the Netflix film.

Up to six people can team up and try to rescue survivors trapped in zombie-infested Las Vegas using Valve Index headsets and StrikerVR guns. To make the experience truly immersive the truck features state-of-the-art motion platforms whilst providing full COVID-19 compliance with extensive hygiene and social distancing precautions in place.

Army of the Dead is one of the most hotly anticipated releases of the year and now fans have the chance to climb aboard the taco truck to experience the world for themselves,” said Greg Lombardo, Head of Experiences at Netflix in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with the Snyders, Pure Imagination Studios and Fever to bring Army of the Dead to London this summer in a way like never before.”

Viva Las Vengence

Tickets for Army of the Dead’s Viva Las Vengence: A VR Experience in London go on sale from 4th August at 10am BST. Prices start from £18 GBP for the 30-minute experience. To make sure you don’t miss out the waiting list for tickets opens today (28th July) granting early access to those who sign up.

While London is the only UK stop, Viva Las Vengence: A VR Experience will be heading across Europe, with Madrid, Berlin and Paris arrival dates still to be confirmed. For all the latest UK-based VR attractions keeping reading VRFocus and our regular The Virtual Arena feature which recently went to Brighton Palace Pier.

An Army of the Dead VR Experience is Touring the US This Summer

Viva Las Vengence

Director Zack Snyder knows a thing or two about zombies considering his reboot of Romero’s classic Dawn of the Dead (2004) and then last week saw the highly anticipated launch of Army of the Dead over on Netflix. He’s got big plans for the franchise which, as it turns out, includes a virtual reality (VR) experience called Viva Las Vengence.

Viva Las Vengence

Starting in North America this summer Army Of The Dead – Viva Las Vengeance: A VR Experience is going to be a team-based VR shooter set within a mobile taco truck. Up to six players will be able to gear up with Valve Index headsets and StrikerVR guns to take on hordes of the living dead and help rescue survivors.

“It’s time to take matters into your own hands! Helpless civilians are trapped inside the walls confining zombie-infested Las Vegas, and the Las Vengeance crew needs your help rescuing them,” the description explains. “You’ll feel every bump and turn as you shoot your way through zombie-filled streets in an epic adventure. Should you make it out in one piece, you’ll be able to immortalize the mission’s success with exclusive merch and photo ops at the end of the experience.”

The entire experience will take place inside the trailer, so there’s no locomotion for players to worry about, just shooting zombies through the grills. You can even play seated by the look of it. Viva Las Vengence: A VR Experience will clock in at 30 minutes, with prices starting from $24 USD.

Viva Las Vengence

“The experience combines state of the art VR with fan-favourite elements of the movie, that will make for an unforgettable tour,” said Snyder in a statement. “Get ready to roll the dice with the undead as you battle your way through hordes of the zombies across a Vegas wasteland.”

The tactical taco truck will start its 10+ month US tour this July, kicking off in Los Angeles and New York City and travelling to: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. It’ll also head to European locations including London, Madrid, Berlin and Paris at a later date.

For further updates on Army Of The Dead – Viva Las Vengeance: A VR Experience, keep reading VRFocus.

Zack Snyder’s Army Of The Dead Is Getting A VR Arcade Experience

Army of the Dead, the new Zack Snyder movie streaming on Netflix, is getting a tie-in location-based VR arcade experience this summer.

Army of the Dead: Viva Las Vengeance will be rolling out to select cities this summer, with tickets going on sale next week. Check out a trailer introduced by Snyder himself below.

The footage shows players hopping into the back of a truck, putting on Valve Index headsets and then using the Striker VR rifle-shaped controllers to gun down hordes of zombies from within the vehicle.

This is one of the first new VR arcade experiences to be rolling out since the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic set in. VR arcades have been closed for much of the past year and companies like The Void haven’t shown any signs of returning. With vaccines rolling out across the globe, many will be hoping to get visitors back into headsets, but it remains to be seen if audiences are ready to return to arcades. Zero Latency is preparing a Far Cry VR experience to relaunch its business, too.

New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Washington DC will be the first cities to get the experience but it’s also coming to Boston, Chicago, London, Paris and many more.

How do you feel about returning to VR arcades? Let us know in the comments below!