Zombies, Space Marines: Here’s How We Experienced Zero Latency VR in Rotterdam

Escape rooms are our thing. My group of friends and I have done quite a few, and a couple of us are also avid gamers. But VR where you actually walk around? That was new to all of us. One Sunday afternoon, the five of us—Jeroen, Marijn, Herman, Youri, and I—went to Zero Latency VR in Rotterdam to give it a try.

“Won’t this make me dizzy?”

Beforehand, I was especially curious to see how I’d experience it. I’m not a gamer myself, and VR headsets usually make me feel nauseous. Would that happen here too? The answer: no. Not for a moment. And I wasn’t the only one who’d expected that. Youri: “I was worried about getting nauseous with VR, but that wasn’t an issue here at all.”

From Briefing to Mission

After a short briefing and some atmospheric footage, you put on the VR headset and are handed a substantial weapon—large and wireless. Then you walk into a large space, sort of like a gym. First, you get a chance to practice shooting for a bit, and then the mission begins.

It’s precisely that space that makes all the difference. Normally, with VR, you’re confined to a small square area. Here, you actually walk through the world, and that makes it a completely different experience. According to Zero Latency, this is the largest VR arena in the Netherlands, and you notice it right away. Herman: “Zero Latency VR was my first time experiencing so much freedom and space. That really helps make it feel more realistic.”

Working together, just like in an escape room

For us as escape room fans, this was perhaps the best part: you play the mission as a group. We were split into two teams that had to work together. The other team was located somewhere else—both physically and virtually—and that reinforces the feeling that you’re really walking around in another world.

The worlds you walk through are atmospheric and well-designed. Herman: “The sounds and the environment also help pull you completely into the game. You’re so focused on surviving and working together that you barely stop to think about the fact that you’re just walking around in a hall in Rotterdam.”

Two games, two completely different experiences

We played Outbreak and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine VR. Youri summed up the difference well: “Outbreak was more focused on aiming and shooting, while Warhammer felt more epic in terms of scale and world-building. But in terms of gameplay, everything works the same way and ran smoothly.”

Outbreak is ideal if you just want to let loose and shoot: huge groups of zombies coming from every nook and cranny. You have to pay close attention, because a zombie could suddenly be clinging to your leg. Or you turn around, and suddenly there’s one right in front of your face. You automatically flinch, quickly grab your shotgun, and blast away!

Marijn agreed: “The beautiful graphics occasionally caused some jump scares, when the surprisingly fast zombies were suddenly chewing on your ankles.”

I thoughtSpace Marine VR was beautifully and extensively crafted in terms of its world and theme. Fewer scares, more of a feeling that you’re part of something really big.

Your head says “up,” your feet say “flat”

What really took some getting used to: the levels have virtual elevation changes, but the floor is just flat. Your head tells you you’re walking uphill with a deep abyss beside you, while you feel like you’re standing on a level floor. And yet you still get a fear of heights! It’s amazing how your brain can trick you. I did feel a bit of wobble, though. Youri had the same experience: “The only thing that took some getting used to was walking up or down; the space is flat, so you don’t actually have to step up, and you just have to get past that mental hurdle.”

Safe and quite a workout

You don’t have to worry about safety. If you get too close to a wall or another player, an alarm goes off and you’ll see a red warning on the screen. Youri: “Warnings when you got near other players or the wall were clear.”

And you can count on getting tired. Shooting down hundreds of zombies, walking, running, and reloading your gun—it’s a real workout. Zero Latency even recommends wearing comfortable clothes, because you’ll quickly cover more than a kilometer. “It’s fun to watch the footage afterward!” said Marijn

Also great for groups and company outings

There were five of us. In the time slot before us, three people were playing, and after us, a whole busload of people even came in for a company outing. They played in different groups. A maximum of eight players can participate at a time. Not playing right now or waiting for your coworkers? Then you can watch what the players are doing in the virtual world live while enjoying a drink.

Our verdict

A really cool and intense experience, and definitely worth repeating. Zero Latency VR was my first time trying VR with so much freedom and space, and that makes it so much more realistic. Youri: “All in all, a top-notch experience—I’d definitely do it again!” Highly recommended!

Practical info

• • Location: Zero Latency VR Rotterdam, Vierhavensstraat 66, 3029 BG Rotterdam
  • Number of players: 2 to 8 per game
  • Playtime: 30 minutes
  • Age: Outbreak for ages 16 and up; Space Marine VR and the other games for ages 12 and up
  • Multiple games? Plan one game per hour; otherwise, there won’t be enough time for the instructions.
  • Directions: Take metro lines A/B/C or tram 21/24 to Marconiplein; from there, it’s a 3-minute walk. If you’re driving, we’re right off the A20 (Delfshaven exit), and free parking is available on-site. You can also park your bike on-site.
  • Clothing: Wear something comfortable.
  • Hours: Check the website when booking at zerolatencyvr.nl/tickets

Photo credits: OpstapmetLisa and Zero Latency VR