I’m a large fan of the John Wick franchise. As someone who thinks John Wick is the very best fashionable motion franchise going at present, I’m stoked that we’re seeing the universe increase with a number of spinoffs, and even, down the highway, a correct John Wick Chapter 5. Despite the fact that I assumed the ending of Chapter 4 was good, if someone desires to present me extra, I’m right here for it.
Sadly, that subsequent correct installment might be a couple of years away. Whereas we’ll have three different films within the subsequent few years, together with the upcoming Ballerina with Ana de Armas, the Donnie Yen-led Caine, and an animated prequel, I’ve been in determined want of a John Wick repair of late. Fortunately for me, I discovered simply the place to scratch that itch after I checked into The Continental Lodge… in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Continental Lodge Brings The World Of John Wick To Life
Area15 in Las Vegas is a whole immersive leisure venue. It’s the place you’ll discover the mind-bending Omega Mart, in addition to later this yr, Common Locations & Experiences’ full-time horror institution, Common Horror Unleashed. It’s additionally residence to the John Wick Expertise.
The expertise solely opened final month, however since I used to be planning on spending a couple of days on trip in Las Vegas anyway just lately, I added it to the itinerary. I needed to go away the household behind, as I used to be fairly positive an immersive expertise based mostly on a violent film wasn’t going to be the very best place for my toddler, however truthfully, that simply made the entire thing higher, as I might give attention to the world round me.
From the second I approached the constructing, the story started. The doorman makes positive you’re someone who belongs earlier than letting you in. As soon as he does, you’re welcomed on the entrance desk of the Continental Las Vegas. I checked in early, was directed to the bar, and was instructed I’d be texted when my “room” was prepared.
I truthfully might have spent the subsequent hour simply sitting within the bar, and you may, because the bar isn’t restricted to these doing the expertise. I had sufficient time, so I ordered a drink and took a seat within the lounge. The bar alone transports you from the Las Vegas exterior to the World of John Wick completely.
Then my cellphone buzzed, and I had acquired a textual content that my room was prepared.
You Can Play Alongside Or Simply Watch The Story Unfold
I met my occasion, all strangers to me, and a bellhop on the elevator to be taken as much as my room. Nevertheless, a part of the way in which up, the bellhop acquired a name that the resort supervisor wished to see us. So, as a substitute, we entered a room that resembled the switchboard space seen within the John Wick sequels. She spoke to us briefly, largely setting the stage for the story to come back. On the wall, we noticed the ticker board of present contracts, together with one for Mr. John Wick.
After the Accountant leaves, a pneumatic tube fired up, and my group needed to clear up a easy puzzle. Upon doing so, the contract board modified, revealing the names of everyone within the group. I noticed my very own identify now on the board, with a $1.5 million bounty hooked up to it. Apparently, my night time was about to get attention-grabbing.
I received’t go into an excessive amount of element from right here concerning the story itself, apart from to say it’s set someplace throughout the occasions following John Wick: Chapter 2. Our hero has a contract out on him, and I, and the remainder of my occasion, are all responsible of aiding and abetting his escape. As such, the safety of the Continental has been rescinded. We’re being given a head begin, however persons are going to be coming from us.
What follows is a mix of role-playing and an escape room. A lot of the rooms you enter have an actor enjoying a job, and a few form of exercise to have interaction in. Interacting with the actors isn’t obligatory, and enjoying alongside isn’t required. You’ll be able to simply stand again and watch all of it play out. I loved enjoying my half as a hunted murderer and had some enjoyable exchanges with the On line casino Vendor and the Tailor. Although I used to be the one one who appeared interested by enjoying alongside.
Followers of escape rooms will possible be disillusioned in the event that they go into this in search of puzzles to unravel. There are solely a few occasions that something resembling that’s required, and each are exceedingly simple.
That is by design, each to maintain the tempo of the sport going and to maintain the gamers transferring, as there are solely about 10-20 minutes between teams, so issues will stall for latter teams if these in entrance transfer too slowly.
Finally, you’ll escape from the Continental and end up at a second bar, with a second cocktail menu, whereas the primary bar is formal and stylish, the second feels a bit rougher, which, because the beverage above exhibits, goes for the drinks as properly.
There Was Solely One Factor Lacking From The Commonplace John Wick Expertise
If I’ve a serious grievance concerning the expertise, it’s that when shopping for a drink on the bar, I had to make use of a bank card like some form of normie. Whereas gold cash can be found within the merch retailer, and are additionally offered as a part of the dearer VIP expertise, and can be utilized as a part of the story, I’d have cherished to have been given the choice to buy a few gold cash after I checked in.
They’re little greater than glorified drink coupons at that time, however it could have made the expertise of feeling like I used to be contained in the Continental Lodge that rather more actual if I had been capable of slide a type of cash throughout the bar reasonably than my bank card.
Las Vegas’ John Wick Expertise Is A Should For Franchise Followers
If you wish to be John Wick, this isn’t fairly what you’re in search of. Nevertheless, I’d argue that the factor that makes the John Wick film franchise really distinctive is the extremely inventive world that it gave us. The John Wick Expertise makes that world really feel as actual because it ever has by inserting you inside it with characters that really feel like they belong, and for that, it’s one thing I’d wager all followers ought to take a look at.
It definitely scratched my itch for all issues John Wick. And whereas a return journey possible would not be a lot completely different, if I had the appropriate group of buddies, and if all of us introduced our fits, I might possible return and do it once more.
For an expertise that’s barely an hour lengthy, and begins at $50 per particular person (and could be dearer based mostly on time of day and the extent of package deal you need) it’s maybe a bit on the steep facet should you’re merely breaking down the amount of cash spent and the time allotted. However should you’re a fan, I’m undecided you possibly can put a value on strolling into the Continental Lodge. Simply keep in mind, no enterprise could also be performed on resort grounds.