(If you're looking for escape room reviews, check out our Best Edmonton Escape Rooms.)

SS Tiberia at SmartyPantz is the first virtual reality (VR) escape room in Canada made by local Edmontonians, and a couple of us weren't overly enthused to try it. "Escape rooms should be hands on," and blah blah. However, when we strapped on our packs and VR goggles, excitement took hold over all of us. Your team is on the SS Tiberia, working quickly to reactivate the space station and blow up the meteor hurtling towards Earth. It's a scenario that takes you out of your every day and into a world very few actually know.

The instant the game starts, you are fully immersed. The visuals are incredible and the game, while still VR, is still interactive. Every player is equipped with special controllers that look and function like hands. It takes one button click to grab or release items, and it's quite seamless. It's actually so fun that Ryan and Wes spent time (wasted time) throwing things around and off the spaceship--including items we probably needed. 

This is a game we'd love to be hosts for, watching players run around a box, swiping at objects, yelling at each other and causing general mayhem. We probably looked completely foolish, but we had a blast. It took us a little longer than it should have to complete the first section, and it took a lot of teamwork to complete the second section. That isn't a knock at all. In fact, it was a great challenge for us to figure out mechanics, puzzles, roles and pull it all together to make it work. It isn't as difficult a room as many others we've done, but it still presents enough of a challenge and out-of-the-box thinking that success is not guaranteed. Teamwork is essential and communication is necessary.

We loved this room. It is SO MUCH FUN. It feels as real as you can imagine, and some aspects of the room adapt to what you're doing and your progress. We were giddy on adrenaline and WOW factor when we finished this room. We gushed over this room, replaying its details and the steps we took. The room is 30 minutes takes four people. Big groups wouldn't fit in this scenario, anyway, but having four people is a good idea. Two would be tough. If you're looking for the next level in escape rooms, an adrenaline high, or something different for your Saturday night, you need to check out SS Tiberia.

A huge, HUGE thank you to SmartyPantz and the staff for inviting us out! We had such a great time! (And, if you check out this room, let them know Hexagamers sent you their way!)