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Coming SOON!!! If hasn't already been obvious to you on my previous pages, LQ - or Laser Quest, has been my primary laser tag game of interest.
On this page, I will describe my opinions and include pictures and links to other systems I have had the opportunity to play. How I got in to laser tag: Several years ago, I was visiting friends who live in California. One of them suggested we go to the LazerStar (at the Glendora location) center. I had never played a game of Laser Tag in my entire life, and the idea sounded interesting. After a couple of games with a group of friends, I was hooked. I just thought that laser-tag was the coolest thing ever invented.
For some time, even after I had gone home, I just couldnt get the game off my mind. More than anything, I wanted to go play again. A couple of months later, while traveling thru Coeur dAlene, Idaho, I saw a sign advertising a Laser Tag Center. It was a Laser Force system. The next day, I went to play a game but was not as impressed with game like I was the LazerStar (Laser-Tron Manufactured Equipment). There were many members in that Laser-Force center who loved to beat up newbies in the game. Included in the group (Ive found out later throughout the years) was a family member of owner! Due to not being able to play since I didnt entirely understand the difference in systems and getting completely ripped in that first game, not being able to choose a codename, and having a marshall (game master or whatever you want to call them) who could have cared less about explaining the game, I was not very impressed. For the longest time, I had a very dim outlook about a well put together system.
Later, I was told about LaserQuest. The Spokane location was the first of many LQ centers I have visited. {At 12,751 square feet of playing/maze space, the Spokane LQ center is the Versent Corporations second largest center, with Calgary being the largest.} After the first game, I found a new favorite system, which is still my personal preference today. The overall gameplay and format were easy to understand, and the staff was enthusiastic(or at least pretended to be), and at least appeared to care about what they were doing. Everything looked well organized, and the centers design from the lobby to maze were very impressive. Although in scoring I did not place very high, I had a really good time.
From that point on, I began playing different systems at different centers whenever I got the chance. Some have been more impressive than others. There are centers I have returned to several times, whereas others, since I have already played or visited once, I have no intention of going back to.  Locations of Laser-Tag centers I have visited: (A few centers below have either moved or are no longer in business.) Lazer Star (Laser-Tron Equipment)
Glendora, California
Oxnard, California
Beaverton, OR (V1 Lasertron equipment merged with qzar equipment)
Meridian, ID (Boondocks)
Laser Quest:
Spokane, Washington
Federal Way, Washington
Calgary, Alberta
Regina, Saskatchewan
Fullerton, California
Modesto, California
Las Vegas North, Nevada
Las Vegas South, Nevada
Laser-Force
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Sacramento, California
Qzar
Chino Hills, California
Boise, Idaho
Ardon (Sacramento), California (Q7 arena)
Citrus Heights, California (Q5 arena)
Valewood, California (visit)
Laser-X
Sacramento, California
Laser Extreme ("Actual Reality")
Calgary, Alberta
Richmond, Washington
LaserAction ("Darklight")
Santa Rosa, California
Ultrazone
Alhambra, California
Sherman Oaks, CA
Milwaulkie (Portland), Oregon
LazerBlaze
Redlands, California
LazerRunner
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Sacramento, CA (old LR equipment) My experiences, descriptions and personal opinions of different systems I have played: .
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Laser Quest As you have probably figured out by now, Laser Quest is one of my favorite laser tag systems. With LaserQuest, I would have to say that FIRST OPINIONS REALLY DO COUNT. My first experience was positive and I will never forget it. There are many avid laser-tag players today who would swear by their favorite systems and call LQ primitive. Ultimately, it comes down to personal opinions and preferences. This system is fun for all ages.
Most games offered to the public are solo play. At lockins and special events, you can find more variety games. I have only participated in one tournament to date. At several tournaments and competitions all over the country, I hear stories of bonding and new friendships made all the time. In the many centers I have visited, I have met a lot of wonderful people.
Since I already have other pages topics about LaserQuest on this site, there is little more to say here. Please visit my other LQ pages for more information. On my Laser Quest page, I have included links to unofficial sites as well as the corporate one.
The Lazer-X/Intersphere system I had an opportunity to play at, was located in Northern California, and was there as an addition to a bowling alley. Ive been told that the owner of Lazer-X was originally in business with a partner, but the two split. One had their own laser tag, and Lazer-X became the other. I have not 100% confirmed this, but it seemed like an interesting enough background if it's true. I have included a couple of links here to other Lazer-X systems as I know absolutely nothing about the system beyond my observation of the one. Hopefully with the links Ive included, you can find out more information. The one game I played was fun enough, but did not have a draw or appeal for me to return. I have noticed from personal experience, that laser tag systems which are an addition to a business just dont have the same feel as stand alone sites do. Lazer-X sites structured as a stand alone center compared to the one I saw may be completely different. The actual equipment and playability seemed to be about average, but there was nothing special or original that I noticed which would bring me back.
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As I mentioned earlier on this page, LazerStar was the first laser tag system I ever played. Their equipment is manufactured by Laser-Tron.
Since my first LazerStar games a few years back, the center has changed as well as management. Myself, and others Ive talked to who have seen both, enjoyed the original designs much better. The changes have caused the individual Glendora center to lose that special feel to the whole game.
The design of the packs looks very similar to the one in the picture to the left. To the best of my knowledge, the picture here is an example of one of their more recent systems they have out known as "LaserTron's LT-10" system. The sensors are located on both shoulders, on the back, and on the phasor. When you are tagged, the sensor you have been zapped in will vibrate. In each game, you start out with a limited number of lives and shots, and replenish throughout the game at different re-charge stations.
Like Q-zar, most games are played as a team with bases. One design I personally do not care for with LazerTron equipment is the two-handed Safety Phasor. While in theory it makes sense, holding a phasor with two hands is uncomfortable. Holding down one button makes single fire mode go on, while holding both makes rapid fire. If you forget or your hand slips, you become vulnerable and there are no shots unless you one or both buttons are held down. The phasors are rather small, and the packs are very stiff and less than comfortable.
At LazerStar you can have your own code name. On your phasor and front of your pack there are only a couple of number listed- number of lives on one side, number of shots left on the other. Throughout the game there are a couple monitors in the replenisher stations which list the individual player scores throughout the game.
In Q-zar, each person is split up on to either a red or green team, whereas in LQ, team games exist but the vast majority of games offered to the public are solo missions (games). It appears that a Q-zar player will do best if they all play as a team. Tagging each other's bases for points, while others guard their own colors base and side of the maze.
The packs, as you can see in the picture do not have shoulder sensors. There are sensors located on the front and back of the pack, as well as on the side and down the barrel of your phasor. One nice feature is the way the green-phasors actually have a green beam (at least for the
Q-zar's I have been to). What I see as a downfall to the system- the IR spread is quite wide. This is one system I would not recommend wearing white or other clothing that will "glow" under a blacklight. The one feature that Q-zar allows (where most other systems do not) is covering/blocking of the sensors. Ive seen veteran players who have the technique down so well that they are nearly impossible to hit.
The average Q-zar game I have played, lasted for approximately 15 minutes. The centers have two basic arena(maze) floorplans, all of which are a single level. Compared to other systems I have seen and played, I consider Q-zar to be more of a primative or basic system. Over the last few years, I have known of many Qzar centers closing their doors, often because of competition from different laser tag systems.
Lazer-Blaze equipment was among the most non-impressive systems I have seen. I would best be able to describe it operating like an over glorified home set up. The packs shells and phasors were designed a little more "fancy" than most home kits, but it's not a system that would be able to survive as a stand alone. I think it would be better suited the way I saw it- as an addition to a family fun center. Like all comercial systems, all ages can play but I would say this systems target audience would have more appeal to a younger crowd. There are no codenames, simply a "Jacket #" to remember for your score. No scoresheets.
The only "Lazer Blaze" system I have played was the one in Redlands, CA. I've been told by other laser tag enthusiasts, that this was the equipment they were using at the FEC.
Please Note: I have no graphics or reference URL's for this particular laser tag setup. When researching on the internet, I have only found centers that actually use the name "Lazer Blaze" for their individual businesses. In further research, they are not using a setup anywhere similar or close to the one I saw in Relands.
As I mentioned earlier on this page, my first experience with Laser Force was a poor one. In Coeur d Alene, the members at the time were more interested in high scores than repeat business. While it had its problems, I enjoyed playing laser tag games, so I still went. It was at a couple of lock-ins I discovered a couple of variety games that were more than just tag and run. A unique feature Laser Force equipment offers that others do not is a reverse IR system. With this reverse IR system, it allows for true time scoring, and doesnt have any shot cancellation problems, unlike all other forward IR systems. Why isnt the reverse IR system used elsewhere?- the simple reason is the higher cost involved. I'm not a very technical person, so for further details, you will need to visit the links I include. I can say that LF is actually one of the most excellent systems on the commercial market for laser tag. Click here to go to one of the hottest laser tag centers I have ever been to; Laser Force in Sacramento. After going to the LF in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, I did not think much of the Laser Force setup. I just figured it was a cheap system. Later, I found that was NOT the case at all. I booked a flight to Sacramento, CA and went to the Laser Force center there. Talk about impressive. Until then, I had never known what a well put together system LF truly is. At the Sacramento, LF location, the owners are the most wonderful and kind people I have met. They know how to run a business well, and after discovering what a thorough system Laser Force actually is, I would say they made an excellent choice in equipment when putting their center together. There are a variety of games more fun than I ever would have imagined.
For favorite laser tag centers that I have been to, my two favorites are a tie- Spokane LQ, and Laser Force Sacramento. If you are ever in the Northern California area, I would highly recommend visiting. I know I'll definitely be back if I ever have the chance. Please click on the LF logo for headquarters site, and the link for LF Sacramento above.
THIS SPACE IS RESERVED FOR TEXT ON ANOTHER GREAT SYSTEM!
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: *Disclaimer: If there are any pictures or logos on this page in any copyright violation that I am not aware of; please email me the details of such, so that I may remove and/or correct the problem for the purpose of keeping everything on this page (and site) legal.
Also, if there are any additional links to systems that you feel should be included, please let me know.
The descriptions on this page have been written by myself and are factual to the best of my knowledge. I have no intention of ever slamming or detracting business away from any company. My statements on this page are my OPINIONS and should be taken lightly. Please do not hesitate to visit any of the systems I have (or haven't) listed here. The most accurate way to know about a laser tag center is to visit yourself.
Thank You for visiting. |
