Players gear up before a round of laser tag at Laserforce. (Michael B. Keller/Stars and Stripes)
Players gear up before a round of laser tag at Laserforce. (Michael B. Keller/Stars and Stripes)
Players gear up before a round of laser tag at Laserforce in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Michael B. Keller/Stars and Stripes)
Hendrik Triepel, right, is ambushed during a round of laser tag at Laserforce in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Michael B. Keller/Stars and Stripes)
Players check their scores after a round of laser tag at Laserforce. (Michael B. Keller/Stars and Stripes)
Laserforce is a laser tag arena located inside the UCI Cinema World building in Kaiserslautern. (Michael B. Keller/Stars and Stripes)
A serious laser tag player takes aim at Laserforce in Kaiserslautern. (Courtesy of http://laserforce-kl.com/en)
Temperatures are on the rise as summer gets into full swing, and Germany has a wide variety of outdoor activities available to make the most of the warmer weather. Zoos, hiking trails, parks and swimming pools are great ways to soak up the sun.
But if you’re looking for a chance to beat the heat, there are many indoor activities available as well. It’s a bonus if that indoor activity is action packed yet family friendly.
Laserforce in Kaiserslautern achieves just that balance by combining the thrill of hunting foes in fog and neon lights, but with the safety of using a laser gun.
Since the laser tag arena is located inside the UCI movie theater building along with a Chinese restaurant, Laserforce also has the added benefit of being a potential one-stop shop for indoor entertainment.
Your laser battle experience starts with a thorough briefing that is available in English and given by a staff member to explain the particular game mode rules, what the light and sound prompts during the game mean, and to provide safety instructions.
After the briefing, it’s time to don your laser gun and a sensor vest with your team’s corresponding lights and your individual Star Wars-themed identifier.
This is where the real fun begins. As you enter the darkened, more than 3,700-square-foot arena, the bright spotlights start moving and the fog rolls in.
It’s there that you’ll make your way through the maze hunting for the opposing team and racking up points by zeroing in on their vest sensors with the laser pointer of your gun.
During my trip I tagged along with a friendly group of Germans on a business outing. And what better way to build office morale than by ambushing a co-worker in the dark?
Laser tag lends itself well to group events, and Laserforce has several options available depending on the type of group reserving the arena such as businesses, sports teams, stag parties and birthday parties.
For example, the R-Two-D-Two group package is for a child’s 8th to 17th birthday party and gives partygoers access to the arena for two 20-minute games and the Space Lounge in between rounds to enjoy birthday cake and refreshments. A free drink is provided and a voucher for a free game, or two free games, depending on whether it is the actual day of the birthday or not.
Each group package has varying degrees of features and customization with the details listed on the website.
Whether you came in for a few quick rounds with friends or family, or battled it out with officemates, the day ends with a trip to the scoreboard and a chance to brag, or mourn, your time on the laser battlefield.
LaserforceDIRECTIONS Laserforce is located at Strassburger Allee 8, 67657 Kaiserslautern, Germany, in the UCI movie theater complex.
TIMES Open 3 to 11 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays; noon to 11:59 p.m. Fridays; 11:30 a.m. Saturdays to 1 a.m. Sundays; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays for open play. Check the website for complete details and to schedule group sessions.
COSTS 7 euros (about $8) for open games. Check the website for consecutive game discounts and group rates.
FOOD China-City is located in the UCI movie theater complex, and there are many dining options available in Kaiserslautern.
INFORMATION Phone: (+49) (0) 0631 41484789. The Laserforce website is available in English at laserforce-kl.com/en.
