Levelling Up Our Ninja Skills: Tag Team @ Downtown East {Giveaway}

It’s a brand new school year! Now two weeks in, the adrenaline has worn off for me and the kids, and we’re all starting to feel the pain of the early start to the day that school brings again.

We are still feeling our way around our new schedule and one of the things I hope to achieve is to give my children more play time this year. With the extra workload and hours that come with Primary school, I found myself constantly nagging at my kids to DO WORK and PRACTICE PIANO last year. It was making them and me miserable. This year, before the work inevitably picks up, I’ve planned a few outings for the kids, from park run-arounds (and rollerblading!) to more exciting play excursions.

One place I know Noey would love to return to is Tag Team at Downtown East. He is a big fan of their laser tag venue at Parkland Green, so much so that we had his 7th birthday party there! With their new Downtown East outlet, in addition to laser tag, Tag Team Inc has pioneered a new concept with their new Laser Tag Sword! Yup, you heard that right. On top of operating in gun mode, Tag Team Inc’s Reza Sword allows players to slash and slice — virtually, of course, thanks to the infrared technology used in the remote controls.

During the December school holidays, we had the opportunity to pop down to check it out. I didn’t tell the kids that we would be heading down till the last minute, but when they heard, they were both raring to go!

Armed and ready!

Just past the reception, we were led first into a small room for a safety briefing (very important!!). No running, no physical contact, no moving of obstacles. I looked meaningfully at my two who, fortunately for them, looked like they were paying attention.

After the safety briefing, we were led into the first of the three playing arenas, the Reza Pad. This is term the “training arena” as we were introduced to the Reza Sword for the first time. I was pleased that it was rather lightweight and even Mei had no trouble wielding it. To use, wave it like you would a sword! The laser sensors capture movement and hits are recorded accordingly.

We got to practice in the Reza Pad, lining up in front of stations where we waved our swords madly to try to score hits. Ok, maybe that was just me. We were to find out that scoring here was a matter of speed and accuracy as you had to hit the sensor at only certain precise times in 1 minute or risk your points being deducted! Light as the Reza Sword initially felt, waving it about gave us all quite a workout!

Noey in a rare moment of stillness before his station. He was rather obsessed with getting as high a score as he could!

Full concentration…

After gaining proficiency at the Reza Pad, we moved on the Reza Pod where we got to pit those skills against each other! This time we were geared up with arm and chest sensors, and also a shield to ward off those attacks. I thought the sensors were pretty good as they gave off good vibrations when we got hit. This arena was even more of a workout as we ran around madly to try to swipe at each other while avoiding being hit! No photos of us in action unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately since it was none too glamorous, at least on my part.

In the Reza Pod, but Noey had, by this time, shed the laser sensors and shield.

We then moved on to the third and largest arena, the Reza Wall. Here you get to pit your skills against each other and also against some electronic enemies that pop up on the huge wall behind your opponents. One target that Noey was particularly impressed with was a big huge dragon. He declared this his favourite zone because of this, though I personally found the scoring system a bit confusing. (I still won regardless! Yay!)

Mission accomplished!

While not part of the current game play, we were also given the opportunity to try out a prototype that is current in testing which I LOVED. Introducing the Sumo-Samurai Ongs:

Ready to duel, we are!

Unlike the Reza Sword, this does involve some contact. The scoring vests are pressure triggered and you score when you strike the scoring zones on the vests, demarcated by the circles on them. It is fairly straight-forward — no instructions necessary. Just score as often as you can within a minute. Noey and I had a lot of fun at this, and it was a great stress reliever! A big hit (pun intended) with us and I hope to see this in the options for game play eventually.

Having a go at each other!

On our way out, I was glad to see that Tag Team @Downtown East has a party room with a capacity for about 40 pax. Hurray! Somewhere for guests and parents to chill in air-conditioned comfort in between all the laser tag and sword action during birthday parties.

All in all, I certainly ended the morning having done more exercise than I expected! Noey has been asking to bring Daddy back to Tag Team for a family Boys-v-Girls match-up so I will have to arrange one soon.

GIVEAWAY!

Don’t just take my word for it — you can go check out Tag Team @ Downtown East yourselves as I have TWO SETS OF PASSES (4 TICKETS EACH) to giveaway! Each ticket would entitle one person to one mission at Tag Team @ Downtown East.

To enter this draw, you have to complete the following steps:

1. Like the Tag Team Inc Facebook Page

2. Like the Life is in the Small Things Facebook Page

3. Like and share this post on Facebook and tag 3 friends. Do remember to set your post to public so that I can verify your entry!

4. Leave comment on this blog post telling me your/your child’s favourite way to unwind and relieve stress! When filling the comment form, do use your FB name (that was used to like the pages/post) and a working e-mail address as that is how I will contact you if you win.

This draw will close at 11.59pm, 22 Jan 2016 and is open to Singapore residents only. The Tag Team Passes must be utilised by 29 Feb 2016. The rest of the usual terms and conditions apply.

—– RESULTS! —–

And the winners are… Jamie Chan and Debra Li! Congratulations!

Tag Team @ Downtown East
1 Pasir Ris Close
#04-103 Downtown East E!Hub
(Opposite Cathay Cineplex)
Singapore 519599
Web: http://www.tagteaminc.sg/downtown-east/