Looking for a fun-filled family adventure? We recently visited Immersive Gamebox at Gravity Max, located in Westfield Stratford shopping centre on the outdoor plaza, for an hour of high-energy gaming. With Angry Birds and The Floor is Lava on our playlist, we had a mix of big laughs, mini meltdowns, and questionable gaming skills! Here’s the lowdown to help you plan your visit.
First Impressions – Hard to Find, But Worth It!
Finding Gravity Max wasn’t the easiest task—it’s tucked away upstairs on the outdoor plaza, so don’t be afraid to ask for directions. Once inside, the venue has a cool, neon-lit arcade vibe, and the energy is infectious. Check-in was straightforward, but the staff weren’t exactly bursting with excitement to greet us. A little more enthusiasm would have been nice, but hey, we were here for the games!
Pre-Game Arcade Fun
We arrived 30 minutes early, but despite some empty Gameboxes, we had to wait for our booked time. Not a problem—there’s an arcade to keep everyone entertained. You’ll need to buy a game card and load it with money to play. We put £20 on the card, which gave us a decent number of turns both before and after our Gamebox session. Cue lots of dramatic air hockey battles and slightly rigged claw machines.
The Games – Hits & Misses
Angry Birds – An Unexpected Champion!
This was the standout favourite! Everyone got involved, and even our 5-year-old shocked us all by winning (pure skill, obviously). The game was simple to pick up but loads of fun, with immersive graphics covering three walls around us, making it feel like we were right inside the action.
The Floor is Lava – More Like The Floor is Frustrating
This one was a bit too complex for younger kids. It required precise movements, jumping, and coordination, which led to a mix of frustration and accidental floor smacking. Even the adults found it tricky! If you’re visiting with little ones, we’d recommend choosing a different game unless you fancy some unintentional cardio.
How It Works
Once inside the booth, the first game started quickly, and the tech worked seamlessly. The only odd part was having to leave, queue up again, and re-check-in between games, which felt unnecessary and broke the flow a little. That said, the sensor-tracking helmets made for a properly immersive experience—just be careful not to accidentally high-five a wall in the heat of the moment.
Value for Money
We paid £116 for two adults and two kids for a one-hour session. It felt like good (not amazing) value for a special treat day out. We spent around two hours in total between the Gamebox and the arcade, and it was definitely a memorable and unique experience.
Post-Gaming Pizza Stop – Super Club Roma
After our gaming session, we headed to Super Club Roma, a pizza restaurant just opposite Gravity Max. The food was fantastic, with customisable pizzas for older kids and a kids’ menu for little ones. Great food, decent prices, and no one had to fight over the last slice—what more could you ask for?
Would We Go Again?
Yes—but probably for a special occasion like a birthday or treat day rather than a regular visit. There’s a big selection of games, and some seem perfect for an adults’ night out or a date night too. Next time, we’d skip The Floor is Lava and try something else!
Top Tip: If you’re planning a visit, arrive early to find your way, load up a game card for the arcade, and choose your games based on the ages in your group.
Event Website: https://gravity-global.com/max/stratford-city
Travel: We travelled from Chelmsford by train and the journey time was approximately 40minutes.
