There’s team building, there’s immersive gaming, and then there’s Time Mission—a combination of both, wrapped up in a unique concept.
Essentially, the experience, which opened last year in Center City, puts teams of two to five head-to-head across more than 25 challenges. And each room offers its own form of wacky fun.
The venue came from a partnership with LOL Entertainment, the company also behind the popular Museum of Illusions, which opened in Old City in 2022 and the recently opened Sandbox VR in Center City. LOL's CEO Rob Cooper hails from Philly and still lives locally, but his company's reach expands past regional borders into other US cities like Boston, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Scottsdale.
"LOL is really all about creating the most sustainable platform for investing and operating location-based entertainment in North America—and we've been having a lot of fun with it," notes Cooper to Metro in a previous statement on LOL’s Philly ventures.
“There's definitely a trend in the industry gravitating towards social gaming, and what we were looking for is something novel. Obviously, you want to do that in a communal environment. It's really about that shared experience: Taking photos, having those memories, having a laugh, those types of things. And also learning something as you go through it. But the common denominator is the social ability where you're actually engaging and experiencing something together as opposed to just doing it."
At Time Mission specifically, the experience starts with a video breakdown of what to expect, but the idea is simple: Gain as many points as you can to top the leaderboard. Each room has a total of 100 points to acquire, and you can move freely through the hallways to discover what sort of unique challenge lies behind each doorway. The descriptions on the outside can help you decide what might be fitting for your team, but part of the fun here is never knowing what exactly to expect once you push through.
At Time Mission, one moment you could be launching foam balls at a screen riddled with “planets”, another time you’re bobbing and weaving your way through a series of lasers, and the next minute you’re on board a submarine following instructions for a successful dive. There are also rooms where you have to solve riddles, challenges where you have to play hide and seek from skulls with glowing eyes, and even moments where you have to hang on ropes (because the floor is lava, of course).
"Time Mission is redefining what we know as entertainment,” added Cooper. “So in the past, you have your escape rooms, where you get locked in for 60 minutes and you work your way through it mentally to get out with a group of adults. Normally, it's not really here for kids. With this, we've got 25 to 30 mission rooms or portals in Philadelphia. Time Mission is all about traveling through time, there's a theme to it, and it's a bit more of a choose-your-own-adventure element."
The venue has also recently debuted a new challenge, the “Fish Bowl.” With this portal, your team is trapped inside a giant fish tank, and there’s only one way out: by rolling glowing pearls into illuminated targets scattered throughout the bowl. Sounds simple, right? But with a Time Mission twist, each shot requires balance, precision and a little strategy.
Ultimately, the experience turns a night out into a full-on team adventure, testing everything from your memory and reflexes to your coordination, problem-solving skills and ability to work together. Said to have “challenges designed for everyone from ages 6 to 106” Time Mission is ready and available for all skill levels—just as long as you come ready to play.
"Philly's just been incredible to us. And it feels like everyone is very interested there for family entertainment and this type of entertainment," Cooper finished. "It's a next-level experience— and I think people are going to recognize that."
Tickets for Time Mission Philadelphia (1530 Chestnut St.,) start around $40, and booking in advance is recommended. For more information, visit timemission.com/philadelphia
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