Galactica - General Discussion

[alicheesy]

Here is my review of Galactica which I was lucky enough to ride yesterday. Most of this has probably already been said but I thought I'd just do a full review. I have put it into positives and negatives to make it easier to read (and I do like a list).

Positives
-It is a unique experience and I found myself saying "oooooo" during quite a lot of it
-It is very re-rideable as there is a lot to look at which is difficult to take in on just one ride
-There is a lot of potential for different scenes and stories and one of the people working on it mentioned a possible scarefest twist on it
-The photo booth in the queuline is rather exciting. You put your face in a bubble thing and it takes a picture of just your face. It feels very futuristic although it removes the opportunity for a group photo:



A very bad example of the photo (there isn't usually a double helmet)

-Hospital-grade sterilising wipes are used to clean the headsets after each ride which puts to rest the worries over hygiene
-The soundtrack is perfect
-The merchandise is very nice so I bought myself a pin badge and blue wristband (there is also a white one):


Negatives
-The biggest downside I feel is the graphics. It was difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the scenes as it wasn't focused. There is a focusing wheel on the top of the headset but it didn't seem to do much. You also cannot wear glasses so my dad (who has bad eyesight) could not see very well.
-The VR makes the ride seem shorter and I didn't get the same flying sensation as I did with Air as I was too focused on the VR
-Both my dad and Michelle said the headsets hurt their noses and it felt quite heavy when in the upright sitting position
-As the boarding time has increased, I wouldn't be surprised at there being 3 hour queues

Overall, Galactica is an enjoyable experience, however it would need improvements in order for it to be 'amazing'.

[wolfwynd]

I'm still quite looking forward to it. I'm worried about not being able to wear my glasses though as I can't see a thing without them!

[Burniel]

I'm still quite looking forward to it. I'm worried about not being able to wear my glasses though as I can't see a thing without them!

I have the exact same problem. Without my glasses, the VR will be blurry and may cause me to feel sick . Might have to stick to riding without the VR after my first go.

[zakwoolley1]

Couldn't you mess with the focusing on the vr headset?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Burniel]

Couldn't you mess with the focusing on the vr headset?

Possibly, would depend on how much time I had when boarding. Not too experienced with VR headsets.

[COASTERGUY246]

the standard gear vr does have a slider for focusing, dunno if the version used on this is different though

[Ladyofthelake]

You can adjust the focus using a wheel located on top of the headset. However, as it has a protective covering over it the wheel can be tricky to locate.

[alicheesy]

Yeah the focusing wheel is under a velcro flap, took me a second to find

[Master_feedback]

Well I went on it today and found out quite a few things like why the preview tickets went so quick ...... there were only 140 of them

Today they couldn't open for the perview on time we were told it was due to a samsung software update.... even after the rescheduled time of 4pm there we're still delays and tech problems

Loading and seting up was very slow and very difficult I estimate around 5 to 10 mins

I couldn't ware my hearing aid it hurt ... so as soon as as the head set was on I couldn't hear a thing the ride opp and even on full volume I couldn't hear the ride audio

As already said the headsets are heavy and they hurt your nose

Focus is just backward and forward so its fine if your near or short sighted but its not going to help if your near in one and far sighted in the other eye

You don't feel like your on any coaster at all and for my headset the video was judering quite a bit and I could see areas where their was no rendering at all so top left you got the video then just black

The actule porthole is the best bit of the ride as you fly over an ice world as you fly through it and you feel cool


Over all its a unique exsperiance dose it make air better no it makes it diffrent

Is it worth going on yes

Is it worth the cue for over an hr no...

[wolfwynd]

I guess I'll wait until it's quiet until I go on it then. Maybe they'll give me a bit more time to fiddle with things. It may not go well with my Autism though. Hm. I will go on it though, even if it is only once with the head set.

[Master_feedback]

I guess I'll wait until it's quiet until I go on it then. Maybe they'll give me a bit more time to fiddle with things. It may not go well with my Autism though. Hm. I will go on it though, even if it is only once with the head set.

I am sure it will get better as they keep tweeking it and loading will get better the ride is very immersive its like a video game and less like a coaster a think it would work well for you with your autisum it dosent feel forced or clostraphobic it feels very natrual

Having thought about it over night the video looking judery may have been becouse the head set was not tight enough but I couldn't hear the ride opp to tell him it felt a little lose

Not being able to hear the sound was disapointing to me .... I did tell them that I couldn't hear it after and was told you can have subtitles but wouldn't that stop it feeling as immersive


Oh and yes its pre rendered with triger points around the ride to keep it in sync and you don't feel sick at all

[Aidan Lowe]

Here is another nice short video ahead of launch: " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lewis97]

The AR scanner was unlocked on the app yesterday. After having a root around in the app file, it looks as though there are a variety of things to scan, including the 2016 map, the space Alton Towers logo, the Galactica logo, the 'Space Selfie' photos and a few other things which will likely be placed around the ride itself (don't want to reveal everything :P ).

Here's also a couple of photos from Towers' social media channels of Galactica at night:

[Owen]

The scanned images are certainly cool! Hope to find out what to scan on site soon as those what you can scan at home are quite nice.

[Dan]

This post by Theme Park Guide on Facebook shows that Galactica is soft opening today.

[demz_4]

where the heck is the tv advert for this thing?? i thought they were filming a dedicated galactic advert!? can't believe we've not seen it yet with it opening tomorrow?

[lewis97]

Towers have said the advert will be shown over the Easter period. It could be that perhaps they want to give the ride and the staff a chance to operate with reasonable crowds, before really pushing it and looking to attract more guests.

[Aidan Lowe]

Looks lovely at night. Here is a logo above what I'm presuming is the left hand station.

[xylyx]

That shot of the portal at night is awesome. So looking forward to seeing it myself....only a week to go

[Sawboss]

Can't wait to ride this in the dark without the headset, AIR in the dark was already excellent I reckon.