Let’s be honest; we’ve all dreamt of commanding a starship. After growing up watching Star Trek, I’ve always fancied myself a go at the captain’s chair, issuing orders to my bridge crew while taking damage. Finally, we have that opportunity. Bridge Command is a new immersive starship experience that has landed in London. I got to check out the setup for a full review last Thursday. So, what do I think?
We’ve followed the Bridge Command journey for some time now. The immersive theatre experience popped up at MCM Comic Con and offered demo stations. Myself and Trek Central’s TJ beamed down earlier this year for a special preview before they opened the docking bay doors. Parabolic Theatre’s Bridge Command is now open to customers who fancy a swing at commanding a starship. However, it’s worth noting that this is an immersive theatre show, not an escape room.
If commanding a starship is not your thing, don’t worry. Bridge Command offers you the chance to be a part of the crew in multiple roles. For example, you can take up the weapons position like Worf firing phasers. Additionally, you can be like Scotty and manage the Engineering systems of the starship set you find yourself in. Bridge Command is immersive, even as the Captain i had buttons to push and a chair to spin around in. Really living out my Jean-Luc dreams here.
Read on for my full review!
Starting The Bridge Command Adventure
First up, we had to put on these military-style jumpsuits. Think about the type of outfit that the crew of the NX-01 Enterprise wore. As a Star Trek: Enterprise fan, I’m fine with this. You’re then transported, via a flashing spinning room, to the USC Warspite, which serves as the “home base” of Bridge Command. While in the Mess Hall, the bar space, you can get drinks and update your personal information.
The experience offers something rather extraordinary for returning guests. If you put in your email address and information and then come back later, you can continue your character journey. At the end of our mission, I was promoted in rank and got a medal. When I return next time, I will get that rank patch and medal again. Something like this makes me want to return.
The staff, or rather actors, give your crew a briefing at the start of the session, and you are led into your starship. We had the USC Havok, which appears to be the smaller of the two bridge sets. During the briefing, you’re also told what type of mission you will undertake. There is anything from warfare to diplomacy and also intrigue. Essentially, think of episodes of Star Trek, and you’re golden.
Our Mission
Of course, during the briefing, I raised my hand and assumed the role of Captain. Let’s be honest, “Captain Jack” has a nice ring. Our mission was to escort a cargo ship to a nearby battle group. Immediately taking the captain’s chair felt like an episode of Star Trek. The actors/staff will stay with you to guide you for the first 15-30 minutes. This also ensures everyone knows what they will do and how to operate their systems.
This does take a bit of time away from your session. However, if you’ve come with an experienced crew, you can jump straight into it, take command, and fly away on your mission. The set design of Bridge Command is excellent, though it reminds me of the older Star Trek sets rather than these flashy new ones like Strange New Worlds. This is likely due to budget constraints.
Immediately, our helm officer, “Ensign Death Wish“—who I think was also called Jack—took us out of the dock. We’re straight into battle defending a cargo ship now under attack. Sparks and smoke fly around the room as I try to have the crew follow orders. It gets tense quickly. I did feel like there was a disconnect between certain stations. The graphical control interfaces you are given are somewhat limited in controls.
Battle Stations In Bridge Command
I’ve got to be honest. I took great joy in pressing the “Red Alert” button on my console, which sent the crew into a panic. We’ve all dreamed of shouting “Red Alert” and the lights responding on the bridge. This is very much the case with Bridge Command; all the lights switch to Red to enable you to go to battle stations. We’re thrown into conflict, and everyone works together to ensure we get through it.
Finally, the last stage of our mission involved another ship docking with us. After hailing us, an actress came onboard to discuss a battle plan and mission briefing. We decided on a plan and then set the maximum speed to the destination. Our plan was one of our choosing, and the scenario responded to that. Which I must say is super impressive. I’ve also got to give a big shoutout to the cast of Bridge Command. These people do a fantastic job of staying in character the entire time but are still able to riff and joke with you in the universe.
By the end of our session, it seemed we had done the impossible. The entire fleet was saved, except for one ship that decided to be a hero, and we made it back to the Warspite for reinforcements. Our weapons officers were able to deploy mines as part of our ships’ loadout, which gave us a tactical advantage. Each role in Bridge Command’s experience played a vital role in the ship’s function. Engineering and the science stations had to work together to ensure we didn’t lose power.
Conclusion:
Bridge Command is an excellent experience in a purpose-built venue. Getting there is great for those in London, as it’s simply a quick walk from Vauxhall Tube Station, right over the bridge, and there you are. Bridge Command requires you to be a specific type of person. Someone willing to get into the role-playing spirit. Unfortunately, some of my “crew” seemed nervous and anxious and did not fully participate in the experience or talk with the team.
That said, I think Bridge Command can be an excellent team-building experience. You’ll need to communicate with your bridge crew in tense situations to resolve your problems. However, while playing the experience in my review session, which featured other reviews and public members, I wondered how often I would come back to something like this. Personally, I would much prefer to do this with friends.
Final Thoughts
I highly recommend Bridge Command to those who want to live out your starship command dreams like me. The set design, the actors, it’s all like you’ve fallen into an episode of Star Trek. Even the starship set taking “damage” with the sparks and smoke reminds you of battle episodes in The Next Generation. Sadly, no rocks are falling from the ceiling, likely due to health and safety concerns.
Ready to take command? Bridge Command is open now in London. The experience is located at 63 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7TY. The average running time for each “mission” is around 110 minutes. Prices range from £40-£60 per person. Fancy taking a private group booking? That will cost you around £520. Though I would say, when you split that between the eight of you, it’d be a good price! You can make a booking via http://bridgecommand.space/
See you on the bridge, Ensign!
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