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Stranger Things: Catalyst Opens at Sandbox VR Worldwide

The new chapter in the franchise uses free-roaming VR with haptics to let groups wield telekinetic powers as Dr. Brenner returns.

Overview

  • The experience is now live at Sandbox VR locations globally, including the Pointe Orlando venue, with bookings available.
  • Players become psychically enhanced test subjects who enter Hawkins Lab and the Upside Down to battle franchise creatures using a telekinetic “catalyst” controller.
  • Matthew Modine reprises his role as Dr. Brenner, guiding players through training sequences within the narrative setup.
  • Sessions use full-body motion tracking, vibrating haptic vests, headsets with voice chat, and private free-roam holodecks for groups of up to six.
  • Early hands-on reports praise immersion but note intermittent desynchronization, slight voice-chat delay, constrained movement space, and substantial physical exertion, as Sandbox VR frames the title as its third Netflix tie-in ahead of season five’s rollout on November 26, December 25, and December 31.