Since completely enjoying Horizon of Khufu at EXP Rosemont last year, I was excited about Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue, the newest immersive experience there.

The best-selling game of all time, with more than 300 million copies sold worldwide, Minecraft is a game where players interact in a world made of blocks and objects. That is an oversimplified summary of a game with many layers and possibilities. Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue turns that video game into a fully immersive, interactive experience.

When I arrived on Preview Night, I sheepishly admitted to a staffer I had never played Minecraft. He brushed my fears away, assuring me I would have no problems, just fun. He was right, which I realized within minutes of entering the world of Minecraft.

The goal is to save a village from a zombie attack. Although working (playing) individually, the group works together through seven levels collecting resources, eliminating threats and making the village safe.

At the start we were given small cubes (called orbs), which I learned would be used throughout the adventure to both accomplish tasks through shaking it and indicate various things by changing colors. During my last time at EXP Rosemont, I wore a headset for the virtual reality experience. This time it was all about the orb.

In the first room we swung the orbs in a chopping motion to cut down trees to start our challenge. After receiving tips from a senior player and young player, I got the hang of it and was good for the rest of the journey. The staffer was right.

Time flew as we cruised through all rooms, crushing spiders, transporting water and performing other tasks with the aid of our orbs. One little girl named hers “Orbie,” and she worked masterfully with Orbie, setting a pace I couldn’t even come near.

Near the end we gave the orbs a rest as we engaged in a “snowball fight” of sorts. Leaning on my years of pitching, I hurled balls at the onscreen opponents, finally finding a challenge I really conquered.

At the end a staffer applauded us as our group score was revealed. Since we were the first group, I have no idea how good our score was, but the staffers said we did great.

Walking out, I heard the young girl proclaim she wanted to go again. A senior couple mentioned bringing their grandchildren. I could also see myself returning with friends to compete a bit while we work our way through the rooms.

— John Wroblewski, podcaster