Battlefield Houston — Attraction in Jersey Village

My review is on the pre-play rule-giving to young children at a dedicated bday party. I've been here 2x for bday parties. First time, a nerf party for a 6 yr old, and second time a laser tag party for 8 yr old. The experience was identical. They take you into a creepy dark room with markings and etchings by former customers all over the wall (nbd IF the rule givers weren't creepy also) but - without a warm welcome to little kids (accompanied by parents) the rule-giver starts by talking very serious, very sternly, giving very intense detailed instructions, using words like kill, dead, shoot, gun over and over. Both times, different people

Now, I get it, teens and adults are accustomed to this language used in life - not so for a 6-10 yr old (yes of course there are exceptions). But at this age range, most parents are actively teaching gun safety rules (like "if you see one, don't touch it - it's very dangerous and could kill you, tell an adult immediately", or in some cases "let me show you how to handle this deadly weapon with respect and extreme safety"), these kids are learning about active shooters and having drills at school. Guns and killing and shooting and dead are super intense things to be talking about MUCH LESS IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THE TWO different PEOPLE HAVE DELIVERED THESE same RULES. Which tells me this is a management issue. Maybe the manager or owner doesn't have kids, or forgot how sensitive and innocent young elementary kids are, or they haven't considered any perspective besides their own. All ok, this is easy to solve.

The owner should retrain their employees how to adjust their tone and word choice depending on age of clientele (or even a pre-party phone call to check "do you want the super serious version or the light and fun version"). Tag=kill, laser=gun, paused=dead. During the rule-giving both times, my kid is sobbing and scared as we all stand against a wall as if a firing squad is before us, and has run out in tears each time and won't participate. But at OTHER laser tag places NEVER had this issue - played successfully and with great joy many times in the past. I am also a huge fan of laser tag, and this place has the best course and games. PLEASE train your staff, if kids are younger than 10, chances are most of them will prefer less deadly language and those that would prefer deadly language won't notice it missing.

To be clear these were both private parties, we didn't just walk in and play with other teens and adults (which I would totally understand not adjusting your language in a mixed setting, however it's not like THOSE words are crucial to the experience). Here's a script idea for a private young kid party: a smile, welcome to battlefield houston everyone - I hear we're celebrating child's name today - happy birthday kid we're about to have a lot of fun and there's just a few rules to go over to make sure everyone stays safe, doesn't get hurt, and knows how to win the game. We're gonna play x amount of different games, when we say game over come to x place...we'll tell you the score and the rules for the next game. Got it? Ok cool, the first game is easy - your goal is to tag the most people with your laser - you can tag from very far away by pointing your laser at their lights. You'll know you've been tagged if x happens, don't worry it won't hurt, and you're not out of the game - but you laser won't work until you recharge it at a lock and load station. We'll show you where those are when we get inside. There will be two teams - this first round, stick with who you're most comfy with cause it's big and dark in there but lots of fun! We'll turn on some music and you'll walk (don't run! Otherwise ppl will get hurt - (a current rule)). We'll play for x amount of time and whatever team gets the most tags wins! Who's ready?! (YEAH!!) who's got their eagle eyes ON to watch for the other team?! (YEAH!) ok go slow and watch around corners, the other team could be right there so be ready ok?! You've got this,...

After hearing nothing but good things from friends and family, we decided to give Battlefield Houston a try. Last night we arrived at approximately 6pm. The lobby itself was pretty empty. There were two males other than us waiting to purchase their play time. Two of the three kiosks set up to sign waivers were out of order but we still managed to sign the waivers for our two children before 6:15. They stood behind the two males who paid individually for their time while my husband and I watched over our three younger children at the arcade area. When they reached the counter, and asked for an hour of play time the female at the counter informed us that, obviously we could not purchase an hour because they close at 7pm. The children (16 & 15) were relaying the information to us. So I tell them then get 2 people at 30 minutes each. Then the female at the counter says it’s too late to do 30 minutes. You have to have purchased your ticket no later than 6:15. I look up to the clock above the counter and it reads 6:18. At this point I’m a little frustrated and confused. I told her “You just let the two guys who were standing in front of them in the game. They were standing in-line with them. You seriously can’t put them in for a 30 minute play?” She said No. I went on to ask if there’s a policy posted regarding the 15 minute increment wait. She said “Yes, it’s online”. So I said “Ok that’s fine if that’s your policy I understand but what I don’t understand is why you would allow us to sign in, wait in line, and give us the 30 minute option when you knew you weren’t going to let them in?” She said “Ya were too busy talking I didn’t want to interrupt; besides ya took forever to sign the waiver forms and the kids were still trying to decide which play they were gonna buy”. So I insisted “but why did you allow us to even form a line if you knew the two boys in front of us were gonna be your last players?” She rudely replied, “Ma’am, I’m done talking to you. I’m not gonna say anything you wanna hear so this conversation is over.” At that point my husband was like, let’s just go. I was so bothered by her lack of customer service skills that I felt management should know about it and I let her know too. I said “You really should be a little more considerate especially in the customer service position that you hold”. She started talking over me repetitively saying “I’m sorry that you feel that way, Ma’am, I’m sorry that you feel that way, I’m sorry that you feel that way”. I told her “go get your manager”. I look up and it’s 6:23. The manager comes out and introduces himself as Cary Grant. I briefly give him the run-down of my complaint. He listens patiently and is very apologetic and offers to let the kids in on the last game. We pay for 30 minutes, Cary gives the kids play instructions/rules, and they are in by 6:28. We wait in the arcade with our little ones. Cary returns and offers us to come in and watch the game from inside. The kids loved the game and we will return, now that we understand the time policy, so that the kids can enjoy at least an hour of play. I’m not giving Battlefield Houston bad reviews because the place is very clean, the kids raved about the game, and management is courteous and professional. I just want to inform the owners of Battlefield Houston that the female with the black and red dreadlocks who was working the front counter last night could potentially ruin your reputation for the most awesome laser tag facility in Houston if she is treating other customers the way...

Super Disappointed. This place was our go-to for many weekends. I absolutely love it and it's a complete blast. All of the refs and games are wonderful. So why 1 star?

The weapons they use are phenomenal. Very realistic, very heavy, and have metal barrels. They used to have foam covers on the barrels. A couple of visits ago, I noticed they had removed them, and I commented on it and got a litany of excuses. "They cause the gun to fire differently", "They didn't stay on", "They didn't look good" (By the the most ridiculous of excuses), and "They didn't really help".

Last night while playing, I got clobbered. It wasn't intentional, no one was breaking the well described rules, and anyone around me stopped and got my back to a corner where I could sit for a minute. It was extremely dark, and while coming around a corner, I startled and opposing player and caught the side of the barrel. LUCKILY, I was wearing glasses, and my eye socket didn't absorb all of the impact... unluckily, I don't have vision insurance and now my glasses are a little wonky.

When the round was over, I walked downstairs and told the ref. They immediately surrounded me and checked on me. Top notch staff there. I was alright to finish out my last mission with the exception of some messed up glasses and a terrible head/face/mouth ache.

When my time was up, I stepped out to talk to the owner. Several of the refs, and I believe he also stated that they had the foam for the ends, but (insert one of the above excuses here). I explained that all of those excuses are invalid, and 1 person not having their head smashed is worth whatever little impact the foam actually causes. He agreed, and said they would figure out something. I would suggest looking into some molded foam. There doesn't need to be a ton on there, just something to prevent face to metal contact. I was kind of disappointed they didn't offer me any sort of condolence or comped games, but as of right now I will not be returning until they have the foam pads back. I know I signed a waiver, but I would prefer not to have it exercised.

IF they fix this problem. I will Gladly change this review to a 5, and start playing again. This place is AWESOME. Great staff, awesome missions, reasonable price, awesome arena. Can't saying enough about it.The lobby doesn't have much to offer, but who goes to sit in the lobby anyway?

If the risk of getting whacked in the face doesn't bother you, this is an...