As the cliché goes, how time flies -- it’s been a full year since I
started writing the Wander Minnesota column (oh, hey, WCCO? If you need my
address to deliver that Dom Perignon, let me know). I hope you’re enjoying it
-- I know I’m enjoying writing it -- and to celebrate, I’m going to do some
occasional new features besides the usual listings of places and events.
Periodically I’m going to take a closer look at something new or interesting
around the state, starting today with a new attraction that opened last week at
the
Mall of
America.
MagiQuest is the brainchild of a group called
Creative Kingdoms, which wanted to find a way to take the parts of video games
that kids find attractive and translate them into a larger framework -- one
which require players to be on their feet and moving.
It doesn’t hurt that there are elements of Harry Potter
thrown into the mix. When you arrive at MagiQuest for the first time, you have
to choose a
clan (since I was feeling rather princess-like, I
chose Majestic), then you pick your personal wand and your character’s name and
register. Here’s the thing: the initial fee to get in seems high, especially if
you're bringing multiple children, but once you’ve gotten the wand, it’s yours
to keep, and you can use it in subsequent visits, which brings the cost down. Also
note: if you just want to follow your kids around and not play, you can simply
be a Magi Guide for $4.99.
That said, I’d recommend trying
it out. When I first went in, the space seemed simplistic.
A very Dumbledore-esque magi teaches you how to play,
and he’s always available at the “Stone
Circle” (a central core to the game with computer
screens) to guide you on your quest. Your wand acts like a video game
controller would; you use it to activate your quests, get information, and
acquire the steps to complete each quest. The quests are devised of several
clues that require you to travel around the MagiQuest space, searching for the
answers. Some are easy -- and some are not.
Before I knew it, I was stalking clues like a crazed
person, waving my wand at any particular landmark that might have any chance at
the answer. Now, here’s the next cool thing about this: because the wand is
specific to you and you keep it, on return visits you can pick up where you
left off, rather than having to start over. Sir Loin the Vegetarian, who acted
as guide for us, noted that as time goes on, new quests and adventures will be
added so that the game will not be repetitive. Here’s the one I want to do:
Do I even have to confess that the boys who were with
me made far greater progress in their quests than I did?
Of course there’s a shop, where you can buy
accessories and even costumes for younger children.
We had a great time. The boys even worked up a sweat,
running from clue to clue and quest to quest. Advice: wear comfortable shoes --
you’ll be on your feet a great deal and consider playing along. Or send
grandparents; there were lots of those there this weekend, having a jolly time
chasing their young Magis around the realm.
What else is
happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Sunday night WCCO
newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment,
Finding Minnesota.
