Latest Penang attraction offers visitors an abundance of awesome fun

A privileged visitor lying down for a selfie with the buildings below for the background. — Dronepic: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star

THE claustrophobic darkness and cramped seating set the perfect mood as ‘adventurers’ board the Ocean Explorer, a virtual reality submersible.

When the contraption comes on, passengers will feel that unmistakable sense of bobbing in the sea.

The combination of air compression, hydraulics and electric motors so flawlessly supplies kinetic force that you will feel the bumps and nudges when gigantic sea creatures swim too close.

This attraction is in THE TOP@Komtar in Penang. To get there, one needs to go up the grand staircase to Level Five along Komtar’s Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong side.

“Let’s describe the Ocean Explorer no further, to save the suspense. Don’t ask until you have gone through it,” smiled Only World Group (OWG) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Richard Koh in an interview yesterday.

Evergreen amusement like this Musical Carousel promises cheery revelry for everyone in THE TOPKomtar on Level Five. Pix by: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star/ 5 Discember 2016

Koh specialises in dishing out thrilling attractions that dazzle the senses and yet are completely safe.

OWG’s THE TOP@Komtar covers a whopping 300,000sq ft on five levels in Komtar including the rooftop.

After the official opening on Dec 18, Level Five will take visitors to the Observatory Deck on Level 65 and the rooftop Rainbow Skywalk, which is Level 68.

But before the grand finale up top, a plethora of fun for the young and old is tucked into nearly every nook and cranny on Level Five, including the Ocean Explorer.

Even more appealing is the 7D Discovery Motion Theatre.

OWG CEO Datuk Seri Richard Koh testing the Spacetime Squad, a virtual reality gun game in THE TOPKomtar on Level Five.WAN MOHIZAN WAN HUSSEIN / The Star / 06 Dec 2016 

“On the inside of a giant dome screen, 10 projectors will shine a complex image and viewed with 3D spectacles, you will feel flawless virtual reality,” said Koh.

The theatre also sends sensations to your legs and other unexpected areas to put your consciousness into the movie you are watching.

Nestled along with the modernity are evergreen amusements such as the Magic Mirror Maze, a discombobulating puzzle guaranteed to bring out that delicious sense of anxiety and suspense.

And then there are the gun games. Some are high-tech, complete with virtual reality visors. Others are good, old-fashioned infra-red guns that promise to bring smiles to the shooters.

There are even bumper car rides called Jelly Bumps and a gaily decked musical carousel.

“We have grown so used to high technology that yesteryear’s joy becomes refreshing,” said Koh.

He said his mission in life was to make people happy.

“Everyone needs to kick back, relax and de-stress. Our aim is to make Komtar into a place for that.”

For details, visit thetop.com.my.