With new film The Last Jedi finally hitting cinemas, Star Wars fever is at an all time high.

But if just watching it on a screen doesn't satisfy, fans of the sci-fi phenomenon can jump into some Star Wars action by way of virtual reality .

Secrets of the Empire is a VR experience from Lucasfilm, ILMxLab and The VOID that thrusts you into a mission to recover some vital information from an Imperial facility on the molten planet of Mustafar.

The VR gear feels like battle armour

I popped along to The Atrium in Westfield London shopping centre to give it a go before it was open to the public.

Players start off by getting strapped into a futuristic chest piece and VR helmet. As soon as you're buckled into the gear you'll immediately feel like an armoured soldier ready for battle.

After a special briefing from Alliance officer Cassian Andor - who fans will recognise from the movie Rogue One - you and up to three other teammates flip your VR visor down to be transported into the boots of a Rebel soldier who's gone undercover as a Stormtrooper.

Feel the heat of the lava on planet Mustafar

You'll also encounter K-2SO, the sarcastic droid from Rogue One.

Needless to say, things take a turn and you'll end up having to shoot your way out of trouble. There's no game controller or strange peripheral here though, as you'll pick up a real world blaster gun prop that you use to control your weapon in the game.

If you get shot, the chest piece you're wearing vibrates, giving you an instant warning that you might want to take cover. The immersion also extends to the playing area, with special effects such as jets of warm air making you feel like you're really in a volcanic landscape.

The entire experience was like the grandest round of paintball I've ever played, with the blend of VR and practical effects totally blurring the line between the game and reality.

You'll team up with others to tackle the mission

Short of getting a part in the next movie, this is the closest you'll probably come to feeling like you're actually in the Star Wars universe.

Myf Ryan, Chief Marketing Officer, Westfield UK & Europe said: “We know our shoppers crave premium multi-sensory experiences, and this magical journey will transport visitors to experience the Star Wars galaxy in a truly unique and realistic way.”

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire opens at Westfield London in Shepherd's Bush on December 16 for 12 weeks. Head to www.thevoid.com/london for more information