Journey to Foundation, developed by Archiact (known for Doom 3 VR), was recently released on PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest 2, and Pico 4. It dives into the expansive universe inspired by Isaac Asimov’s iconic Foundation series. As a VR experience, it aims to bring the intricacies of Asimov’s interstellar narrative to life, offering players an opportunity to explore a gripping tale within the vast Milky Way. We tried out the Quest version.
As you embark on this narrative-driven sci-fi adventure, players step into the shoes of Agent Ward, a Commission of Public Safety operative sent to the outer edges of the Galactic Empire. Tasked with infiltrating a group of deserters, the story takes a few unexpected turns as the stakes rise, leading to choices that shape the narrative as you make connections with memorable characters along the way.
The narrative, undoubtedly the game’s highlight as it follows Asimov’s iconic work, unfolds at a good pace throughout the approximately seven-hour playtime – which is good for a VR title. Asimov’s Foundation series was published back in the 1950s and represents a rich narrative, though newcomers to Asimov’s work – which is different from today’s sci-fi films. However, as the game progresses, the story gains enough depth through dialogues and optional lore items that those players will also be drawn in.
A significant portion of the gameplay involves interactive conversations, allowing players to shape the story through dialogue choices. The mental science aspect of the game, where Ward can manipulate emotions, adds an interesting dynamic, but its impact on the overall gameplay falls short of expectations. Limited consequences to most choices make the eagerness to replay the game fade away after a while.
Combat sequences form another gameplay element, involving firefights with AI opponents. However, the combat design, while solid, lacks innovation, featuring standard cover-based shooting and limited enemy variety. The Mentalist abilities, intended to enhance gameplay by adding additional skills, sometimes feel forced and fail to reach their full potential.
Journey to Foundation introduces puzzle-solving elements, delivered through visual brain teasers as well as logic-based challenges. While these sections prove engaging, they don’t stand out significantly in the broader VR landscape as they don’t make much use of VR-specific mechanics.
Visually, the game adopts a comic-art style that works well within the limitations of the VR hardware. The stylized characters and varied environments contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal, but some graphical inconsistencies stand out, especially when you focus on elements in the background.
Journey to Foundation may not rank among the best VR titles out there, but it does manage to deliver a satisfying narrative adventure. The game’s structure, combining various gameplay elements, feels like a compilation of standalone story fragments rather than a masterful integration. The solid storytelling, however, makes it a compelling choice for fans of Asimov’s works and those who appreciate immersive sci-fi narratives.
Score: 7.1/10
Press Play Media 