Stranger Things VR plunges VR players into the world of Hawkins and the Upside Down, offering a fresh perspective from the point of view of Vecna, a villainous character from the series. Developed by Tender Claws, this VR experience promises an immersive journey through unknown realities, exploring the origins of Vecna and his quest for revenge against Eleven and the inhabitants of Hawkins. And yes, if none of that means much to you it’s because this one is clearly aimed at fans of the show. We took a look at the Quest version.
From the outset, it’s clear that Stranger Things VR is ambitious in its attempt to translate the beloved TV series into a virtual reality experience. Playing as Vecna offers a novel twist, allowing players to inhabit the mind of a character whose transformation and influence on past events are central to the narrative. However, while the premise is intriguing, especially for longtime fans, the execution falls short in several key areas even though there are certainly strong points as well.
One of the standout features of Stranger Things VR is the game’s ability to immerse players in the atmospheric world of the Upside Down. The dark, otherworldly environments effectively capture the eerie ambiance of the TV series, while the telekinetic powers granted to Vecna provide a sense of empowerment and mobility that are a good fit for motion controls. From crushing objects with telekinesis to traversing the environment using tendrils, there’s a tangible feeling of control and agency that enhances the immersive experience.
Visually, the game impresses with its stylized art direction and attention to detail. The cel-shaded graphics lend a unique aesthetic that complements the surreal nature of the Upside Down, while the character designs and environments faithfully recreate some of the iconic locations from the series. The audio design further enhances the immersion, with eerie sound effects and the iconic synth-infused theme music all contributing to the overall atmosphere.
However, despite its strengths, Stranger Things VR suffers from repetitive gameplay, limited interaction and pacing issues that detract from the overall experience. The game’s focus on mind invasions and combat encounters are initially cool but can quickly become monotonous, with similar puzzles and challenges repeating throughout the experience. Additionally, the abrupt pacing and disjointed narrative structure hinder player engagement, leaving the story feeling unfulfilling.
While the mixed reality levels offer a unique twist, they ultimately feel like a superficial addition that fails to integrate seamlessly with the main storyline. Despite the potential for innovative gameplay mechanics, the mixed reality segments lack meaningful interaction and impact on the overall experience, resulting in a missed opportunity to fully leverage the VR platform with a technology (Mixed Reality) that’s still looking to find its stride.
In conclusion, Stranger Things VR is a decent effort from Tender Claws to expand the Stranger Things universe into the realm of virtual reality. But despite its atmospheric presentation and engaging premise, the game’s repetitive gameplay and narrative issues ultimately prevent it from reaching its full potential. Fans of the series will find enjoyment in exploring Hawkins and the Upside Down from a new perspective, but the overall experience falls short of delivering a truly immersive and satisfying VR adventure if you’re just looking at the gameplay side of things.
Score: 6.4/10
Press Play Media 