When The Gardens Between launched back in 2018, its dreamlike mix of friendship-driven storytelling and time manipulation puzzles won hearts, but its magic was bound to a flat screen. Hidden Memories of The Gardens Between takes that same emotional core, doubles its scope, and reimagines it entirely for VR – making it feel less like a remaster and more like a rediscovery.
The setup is quietly poignant: Frendt, years older now, finds Arina’s diary while packing up a house. As its pages turn, memories awaken – not just the ones players might recall from the original, but new moments that expand and deepen the bond between these two friends. VR’s intimacy makes these recollections feel more tangible; you’re no longer just observing their journey, you’re inside it, orbiting around their islands of memory.
The core mechanic of manipulating time – rewinding and advancing it to create solutions – remains intact, but now you do it with your hands. Grasping the world and turning it like a snow globe is instantly more engaging than tapping buttons, and the addition of physically interactive puzzle elements adds a tactile layer that the original lacked. Some of these new interactions feel like they’re there to justify VR, but when they click – like physically placing a memory object into its exact spot – they’re deeply satisfying.
What hasn’t changed is the pacing. This is still a gentle, unhurried game, where trial-and-error is encouraged and puzzle logic unfolds in small, satisfying “aha” moments. The difference is how much more immersive those moments feel in VR – though that immersion can also be broken by occasional tracking quirks or awkward object placement that’s harder to judge in three dimensions.
Visually, the shift to VR pays off. The islands, already beautiful in the original, now feel like living dioramas you could reach out and touch. Lighting is richer, textures pop in a way they never did on a TV, and the sense of scale – being surrounded by these surreal memories – is a genuine upgrade. On the audio side, the serene soundtrack and ambient details wrap around you, though voice and sound cues feel sparse compared to how visually lush the experience is.
At around twice the content of the original, there’s more to explore and more to feel, but it’s worth noting that not every addition hits the same emotional high. A few puzzles veer into mechanical repetition, and the quiet, reflective storytelling still won’t appeal to those seeking challenge-heavy or fast-paced gameplay. But for those who connected with The Gardens Between the first time – or who simply want a VR puzzle game with emotional weight – Hidden Memories turns nostalgia into something you can stand inside, hold in your hands, and see from new angles.
Score: 7.2/10
Press Play Media 