After spending couple of hours with Into Black VR, it’s safe to say that this game has far exceeded my expectations. Set in a vast, mysterious sci-fi world, Into Black VR combines exploration, platforming, combat, and progression in a captivating package. Whether you’re a fan of No Man’s Sky-style games or just looking for a new VR experience on the Meta Quest 3, this game has a lot to offer.
Storyline: Crash-Landing into Adventure
The adventure begins with your character crash-landing on an alien planet. The ship is severely damaged, and the AI, Jonathan (who sounds suspiciously like Fallout’s Codsworth), is your companion as you navigate this dangerous world. The storytelling in Into Black VR is one of its strong suits, with Jonathan providing humorous and sometimes helpful commentary as you explore.
Together, you and Jonathan must gather resources, upgrade your equipment, and uncover secrets about an ancient alien race, which might even be from another dimension. The lore is intriguing and keeps you hooked as you search for clues to unravel the planet’s mysteries.
Gameplay: A Deep and Addictive Experience
What truly stands out in Into Black is the gameplay loop. At its core, the game blends resource collection, combat, and exploration in a way that makes each session feel rewarding. The game starts simple enough, but the more you explore, the more you can upgrade your character, tools, and weapons.
Into Black Progression and Leveling
The progression system is highly addictive. As you use tools like your mining beam, they grow stronger, making resource collection faster and more efficient. The RPG elements of upgrading your suit and weapons keep you constantly striving for the next improvement, and it’s hard to put the game down once you start leveling up.
Tools and Weapons
In the early stages, switching between tools and weapons can be a little clunky, as you’re only able to use one item at a time. However, as you progress, you unlock upgrades like a light attachment for your weapon, freeing up your hand for other tasks. New gadgets, such as the platform gun (allowing you to generate platforms anywhere), make navigation and puzzle-solving even more engaging.
Into Black Exploration and Environment
Exploring the planet in Into Black VR is both exciting and visually stunning. The game is mostly set in a sprawling cave system with sections that vary from lava flows and moving rocks to underwater passages. While much of the environment remains subterranean, the level design is varied enough to keep things fresh.
One unique feature is the wrist-mounted map, which can be thrown on the ground for a holographic view of the cave system. This interactive map doesn’t hold your hand, often leaving you to figure out the next objective on your own, adding a layer of challenge to navigation that feels satisfying.
Platforming
Platforming plays a big role in Into Black VR, with low-gravity mechanics and a combination of double-jumping and air dashing creating some really fun movement. The planet’s environment includes bouncy mushrooms (or at least things that look like mushrooms) that add an extra element to traversal. These moves aren’t just for show, either—they come in handy during combat as well.
Combat: Fast-Paced and Satisfying
Combat in Into Black is dynamic, featuring a variety of enemies and an arsenal of weapons to keep things interesting. You begin with basic weapons, but over time you’ll unlock three distinct firearms, each with an active reload system that adds a layer of strategy to engagements.
The enemies are diverse and require different approaches, and while the combat starts easy, it ramps up as you progress. The addition of enemy variety as you explore deeper into the game keeps the fights from feeling repetitive.
Multiplayer and Additional Features
While the single-player campaign is compelling, Into Black offers even more with its multiplayer mode, allowing up to three players to explore the planet together. There’s also a PvP mode that supports up to 11 players, adding a competitive edge for those who crave it.
Beyond the main missions, the game also includes loot crates filled with legendary items and perks scattered throughout the environment, making exploration even more rewarding.
What Needs Improvement?
No game is perfect, and Into Black has its quirks. The most notable annoyance is the tool-switching mechanic early in the game, which forces you to swap items frequently. However, as you progress and unlock upgrades, this becomes less of an issue. Additionally, the environments can feel a bit repetitive as much of the game takes place underground, although the platforming elements and variety in cave designs help mitigate this.
Final Verdict on Into Black: A Must-Play Sci-Fi VR Game
In summary, Into Black combines the best elements of sci-fi exploration, platforming, and RPG progression to create an addictive and immersive VR experience. Its well-designed story, engaging gameplay, and beautiful environments make it one of the standout VR titles this year. The addition of multiplayer only enhances its appeal, offering something for both solo players and those who want to team up with friends.
If you love games like No Man’s Sky, enjoy upgrading your character and gear, and crave a deep sci-fi narrative, Into Black is definitely worth your time. With 20+ levels and plenty of unlockables, there’s a lot to explore—and I’ve only scratched the surface in my playthrough, I highly recommend giving this game a try.
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