VR is becoming more popular as players flock to become immersed in their worlds. With that, the market is not as saturated with titles to play as other consoles due to difficulty in development, whether it is because of control difficulty or wanting to have realistic physics or graphics. Well developer Ludact has found the perfect combination of all the above. UNBINARY is a true VR experience that shows player that a unique art style and a lot of heart is what will truly win the masses in VR.
UNBINARY is beautiful in its world development with a hand drawn art style that bursts with color and definition as players progress through each level. Even the soundtrack blends in with the unique art direction. It takes a little while to notice, but even the interactions players have with the various switches and mechanics gives it an immersive experience. Not only is it beautifully drawn but is also written well. Players play as the Autonomous User, whose job is to run a series of tests to find any issues that may prevent the AI, Webby, from performing properly. The star of the show is Webby who at first comes off as rude and snobby but gradually warms up and becomes much more accessible as the story progresses. Otherwise, UNBINARY runs as an adventure-puzzle game.
The core gameplay of is standard for the genre. Players face simple puzzles where the objective is to get out of the room or rooms in which players are located. Players will have to find a key to gain access, climb a bit or activate a certain switch to move forward from each area. It may sound easy and almost idiot proof, but this isn’t always a bad thing. This is how it is made sure that players do not get stranded and that the story can continue. Now, if you make things too simple, moving forward appears to be a typical action and we don’t realize that the players are dealing with a riddle. The first stages are so simple that gamers will breeze through them. A switch is turned on by players.
A huge mechanic in the game, mask swapping, appears after warming up a bit, allowing players to assume the forms of the many robots encountered through their playthrough. Each has a particular set of skills players utilize to make it through each puzzle. For example, one of the skins allow players to climb or grasp boxes to form makeshift steps. Although this mechanic is imbedded into the story, it could have been used more effectively. Players are already close to the finish line when they allow them to freely switch between the masks. As a result, the game finishes just as it finally seems like players will start encountering more exciting challenges.
Considering how short the game is, UNBINARY certainly succeeds in making players want to explore as much as possible. This is what players get when the graphics are this outstanding. Also, each chapter succeeds in providing something visually unique, enhancing the narrative players will experience with artwork, making players want to keep playing. True, there aren’t any really difficult obstacles, but gamers will always be in awe of what lies behind each door.
Players might be questioning why this might be a problem and the answer is the world is not particularly interactive. Players always want to fiddle around in VR, especially when they’re playing a puzzle game, so they may feel a little let down when they find that you can’t grab everything. Although it isn’t terrible, it is more troubling how the few interactions pale in comparison to those in the center of other games.
Ludact has demonstrated their talent and good intentions in UNBINARY. It’s worth playing the game just for how appealing it is visually and not because they have attained hyper realism or provided us with enormously expansive scenarios. Simply put, they have developed a distinctive creative art style that excels in virtual reality. When players learn about the surprises that are in store for them, along with a plot that moves along thanks to Webby the AI, and even the mechanics of altering our masks to get new skills, all combined are incredibly intriguing, successfully fusing the riddles and the story. Overall, UBINARY is a wonderful addition to those who play on the go or at home with their Meta Quest. I would highly recommend grabbing a copy and giving it a try to support Ludact and their future projects.
