Review: Madison VR
Madison has officially been recognised as the most terrifying game ever by ‘The Science of Scare Project’, and now it’s taking the fear factor to a whole new level with its Virtual Reality version. While playing Madison VR on PSVR2, it took the title of the scariest VR game from Resident Evil VII. I recently went back to it on the Quest 3—did the frights still have the same impact?
Release Date: January 9th 2025
Developer: Bloodious Games
Publisher: Perp Games
Price: £24.99
Reviewed On: Meta Quest 3
* Access Provided For Review *
Happy Sixteenth Birthday?
In this game, you step into the shoes of a teenage boy named Luca, who receives an instant camera for his sixteenth birthday. This camera, however, has a dark history, having once belonged to a notorious serial killer named Madison three decades ago. After waking up with blood on your hands and hearing your father yelling from behind a locked door, you make a daring escape into a sprawling manor. As you navigate through the eerie halls, you find yourself trapped in one bizarre room after another. To make matters worse, you might be dealing with possession. Will Luca manage to find a way out of the manor and survive the terrifying experiences that await him?
Something Sinister Is Afoot
Madison incorporates several classic elements of horror game design, primarily set within the eerie confines of a manor and other tight spaces. This approach gained significant popularity after the infamous cancellation of the P.T. demo.
The core gameplay revolves around solving puzzles that drive the narrative forward, unlock new areas, and unveil the chilling secrets of Madison. Players will often find themselves retracing their steps throughout the manor to gather necessary items for these puzzles. While some challenges are relatively simple, others can be quite perplexing. On one hand, the variety in puzzle difficulty adds an interesting layer to the experience; on the other hand, it can disrupt the flow of the scares that Madison is renowned for. However, this also provides players with a much-needed break from the tension.
Using the camera plays a crucial role in certain puzzles and during moments when Luca is being pursued. I suggest snapping as many photos as you can, as they might offer hints or even be part of the puzzle itself. You have an unlimited supply of film, so don’t hesitate to take pictures. Even in completely dark areas, use the camera flash to reveal anything you might need or to ease your nerves about what could be lurking in the shadows. Remember, there’s no combat when you’re being hunted; instead, you’ll need to use the camera flash to blind or stun your pursuers, giving you a chance to escape.
One aspect I found quite frustrating about the game is the inventory system, which clearly shows that it was originally designed for flat screens before being adapted for VR. While I didn’t mind having limited inventory slots for items—something that can enhance the horror experience—the way it was executed left much to be desired. The main annoyance was that when you pick up a puzzle item, you can’t move while holding it. If you want to rearrange items, you have to put the one you’re holding back into your inventory just to select it again. This quickly became irritating, especially when items were placed close together or when trying to swap things around in a room.
Get Clean Underwear Ready
The team has really excelled with the visuals in the standalone version, especially given the hardware limitations compared to the PC or PS5. The Quest version also does an impressive job of capturing the atmosphere and thrills, but I did miss the deep blacks that the OLED on PSVR2 provides. Still, they’ve done a commendable job simulating darkness with the lighting in this build.
I noticed something odd about the Quest version regarding Luca’s scaling. Your arms look a bit thin, your hands appear quite big, and you seem to be just the right height to barely fit under doorways. No matter how many times I adjusted the playspace or recalibrated, my height never seemed to change.
Alongside these great visuals, the ambient sound is the best I’ve encountered in a horror game. The game recommends using headphones for the best experience, and after trying it with both the built-in speakers and headphones, I can definitely say it makes a huge difference. I highly suggest following that advice! Honestly, I’ve never felt so uneasy from audio before. Every little sound kept me on edge, making me turn around and snap photos constantly.
Comfort
The Verdict
Madison has already been scientifically recognised as one of the scariest games out there, and its impact is only heightened with the addition of Virtual Reality. Even though I had played it on PSVR2 before, I still felt those familiar chills and uneasy sensations, proving just how terrifying this game truly is. The storyline, the atmosphere, and the meticulous attention to detail in both the visuals and sound design create an unparalleled level of tension. If you’re on the hunt for a horror game in Virtual Reality and want the absolute scariest experience, Madison VR is the one to choose—just make sure to have some spare pants handy!