Review: The Exit 8 VR
I had never really heard of The Exit 8 until I started to see news shared on it by MyDearest as it closed in on being released. You may remember a demo called P.T that released back in 2014, since then games have been trying to catch the liminal space experience the likes of what this offered. I have now found Exit 8, but how was it?
Release Date: July 11th 2024
Developer: MyDearest Inc, Kotake Create
Publisher: MyDearest Inc
Price: £4.99
Reviewed On: Meta Quest 3
* Access Provided For Review *
Look Out For The Anomalies
In The Exit 8 VR the goal is simple, reach Exit 8 of the very pristine Japanese underground metro station. Where the goal you might seem simple, you will soon notice that the passageways are never ending as you wonder through them. The you will notice a set of rules on a sign on the wall – notice any anomalies in the passageway turn around if not keep moving forward. Do this successfully and the Exit number on the sign will increase by one, get it wrong and it will return you to 0. So, make sure you pay close attention to anything and everything in this liminal space, or you will be stuck in a never ending loop of despair.
Where this might all sound a little simple, the way The Exit 8 VR is designed it is done excellently. These anomalies could be something easy to spot visually like flyers all over the wall or misplaced lights or tiles, something more freaky like a salaryman that walks by in every liminal space deciding to chase you or doors banging and finally little things I wont mention to avoid giving these less obvious ones away.
I knew the game was handling the anomalies and little horror elements well because, as I walked round the corner and seen the number reset to 0 each time I was filled with both despair and dread of what I might experience on my next attempt. Although, at the same time it gave me that one more go feeling, that highlighted how well the gameplay loop is designed. At points where I reached higher numbers (at one point passageway 8) and got the reset as I missed the anomaly, it really has me checking every little detail on your next run when everything seems fine – again pointing to how well it is designed to get into your head.
As you reach and leave Exit 8 you will then be returned to the hallway, there is a sign on the wall at this point that will tell you if you how many anomalies you have seen – meaning if you want to see them all, there is a reason to return. Other than this I can see myself jumping in again every now and then, just to try and figure everything out again and, putting friends in it to see if they can get through it.
Simple But Effective
Looking at videos and screenshots of The Exit 8 VR really doesn’t sell what the game offers in regards to visuals. Don’t be thrown off by the well maintained and sterile looking Japanese metro, it really has you immersed in setting. With this simple hallway having lighting that does its job on the Quest 3, then mixing the simple visuals with some great design decisions overall, really drags you into the game.
There is very limited soundscape in the game, but to be honest this all the experience needs and adds to the creepy factor. Your own and the salaryman’s footsteps will echo throughout the metro as the standout noise, leaving you feeling very lonely and trapped. Added to these is some ambient sounds like the creak of doors, and as mentioned you really have what the game needs. However, also make sure to listen out as an anomaly might also have an audio queue. The repeated minimalism in the both visual and audio, really makes this feel a lot more tense than you could ever imagine.
Comfort
The Verdict
The Exit 8 just seems to go hand-in-hand with VR, giving this liminal space and back rooms experience more immersion than ever. This could be a very shot experience if you noticed the anomalies in your first playthrough. However, believe me this is very hard to do and the experience should last you around or just over an hour – also it has been priced appropriately to go with this at £4.99. You will be very intrigued even though you are walking through a repeated metro tunnel, it all seems mysterious with the limited sound and the freaky happenings making it all immersive and uneasy. For the cost I would recommend people experiencing The Exit 8 VR, as the videos just don’t do it justice.