Half-Life Alyx never truly wowed me, because Boneworks and its simulationist approach to VR already had its hooks in me. Physical avatars on 3D legs and no invisible walls to stop me. Bonelab expands on that experimental design. While tough for newcomers (moving around on virtual legs can be demanding until you get a feel for it) Bonelab is one of the most exciting experiences I’ve had in VR, despite the inevitable physics jank.
Wherewas a traditional linear action game, is closer to for VR, interwoven with a five to six hour story. Set in an alternate ’90s where VR took off early, the story has you breaking out of a conservative metaverse to become a free agent. Mostly through VR running, gunning, brawling and puzzle-solving, but with a deeply creative and open endgame.
