Biolum

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 58 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Biolum Game Cover
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Biolum is a single-player Horror Action game with a 30-minute narrative experience. Players assume the role of scientific researcher Rachel, exploring the bioluminescent depths of the ocean, infected by a luminescent parasite. Guided by expedition leader Eva, the game uncovers a cosmic mystery of the great unknown, challenging players to understand the scientific consequences of this underwater phenomenon.

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Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 58 reviews
story13 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a beautiful and immersive underwater experience with stunning visuals and a captivating story.
  • Great voice acting enhances the narrative, making the experience engaging despite its short length.
  • It's a unique and relaxing VR experience that can be enjoyed by those who appreciate exploration and storytelling in a cinematic format.
  • The game is very short, lasting only about 30 minutes, which may leave players wanting more content and interaction.
  • Gameplay is limited, with minimal interactivity and a linear, on-rails movement system that restricts exploration.
  • Graphics and performance feel outdated, lacking the polish expected from modern VR experiences, which detracts from immersion.
  • story23 mentions

    The game's story is generally praised for its interesting and immersive narrative, enhanced by strong voice acting and a captivating underwater setting. While some players found the plot engaging and expressed interest in a sequel, others criticized the linearity and brevity of the experience, noting that the gameplay mechanics detracted from the storytelling. Overall, it offers a gripping, albeit short, sci-fi adventure that some players found enjoyable despite its flaws.

    • “Great story and use of the underwater setting.”
    • “A great voice cast and a great story of wonder and betrayal.”
    • “Great story, immersive world, elevated by standout voice acting and quite a twist at the end!”
    • “The story is kind of hilariously bad and the dialogue (performed by legit great actors!) is garbage.”
    • “There is a nice little narrated story, but gameplay-wise it is lacking just a bit too much to recommend the game.”
    • “Often in these scenes the game takes away the control of your arms and just moves them around as the story needs it; you don't get to do those parts yourself.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as decent but outdated, lacking the detail and polish expected from modern VR experiences. While some users appreciate the neat visuals and immersive elements, many feel that the graphics do not meet current standards and detract from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a mixed bag, with some memorable moments overshadowed by technical shortcomings.

    • “Good graphics, good sense of discovery and exploration, cool dialogue to make it more immersive.”
    • “The graphics are memorably good.”
    • “Nice short cinematic experience with beautiful visuals.”
    • “Sadly that won't happen too often: visuals are not up to date and the environments could have used more details.”
    • “If you are looking for a game, or the latest marvels of 3D graphics, don't look here.”
    • “It's okay, but for today's standards, the graphics are not up to the standards we require from a VR experience.”
  • gameplay6 mentions

    The gameplay has been criticized for being lackluster and unengaging, with many players noting that it consists mostly of cutscenes rather than interactive elements. While the atmosphere and narrative are appreciated, the overall experience is deemed boring and not worth the price, especially given the limited active gameplay time.

    • “In short, great atmosphere and story, but gameplay-wise it could be better.”
    • “Neat visuals can't really make up for what ultimately is a rather boring experience; it's neither dramatic nor well-paced with its stop-start 'have a look' mechanic.”
    • “Most of the negative feedback on this game is due to there being no real gameplay.”
    • “There is a nice little narrated story, but gameplay-wise it is lacking just a bit too much to recommend the game.”
  • optimization5 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users noting that it feels dated and unoptimized, particularly in terms of performance and visual fidelity. While certain aspects like textures and dynamic shadows are praised, the game struggles with limited polygon levels and view distance, leading to a less than optimal experience even on high-end hardware.

    • “Compared to the limited polygon levels and view distance, but nice textures and dynamic shadows, Biolum does not feel greatly optimized - but does get from A to B. With an RTX 3090 and Index, SteamVR resolution at 200% may be optimal for 90 fps and quality settings.”
    • “I don't know if this is caused by the DRM or just a lack of optimization.”
    • “Again, this app feels dated, unoptimized, and probably should have launched in 2017 or 2018 to look more fresh.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the experience is characterized by a tense horror ambiance, enhanced by its deep-sea ecology setting and the use of darkness and depth, which can be particularly unsettling for those with a fear of such elements. The semi-controlled, on-rails movement contributes to a cinematic feel, while the absence of jumpscares allows for a more immersive and sustained sense of dread.

    • “The ~30 minutes cinematic VR experience features few interactions, semi-controlled on-rails movement, and a horror atmosphere without jumpscares.”
    • “Enjoy the unique atmosphere of deep sea ecology.”
    • “The ~30 minutes cinematic VR experience features few interactions, semi-controlled on-rails movement, and a horror atmosphere without jump scares.”
    • “The horror atmosphere is quite tense if you are somewhat scared of depth, caves, or darkness.”
  • music1 mentions

    The music aspect received mixed reactions, with one user expressing frustration over repeated jazz recommendations, indicating that it may not resonate with everyone.

  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized as unintentionally amusing, with a storyline that is described as "hilariously bad" and dialogue that fails to meet expectations despite being delivered by talented actors.

    • “The story is hilariously bad, and the dialogue, performed by genuinely great actors, is delightfully absurd.”
    • “The humor is spot-on, with clever jokes that had me laughing out loud throughout the game.”
    • “I love how the game doesn't take itself seriously, making every moment filled with unexpected and funny twists.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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