Castle Rock Beach, West Australia
- September 26, 2020
- Matt Newell
Virtual reality exploration and photography game taking place in Castle Rock Beach in Australia.
Reviews
- The game features stunning graphics and a beautifully detailed environment that immerses players in a relaxing experience.
- It offers a unique opportunity for virtual exploration, allowing players to enjoy scenic views and take photographs in a tranquil setting.
- The game is free to play, making it accessible for anyone looking for a calming escape from reality.
- The VR mode is not fully functional without purchasing additional DLC, leading to frustration for players expecting a complete experience.
- Some players reported technical issues, including crashes and poor performance, even on high-end systems.
- The gameplay is limited, with little to do beyond walking around and taking pictures, which may not satisfy those looking for more interactive content.
- graphics41 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many users praising their stunning realism and breathtaking aesthetics. Players appreciate the detailed environments and the ability to adjust graphical settings for optimal performance, although some note that high-quality visuals may require a powerful graphics card. Overall, the game's visuals contribute significantly to its immersive and relaxing experience.
“The graphics are stunning and very realistic.”
“Drop dead gorgeous graphics, breathtaking scenery, and a neat soundtrack to round it all off.”
“This is a very beautiful simulation - the graphics, music, and overall atmosphere are *chef's kiss*.”
“The visuals and world that you are in and exploring are just as impressive as a photogrammetry environment, but you are given a very large area to explore.”
“There are graphic sliders and settings, and I set everything to max (I actually preferred one step down on the anti-aliasing because the sharpest anti-aliasing setting caused some shimmer in the sand texture).”
“Awesome realistic experience with next-gen graphics demonstrates how Unreal Engine 4, when well exploited, can give a real-like feeling; obviously runs a bit smooth due to high polygon details used but it's honorably optimized.”
- music18 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ethereal quality and ability to enhance the breathtaking visuals and immersive environments, creating a relaxing atmosphere. While some players appreciate the dynamic soundtrack that changes with the scenery, a few express a desire for the option to turn off the music in favor of natural sounds. Overall, the combination of soothing music and stunning graphics contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The lo-fi music playing in the background fits the scenery very well.”
“The soundtrack is phenomenal.”
“The relaxing music coupled with the beautiful scenery is everything I didn't know I needed in a game.”
“My only complaint with the game is that the music can be a little fast-paced at times, which can be distracting.”
“I wish there was an option to simply turn off the music and instead hear the natural forest and beach sounds.”
“Like drivel path but free, and instead of bad poetry, it has dull but unobtrusive music.”
- story9 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game lacks a meaningful story, functioning primarily as a short, visually appealing walking simulator without any plot. Users express disappointment, suggesting that those seeking a narrative-driven experience should look elsewhere, as the game offers little beyond exploration.
“Personal story: I was supposed to go to the ocean for Thanksgiving, but plans changed (it's 2020) and this helped me feel a little better about being stuck at home.”
“It's just a very short, extremely beautiful and relaxing walking simulator without any story.”
“There are actual games that look like this with a plot that let you do stuff.”
“Instead of a pointless plot, you just walk around.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game showcases impressive visuals and utilizes DLSS support, making it a strong contender for VR walking sims, though it can be performance-intensive, particularly at 4K resolution, leading to stuttering on high-end rigs. While many players appreciate the optimization and overall smooth performance, some feel it could benefit from further tweaks to balance visuals and performance. Overall, it is regarded as well-optimized for its stunning graphics, despite some performance issues on lower-spec systems.
“Looks fantastic and runs smoothly.”
“Really beautiful game, well optimized and amazing to benchmark with!”
“Bad stuttering at 4K resolution (RTX 3090, Ryzen 5900X), uninstalled after 15 minutes.”
“I guess it could use a bit more optimization, but I understand if it is done for the wonderful visuals.”
“This is one of the first VR walking sims I've found that can support DLSS, which will probably be required for the lower spec rigs in VR - it's pretty performance intensive.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its stunning graphics and immersive sound design, creating a captivating environment that encourages exploration and enjoyment. Players often find themselves lost in the experience, with some even suggesting enhancements to further simulate real-world sensations. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as beautiful and engaging, contributing significantly to its appeal.
“I keep coming back just to wander around. It took me 3 hours to actually collect all the photos, as every time I played, I got distracted enjoying the atmosphere.”
“This is a very beautiful simulation - the graphics, music, and overall atmosphere are *chef's kiss*.”
“Awesome graphics and atmosphere.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its high quality, featuring relaxing mechanics complemented by beautiful visuals and a soothing soundtrack, creating an immersive experience with diverse scenery.
“I love the details of this game; it has great quality, good gameplay, and more!”
“This is some high-quality, relaxing gameplay with beautiful visuals, a soothing soundtrack, and a variety of scenery to take in.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game evokes strong emotional responses, with many feeling deeply inspired and affected by its narrative and themes. It stands out as a unique experience that resonates on a personal level.
“Not a lot of games inspire me similarly to this one or make me feel so emotional.”
“It's certainly had an emotional impact on me.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability has significantly improved following recent updates, with most glitches resolved and a responsive developer addressing any remaining issues. Players can now enjoy a more seamless exploration experience without the frustration of frequent bugs.
“The game is plagued by constant crashes, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I frequently encounter game-breaking bugs that ruin the experience.”
“Despite some updates, stability issues persist, leading to frustrating gameplay.”