Discovering Space 2
- March 10, 2017
- Discovering VR
Get on Steam"Discovering Space 2" is a VR space exploration game, compatible with HTC Vive, Oculus CV1, and DK2. The game focuses on sightseeing, discovery, and relaxation as you travel through the Solar System in your own spaceship. With no combat or action, the game aims to evoke a sense of wonder and amazement as you explore the planets and learn about them at your own pace. Built for VR, the game conveys the scale and awe of space exploration, making you feel as if you are truly there.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers an impressive and immersive experience of exploring the solar system, with well-designed tours and beautiful graphics.
- It provides educational value, allowing players to learn about planets and their characteristics while enjoying the virtual experience.
- The controls are easy to learn, making it accessible for users of various skill levels, and the sense of scale and wonder is highly praised.
- Many users report significant bugs, particularly the absence of planets and moons rendering on various headsets, which detracts from the experience.
- There is a lack of updates and support from the developers, leading to frustration among players who have encountered issues.
- The user interface and menu system are criticized for being amateurish and difficult to navigate, which can hinder the overall experience.
- graphics24 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their quality and immersive experience, with many users noting the stunning representation of celestial bodies, particularly the moon. However, there are mixed opinions regarding the realism of certain planetary visuals, with some describing them as cartoonish and expressing a desire for further enhancements. Additionally, discrepancies in graphics quality between different platforms, such as Steam and Oculus, have been highlighted.
“Amazing graphics and realistic speed.”
“The graphics are first class and, combined with the work that has gone into producing the tours, it truly provides an astoundingly immersive and beautiful experience.”
“The graphics on the Steam version are for some reason much better than the one in the Oculus store.”
“I restarted the game three times, messed around with the graphics settings, and still no planets.”
“Some planets need more work in the graphics.”
“The transition into and out of Mars' atmosphere was graphically like in a 90s flight simulator.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is highly immersive, allowing players to experience the thrill of flying through the atmospheres of various planets, including gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn. The transitions into and out of these atmospheres evoke a sense of vertigo and excitement, reminiscent of classic flight simulators, while the inclusion of procedurally generated landscapes enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the freedom of exploration and the realistic sensations associated with atmospheric entry and exit.
“The addition of procedurally generated planetary topography, some modeled actual features and atmospheric transitions really adds to the experience along with the 'fly it yourself' option!”
“The transition into and out of Mars' atmosphere was graphically like in a 90s flight simulator.”
“I find myself heart racing as you venture towards unknown destinations or burn up passing through an atmosphere.”
“Entered the atmosphere on Earth and made a smooth ascent back to space; looking out the windows gave me vertigo and a feeling of imbalance like that of being on an airliner, impressive.”
- music6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with users noting its relaxing, Vangelis-like quality that enhances the experience of exploring different planets. Players appreciate the option to toggle the music on or off, and many believe it deserves a gold medal for its contribution to the overall atmosphere.
“Can be accompanied by music for each planet; you can turn it on or off.”
“The music deserves a gold medal itself.”
“This was a great trip including a relaxing Vangelis-like soundtrack!”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a strong appreciation for the immersive experience of exploring celestial bodies like Earth, its moon, and Saturn, particularly admiring Saturn's rings. However, there are mentions of technical issues, such as the lack of planet rendering on the Oculus Quest 2, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, users express awe and gratitude towards the developers for creating a beautiful experience.
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for allowing high performance, such as running at 2.0x super sampled resolution while maintaining 90fps on a 1080 card. However, there are significant criticisms regarding the lack of optimization for the Valve Index, particularly in terms of control compatibility.
“The optimization is good too; I am able to run it at 2.0x super sampled resolution while still retaining the full 90fps on my 1080 card.”
“Listing the Valve Index under supported headsets is extremely disingenuous, as the controls were clearly not optimized in any way for the Index.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players note that the distances between planets are intentionally inaccurate to enhance gameplay, suggesting a focus on playability over realism.
“Distances between planets are not accurate for gameplay purposes.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report that the game's stability is affected by environmental conditions, such as the canopy freezing in planet shadow, which adds an exhilarating element to the experience. However, this may also indicate potential issues with performance in certain scenarios.
