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Google Earth VR

95%Game Brain Score
graphics, story
gameplay, stability
95% User Score Based on 3,054 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows

About

Explore the world in virtual reality with Google Earth VR. Soar above breathtaking landscapes, visit landmarks and cities from across the globe, and experience a new level of immersion. Use intuitive VR controls to navigate and interact with the world, making for a unique and unforgettable adventure.

Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
Google Earth VR screenshot
+2

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,054 reviews
graphics23 positive mentions
stability7 negative mentions

  • Incredible immersive experience that allows users to explore the world in 3D, providing a sense of scale and presence that is unmatched.
  • The addition of Street View enhances the experience, allowing users to walk through familiar places and discover new ones.
  • It's free, making it accessible for everyone with a VR headset, and serves as a fantastic introduction to VR for newcomers.
  • Some areas lack detailed 3D models, resulting in flat, low-resolution representations that can detract from the experience.
  • The controls can be unintuitive and may cause motion sickness for some users, especially when navigating at high speeds or switching perspectives.
  • The application has not been updated in years, leading to concerns about its long-term viability and potential improvements.
  • graphics
    73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the impressive visuals and immersive experience, while others criticize the low-quality textures and glitches, especially when zoomed in. Users appreciate the expansive environments and the ability to explore the Earth in VR, but many express a desire for improved graphical fidelity and options. Overall, while the graphics can be stunning from a distance, they often fall short in detail and realism at closer ranges.

    • “The graphics and overall visuals of the software are impressive and provide a high-quality experience.”
    • “It's remarkably detailed, and gives you such a wonderful spatial sense of scales and sizes and geographical relationships.”
    • “This is amazing, Google did an unbelievable job at creating a smooth experience with beautiful graphics and controls.”
    • “I wish the houses didn't have PlayStation 1 graphics, but hey, the images were taken from space, so I ain't complaining.”
    • “Eh...mediocre. The graphics are too low to depict reality correctly.”
    • “Graphics = 2 out of 10 (glitchy when zoomed in and feels like I'm in a Super Mario Brothers game).”
  • story
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting its engaging narrative filled with themes of trust and betrayal, as well as a balance of comedy and seriousness. Many players find the immersive storytelling to be a standout feature, enhancing their overall experience in virtual reality. However, some reviews mention a lack of story in certain applications, indicating variability in narrative quality across different titles.

    • “The incredible storyline is just amazing.”
    • “Gameplay is fun, story is immersive.”
    • “This game's story is filled with trust, betrayal, and everything in between.”
    • “I dunno man, there wasn't really a story and it seems pretty unrealistic.”
    • “Clearly Google has lost the plot when it comes to usability, so the wonderful aspects of being able to see the earth up close are lost to the unusable controls, which are frustrating and imprecise when it comes to navigating.”
  • music
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience of exploration and nostalgia. Many users find the soundtrack to be a perfect accompaniment to the visuals, creating a soothing atmosphere that can evoke strong emotions. However, some players express a desire for more variety in the music selection to further enrich the experience.

    • “The music really adds so much to the ambiance.”
    • “The music is so good and matching that it does kind of bring a tear to my eye.”
    • “The music is relaxing and it helps immerse me in my search for interesting places.”
    • “My only critique is that this experience deserves better music.”
    • “I have to use Wander and play the Google VR music with it, but it's just not the same thing.”
    • “Perhaps getting rid of the wind sound and adding sweet music would be nice.”
  • emotional
    45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users overwhelmingly describe the emotional aspect of the VR experience as profound and nostalgic, often leading to tears as they revisit childhood homes and significant locations. Many express feelings of longing and connection to their past, enhanced by the immersive nature of the simulation and the accompanying music. Overall, the experience is characterized as a powerful emotional journey that resonates deeply with users, evoking memories and a sense of wonder about their personal histories and the world.

    • “There's something highly emotional about flying all the way from the Hollywood sign to your childhood town like Superman, settling down in front of your old house, and popping into street view for a photographic look at the area.”
    • “I visited my childhood home in VR for the first time and I cried.”
    • “The applications alone are amazing; I welled up in tears after the intro demo, I was 100 feet in the air checking out my neighborhood where I grew up, looking everywhere I have been, everywhere I wanted to go.”
  • optimization
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the optimization of the game is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance even on intermediate PCs. However, it does require powerful hardware for an optimal experience, and some users have noted performance issues when using lower-end systems or after extended idle periods. While the graphics and performance are impressive, there are occasional inconsistencies in loading times for certain features, such as street view.

    • “I do want to mention that it runs smoothly, even on intermediate PCs like mine.”
    • “While it may require powerful hardware to run smoothly, Google Earth VR is a worthwhile addition to any VR library.”
    • “The quality and performance got me stunned.”
    • “Not available for Meta Quest due to performance requirements.”
    • “Users with lower-end hardware may experience lag or poor performance, which can detract from the immersive experience.”
    • “Fast forward to many years later, and it has barely been updated recently for performance or user experience.”
  • gameplay
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Google Earth is described as neutral and accessible, making it appealing for a wide audience, including those less familiar with gaming. Users appreciate the immersive story and creative mechanics that align well with the exploration theme, though some suggest incorporating additional elements, like a geoguessr-style feature, to enhance the experience. Overall, while the gameplay is engaging, it may not be addictive for all players.

    • “The gameplay is fun, and the story is immersive.”
    • “Gameplay is tight and very creative, playing into the plot perfectly.”
    • “I would love for them to add a GeoGuessr-type gameplay element to it, which would absolutely complete the experience and joy in discovering new places on the planet.”
    • “I would love for them to add a Geoguessr-type gameplay element to it, which would absolutely complete the experience and joy in discovering new places on the planet.”
    • “Peak Google Earth gameplay.”
    • “Switch on a keyboard and just use mechanical instructions to tell you what I want to do?”
  • stability
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, users report mixed stability experiences, with some encountering significant bugs and glitches, particularly after updates, while others find the performance satisfactory on various setups. Issues like low-resolution street views and occasional stutters are noted, but many still enjoy the experience despite these flaws.

    • “Runs great on Quest 2 and Windows.”
    • “Runs great on my GTX 970, i7 3770, smooth motion.”
    • “They somehow messed up an update and made the earth bubble attached to your hand a white, glaring, buggy mess.”
    • “Quite a shame that street view is often buggy, low resolution, or photos are unavailable in the places you'd most like to go.”
    • “Still buggy.”
  • humor
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the humor in the game to be delightful and often surreal, with many expressing joy and laughter while exploring its environments. The comedic elements, such as the amusing interactions with the game's mechanics and the whimsical experiences, contribute to a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere. Overall, the humor enhances the sense of wonder and fun during gameplay.

    • “The first thing I did was turn comfort mode off and fly through the Grand Canyon at top speed while laughing maniacally.”
    • “110 degrees of movement as I fly around the planet laughing and smiling like a little kid!”
    • “I was crawling around the floor during the tutorial, laughing maniacally at how surreal and unbelievable it was seeing a large city like this.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its calming and immersive sound design, enhancing the overall experience, particularly in VR. However, some users note that the visual effects, especially when zooming out, can detract from the experience, reminiscent of the less impressive visuals found in the Google Earth desktop app.

    • “The music and sounds accompanying the visits create a very calming and chill atmosphere.”
    • “Definitely one of the most atmospheric and wondrous experiences available for current VR technology.”
    • “The atmospheric sound.”
  • grinding
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently express that the grinding aspect of the game is so demanding that it feels like it requires a second life to manage effectively. This suggests that the grinding can be excessively time-consuming and may detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players highlight the game's exceptional replayability, noting that it offers an amazing experience that encourages multiple playthroughs.

    • “Amazing experience with unlimited replayability.”
    • “Every playthrough feels fresh and engaging, making me want to dive back in.”
    • “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”

Buy Google Earth VR

12h Median play time
11h Average play time
9-13h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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