IKEA VR Experience
- April 4, 2016
- IKEA Communications AB
Explore and interact with an IKEA Kitchen in Virtual Reality! Walk around freely, open drawers and put your vegetable peelings in the waste sorting station. You can even enjoy the visual impact of different material finishes and experience things from a child’s point of view. This is the first time IKEA has offered a VR experience to our customers, so we'd love to get your input.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and immersive experience of exploring an IKEA kitchen in VR, which can be enjoyable for fans of the brand.
- Players appreciate the ability to interact with some objects and the novelty of cooking virtual meatballs, adding a fun element to the experience.
- As a free demo, it serves as a good introduction to VR for newcomers, showcasing the potential of virtual shopping and home design.
- The game suffers from significant technical issues, including frequent black screens and compatibility problems with various VR headsets, making it unplayable for many users.
- There is a lack of content and interactivity, with only a few objects to interact with and a very limited environment, leading to a quick sense of boredom.
- Many players feel that the experience is poorly executed and does not live up to expectations, describing it as a shallow proof of concept rather than a fully developed game.
- story13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story is described as deep and engaging, with some players feeling a strong connection to the characters and narrative. However, there are mixed opinions, with some finding the plot lacking and others praising it as one of the best of 2018. Technical issues on the Oculus Quest II have also been noted, which detracts from the overall experience.
“Only every once in a while comes an absolutely stunning game where you feel close to the character and the story that you are playing in such a way.”
“I love the cutting-edge graphics, and the amazingly written story.”
“Best storyline and gameplay of 2018, enjoyed it.”
“But it's just a huge aspect of the story, which is very hard to get because the lore is very deep.”
“The plot sucks.”
“Only every once in a while does an absolute stunning game come along where you feel close to the character and the story you are playing in such a way.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their near-photorealistic quality, likely utilizing the Unreal Engine, which enhances the overall gaming experience. Players appreciate the sharp, clear visuals that complement the innovative gameplay and engaging storylines, with many noting the stunning detail in character animations and environments. However, some users have reported performance issues, particularly when accessing the catalog, which may be related to individual hardware rather than the game's graphics quality.
“I think they used the Unreal Engine, because the graphics look nearly photoreal; in fact, I don't think they could make it look much better.”
“Bursting with innovation, players are pitted against each other in a team-based environment with many game modes and maps to offer, all in sharp, clear, and optimized graphics which push the boundaries of the gaming experience.”
“I love the cutting-edge graphics, and the amazingly written story.”
“There was an old man bending to lift a flat-pack bunk bed while his wife looked around nervously with an 'excuse me young man, could you help?' look on her face (the graphics are astonishing).”
“We have evolved from pixelated graphics to a standard of which is the IKEA VR experience.”
“I think they used the Unreal Engine because the graphics look nearly photoreal; in fact, I don't think they could make it look much better.”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's music is effectively tailored to enhance the emotional experience, subtly complementing various situations without drawing too much attention. However, players express disappointment over the lack of a soundtrack DLC, which limits their ability to enjoy the music outside of gameplay.
“The game's music is perfectly set for the different situations you find yourself in.”
“Your heart might be in your mouth as you open drawers and put your vegetable peelings in the waste sorting station, and the music will do a great job to reflect exactly how you are feeling.”
“The music...oh god.”
“There is no soundtrack DLC available :(”
“Whilst not at the forefront of your attention, the music is always there and sometimes you won't even notice it until it goes silent.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay experience is polarizing; while some players find it immersive and engaging, connecting deeply with the world and storyline, others criticize it for lacking content and fun, likening it to a mundane experience.
“When I first launched the game, I had no clue what to expect. I'd only seen one or two trailers and gameplay videos, and went in with an open mind, only to discover a world I felt I could immediately connect with.”
“Best storyline and gameplay of 2018, enjoyed it.”
“I would not really recommend this game; it's not fun, there is no content or gameplay, just an IKEA kitchen.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users experiencing performance issues and stuttering, particularly when accessing the catalog. However, others praise the sharp and clear graphics, suggesting that while there are optimization concerns for some players, the overall visual experience is commendable.
“Bursting with innovation, players are pitted against each other in a team-based environment with many gamemodes and maps to offer, all in sharp, clear, and optimized graphics which push the boundaries of the gaming experience.”
“Doesn't seem very optimized; I was getting some stutter.”
“Bad performance, boring, and not well implemented.”
“Performance issue when looking at the catalog in particular (but that could be my graphic card; the rest worked fine - still mentioning it in case someone else can confirm).”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The IKEA VR experience is praised for its heartwarming portrayal of domestic life, effectively balancing dramatic moments with softer, emotional scenes that resonate with players.
“Overall, the IKEA VR experience is a heartwarming and critically acclaimed look at the nuances of domestic living.”
“Very touching.”
“It's suitably dramatic in the big fight scenes and similarly soft when you get to a more emotional part.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits significant stability issues, including persistent bugs that affect gameplay and interactions, as well as a troubling tendency to cause system problems on the HTC Vive, such as glitches in other games and an inability to exit properly. Overall, these stability concerns have led reviewers to advise against playing the game.
“The app is a bit buggy; you can throw meatballs through the oven glass when it is opened. Some things are interactive while others aren't, and it is pretty short.”
“We have had to recommend players not to use this game because it refuses to exit after playing, causes glitches in other games, and basically just creates system problems everywhere with the HTC Vive.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game appears minimal, with no overt branding or advertising placements, despite the presence of IKEA-themed elements. Players engage in simple gameplay focused on decoration without significant commercial pressure.
“Very simple game; decorate for Christmas, look at IKEA advertising, play around with peelings and pancakes.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized by an oppressive and unsettling ambiance, enhanced by flickering lights that contribute to a pervasive sense of unease throughout the environment.
“The haunting sound design and eerie visuals create an immersive experience that keeps you on edge.”
“Every corner of the environment is filled with tension, making exploration both thrilling and nerve-wracking.”
“The oppressive atmosphere, flickering lights, and a sense of unease permeate every inch of this disconcerting landscape.”
“The game fails to create an immersive environment, leaving players feeling disconnected and uninspired.”
“Despite the potential for a haunting setting, the atmosphere feels flat and lacks the tension needed to engage players.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is perceived as hit-or-miss, with some players finding certain features, like the meatball cooking function, amusing but ultimately repetitive and dull.
“The meatball cooking function is hilarious and adds a quirky twist to the gameplay!”
“I love how the game incorporates humor in unexpected ways, making even the mundane tasks entertaining.”
“The jokes and funny dialogues keep me laughing throughout the game, making it a delightful experience!”
- grinding1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or multiple attempts to progress effectively.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”