Into the Radius VR

About

Into the Radius VR is a survival shooter game set in an open-world, post-apocalyptic Russian wasteland. Players must navigate through the hazards of the Exclusion Zone, scavenging for weapons and resources while avoiding deadly mutants. With realistic gun physics and a focus on atmospheric immersion, Into the Radius VR offers a challenging and thrilling VR experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,141 reviews

story324 positive mentions

optimization58 negative mentions

Incredible atmosphere and immersive gameplay that keeps players on edge.
Realistic gun mechanics and detailed inventory management enhance the survival experience.
Variety of weapons and customization options provide a satisfying progression system.

Some bugs and glitches can disrupt gameplay, such as items falling through the ground.
Enemy design is repetitive, with many enemies appearing as featureless black silhouettes.
The game can be punishingly difficult, especially in later stages, which may frustrate some players.

story
2,013 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
80%
4%
The story in "Into the Radius" is often described as minimalistic and delivered through environmental storytelling, notes, and audio logs, which some players find intriguing while others consider it lacking depth. Many reviews highlight that the game focuses more on gameplay mechanics and survival elements than on a robust narrative, with missions primarily revolving around fetch quests and combat. While the atmosphere and world-building are praised, the overall plot can feel disjointed or secondary to the core gameplay experience, leading to mixed feelings about its effectiveness in engaging players.
- “The story is told through echoes of voices, notes left behind, and cassette tapes which you can put into your player and listen to as you loot.”
- “The world is sufficiently mysterious and the story is interesting enough that I'm compelled to explore it to find out what happened and why.”
- “The story is also surprisingly good for a game like this.”
- “But they are repetitive and have no story at all.”
- “The story is... bare bones and barely present.”
- “The story is nonexistent; you can play through the entire game start to finish and not realize there was a story tied to explorer #61 (you) and Katya.”
gameplay
1,253 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The gameplay of "Into the Radius" is characterized by its immersive mechanics, including detailed weapon handling, realistic gun maintenance, and a complex inventory system that enhances the survival experience. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay loop of scavenging, completing missions, and managing resources, although some find the mechanics can be finicky and the game occasionally suffers from bugs and performance issues. Overall, the combination of atmospheric tension and intricate gameplay mechanics makes it a standout title for VR enthusiasts, particularly those who enjoy survival horror elements.
- “The gameplay loop is engaging, but not integrated creatively or very exciting.”
- “The gun mechanics are amazing, but a lot of hit boxes are off; I often find myself hitting things that bullets should have passed by or through easily.”
- “The gameplay is fun, tense, and immersive, although the enemies can be a bit repetitive.”
- “All food and drink goes to the same hunger bar and food is incredibly easy to find, so it doesn't feel like a meaningful mechanic.”
- “There's barely any story, voice acting is sub-par, enemy design is lackluster, environment detail is lacking, and core gameplay is much less polished.”
- “The gameplay felt like a monotonous loop, where the only challenge was fighting indistinct low-polygon shadows.”
atmosphere
795 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The atmosphere in "Into the Radius" is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively capturing a post-apocalyptic, stalker-like environment that keeps players on edge. Reviewers highlight the game's sound design, visuals, and the tension created by exploration, with many describing it as one of the most atmospheric VR experiences available. While some players note a decline in atmosphere with updates, the overall consensus is that the game excels in creating a haunting and engaging atmosphere that enhances the survival horror experience.
- “The atmosphere is fantastic, exploring feels lonely but exciting and as soon as you start to hear noises it becomes a terrifying experience.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is dark and keeps you on edge.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing, and while not outright a horror game, genuinely had me stop walking just to verify if those footsteps I heard were really my own.”
- “The visual aesthetic, while fitting for a dystopian atmosphere, leaned heavily into depressing colors that seemed to amplify the lackluster nature of the game.”
- “Edit in response to the dev reply: a game can be slow and deliberate and still create intrigue, there is no significant threat in the game, there is little to no atmosphere and it feels like a GMod sandbox map more than an actual game.”
- “The atmosphere can be oppressive and I die easily.”
graphics
499 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
56%
12%
The graphics of "Into the Radius" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are not on par with top-tier VR titles like "Half-Life: Alyx," they are generally acceptable for a VR game, contributing to the immersive atmosphere. Some users appreciate the game's stylized art and atmospheric design, which enhances the overall experience, while others criticize the graphics as outdated or lacking detail, particularly in certain environments and enemy designs. Overall, the visuals are seen as a blend of decent quality and immersive aesthetics, with ongoing improvements expected in future updates.
- “The stylized art style is a treat to look at, probably my favorite of any VR game.”
- “The graphics are stunning and the attention to detail in the world-building is impressive.”
- “The atmosphere, conveyed through visuals and sound design, is absolutely incredible too.”
- “If they weren't so bad and the graphics didn't look so low res on the Quest 2, the game would probably be fun.”
- “The visuals are horrible, feels like an indie game made in the 2010s.”
- “This game is a 90s graphics demo mixed with Jar Jar Abrams' so-called mystery box method, which is about randomly creating all sorts of completely pointless mysteries to divert attention away from the lack of any other content.”
optimization
253 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
60%
23%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent gameplay, particularly on lower-end systems. While some players have noted improvements with recent updates and specific settings adjustments, the overall consensus is that the game still requires further optimization to enhance the experience, especially given its ambitious graphical design. Despite these challenges, many players appreciate the game's mechanics and atmosphere, indicating that with better optimization, it could reach its full potential.
- “It offers one of the most detailed depictions of equipment maintenance, ammunition management, and inventory/weight management of any game yet made, with solid performance and a nicely paced progression curve that incentivizes careful planning of missions and thoughtful investments balancing the costs of ammunition versus what you can salvage from the zone.”
- “The game is well optimized for a VR game and is the most immersive game I have played.”
- “The developers really have this game thought out and thoroughly optimized.”
- “It's riddled with bugs and performance issues even on my higher-end computer, and I would likewise warn anyone from buying it until it's made significant progress.”
- “I have constant performance issues with this game every time I start it up; at one point it used to be fine, but for the past year or two, I just cannot run this game smoothly, and it's not me.”
- “The main problem at the moment that lets it down for me is the performance issues.”
stability
172 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting a range of bugs and glitches, particularly related to movement, item interactions, and enemy AI. While some users report a relatively smooth experience with minimal crashes, others highlight significant issues that can detract from gameplay, especially in larger zones. Overall, the game is seen as a work in progress, with ongoing updates aimed at improving stability, but it remains somewhat buggy and unpolished.
- “The most bug-free, enjoyable, and complete VR game I have ever played.”
- “Stable and nearly bug-free; a single playthrough can take you over a dozen hours, and exploring the entirety of the vast area of the radius will take dozens more.”
- “It runs great on a Rift S/1070 laptop at high settings.”
- “The game is buggy and sometimes janky as hell, but it doesn't matter because it's just that good.”
- “The most difficult part of the game is not the gameplay/combat, it's constantly fighting the game's buggy mechanics and world space which seriously detracts from being able to enjoy it.”
- “I wanted to love this game, but it was so buggy I couldn't even get past the tutorial (it got stuck on a gun cleaning tooltip and then all the tools vanished).”
grinding
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
13%
84%
The grinding aspect of the game is a polarizing topic among players, with many expressing that it can be excessively tedious, requiring significant time investment to progress. While some appreciate the immersive and satisfying nature of tasks like weapon maintenance and looting, others find these repetitive activities detract from the overall enjoyment, leading to a feeling of busywork. Overall, the grinding is seen as a necessary component for progression, but opinions vary on whether it enhances or hinders the gaming experience.
- “Good progression and not that grindy, fits all sorts of play styles, being sneaky, going in loud, sniping, you name it.”
- “The landscapes are amazing, combat is great though not the best idea to go loud without knowing what you might lure with unsuppressed fire, and just enough survival mechanics to make the game challenging but not tedious.”
- “The world is pretty well detailed despite the lower graphics because of hardware limitations of VR, the enemies are a fun challenge that get harder as you progress and are pretty scary, the voice acting is pretty darn good despite being an indie-like game, almost all game mechanics function the way they are supposed to, the progression system is fun and not too tedious but keeps you busy and it has infinite replayability because of the wave system that resets the map every in-game week.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The repetitive task of retrieving objects became a tedious chore, lacking the depth and variety needed to keep me engaged.”
- “The downside is that packing your bag and repairing the weapon can get tedious, as you're literally packing your bag of items and cleaning your gun.”
music
91 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
66%
5%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its ability to enhance the atmosphere and immersion, particularly when paired with ambient sounds and specific genres like old Russian or wartime music. However, some users noted issues with the volume levels of music tapes, which can be excessively loud and detract from gameplay, leading to suggestions for better audio controls. Overall, while the soundtrack is praised for its haunting quality, players often recommend supplementing it with their own music for an optimal experience.
- “The soundtrack is quite nice and the sounds are realistic.”
- “The music, atmosphere, sound design, and interaction mechanics are all on point.”
- “The atmosphere is perfectly crafted visually, and the soundtrack only enhances it.”
- “Some tapes also contain music which I immediately skip because it’s way too loud.”
- “The game music drowns out most of the audible warning sounds made by the enemies and environmental hazards.”
- “Cassettes are still deafening, not sure if they're music or what, I just skip them in the base computer instantly.”
replayability
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
53%
6%
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, particularly among VR titles, with many players highlighting the impact of mods, randomized elements, and dynamic mission systems that enhance the experience. While some users note limited replayability, the majority find that the game's variety in challenges, weapons, and community support contributes to a highly engaging and replayable experience. Overall, it stands out as one of the best VR games for those seeking substantial replay value.
- “The best VR game on the market right now for overall replayability.”
- “The gameplay loop with the tide randomizing the contents of the world every few days is a really fun dynamic and combined with the dynamic mission system gives the game a huge amount of replayability.”
- “This game has so much potential and already has so much content it blows 90% of VR games away; there are many options for equipment, weapons, and weapon attachments as well as the health and durability systems give this game so much replayability.”
- “Very good game, not much replayability in my opinion sadly.”
- “No replayability.”
- “Great atmosphere, good gunplay, only gripe is there needs to be more mission variation for replayability.”
emotional
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a profound emotional impact from the game, describing it as both terrifying and immersive, with moments that evoke strong feelings of fear, loneliness, and even tears. The atmospheric design and audio contribute significantly to the emotional experience, making mundane tasks feel intense and draining. Despite some gameplay frustrations, many reviewers express a deep personal connection to the game, highlighting its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from terror to nostalgia.
- “In a way few VR games have made me feel, there's a lasting personal connection to the experience.”
- “This game made me cry 10/10.”
- “The sensation of being somewhere alien, hostile, and *not where you're supposed to be* makes even the most mundane and potentially tedious aspects of gameplay into an emotionally draining experience... in a good way.”
humor
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of absurdity and dark comedy, with players finding amusement in both the bizarre enemy designs and the unexpected glitches that occur during gameplay. Many reviews highlight moments where tension is broken by humorous situations, such as comically exaggerated enemy behavior or funny bugs, contributing to a unique experience that balances horror with laughter. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to evoke both fear and laughter, making it a memorable and entertaining experience.
- “This is a funny crazy game where you fight off the voices in your head; honestly, my only complaint is that you can't wear both a gas mask and a helmet.”
- “It's a fantastic mix of horror and dumb fun, being scared to death by a baseball spider and then laughing your ass off as it hits a car and gives itself brain damage.”
- “I start laughing because I had never seen that enemy type before, and as I'm laughing, a little spaghetti sea urchin comes up behind me and attacks.”
- “While climbing a crane in the game, I fell off so many times because my arms kept getting stuck under a bar. It was not funny, especially considering my slight fear of heights, which was already nerve-wracking. If it weren't for the arm problem, I think it would have been much more enjoyable.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
The monetization model is primarily free-to-play with in-game microtransactions, and players appreciate that the developers seem committed to creating a quality survival game rather than pursuing a cash grab. However, there are criticisms regarding the implementation of ads, particularly in aiming mechanics, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The game offers a fair free-to-play model, allowing players to enjoy most content without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “Microtransactions are optional and don't hinder the gameplay experience, making it accessible for everyone.”
- “I appreciate that the monetization system is transparent and doesn't rely on pay-to-win mechanics.”
- “The bad: ads (aim down sight) is kinda garbage, at least with the attachments, based on the holo-sight/red-dot and what I assumed was supposed to be a scope you get in the tutorial phase; iron sights were fine.”
- “Loading clips feels fine, switching safety on/off feels alright, but holy moly the ads just isn't great.”
- “You can tell that the devs have a passion for making a good survival game that works and it isn't a cash grab like a lot of games nowadays.”