KOBOLD: Chapter I
- November 14, 2018
- anotherworld GmbH
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam"KOBOLD: Chapter I" is a first-person puzzle-adventure game set in a mystical world. Players take on the role of a kobold tasked with restoring balance to their dying realm. The game features intricate puzzles, unique abilities, and a captivating story that will keep players engaged throughout their journey.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
Oculus VR
Reviews
- The game features impressive graphics and a highly immersive atmosphere that enhances the horror experience.
- It offers a unique narrative driven by German folklore, providing depth and intrigue to the gameplay.
- The game is effective in creating tension and scares without relying heavily on cheap jump scares, making it a more sophisticated horror experience.
- The game is very short, with playtime averaging around 30 to 60 minutes, leaving players wanting more content.
- There are significant performance issues and bugs that can hinder the gameplay experience, including lag and crashes.
- The lack of a save feature and the abrupt ending can be frustrating, making it feel more like a demo than a complete game.
- story61 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as a dark and immersive experience that unfolds through exploration, utilizing letters, audio tapes, and visual storytelling to create suspense and atmosphere. While many players enjoyed the intriguing narrative and the horror elements, some noted that the short length and pacing left the story feeling underdeveloped, resembling the first act of a larger tale. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its quality and depth, with anticipation for future chapters to expand on the narrative.
“Treat yourself to this 2018 gem, where you search an absconded villa with a dark story that takes you deep ... somewhere ...”
“Kobold: chapter I is the start of a fantastic interactive VR horror story; for once I had the feeling that I was inside a good horror movie.”
“The storytelling is interesting and left up to the player to discover as they rummage through the house.”
“Since it's only 'chapter one', it should be noted that the game feels like the first act of a larger story, and that might make it feel a little anti-climactic.”
“Being the experience quite short, the story doesn't build up properly. The events are mainly narrated through letters that you find in the house, but I found the progression of the story too fast, leaving me at the end quite careless about the characters and the plot.”
“I enjoyed the experience, but at the same time, I hope people realize that there isn't a whole lot of game elements here and even the story is mostly told through the audio tapes and letters.”
- atmosphere54 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and creepy qualities, enhanced by impressive graphics, sound design, and attention to detail. Many players appreciate the balance between suspenseful storytelling and subtle horror elements, creating a tense environment that keeps them on edge. While some noted the game's short length, the overall consensus is that it effectively captures a chilling atmosphere that stands out in the VR horror genre.
“The house feels very lived-in, which adds to the scary atmosphere and makes the environment perfect for exploration.”
“The photogrammetry scanning, lighting, voice acting, and sound design combine to create a convincingly realistic and very specific, brooding atmosphere that you won't find again so soon in VR.”
“Everything you expect from a VR horror is done very well here, and the atmosphere build-up is so good, I got goosebumps long before the horror and scares start.”
“Its more of an experience than a game and definitely keeps you on edge the entire time with a dark and creepy atmosphere.”
“The horror is elegant and understated which makes it more effective as it creeps up on you, relying on visual atmosphere and sounds, which are very well done.”
“The photogrammetry scanning, lighting, voice acting and sound design combine to create a convincingly realistic and very specific, brooding atmosphere that you won't find again so soon in VR.”
- graphics49 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received high praise for their stunning, photorealistic quality and immersive atmosphere, often described as cinematic and capable of enhancing the horror experience. However, some users have reported performance issues and inconsistencies in visual quality, with certain elements appearing flat or poorly rendered. Overall, while many appreciate the impressive visuals and sound design, there are concerns about optimization and graphical fidelity on lower settings.
“The photorealistic graphics heighten the immersion; it feels like you stepped right into a horror movie.”
“Impressive graphics (I love the photogrammetry approach!) and a tense atmosphere make this one of my favorite VR horror games/experiences.”
“Let me start with the graphics... because damn, this game is slick!”
“The graphics are really bad and at the same time very demanding in terms of performance.”
“The game is pretty short, the atmosphere is nice but the graphics go from decent to awful; several objects are just flat made with textures. I understand that this is probably done for performance, but flat stuff in VR is a big no. Luckily, the lights in the game are quite low, so it's not super visible unless you walk near things.”
“It's awful; most of the reviews have to be lies (all the top positive ones at least) because the graphics, playability, and general overall quality of this game (except the audio and some rare visuals) are awful.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the immersive storytelling, visuals, and unique mechanics, while others found the gameplay itself lacking and more focused on the overall experience rather than interactive elements. Many noted the game feels more like a walking simulator, offering a brief but high-quality experience, though some players struggled to engage with it due to its spooky nature. Overall, the production values are praised, but the gameplay depth is seen as insufficient by some.
“Loved the chalk mechanic! A+ nice work.”
“Honestly, it's really cheap and you get a quality 1+ hour experience for your money with some of the best storytelling, visuals, VR mechanics, and audio design that you can find in VR.”
“It looks fantastic, the graphics are top-notch, the story and gameplay are great, it runs well, and it's scary as hell.”
“Can't say anything about the gameplay because I didn't manage to get to that point before I quit trying.”
“I've started over from the beginning several times, less than an hour of gameplay because... it's spooky.”
“Overall, this game has excellent production values and a good atmosphere, although the gameplay was lacking.”
- optimization13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues across various setups, including Oculus Quest 2 and different graphics cards. While some users noted improvements following developer updates, others experienced consistently low frame rates and poor graphics quality, leading to a less than satisfactory experience. Despite these challenges, there is appreciation for the developers' ongoing efforts to address performance concerns.
“I was happy to notice that the developers contacted me soon after to let me know about a performance update.”
“A well optimized experience for Rift S, good performance, good movement system and some really unique moments.”
“This game has time and time again performance issues on many graphics cards, also on good ones, but at least the dev tries to fix it time and time again, I appreciate this!”
“Very poorly optimized.”
“I currently have an Oculus Quest 2. I first tried this game with Air Link and the performance was incredibly bad; the average FPS was 30 even though my headset was set to 120 FPS.”
“This game has time and time again performance issues on many graphics cards, even on good ones. This may be caused by Windows updates and/or SteamVR updates, but at least the dev tries to fix it time and time again; I appreciate this!”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its creepy atmosphere, but it suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent crashes, bugs that disrupt gameplay, and problematic controls. Players report frustrating experiences with glitches, particularly on stairs, and the lack of a save feature exacerbates the problem, forcing them to restart after crashes. Overall, while the game has potential, its stability issues detract from the overall experience.
“Suitably creepy and atmospheric, but buggy and frustrating. With no save feature, each time it crashes you have to start over from the beginning.”
“It was buggy on the stairs; I had to restart it multiple times since I got stuck on the staircase edge.”
“Definitely creepy, but it would have been much scarier if things weren't so buggy.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to its short length and linear story, which may not justify the price for those seeking extensive gameplay. However, players who enjoy overcoming fears may find some value in revisiting the experience. Overall, it is considered more worthwhile than renting a horror movie.
“The price may be difficult to digest for those looking for long hours of play with replayability; however, the game is not only about the story or its length, but also about the actual transition process from movie to VR game that you may or may not appreciate.”
“The price may be difficult to digest for those looking for long hours of play with replayability; however, the game is not only about the story or its length, but the actual transition process from movie to VR game that you may or may not appreciate.”
“Mind you, it's kind of short and not very replayable, but for the price, it's better than renting a horror movie.”
“Replay value depends on how you feel about overcoming your fears.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its clever integration into the gameplay, providing a lighthearted twist that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and amusing scenarios that keep the tone enjoyable and engaging throughout.
“The game is filled with clever jokes and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout my playthrough.”
“I love how the humor is seamlessly integrated into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
“The quirky characters and their hilarious interactions add a unique charm to the overall experience.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the character designs and concepts, highlighting them as visually appealing and creatively crafted, which enhances the overall character development experience in the game.
“The character designs and concepts are truly impressive, adding depth to the overall experience.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each interaction feel meaningful.”
“The development of each character's backstory is rich and engaging, enhancing my connection to them.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight the emotional impact of the VR experience, describing it as both visually and emotionally stunning, suggesting a deep connection and engagement with the content.
“This is by far the most visually and emotionally stunning VR experience!”
