La Peri
- August 19, 2016
- InnerspaceVR
Get on Steam"La Peri" is a 15-minute, interactive musical experience in VR, based on Paul Dukas' classical music and ballet. As Prince Iskender, you seek the flower of immortality and interact with enchanting characters and creatures. Your journey culminates in a dance with the mesmerizing La Péri, deciding between immortality and letting her live. The game features narration by John Rhys-Davies and requires Vive hand controllers for direct interaction.
Reviews
- Visually stunning with impressive motion-capture ballet performances that create a sense of presence.
- A unique and immersive experience that effectively introduces users to the potential of VR as an artistic medium.
- High production values with excellent narration and a beautiful musical score, making it a captivating experience for fans of performing arts.
- Extremely short experience, lasting only about 10-15 minutes, which many feel does not justify the price.
- Limited interactivity that can feel distracting and does not enhance the overall enjoyment of the performance.
- The narrative and earlier dance sequences lack substance, leaving players wanting more depth and engagement.
- story37 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of "La Péri" is a modern VR retelling of a ballet from 1912, featuring a Persian prince's quest for immortality through interactions with a fairy-like spirit. While visually stunning and immersive, many users found the narrative too short and felt more like passive observers than active participants, leading to mixed feelings about its value for the price. Overall, it showcases the potential of VR storytelling, but there is a strong desire for longer and more engaging narratives in future titles.
“This modern retelling of La Péri's story with modern technology remains stage-bound, which is where the scene opens when you put on your headset.”
“La Péri is a beautiful story with great visuals, and it is very unique as VR titles go.”
“Not a game but a VR theatrical presentation which the developers state was inspired by Walt Disney's 'Fantasia,' and I feel they have more than succeeded in matching the combination of music, storytelling, dance, and art that Disney was aiming for in his groundbreaking film.”
“A 17-minute long story.”
“Unfortunately, in my opinion, the story is not written very well.”
“Like my participation was only incidental to the story.”
- music21 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the VR experiences is generally praised for its beauty and interactivity, enhancing the overall presentation with classical scores that complement the visuals and choreography. However, some users noted that the music is underutilized, with only brief moments accompanying the scenes, leading to a focus on narration and transitions. Despite its short duration, the combination of music, storytelling, and dance is well-executed, reminiscent of Disney's "Fantasia," making it a recommended experience for fans of classical music and performance art.
“The music is not only beautiful but interactive, especially in the dance sections, as you try to grab objects and it reacts to you.”
“The final dance overwhelmed me, with its swelling music and ballet routine and the peri's sensuous whispering, and had me batting at my headset trying to get some tears out of my eyes.”
“Not a game but a VR theatrical presentation which the developers state was inspired by Walt Disney's 'Fantasia' and I feel they have more than succeeded in matching the combination of music, storytelling, dance, and art that Disney was aiming for in his groundbreaking film.”
“Few also are the moments that Dukas' music accompanies this presentation - in fact, we can only recall a few short minutes worth, with the rest of the production focusing on narration and far too many scene transitions.”
“Minimal use of Dukas' musical score.”
“"The Firebird" is an ongoing series of VR experiences (I wouldn't really call them games) that I thought at first would be based on the music of Stravinsky (since the experiences are designed around classical music and ballet, and one of Stravinsky's works is titled The Firebird).”
- graphics16 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning, unique, and polished quality, creating an immersive experience that feels like a beautifully crafted piece of art. Players appreciate the intricate visuals that enhance the storytelling, although some note that the experience may be brief for the price. Overall, the combination of professional visuals, engaging voice acting, and a captivating aesthetic contributes to a memorable VR experience.
“Basically in each scene you stand and look around freely as the music plays and as the various visuals dance around (and through) you.”
“On one hand, the visuals are stunning, unique, and crisp.”
“The most perfectly crafted and polished piece of artwork I have seen so far in VR - the concept/idea as well as the realization.”
“But because of the style of the graphics, it's really easy to miss out on the intricacy.”
“The addition of the book (love the gold foil effect) and the enhanced graphics make the whole experience seem longer (probably is now).”
“That being said, this caters to a smaller demographic in an already 'petite' VR community... so $10 isn't that absurd if it means I'm supporting these devs.”
- optimization15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game is generally well-optimized, with smooth frame rates even on older hardware like the GTX 970, allowing for an immersive experience of ballet performances. However, while the motion-capture and interactions are praised, some users noted that the stage design could be improved to better match the overall aesthetic. Overall, the optimization contributes positively to the unique VR experience, despite some visual inconsistencies.
“The frame rates and performance were great on my GTX 970; the game seems well optimized.”
“I hate conventional theater/movies/concerts where I have to be glued to a chair to take in a stage performance; here, you are in the middle of the action, and with simple interactions, dictate the pace and are involved in the story.”
“As a fan of ballet and other performances, I think this demonstrates that there is a huge potential here for using VR as a new medium.”
“They tried to make it like you're on a stage as the performance goes on, but the stage itself is somewhat ugly and clashes with the rest of the look.”
“As a customer, I was expecting multiple dances, and getting to either view the performance as an audience member or up on stage.”
“I didn't care much at all about interacting; I just wanted to see the performance.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has limited replayability, with many users noting its short duration and lack of engaging content for multiple playthroughs. While it offers a beautiful experience, it is primarily seen as a one-time showcase rather than a game that encourages repeated play. Players suggest looking for alternatives if replay value is a priority.
“If you want a fun game with replay value, go get something like Space Pirate Trainer.”
“I can see the potential in the developers of this game, so I really hope that they bring something more playable, or at least a bit longer.”
“Unfortunately, there is no replay value beyond showing someone else.”
“It takes 15 minutes to be completed and is not 'replayable' (unless you want to see the same thing again), and of this 15 minutes, only 4 or 5 are great; the rest is just okay.”
“Not the greatest replay value, but as a demo to anyone with even a mildly artistic bent, this is beautiful.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the experience is highly praised, with users noting its artistic execution and ability to evoke deep feelings. It serves as an excellent introduction to VR, engaging players both emotionally and physically, and prompting introspection after the experience. Overall, it is described as a beautifully crafted piece that resonates on multiple levels.
“It was an emotional piece, and was well done from an artistic standpoint.”
“It's a perfect intro to VR for friends, family, and VR-curious guests, because it eases a user into the basics of looking all around them and using the controllers to interact with objects, all while offering a high-quality experience that looks and sounds gorgeous and is emotionally and physically engaging.”
“After experiencing this performance, I had to sit down and be introspective for about 10 minutes just to regain my emotional grounding.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is largely criticized for being minimal and underwhelming, with only about 8 minutes of actual playtime despite claims of 15 minutes. While the construction and overall experience are enjoyable, the brief and limited gameplay moments leave players wanting more.
“The first 3 are incredibly short (10-15 sec) moments of gameplay, and the final part features the actual dance.”
“Beautiful construction but underwhelming gameplay.”
“The first 3 segments are incredibly short (10-15 seconds) of gameplay, and the final part features the actual dance.”
“The description states that there is 15 minutes of gameplay, but there's actually only 8.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users find the humor in the game to be quite entertaining, with some suggesting that it feels intentionally simplistic or easy, which adds to its comedic value. Overall, the humor resonates well with players, contributing positively to their experience.
“Haha... so funny! Did they just try producing something even 100 times easier than Laperi by hand?”
“The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, with clever jokes and hilarious situations that keep you laughing.”
“I love how the game incorporates witty dialogue and absurd scenarios that never fail to make me chuckle.”
