Soulace
- June 20, 2021
- Sander Bos
- 127h median play time
Get on SteamSoulace takes you on an audio-visual journey through the afterlife. It is inspired by the visionary imagery described in the Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol). This experimental and meditative VR adventure takes place in the Bardo, a temporary zone between life and the next rebirth. The experience is designed to immerse the player in magical worlds and uniquely sculpted landscapes. Ultimatel…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a deeply immersive and spiritual experience, with breathtaking visuals and a captivating atmosphere that evokes strong emotions.
- The developer shows a commendable level of ambition and artistry, creating a unique journey that stands out in the VR space.
- Despite some gameplay issues, the game is enjoyable and relaxing, allowing players to explore and discover at their own pace.
- The game suffers from bugs and technical issues, including problems with starting the game and inconsistent gesture recognition.
- Gameplay mechanics can be confusing and tedious, with a lack of clear direction leading to frustrating backtracking and non-linear tasks.
- Some design choices, such as flat pre-rendered cutscenes and limited teleportation options, detract from the overall immersive experience.
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their artistic quality, showcasing top-notch visuals and designs that create a unique, immersive experience reminiscent of a piece of artwork. However, some game mechanics disrupt the visual flow, and while certain graphics may appear dated, they contribute to the overall retro vibe of the game. Overall, the visuals effectively enhance the spiritual journey, despite minor interruptions.
“Read the other reviews, but it's so clear that Sander is a world-class artist; visuals and designs are top-notch.”
“It's a short and relaxing journey through the afterlife with simple puzzles and trippy visuals.”
“As a piece of artwork, this experience succeeds.”
“Specifically, this 'journey' is hindered by game elements that detract from both the visuals as well as the message.”
“Sometimes they 'unlock' visuals that are key to the experience, but that's just using a gaming mechanic to interrupt the flow of what the devs are really trying to portray.”
“Some graphics seem dated, but it goes with the retro vibe.”
- story7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story is described as trippy and beautifully crafted, immersing players in a unique world that encourages exploration and self-discovery. While it provides some cutscene hints, the narrative allows for a degree of independence, reflecting the themes of the game itself. Overall, players find the story engaging yet not overly guided.
“It's a little trippy, oddly beautiful, and not terribly difficult to figure out. Aside from a few cutscene 'hints', it doesn't do too much to handhold, allowing you to sort of figure out what to do in this crazy new world you are finding yourself in - oddly very parallel to the theme/story.”
“Other things to say - it's a little trippy, oddly beautiful, and not terribly difficult to figure out, and yet aside from a few cutscene 'hints', it doesn't do too much to handhold, allowing you to sort of figure out what to do in this crazy new world you are finding yourself in - oddly very parallel to the theme/story.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as a mix of rough mechanics and outdated point-and-click elements, which can disrupt the immersive experience intended by the developers. Despite these critiques, many players find the game to be a hidden gem, appreciating its artistic and experimental qualities. Overall, while there is room for improvement, the gameplay offers an enjoyable experience for those willing to overlook its flaws.
“But even with so much critique, which just shows there is still a lot to be improved, I still stand by my word that this game is really a hidden gem. Even though it sometimes has a bit rough gameplay, and a few spots are not so well made for VR, overall I've quite enjoyed it.”
“Sometimes they 'unlock' visuals that are key to the experience, but that's just using a gaming mechanic to interrupt the flow of what the developers are really trying to portray.”
“While it certainly does have some old school point and click mechanics (which are outdated in VR), this is mostly an artistic, spiritual, experimental experience.”
“But even with so much critique, which just shows there is still a lot to be improved, I still stand by my word that this game is really a hidden gem, even though it sometimes has a bit rough gameplay, and a few spots are not so well made for VR, but overall I've quite enjoyed it.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting its fantastic quality and outstanding audio that enhances the overall experience. The environment is described as full of surprises, contributing to an immersive adventure.
“The atmosphere is fantastic, as well as the audio for this adventure.”
“Full of surprises, and the atmospheric audio is outstanding.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for games that incorporate Kabbalistic themes, highlighting the potential for rich musical experiences intertwined with shapes, patterns, and poetry. The suggestion indicates a belief that such elements could enhance the overall atmosphere and depth of the game's music.
“There's shapes, patterns, music, sound, and even poems.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The sound effects are often jarring and disrupt the flow of gameplay.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been criticized for being inconsistent, with users reporting janky performance, confusion, and various bugs that detract from the overall experience.
“It's sometimes janky, confusing, and buggy.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as it involves extensive searching across large maps to acquire specific items and complete tasks, often leading to a sense of frustration due to the overwhelming number of objectives presented simultaneously.
“I'm not saying that the game is consistently difficult, but I found it tedious to search large maps in order to acquire a specific item, then have to search further to use the item in a specific way, all while being presented with various other tasks before the previous ones have been completed.”
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the story.”
“I spent hours doing the same tasks over and over again just to level up, and it became more of a chore than fun.”
