The Lab

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 206 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
The Lab Game Cover
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The Lab, set in an Aperture Science pocket universe, is a VR game showcasing various experiences. Defend a castle in Longbow, destroy objects with a slingshot in Slingshot, play a retro game in Xortex, visit postcard locations in Postcards, examine a medical scan in Human Medical Scan, explore the solar system in Solar System, and try robot repair. Each activity provides a unique and exciting venture into VR technology.

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Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 206 reviews
graphics4 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The Lab serves as an excellent introduction to VR, showcasing its capabilities through a variety of engaging mini-games.
  • The visuals are charming and colorful, creating an inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • It's a free game that offers a fun and accessible way for newcomers to explore virtual reality, making it a must-try for anyone with a VR headset.
  • The game lacks significant replay value, as many mini-games feel short and are best experienced only once.
  • It requires a VR headset to play, making it inaccessible for those without the necessary equipment.
  • Some users report performance issues and crashes, particularly on certain VR systems like the Oculus Quest 2.
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics in "The Lab" are generally praised for their colorful and whimsical design, creating a charming and inviting atmosphere that enhances the VR experience. However, some users criticize the visuals as lacking polish, comparing them to early development stages, and express frustration with the game's interaction mechanics. Overall, while the aesthetics are celebrated, there are mixed opinions on the execution and performance.

    • “With its charming visuals and engaging gameplay, the lab highlights the potential of VR in a fun and accessible way.”
    • “The lab features colorful and whimsical graphics that create a charming and inviting atmosphere.”
    • “Each mini-game has a distinct aesthetic, contributing to the overall diversity of the experience.”
    • “I don't even know what to call this garbage: looks more like some early alpha version of a developer's baby steps with 3D graphics than an actual game. Controls are terrible and actual interactions with the game environment just don't work. 'Approach the calibration station...' yes, I tried everything I can think of, but the game doesn't even detect when I am right inside the bloody 'calibration station'... total waste of time.”
    • “Even red the graphics were not there yet, but my god!!”
    • “[0.7] graphics”
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay in "The Lab" is characterized by its charming visuals and engaging mini-games, each featuring unique mechanics that enhance immersion and enjoyment. While some content may lack depth, standout experiences like the slingshot and archery games provide satisfying and responsive gameplay, making it a worthwhile introduction to VR for newcomers. Overall, it showcases the potential of VR through polished mechanics and solid tracking.

    • “With its charming visuals and engaging gameplay, The Lab highlights the potential of VR in a fun and accessible way.”
    • “The responsive controls and solid tracking make for an enjoyable gameplay experience.”
    • “A great first introduction to VR mechanics, with 8 short-but-sweet mini-games and plenty of portal references.”
    • “But when it boils down to games and mechanics, there is not enough substance.”
  • story10 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is described as lacking depth, with some users noting that it doesn't work well on the Oculus Quest 2. However, there are positive mentions of engaging mini-games and a charming interaction with a virtual robot dog, suggesting that while the overarching narrative may be weak, there are enjoyable elements within the gameplay.

    • “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
    • “You get to pet a cute virtual slinky robot dog, and the story and mini-games are good.”
    • “☐ no story”
    • “☑ no story”
    • “Runs very poorly on Quest 2”
  • humor8 mentions

    The game is praised for its classic portal humor and a good amount of comedic elements, featuring funny visuals and sound. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone and the inclusion of humorous mini-games, making it a family-friendly experience. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect that enhances the game's appeal.

    • “A pretty cool game taking place in the Portal universe with the classic Portal humor.”
    • “Great sound, music, graphics, and humor.”
    • “Great tutorial, great friendly colorful visuals, good sense of humor, great collection of mini-games that are well made.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is characterized as light and playful, effectively complementing its overall tone. Reviewers appreciate the relaxing quality of the soundtrack, noting that it enhances the gaming experience alongside the sound effects and graphics.

    • “The soundtrack is light and playful, matching the overall tone of the game.”
    • “Great sound, music, graphics, and humor.”
    • “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
    • “[0.5] sound & music”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game is well-optimized for compatible VR systems, delivering smooth performance with minimal lag or glitches. However, some users have experienced frame rate issues despite passing the Steam VR performance test, indicating potential discrepancies in optimization for certain hardware configurations.

    • “The game runs smoothly on compatible VR systems, with minimal lag or glitches.”
    • “Visuals and performance are optimized to provide an immersive experience.”
    • “I appreciate the attention to optimization, making the gameplay seamless and enjoyable.”
    • “I love how my processor causes frame rate issues even though the Steam VR performance test said it was 'ready'.”
    • “The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “Despite having a high-end graphics card, the optimization is so poor that I experience constant stuttering.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability on compatible VR systems, running smoothly with minimal lag or glitches; however, some users have reported occasional bugs that can affect the experience.

    • “Cool but buggy.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replay value, though many users find the mini-games enjoyable and engaging enough to warrant repeated play. While the main activities may not encourage extensive replay, the mini-games offer a more compelling reason to return.

    • “I've only spent about an hour or two in it so far, but many of the mini games feel like they have high replayability.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it feels like a task requiring a significant investment of time, akin to needing a second life to complete it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by colorful and whimsical graphics that contribute to a charming and inviting environment, enhancing the overall experience for players.

    • “The lab features colorful and whimsical graphics that create a charming and inviting atmosphere.”
    • “The ambient sounds and visual design immerse you in a world that feels alive and vibrant.”
    • “Every corner of the game is filled with intricate details that enhance the overall mood and atmosphere.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players report feeling a sense of epicness and emotional intensity when encountering GLaDOS, highlighting the character's impactful presence in the game.

    • “Seeing GLaDOS up close made me feel epic.”
    • “The story's emotional depth left me in tears.”
    • “The character development truly resonated with me.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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