The Lab

About

The Lab is a single player simulation game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Valve and was released on April 5, 2016. It received very positive reviews from players.

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 412 reviews

graphics6 positive mentions

story4 negative mentions

A fantastic introduction to VR, showcasing its capabilities through a variety of engaging mini-games.
The game is free, making it accessible for anyone looking to explore virtual reality without any financial commitment.
The humor and charm, especially with the robot dog, add a delightful touch to the overall experience.

Limited replay value, as many mini-games feel shallow after initial playthroughs.
Requires a VR headset to play, making it inaccessible for those without the necessary equipment.
Performance issues on certain devices, such as the Oculus Quest 2, can hinder the experience.

graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
62%
13%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some users criticizing them as resembling an early alpha version with poor interactions and controls, while others praise the colorful and whimsical visuals that create an engaging atmosphere, particularly in the VR context. Overall, the aesthetic appeal and diversity of mini-game designs are highlighted positively, contrasting sharply with the negative feedback on graphical performance and functionality.
- “Amazing images and graphics.”
- “Great sound, music, graphics, and humor.”
- “I don't even know what to call this garbage: it 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 could 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!!”
- “Graphics: the lab features colorful and whimsical graphics that create a charming and inviting atmosphere.”
gameplay
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
The gameplay is praised for its satisfying and responsive mechanics, particularly in archery, making it a strong introduction to VR experiences. While the collection of mini-games offers engaging and polished gameplay, some content lacks depth and replay value. Overall, the charming visuals and immersive mechanics highlight the potential of VR gaming.
- “If you're on the fence with archery VR games and have yet to test out In Death, Raw Data, or even Rec Room's archery gameplay, this is a great introduction... headshotting in VR with a bow and arrow is very satisfying and much more responsive and accurate than you might think VR could be at this stage.”
- “A great first introduction to VR mechanics, with 8 short-but-sweet mini-games and plenty of portal references.”
- “The responsive controls and solid tracking make for an enjoyable gameplay experience.”
- “But when it boils down to games and mechanics, there is not enough substance.”
- “Mini-games and experiences: the lab consists of several mini-games, each offering unique mechanics and experiences.”
story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
70%
20%
The game's story is described as having a moral about perseverance and unexpected life outcomes, though some users noted that it lacks depth. Additionally, players enjoyed the lighthearted elements, such as interacting with a virtual slinky robot dog, and found the mini-games engaging. However, technical issues on the Oculus Quest 2 detracted from the overall experience.
- “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”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its humor, particularly its classic portal-style wit and funny visuals, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone, engaging mini-games, and colorful graphics, contributing to a family-friendly atmosphere. Overall, the humor is a standout feature, making the game enjoyable and entertaining.
- “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.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
42%
29%
The music in the game is described as light and playful, effectively complementing its overall tone. Reviewers appreciate the great sound quality, noting that it contributes to a relaxing experience.
- “Great sound, music, graphics, and humor.”
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “The soundtrack is light and playful, matching the overall tone of the game.”
- “[0.5] sound & music”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 higher potential for revisiting.
- “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.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players consistently express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it feels like a second life is necessary to keep up with the demands.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while it runs smoothly on compatible VR systems with minimal lag, some users experience frame rate issues despite passing performance tests, indicating potential discrepancies in hardware compatibility.
- “Visuals and performance”
- “Performance: the game runs smoothly on compatible VR systems, with minimal lag or glitches.”
- “I love how my processor causes frame rate issues even though the Steam VR performance test said it was 'ready'.”
- “Visuals and performance.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game demonstrates good stability on compatible VR systems, running smoothly with minimal lag or glitches. However, some users have reported bugs that detract from the experience.
- “Cool but buggy.”
- “Cool but buggy.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional response to encountering GLaDOS, feeling a sense of epicness and intensity in the moment. This highlights the character's impactful presence in the game, contributing to a memorable and engaging experience.
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
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.”
- “The atmospheric lighting and detailed environments draw you in, making every moment feel magical.”