The Under Presents
- April 16, 2020
- Tender Claws
Get on Steam"The Under Presents" is a unique VR game that combines live theater and single-player campaigns. Attend immersive pre-recorded performances and manipulate time to alter characters' fates in the "Timeboat" campaign. Meet quirky characters, cozy up to new friends, and collaborate with your past selves to explore crew memories, all while uncovering the mysteries of the doomed research vessel, The Aickman.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and immersive experience, blending art, storytelling, and multiplayer interactions that are unlike anything else in VR.
- The multiplayer aspect is particularly charming, allowing players to communicate through gestures and body language, creating a refreshing social experience.
- The story is engaging and filled with magical realism, with many secrets and puzzles to discover, making it a captivating journey for players.
- The single-player mode can feel confusing and lacks clear direction, leaving players unsure of what to do or where to go.
- There are technical issues, such as visual and audio bugs, that detract from the overall experience and make it feel unpolished.
- The game has been criticized for its lack of content and replayability, especially after the novelty of the multiplayer experience wears off.
- story42 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is a blend of engaging narrative and interactive elements, allowing players to influence outcomes while exploring rich character backstories and magical realism. While some players find the story captivating and immersive, others feel it lacks resolution and can be disjointed, particularly in multiplayer settings. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its creativity and depth, though it may not satisfy those seeking a traditional narrative closure.
“The story is gripping and very well told.”
“The single player campaign is very story driven, and very dependent on the choices you make during each level.”
“Adventure, interactive story and social multiplayer game are blended in one coherent VR experience.”
“Once you finish the story, and you've explored the empty hub world for a while, that's it for most people.”
“Trying to pull the story out of this game is a chore.”
“You will not be satisfied if you are coming for story.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The optimization of "The Under Presents" has been criticized due to its limited content on the Steam platform, which lacks the exclusive live performances available on Oculus. Users express disappointment over the absence of live events and suggest that the game feels incomplete without them, leading to a diminished experience for those who purchased it for its theatrical elements. Overall, the game's optimization appears to favor Oculus users, leaving Steam players with a less engaging experience.
“For those familiar with The Under Presents, replaying and revisiting offered new insight into the lore and recent additions, as well as an opportunity to investigate more moments of the Under's newest performance.”
“I haven't seen any of the live performances; I'd love to see a feature where we're alerted when an actor comes online so we don't miss it.”
“What I hadn't realized from the fine print is that their Tempest performances are exclusive to Oculus, and the version you see on Steam is limited to 'The Under', their multiplayer space, and 'Timeboat', a single-player experience.”
“Was pretty cool around release for the multiplayer aspect when there were paid actors around, there's no reason to get it now and especially not on Steam as this game has Oculus-exclusive content/performances.”
“If the entire live performance industry wasn't out of work due to a pandemic, I would have refunded this game.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight a lack of clear guidance and engaging mechanics, leading to a sense of confusion and boredom for some players. While the unique teleportation feature and "scrunch" mechanic offer interesting elements, overall locomotion feels slow and several clunky mechanics detract from the experience.
“I have absolutely no idea what is going on with this game in terms of gameplay, but yet I know it's great.”
“Regarding game mechanics, I felt that locomotion felt a little slow (think Half-Life: Alyx locomotion), but they make up for that with their unique presentation of teleportation.”
“However, there's a 'scrunch' mechanic, which I like to personally call pinch-zoom because that's what it feels like.”
“If you need clear guidance, strong gameplay, and typical gameplay loops, this might not be for you.”
“The moment-to-moment gameplay is very boring.”
“There are several clunky mechanics which do bring down the intended experience.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game features a creative and engaging art style that enhances its storytelling and puzzle design, with unique movement mechanics that players find enjoyable. However, some users criticize the graphics as outdated, particularly when using the Valve Index, citing issues like aliasing and excessive glare that detract from the overall visual experience.
“The art style is fantastic, and the controls are really good. The space warp blink move is my favorite; it feels incredibly powerful. I would love to see an action game with that kind of power.”
“The creative art style really stands out in this well-designed puzzle game.”
“The storytelling is on a whole new level, complemented by the playful art style and unique movement options. This game is definitely worth your time.”
“Graphics looked really outdated (using Valve Index) from the mobile VR era with lots of aliasing, god rays, and glare due to the lighting/contrast.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game delivers a powerful emotional impact, often catching them off guard with its intense and poignant moments. Prepare for a deeply affecting experience that resonates long after playing.
“This game will sucker-punch you emotionally, so be prepared.”
“The story left me in tears; it was a beautiful and heartbreaking experience.”
“I felt a deep connection to the characters, their struggles resonated with my own.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game to be engaging and interactive, contributing to a fun and enjoyable experience. Many recommend playing the game without hesitation due to its comedic elements.
“They are so helpful, so funny, and so interactive with others. I highly recommend playing this game blindly.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, making every moment enjoyable and light-hearted.”
“I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and hilarious situations throughout the game.”
