Crossing the Lines between MR & VR

Mixed reality titles are beginning to find their footing and one of the newest releases in that genre, Infinite Inside, has piqued our interest. A few months back, I was stunned by the expansive potential that this title

could offerdemo for the game from App Lab. Now that I’ve had a chance to explore the full release, it’s time to dissect just how well Infinite Inside holds up against that potential when looking at factors such as gameplay, graphics & sound quality, control scheme, and comfort options.Infinite Inside – The FactsWhat is it: An innovative puzzle game that seamlessly blends VR and MR gameplay with an immersive narrative experience.

, Infinite Inside is a first-person adventure that delicately dances between our real-world living spaces and a maze-filled virtual reality. Infinite Inside is a first-person adventure that focuses on the navigation of its labyrinths while searching for puzzle pieces. A silent narrative plays out, blurring seamlessly the line between virtual reality and mixed reality. This is a great way to ensure that the puzzles are challenging but not frustrating. This attention to detail ensures that the puzzles are tough but not a friction point.

Collecting puzzle pieces in the virtual realm and then returning them to be manipulated in your own living space is a fresh take and one that we are just now starting to see in other titles like , another great mixed reality experience that has players beaming down to planets to collect elements that they then bring back to their ship for analysis.Another interesting aspect of the gameplay in The Infinite Inside is the silent narrative being crafted around you. This game uses a subtle blend of text on screen and pantomime to create a narrative that unfolds as you solve puzzles and unlock new chapters. Infinite Inside skillfully combines all these elements into an experience that feels both challenging and satisfying.

Graphics and Sound: A Feast for the Senses

ASTRAMaze Theory has crafted richly detailed environments in the Infinite Inside, with high-quality textures and lighting that enhance the immersive feel. The level of artistry on display here is commendable, and the attention to the smallest details doesn’t go unnoticed.

Mixed Reality – Virtual Reality

While it looks good in both its Mixed and Virtual Reality modes, Infinite Inside could be a true stunner if it took advantage of the additional horsepower that headsets like Quest 3 offer. When playing Quest 3, it’s obvious that the beautiful graphics of this game are affected by some serious aliasing. The game’s architecture includes some sharp angles and there is a great contrast between the light and dark parts. This means that aliasing can be seen in many scenes. The results of our review may differ on different headsets. Maze Theory will be looking at the possibility of a post-launch Quest 3 update to take full advantage of Quest 3’s additional graphic power. Hambleton said that this was also heavily dependent on the testing. Its narrative is enhanced by the game’s look, while good lighting and dark shadows create an immersive environment. That further enhances the magical feeling as you transition between mixed and virtual realities.Infinite Inside’s visual fidelity impresses and its sound design also deserves a mention. The use of ambient sounds and a relaxed musical score contribute significantly to the immersive experience Infinite Inside provides.

Control Scheme and Comfort: Mixed Blessings

As for comfort, Infinite Inside nails it for VR beginners during its virtual reality sequences by mitigating motion sickness through node-based teleportation. Node-based VR teleportation may be great for those who are prone to sickness but it is not suitable for more experienced players. It’s not perfect, but it is much better than the beta. In the demo my hands sometimes failed to grab puzzle pieces, or started to fly off. This seems to be much improved now, and I saw very little glitching of the hands during my review playthrough.

Conclusion

Infinite Inside is a great addition to the growing number of new mixed reality experiences we’ve been seeing lately. The game features mazes with satisfying puzzles, which are never too hard or easy. It also has smooth transitions from VR to MR. The sometimes-temperamental object handling could do with just a bit more refinement, but Maze Theory’s ambition meets compelling execution here, and it’s one I think most puzzling fans will enjoy.

UploadVR uses a 5-Star rating system for our game reviews – you can read a breakdown of each star rating in our .