Players will travel to, and beam down onto, some of the more notable moons in our solar system. The players will beam onto some of our most notable solar system moons and travel there. Travel in space to visit dark moons, planets and other worlds as you follow the research done by your deceased astrobiologist mom. ASTRA combines storytelling, mixed reality and interactive design with stunning environments to guide you through a deeply personal yet universal adventure. ASTRA blends storytelling, mixed reality and interactive design with stunning environments, guiding you through a deeply personal yet universal adventure.
Directed by the visionary Eliza McNitt behind the acclaimed virtual experience “Spheres”, produced by the creative studio behind the Emmy-winning “Madrid Noir”, and featuring the voice of Taylour Paige, ASTRA will open a breathtaking window to the cosmos right from your own home.
Gameplay
While there is some gamification to this experience, it feels rather light, like something added to keep players engaged in a narrative teaching them about various elements we’ve found on some of the more significant moons in our solar system. It is a series of beaming to moons’ surfaces and collecting various elements that are then brought back to the ship to be analysed. This collection of materials is all in search of the perfect combination of ingredients that will support life. Other than the scanning and collecting, tapping on virtual control panel screens to select the next destination is about as interactive as this experience gets.
So here’s what’s you’ll find:
Transform your living space into a starship to navigate our solar system.
Beam down to moons and use hand gestures to scan for elements and collect them.
Study and manipulate virtual objects that are built from the elements collected.
Graphics and Sound
- Astra’s graphics are the main draw here creating an immersive experience that brings players into a sense of inhabiting these alien worlds. Simply put, the visuals in this game’s VR sequences is stunning. The detailed environments of each one showcase the moon’s surface. Astra also has mixed reality scenes that look amazing. Between each mission, the players return to their starship’s bridge. The overlays are viewscreens, windows and 3D models which are bright and clear. They stand out against the background of real life. I was taken aback when the Rings of Saturn appeared through my viewscreen that had become a part of the main wall of my living room. The first time I left for my new destination, it seemed as if the floor had moved. For just a split second, I actually felt as if my floor was moving with the turning of the ship and the sense of acceleration while going to warp made me slightly weak in the knees.
- Some of the highlights include:
- Highly detailed environments that look semi photo-realistic.
Mixed reality sequences that blend both physical and virtual worlds to create a sense of presence.
Fluid animations that bring environments and objects to life.
Sound Design
The sound design in Astra is also quite impressive, with rich and immersive audio enhancing the overall experience and helping to deepen the immersion. The soothing ambient music, believable sound effects, and the narrative are all blended together by Grammy nominated actress and singer Taylour Payge. She is known for roles in “Zola” and “The Toxic Avenger”.
- Key aspects of the sound design include:
- Relaxing ambient musical backtrack.
- High-quality sound effects that add realism to interactions.
Voice acting that brings the characters to life and adds depth to the narrative.
Overall, the visual and audio design come together nicely to give players a well presented way to explore parts of our solar system, and maybe even learn something new right from their own living rooms.
Potential for Education
- We’ll be curious to see if this Astra develops further for use in directly educational settings. Even in its current state, there’s a lot of potential to form memories and understanding of the solar system in ways that reading from a static page just can’t achieve.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDA-aEMZp-8
- Conclusion
Overall, Astra is standout experience that showcases the power of mixed reality with the Quest 3. Astra is a must-play experience for anyone who loves mixed and virtual reality. Whether you’re a seasoned VR enthusiast or new to the worlds of mixed and virtual reality, Astra is a must-play experience.
Notably,
includes a new mixed reality safety risk notice we’ve not seen before: “Mixed reality can feel very real, since it blends the digital and physical worlds together. A few experiences may feature real-life violence, or cause strong emotions. Always be aware of any physical obstructions in your area and play in a secure environment. Before playing, younger players should speak to an adult they trust. “