Into the Radius 2: Barebones Survival

While the original Into the Radius is not without its flaws, I understand the appeal. It’s a fun game to play. The semi-realistic gameplay is in a horror-lite environment. After playing the first game, I had high hopes for Into the Radius 2. What is it? :

A survival shooter sequel to Into the Radius with co-op support.

Platforms:

(reviewed on Steam using Quest 3)Release Date:
Out Now (early access), late 2025 (full release)PC VRDeveloper:
CM GamesPrice:
$39.99For anyone playing the sequel after experiencing the first game, Into the Radius 2 feels remarkably familiar. The graphics are definitely better than its predecessor even though the overall experience is similar. It’s not a terrible thing considering how solid the gameplay was in the original, but it does have some problems. In Into the Radius 2 you are an explorer in the bizarre world of the Pechorsk Anomaly. CM Games latest game lacks a clear storyline; the lore of this mysterious universe is discovered over time. However, the main focus of the current early access release is fine-tuning the gameplay.
Into the Radius 2 – screenshot taken on PC via Quest 3With an eerily similar tutorial to the first game, Into the Radius 2 teaches you the essentials before sending you off on your first few missions. This game places you in the role of an average person where just a few shots can send you straight to your grave. It’s satisfying to get into a shootout with an enemy and struggle to reload before you meet your demise. The tension created by

‘s horror and survival aspects is carried over to the new game. It is less intense than its predecessor due to the lack of survival features, such as hunger, different helmets and armor. The ammunition you buy for your gun feels easier than before. You’ll become stronger and richer as you complete missions. This will make it easier for you to buy new gear or guns to help you survive the longer excursions in the Anomaly.

Speaking about the Anomaly and Into the Radius 2, I appreciate the balance between horror elements and realism. The game has some tense moments and scares, but it’s not as intense or frightening as

POV of two hands holding a gun facing a hill with a house on it in Into the Radius 2
(or Resident Evil). Instead, many of the horror elements come from the themes within the game, like the supernatural, ominous sphere/planet floating above the landscape, or enemies stumbling in your way.

Into the Radius 2 – screenshot taken on PC via Quest 3

Unfortunately, the tension is ruined by frustration. The frustration is ruining the tension. There are hundreds of anomalies in the game that can damage you. It’s not a game bug but rather a gameplay trick that makes it feel tedious. Speaking of bugs, Into the Radius 2 currently has Into the Radiusplenty

.

Into the Radius 2 features three camera turning options: Instant Snap, Smooth, and Hybrid, giving you a decent set depending on your comfort. You’re also able to adjust the speed and degrees of your turn, as well as changing your dominant hand and whether you need to hold grip to wield items.Lies BeneathUnfortunately, there’s no option to use teleport movement in Into the Radius 2. The slow pace of the game makes it more comfortable than fast-paced VR games. Fortunately, the slow pace of the game does mean it’s more comfortable than fast-paced VR games.

Different chest rigs and backpacks in the store in Into the Radius 2
There’s options to calibrate your height, which made it easy to play the game while sitting down, as well as the option to move based on your head or your controllers.

It’s no surprise that the game offers a fair amount of issues during an early phase of development, but as an enjoyer of early access titles, Into the Radius 2 feels particularly filled with problems compared to normal EA games. The game had a lot of bugs, including guns disappearing and issues with the Telekinetic Grab. My backpack didn’t come out properly, as well as stuttering. I understand that CM Games wants to raise money by offering an Early Access version of the Game. It’s also meant to gather feedback on these issues ahead of a launch in 2019. It still feels as if it was released a little too soon, with a small amount of content, and far too many bugs. According to CM Games’ list of planned updates, the game is going to be completely new when it reaches 1.0. The current content is pretty decent. It feels more like Into the Radius. It’s one the best PC VR games available. However, for people like myself, a lack of change in the formula could lead to boredom – and why take the risk with an early access game when you can play the finished predecessor already?Worst of all, there’s no roadmap yet either. CM Games has released a short that outlines the plans they expect to implement. Buying Into the Radius 2 now, however, is a bet on the final game being better than the original. The foundation is solid, but there should be a vision for the future. It’s been let down by a multitude of bugs and problems. A lack of content also makes this hard to currently recommend, even for diehard fans of the first game, unless you’re investing to help CM Games hopefully

make a better game than its predecessor.

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

. This is a work-in-progress review, so it’s not scored yet to allow for

coverage of post-launch update. This review will be updated once Into The Radius 2 is released in its entirety.

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