Title: Mixed Reality Crime Investigation Game Debuts on Quest 3
Detective VR is scheduled for release on Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S on February 27, 2025. The game offers a novel experience in which players assume the role of a private investigator assigned to solve a murder case involving the death of a young aspiring artist in a studio setting. The investigation begins at the crime scene, where evidence is gathered through photographing objects and clues. The game is designed for hand tracking, allowing users to teleport within the room and collect evidence using simple gestures. These interactions are seamlessly executed, eliminating the need for traditional VR controllers—a feature that sets this title apart from many others.
The investigative process unfolds in a virtual environment. Once evidence is documented, the game transitions back to the player’s actual room. In this phase, the physical surroundings are rendered in a manner akin to the virtual settings, creating a blended experience where the real room feels like another virtual space. Evidence collected during the investigation appears on a detective board, where individual photographs can be selected and displayed on a pedestal. This enables the examination of details such as traces of blood, fingerprints, and textual clues using a magnifying glass.
The accumulated evidence is used to connect clues to potential suspects. Volumetric characters of these suspects are then projected in the room, allowing the investigator to confront them with the findings. For instance, an analysis of the murder victim’s smartphone reveals a critical piece of evidence in the form of a recent voice message from a significant other, prompting an opportunity to question that individual. However, the interrogations are presented as pre-recorded scenes, limiting interactivity.
As the investigation deepens, players uncover interconnected facts and relationships through timelines—past events that can be explored using advanced holodeck-like technology. This feature permits users to rewind, fast-forward, and scrutinize events to gather further evidence before returning to the detective board.
Detective VR continuously alternates between virtual reality—where timelines are navigated to secure evidence—and mixed reality—where the evidence is examined and suspects are engaged within the real room environment.
While the gameplay is commended for its innovative integration of hand tracking, VR, and mixed reality technologies in narrating a crime story, some technical shortcomings have been noted. The motion-captured animations for the characters sometimes exhibit subpar quality, with facial expressions lacking detail and movements occasionally appearing distorted. Additionally, the game’s linear progression has been criticized for restricting player creativity and reducing the sense of agency during the investigation.
Ultimately, the appeal of Detective VR lies in its unique approach to storytelling, merging futuristic technology with a classic crime narrative. The title promises to immerse players in a mixed-reality detective experience that is both engaging and visually distinct.
Detective VR will be available on the Horizon Store starting February 27, 2025. Pre-orders for the game will receive a 20 percent discount, and the title supports both Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S, offering an estimated playtime of four to six hours.
