In Death: Unchained Oculus Quest Review

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Fast Facts

In Death: Unchained

Developer: Superbright
Publisher: Superbright
Website: http://superbrig.ht/
Genre: Arcade, Action, Shooter
Platform: Quest
Age Rating: Teen
Release Date: July 23, 2020
Price: $29.99

A code was provided for review purposes.

You have my bow

In Death: Unchained is a procedurally generated game for the Oculus Quest that originated on PCVR in 2018. Focusing on archery with a bow and then later a crossbow, you will work to kill enemies and navigate around various levels taking down hordes of enemies. In Death: Unchained makes you traverse through the world using a teleport mechanic as you shoot arrows at the ground. This allows you to zip towards or away from them while targeting or running away from battles. Traversing the levels can be a bit of a dance in ways as lining up your shots from a distance can be rewarding albeit difficult to accomplish.

Every step you make is unique

Each run of the three levels currently available takes you through a purgatory-like afterlife where you will be shooting arrows into the heads and bodies of skeletons, undead zombies, armoured knights, monks, and more. Every level is procedurally generated with its placement and the number of enemies will change. As you progress through the game you will unlock achievements and progressions. These upgrades include buying items and special arrows to take along with you on your next run.

To the top of the board

The basic mechanics of progression may be enough to hook most people. Playing just one more round and trying to reach the top of the leaderboards can be exhilarating. In Death: Unchained’s hollow progression, in my opinion, wasn’t really my cup of tea. While I applaud the game for being unique in how you navigate by shooting arrows to teleport, and the variety of enemies and unique runs each time, in the end, each run was just another means to an end as you worked to take down enemies and defeat the level boss.

Creepiest Halls

The sound design in In Death: Unchained is great in how the game has moments of quiet and tranquillity as you move through the castle, caverns, and hell itself. The game oftentimes gives you a false sense of security right before screeches of the undead fill your ear holes and scare you as enemies leap and corner you before death.

Hell never looked so good

Visually In Death: Unchained is simple in its aesthetic though not much is needed graphically aside from the enemy types which are varied enough, though after a few runs you will have seen all you can see as far as enemy types. The level design involves pretty basic corridors either within a floating city or depths of hell. Along the paths are candle lights which help you navigate through the dark halls. Your varied elemental arrows do add to some of the effects you will see like lightning striking between enemies and slowing them down.

One for the quiver

In Death: Unchained sets itself apart from the pack with its gameplay loop and high score chasing. If you are looking for a game loop that allows for unique runs each time and competing amongst your friends, In Death: Unchained is for you. Arm yourself with a bow for short thirty-minute runs as you strive to beat your score.

Rapid Reviews Rating

You can purchase In Death: Unchained from the Oculus Quest store by going here: www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/2334376869949242/