Downward Spiral: Prologue

crap

Bad graphics, simple gameplay, non existent narrative. Maybe in 2017 this was something but now it's just a crappy demo that you need to pay to play. If this would be free, I could recommend to try it because why not. But even with two dollars it's too much.

I played it solo and it only took about 25 minutes to finish, tops. Meh. Pretty fun gliding through a spaceship, but there wasn't much story and the puzzles are pretty basic. If you wanna dip your toes in the water, have it. Otherwise pass.

It was so difficult to move around. I ended up sticking to the walls way too much.

Otherwise the game could be good, but I wouldn't know as moving around was super difficult.

I wish there was a 'neutral' review option; because while this demo looks and plays alright enough, it ultimately feels like it should 100% be a free teaser for the full game instead of being sold for a price for what is a 15-20 minute demo with zero exposition - so you don't know what's the setting/story you're getting into at all.

Overall, from this demo, I'd compare the feeling to Lone Echo (Oculus Store), where you're floating in zero-G and moving by propelling yourself off of surfaces. It's not as smooth as in Lone Echo because you float a lot less, but it still feels reasonably comfortable. There is also shooting involved so that's a bit of excitement padded on.

Can consider getting this on sale. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be purchasable as a bundle with the full game, strangely enough.

Some extra info on the contents:
1. Deathmatch: The prologue's deathmatch mode is an huge open space arena (area from the story mode) and you're given equipment as you've explored in the story. Of course there was nobody else playing so I was floating around alone with some hostile NPCs firing at me; I assume the NPCs will be present in an actual DM match as well.
2. Co-op: Could not try this one out due to being the only one playing. I assume it's the single player story but with another player present tagging along.

VR sickness potential: mostly low. Some vertigo potential. Movement is mostly by grabbing the environment and launching yourself.
This was a pretty neat game/experience to play co-op (once). Looking forward to buying the full release.

This game works beautifully! Not only the environment, but the very subtle sounds and immersion they were able to accomplish. Things like hearing a faint rubber or scratching sound when you bend your arms while in the spacesuit. It really feels like you are living in a sci fi mystery.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Well worth the low price just to go on the 15-20 minute journey of moving through zero gravity. I particularly like having to push off the environment around you to get drifting through space. It brought back fond memories of reading Ender's Game. You are given another movement option later, which is very practical while not as immersive.

I'm not sure what to think of combat. I was more attached to the experience of the environments.
I couldn't find a match to try out the deathmatch mode--I imagine the player base isn't that big. If you search for a match there are [ro]bots that spawn for target practice. It's something, but not a reason to buy the game.

There isn't really anything in the way of story here.
The flashlight you get is not needed anywhere, but I really like how it works and would like to see some scenarios to use it in beyond this Prologue.

If you've played BBC's Home a VR Spacewalk, I still recommend checking this out. Home is basically an on-rails game. Better graphics, but the lack of freedom in movement does not compare to the zero g experience in Downward Spiral.

I've only played this in solo mode so far, but I enjoyed it. You're on a space station on which something went wrong and you're trying to fix it. It really doesn't have much story and it doesn't really have puzzles but I like the way you move around at first by pushing yourself off objects. The single player mode is extremely short (20 mins?), but at less than 2.- EUR it won't break the bank and is worth trying out.

It took me about 18 minutes to complete.

It's like a preview at what Lone Echo is without the story/AI/narrative. But not as good.

For the price (1.99) you can't really go wrong. Cool intro/demo for VR noobs.

Wow... this was cool. I expected some decent VR space game and got a great atmospheric short story with very good gameplay and space feeling.

Game is very short, so look out maybe for a bargain. I got it myself in a cheap bundle and have to say it is totally worth the price for me of the bundle in general.

I can't wait for the story to continue. There was in this 20 minutes more or at least the same atmoshpere like in recent Space Games à la Prey, Dead Space or Alien Isolation, etc.

Especially the end blows you away.

I did not have any nausea or crashes of the game.

Recommended short story.

Twitch Channel : https://www.twitch.tv/mrorange55
Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1UE5TPoF0HX0HVpF_E4uPQ/videos?view_as=subscriber

A fun short demonstration of movement and interaction in a micro-g environment. I would not have picked it up for the full price, but it's definitely worth checking out now that it's 90% off.

I was surprised how much I could float around without triggering some form of simulation sickness. Exceptions to that being cases where the game brings you too close to the floor (your character is horizontal, even if you're standing, in some cases it might be better to play crouched down). I occasionally also feel disoriented when I walk around while I'm floating, so I recommend stopping your flight before moving your head a lot (In future versions of the game, they should probably detect head movement beyond a threshold, and stop your floating movement at that point).

The game uses a fancy Inverse Kinematics rig to give you a body in the game world, which is pretty neat when you play with a friend. Combined with the effect applied to your friend's voice when they talk to you over the in-game radio, it results quite an immersive experience.

Those Inverse Kinematics also get in the way a bit unfortunately. Objects you hold are not tracked directly to your controller (I would prefer this in future versions). The in-game hands try to follow your controller as closely as possible, and due to some issues with the shoulder placement in the current version, that be off by quite a bit, so you can't rely on muscle memory or slight adjustments in your grip while shooting.

Not a game. just a polished zero g experience.
really feels like youre floating around in a space suit.

There's about 4 different environments to mess around with. Has virtual arms and good interactions. Nice presence in this demo.
One of my favorite environments to just hang out in while listening to youtube.

+ Super polished
+ Great movement (thanx to zero gravity)
+ Visuals!
+ Nice for a demo as you dont have to explain a lot

- well it feels more like a demo anyway
- waaaaay to short (I needed 20 minutes for my playthrough)

For 10 € no! But I got it for 0,99€ in the summer sale.

So grab it at sale, great 20 minutes! Do not buy it at full price, its not worth 10 €.

Single player story is pretty cool, but it is very short. There seems to be a lack of story. A little voice over the radio telling me about the situation would have improved this so much.

I bought this for the zero G mechanic and to experience the earth from a space station, but it's been severely watered down (there is no transfer of kinetic energy to angular velocity when you touch something - you just stop!) and they have annoying flaps on each side (helmet I suppose) which restrict peripheral vision.

The FoV is already insufficient on the first gen HMDs and the last thing I want is a further reduction.

I understand some people may need this to avoid motion sickness, but there should be a non-hobbled option for those who wish to experience a realistic zero G experience, in which one rotates when touching or throwing things, and which may cause the player to float upside down.

I'll most likely be refunding this one unless I find some redeeming quality that makes it more than just another rails shooter.

The graphics are amazing. AAA quality. Although the single player campaign is short, it is a fun way of getting used to the locomotion which is amazing. The real star of the show is the deathmatch! I logged in during a "play with devs" session organized on the steam community forum, and it was pretty intense. The zero G mechanic creates a whole new style of mulitplayer deathmatch and I think it's amazing and really well suited for VR. Getting kills and getting killed in zero G feels really epic, and it's fun how you can shield yourself from incoming shots using space debris.

If you want to play multiplayer then be sure to add me as a steam friend. I'll be down to play anytime so we can build up this community.

Also keep an eye on the community forum for scheduled matches with the devs.

Played it till the end and here's my review:

pro
- I love the general concept and story a lot!
- visually very good, I love the colors, textures are really good, everything looks great
- atmospheric lights and sound, I like it
- very smooth, runs excellent with high framerate -> zero nausea!
- love the idea of flinging
- love the minimal music you sometimes here

cons
- flinging should me made a bit easier! Could be that I'm clumsy, but I'd love the fling mechanism to be a little less hard
- like many VR games/prologues, it's (very) short. A better price would have been 4.99 or something like that.

Bottomline : I can't wait to play the full game!

I've loved this game from the start and to try and get my "weightless" fix I tried Detached...I was over it within 10mins due to the helmet being in your way and the locomotion controls.

Downward Spiral had made perfection by giving you the freedom of movent with the most imersive sense of floating I've encountered thus far. Nothing has come close. I truly hope the developers keep building onto this system becase in my opinion (and I've played a lot of VR games) they've struck gold.

Can't say it enough...guys please...keep this project alive. It's truly one of the best out there.

very fun cool atmosphere, lamley short, should be a free demo to a much bigger game. the only reason i give it a thumbs down is the fact i paid for it. otherwise awesome.

I got to pumped that this game would be longer, It is great, i love walking around in 0g, grabbing stuff trying not to fall into empty space. meanwhile shooting at robots trying to kill me,

But and here is the biggest negitive, its only 20mins gameplay, Comon guys, I want more, Give me more. :c

I havent tried the multiplayer yet, but if the multiplayer is fun, this game might be worth the 10bucks, i just feel like i got hyped over nothing but a short expierence.