Unbinary is an intriguing game that feels like a mashup of Tetris and the Portal series. The gameplay consists primarily of rotating tetromino-styled blocks in order to complete levels, with each level containing new rules that must be observed for completion. Over time, these rules grow more complex and will require players to rethink their approach as they progress through various areas.
When discussing this brand new VR release as a whole, it’s difficult not to bring up UNBINARY’s visuals. Let’s start with the obvious: this is another first-person, physics-based VR puzzle adventure, this time unique to the Oculus Quest 2 (don’t expect me to call it the “Meta Quest” anytime soon). It puts you in charge of an artificial intelligence that is being tested to determine whether it is capable of guiding humanity’s long-term future. It contains references to games such as Portal, as well as some sometimes amusing riddles. That’s all well and good, but I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t hooked to it nearly immediately because of the visual style.
I’d have to be insane to label UNBINARY an unattractive game, despite its problems.
I like how the Quest’s hardware has greater horsepower, which enables developers to create more distinct graphic styles for their VR games. After a few years, the same couldn’t be said of PSVR games: there was only so much you could do with the capability of the PS4, which was already old when it was launched in the public. UNBINARY’s amazing hand drawn aesthetics could not have been created on such inferior technology, in my opinion. I enjoyed immersing myself in what was basically a science fiction animation, replete with charming robot designs and a great color palette. If there was a reason I wanted to keep playing, it was because of the game’s distinctive aesthetics. Unfortunately, it wasn’t due of the game’s own merits.
It’s up to you, game, to persuade me differently.
UNBINARY is a first-person puzzle game that defies categorization. It features one interesting concept in which you must continually alter your robotic identity by touching neighboring deactivated robots and acquiring their talents to aid you in solving the issue in front of you. One allows you to push buttons and open terminals, while the other allows you to grip ledges, crates, and other items. It offers some diversity to an otherwise unremarkable puzzle game in terms of design. Its gameplay, on the other hand, is its biggest flaw.
What I enjoy most about the Oculus Quest is that it allows game creators to build games that have both freeform movement and camera controls. Only one of the two tasks is done properly by UNBINARY. It allows you to easily maneuver your character with the left analog stick… but it does not allow you to manipulate the camera with the same smoothness. It only allows you to move it in predefined (and invariably terrible) portions, making the simple task of putting oneself up in front of the problem more difficult than it should be. When you add in the collision detection flaws and a narrator that speaks the game in an insanely condescending tone, you’ve got yourself a patience test.
The most patronizing narrator of the last ten years or so. Ugh.
UNBINARY isn’t a breakthrough VR puzzler, and every great concept, like its graphics or movement system, is hampered by the game’s short runtime, flaws, and poor camera system… However, the game is still enjoyable. It doesn’t add much new to the table (apart from its stunning visuals), but if you like VR puzzlers or anything that even vaguely resembles Portal in any way, shape, or form, you couldn’t do much worse. It’s also rather short, so you can finish it in a relaxing day.
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It’s because of UNBINARY’s fantastic graphic style that you’ll want to keep playing till the conclusion, despite its drawbacks. |
Although it has free-form movement controls, the camera technology is outdated and cumbersome. It has some fun physics-based puzzles, but the collision detection is terrible. Simply said, for everything it accomplishes well in terms of gameplay, it has an equal number of flaws. |
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The sound design of the game is mostly focused on voice acting. It may be amusing at times and vexing at others. At first, the narrator comes off as patronizing. |
It’s a straightforward puzzle game that takes just a few hours to finish. It doesn’t add much new to the table (apart from its stunning visuals), but if you’re a lover of the genre, it may be a fun diversion. |
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Final Score: 6.5 |
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On Oculus Quest 2, UNBINARY is now accessible.
Oculus Quest 2 was reviewed.
The publisher supplied me with a copy of UNBINARY.
As an example:
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