A Potentially Groundbreaking Title For VR Gaming

The 7th Guest is a beloved classic by many, with an original release dating back to 1993 by developers Trilobyte and Virgin Interactive Entertainment. It not only made history technologically by being a pioneer for the CD-ROM, but is where some early adopters of the tech first developed their love of gaming. Since then, this hard-to-find game has had various anniversary editions released, but is now creating something even more exciting – The 7th Guest VR.

The 7th Guest, for those who never had the pleasure of experiencing the original, is a horror-themed puzzle game centered around the story of six guests who were invited to a mysterious mansion. While expecting to have their wildest dreams fulfilled, their host, an introverted toymaker, provides something else. The 7th Guest is a game filled with mystery, puzzles, and ghosts that is sure to excite any player looking for a chilling experience.

Faithful Storytelling With Necessary Updates

Often when titles are translated to a new platform or playstyle, there is a concern that what makes the game special will be lost in the process. For something that began as a point-and-click to be adapted for VR, this is even more of a pressing worry. All those worries for The 7th Guest VR should be cast aside, however, as this version of the game handles its modern upgrades excellently. If the demo is any signifier for the rest of the game, fans of The 7th Guest will find a faithful recreation with all the same charm and better graphics waiting for them.

Every aspect of The 7th Guest VR not only feels true to the original, but feels amplified in a way that improves it. There are definitely noticeable changes, but they’re all centered around incorporating the VR experience to make The 7th Guest VR more immersive. Working to incorporate highly interactive scenarios requires an immense amount of effort, but has been done beautifully. While working through the first few puzzles in the demo, it’s hard to believe that this game was ever designed for anything other than VR.

A Pioneer For VR Gaming

Many notable VR games like Resident Evil 4 VR are large projects and can occasionally present unrealistic comparisons for smaller Indie games. The 7th Guest feels much more like a major release than a smaller remaster. Players are introduced to the game via a boat in which they are required to paddle, using an oar and their ghostly hands, in order to reach a dock. From the very second the game starts, players are forced to use motion controls to physically paddle their way to shore, already showcasing the game’s skillful use of its new hardware. Once docked, the process goes on, requiring the use of both hands to interact with surroundings as well as use a provided tool.

For those that often have trouble in VR due to motion sickness or feeling overwhelmed by having to initiate tasks themselves, there is no need to worry. The 7th Guest VR presents its players with the option for sliding movements as well as teleport movements so that they may adjust to their comfort. Additionally, though nearly everything in the mansion can be interacted with, the game does a good job at directing, so players still understand where a clear objective lies. However, exploration can still be rewarding even with that added guidance, as there are collectibles to be discovered in inconspicuous places.

Final Thoughts

While The 7th Guest VR demo is just a taste of what awaits, it’s clear that players won’t be disappointed. With a title that holds true to its original form while fully taking advantage of new gameplay, there is little left to be desired. Just as the original 1993 release of The 7th Guest served as a pioneer for CD-ROMS, The 7th Guest VR should do similar things for VR hardware, as this has the opportunity to be a potentially groundbreaking title for VR gaming.

Source: PlayStation/YouTube

The 7th Guest VR releases October 19th, 2023 on Meta Quest, Steam VR, and PSVR2. Screen Rant was provided with an early-access demo code for the purpose of this preview.