Info about Gloomy Eyes VR:

Official game description:
When the sun got tired of the humans it decided to hide and never rise again…
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The darkness awoke the dead from their graves. A decade after the sun retreated and twilight engulfed the world, an oppressive leader has made being a zombie against the law, their very existence is illegal. They are forced to hide in the forest, away from dangerous zombie hunters. At night when the hunters retreat into their homes, the cold sunless world becomes calm and quiet. A zombie kid called Gloomy wanders alone, out of sight… **This zombie is different.** Truth is, he doesn’t feel too comfortable around others of his kind. Gloomy is not like other zombies. He has something inside him that we can’t see or understand.  
**But Nature knows he’s special.**  
Unexpected love, a light in the dark...
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By unlikely chance, or by the mysterious powers of nature, a human girl and a zombie boy fall in love. Nena is no ordinary girl. Born in the cold darkness and knowing no other way of life, she is the niece of the harsh leader of humankind. But Gloomy and Nena care not, and immediately form an irreversible bond, powerful enough to bring brightness again to their obscure town. **Can their atypical love survive in a world where the living and the dead cannot peacefully coexist?**  
Gloomy Eyes is above all a love story and a tale of magic
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At its core, Gloomy represents all of us.  
**It is a story about being different, belonging, and the awkwardness and improbability of finding love.** The unlikely connection between Gloomy and Nena transcends all loneliness, fear, and bigotry.  
Enter a universe of surprising magic and adventure
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Delight in a miniature, charmingly eerie, spinning world. Narrated by an old grave keeper (Colin Farrell), Tahar Rahim (French), Max Riemelt (German), Jorge Drexler (Spanish), Jam Hsiao (Mandarin). **This poignant tale of tenderness brings magic and light into a land plagued by obscurity.** Gloomy Eyes is a three-episode, animated VR-series in 6DoF & 3D real-time.

Release date: Mar 11, 2020

Categories: Virtual Reality, Interactive Movie, Visual Novel


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $4.99 - $6.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly treat the current full price near $9 as too high for a roughly 30-minute VR story with little replay value. Positive value statements are mostly tied to discounts: $4.49 at 50% off is called well worth it, $6.74 on sale is described as a comfortable purchase, and multiple reviewers advise waiting for a sale or bundle. Although one reviewer says the full $9 price is acceptable if affordable, that is not the dominant view. The community fair base-game range therefore sits below the $8.99-$9 list price, clustering around mid-single-digit pricing at approximately $5-$7.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 0.5h
  - Story completion: 0.5h
  - Session length: 0.2h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews report the full Gloomy Eyes experience as about 30 minutes, with one specifying 31 minutes including credits, so gameCompletion and storyCompletion are both about 0.5 hours. Because the game is a purely cinematic three-chapter story, the story completion time matches the overall completion time. The chapter description of roughly ten minutes each supports a typical sessionLength of about 0.17 hours for a single chapter or VR sitting. The reported lack of replay value supports endgame at 0 hours, with no additional post-story content described.
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes:
  - VR Cinematic Craft Analyst (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To analyze and appreciate VR cinematic language and technical craft.
    - Playstyle: Attentive, analytical viewing with close attention to transitions, gaze, and model detail.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Animation Story & Style Seeker (sale)
    - Motivation: To enjoy a spoiler-free animated story with distinctive gothic/whimsical visuals and characters.
    - Playstyle: Passive story-focused viewing, comparing the experience to familiar animated films and avoiding spoilers.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Allumette: The Little Match Girl
  - Value-Conscious Sale Hunter (deep sale)
    - Motivation: To get strong value for a short VR experience by waiting for discounts or bundles.
    - Playstyle: Waits for sales, bundles, or cheaper alternatives such as MOSS before buying.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: MOSS
  - Quality VR Patron (buy)
    - Motivation: To support quality and indie VR experiences so more of them are made.
    - Playstyle: Buys narrative VR experiences, sometimes at full price, to encourage creators and the medium.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Stunning visuals and art (weight 0.87): The visuals, lighting, and art design are frequently described as beautiful, gorgeous, and top-notch. Reviewers consistently rate the graphical presentation very highly.
- High-quality animation and presentation (weight 0.72): The animation, art design, and overall production values are praised as fantastic and polished. It is considered a rare high-quality VR animation film.
- Beautiful and touching story (weight 0.59): The narrative is described as cute, beautiful, touching, and charming, often evoking emotional responses. It is a central element that resonates with players.
- Excellent VR implementation (weight 0.5): Players highlight the immersive and atmospheric use of VR, making it a standout experience. It is praised as one of the best ways to experience virtual reality.
- Superb audio and voice acting (weight 0.46): The voice acting, soundtrack, and sound design are consistently highlighted as wonderful and top-notch. The narration and music significantly enhance the experience.
- Delightful short film experience (weight 0.3): It is often described as a charming animated short film that is thoroughly delightful. The brevity is seen as a positive, providing a concise and impactful story.
- Overall enjoyable and polished (weight 0.27): The general consensus is that the game is a great experience overall, with high polish and professional production. It leaves a positive and lasting impression.
- Great value for money (weight 0.17): Many players feel the experience is well worth the price, offering a worthwhile and memorable VR adventure. The ticket price is considered fair for the quality provided.

Common complaints:
- Very Short Experience (weight 0.59): Many users report the full experience lasts only about 20-30 minutes, with one mentioning a 15-minute cartoon. This short runtime is a common complaint across multiple clusters.
- Poor Story and Plot (weight 0.58): The plot is described as terrible, nonsensical, confusing, and simple. Character motivations are inconsistent and the story feels like a trope.
- Low Resolution and Visuals (weight 0.39): The resolution is too low to appreciate detail, with fuzzy visuals and messed-up image quality. Models are small and scale issues make it hard to see details.
- Lack of Interaction (weight 0.37): Reviewers note there is no interaction at all; it is a non-interactive story with only viewing and gaze selection. No controller support or specialized VR interactions are available.
- High Price for Length (weight 0.36): The price is considered expensive given the short duration and lack of replay value. Some question whether it is worth purchasing at full price.
- Dark Scenes and Lighting (weight 0.35): Scenes are too dark, especially on Valve Index due to black levels. Lighting is lacking and should be brighter even if intended to be dark.
- Rotating Camera Causes Discomfort (weight 0.35): Users dislike having to spin around to follow the scene, which causes neck strain and tangling in chairs. The constant 360-degree rotation is frustrating and not a good mechanic.
- Tracking and Performance Issues (weight 0.3): Tracking issues hinder the experience, causing the scene to recalibrate with micro-movements. Framerate drops and screen shaking occur in some scenes.
- Missing Basic Features (weight 0.29): There are no subtitles, no pause function, and no settings menu. Fast-forward and pause operations are not supported.
- Small Scale and Limited Area (weight 0.21): The scene is only a small area, not surrounding the player, and the experience is very small. The scale of the world makes it hard to get up close to see details.
- No Wow Moments Visually (weight 0.18): Visually there are no wow moments, and the presentation may divide audiences expecting puzzles or challenges. It focuses on presentation over interaction.
- Unsuitable for Children (weight 0.15): Themes and visuals, such as a boy burning in a fire, are not suitable for small children. It might seem child-friendly but is not.
- Limited Replay Value (weight 0.15): There is no replay value for the 30-minute experience, with replay mainly in revisiting artistry. The price is tough to justify for such a short, non-replayable experience.
- Default Camera Blocks View (weight 0.1): The default camera blocks view of some scenes, and there are no interesting staging findings. This hinders the viewing experience.
- Motion Sickness from Vertical Movement (weight 0.1): A user got motion sick for a moment because the camera moved vertically, causing nausea from the first second.
- No Response to Inquiries (weight 0.09): A user asked about quality in the discussion page but received no responses, leading them to request a refund until hearing back.
- German Voiceover Mismatch (weight 0.05): The German voiceover could have been darker to match the environment, according to one user. This is a minor audio complaint.

Gameplay feedback:
- VR cinematic non-interactive experience (weight 0.97): Many players describe this title as a VR film or experience rather than a traditional game, with no controller interaction or player agency. It is primarily a passive viewing experience.
- 360-degree diorama staging (weight 0.65): The scenes are staged in 360 degrees around the viewer, often with diorama-like tableaux that require turning around to follow the action. Physical staging replaces camera pans and zooms.
- Divided into three episodes (weight 0.58): The story is presented in three distinct episodes or chapters, each roughly 10 minutes long. This structure is frequently highlighted by players.
- Gaze-based navigation, no controllers (weight 0.47): Players note that no VR controllers are needed; interactions are limited to gaze-based selection to start chapters or menus. Some mention no pause functionality.
- Not a game but a story (weight 0.33): Reviewers emphasize that this is not a game in the traditional sense; it is a narrative-driven experience or animated film. It is described as a play or theater-like experience.
- Viewer as center of world (weight 0.22): The viewer is placed at the center of the scene, with events happening around them. They can explore and immerse themselves in the environment.
- Tim Burton-like animated style (weight 0.2): The visual style is often compared to Tim Burton's work, with dark, whimsical aesthetics. Some also liken it to Allumette.
- Real-time rendering and lighting (weight 0.13): The experience uses real-time rendering and lighting effects to draw attention. Some mention the sun is hidden, creating a pitch-black backdrop.
- Short VR cartoon or animation (weight 0.13): It is sometimes called a short VR cartoon or animated story, with a duration around 15 minutes. This overlaps with other descriptions.
- Interactive animated film with diorama (weight 0.11): Some describe it as an interactive animated film with diorama-style scenes, where interactivity is observational rather than puzzle-solving.
- Standing or swivel chair required (weight 0.1): The 360-degree action may require standing room or a swivel chair to fully follow the story. Players should set up a decent guardian area.
- Narrated by well-known actors (weight 0.06): The story is narrated in multiple languages by well-known actors, adding production value. This is a notable positive point for some players.
- Fantasy language dialogue (weight 0.05): Characters speak in a fantasy language, which may require reading subtitles. This is a minor detail noted by some.
- Camera movement can obstruct view (weight 0.05): The default camera sometimes moves to block scenes, which can be frustrating for viewers. This is a minor complaint.

Performance notes:
- Poor black levels on Quest 3 and Index (weight 0.12): Multiple users report that black levels appear grey rather than true black on Quest 3 and Valve Index, especially in dark environments. This reduces immersion and contrast in dark scenes.
- Insufficient resolution for detail (weight 0.12): Users find the resolution too low to fully appreciate visual detail, and on Rift S the visuals are notably lower resolution compared to other VR titles. This hinders clarity and overall visual fidelity.
- Streaming latency degrades experience (weight 0.07): Streaming introduces latency that makes the experience poor, leading users to recommend the standalone version instead. This affects responsiveness and playability.
- Lack of fluidity on Vive Pro 2 (weight 0.07): On Vive Pro 2, the experience lacks fluidity when the camera or headset is moved. This causes discomfort and breaks immersion.
- Fuzzy visuals below minimum spec (weight 0.07): When the system is below minimum specifications, visuals become fuzzy, significantly impacting visual quality. This highlights the importance of meeting hardware requirements.
- Screen shakes during close-up viewing (weight 0.06): Users report that the screen shakes or stutters when viewing objects up close. This visual instability detracts from detailed inspection.
- No rotation with Oculus Rift (weight 0.06): The game does not rotate with the Oculus Rift headset, likely causing orientation issues. This suggests a compatibility problem that needs fixing.
- Framerate drop in early scene (weight 0.06): A framerate drop occurs in one short scene near the beginning when moving. This temporary performance hiccup can disrupt the initial experience.
- Works well on Quest 2 (weight 0.06): One user reported that the game worked perfectly on Oculus Quest 2 with Virtual Desktop. This indicates a positive experience on that specific setup.

Recommendations:
- Worth the price (weight 0.47): Many reviewers consider the experience worth its cost, especially when purchased at a discount. The low price makes it an easy recommendation for most players.
- Wait for sale (weight 0.44): A common recommendation is to buy only during a sale or bundle, as the full price is often seen as too high for the short length. Several reviewers explicitly advise waiting for a discount.
- Highly recommended overall (weight 0.22): Many reviewers give a strong recommendation, with some calling it a must-see for VR users or fans of animated films. The positive sentiment is widespread.
- Appeals to Tim Burton fans (weight 0.21): Fans of Tim Burton's style, such as A Nightmare Before Christmas, are likely to enjoy this dark fairy-tale experience. The artistic direction is a major draw for this audience.
- Recommended for VR animation fans (weight 0.2): Fans of VR animations are encouraged to try it, especially at a discount, to see the potential of the art form. It is a must-see for enthusiasts.
- Headset and streaming tips (weight 0.19): Reviewers suggest using an OLED headset, increasing resolution via supersampling, and wireless streaming for better visual quality. Standalone headset users should buy the standalone version.
- Short length concerns (weight 0.17): The experience is very short, around half an hour, which makes the full price feel high for some. This is a common reason for recommending waiting for a sale.
- Alternative free VR experiences (weight 0.16): Some recommend trying free alternatives like Google Spotlight Stories or INVASION! before purchasing this, especially for VR beginners. Others suggest checking out The Great C or MOSS on sale instead.
- Enjoy the story passively (weight 0.15): Some advise sitting back and enjoying the story as a passive experience, similar to watching a play. It is suited for those who enjoy narrative-driven content.
- Worth full price if affordable (weight 0.15): Some reviewers feel it is worth the full price for those who can afford it without concern, despite the short length. This is a more positive stance on pricing.
- Great for VR newcomers (weight 0.12): It is recommended for introducing VR to people who have not tried it before, as it is accessible and impressive for first-timers. Some suggest it is good for company gatherings.
- Narrative experimentation praised (weight 0.12): Reviewers appreciate the artistic focus and narrative experimentation within VR. It is seen as a strength that makes the experience unique.
- Seated rotation recommended (weight 0.11): Players are advised to use a rotatable chair or stand to fully follow the actors and action. This setup enhances the immersive experience.
- Not recommended for everyone (weight 0.11): Some reviewers cannot wholeheartedly recommend it, citing issues like short length, high price, or personal taste. A few would not recommend it at all.
- Kids age restriction advised (weight 0.11): While kid-friendly, it may be too scary or dark for small children, and is recommended for ages 6-8 and up. Parents should consider themes before purchase.
- Intimate and visually captivating (weight 0.06): Reviewers describe the experience as intimate and visually captivating, with an artistic style that draws viewers in. The visual presentation is a key highlight.
- English dub recommended (weight 0.06): Among available dubs, the Colin Farrell English version is specifically recommended for the best experience. This is a niche but useful tip for viewers.
- Avoid spoilers beforehand (weight 0.06): One reviewer recommends going in without knowing more or seeing images to avoid spoilers and enhance enjoyment. This is a minor but notable suggestion.
- Watch multiple times for details (weight 0.06): Recommended to watch multiple times to catch details that may be missed on a first viewing. This suggests high replay value for attentive viewers.
- Quick look recommended (weight 0.05): A few suggest it is worth a quick look, but not necessarily a deep investment. This is a tepid recommendation.

Other player notes:
- Tim Burton-esque aesthetic praised (weight 0.71): Many reviewers compare the visual style to Tim Burton's films, citing similarities to The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, and Corpse Bride. The dark, whimsical art direction is a standout feature.
- Short duration around 30 minutes (weight 0.66): The experience is consistently reported to last about 30 minutes, with some noting it feels shorter or longer. This brevity is a common point of discussion.
- Three-episode structure, 10 minutes each (weight 0.44): The narrative is divided into three chapters or episodes, each approximately 10 minutes long. This structure is frequently mentioned in reviews.
- Passive VR experience, not a game (weight 0.43): Reviewers emphasize that this is a non-interactive animated film or story, lacking gameplay elements. It is meant to be watched rather than played.
- Optimized for high-end VR hardware (weight 0.36): Users report playing on Oculus Quest 2, Valve Index, HP Reverb G2, and Rift S with high-end GPUs. Some mention it will look better on newer hardware.
- Multiple language support (weight 0.3): The experience includes voiceover and narration in several languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, and Chinese. Some users note missing subtitles or specific regional audio.
- Compared to free VR shorts (weight 0.29): It is often compared to free VR experiences like Allumette, Google Spotlight Stories, and The Great C. Some feel it is better, while others question the price for similar content.
- High production value and budget (weight 0.18): The experience was developed by 3DAR and Atlas V, published by ARTE France, with a budget over $1.1 million. Credits suggest a large production team.
- Narration by famous actors (weight 0.16): Colin Farrell provides English narration, while other actors like Tahar Rahim and Max Riemelt narrate in French and German. The star power adds production value.
- Positive reception of audio-visuals (weight 0.16): Reviewers highlight the stunning camera work, production quality, and overall visual polish. The sound issues in Episode 3 were reportedly fixed.
- Standing or swivel chair recommended (weight 0.15): For the best experience, reviewers suggest standing or using a swivel chair to fully enjoy the 360-degree scenes. This can also cause cable strain if turning often.
- Short runtime considered overpriced (weight 0.15): Some reviewers feel the 30-minute length makes the price a bit high, especially compared to free alternatives or longer games like MOSS.
- Narrative and characters are simple (weight 0.13): The story is described as simple and straightforward, with characters speaking a fantasy language. The narration plays a reduced role compared to other VR works.
- No replay value (weight 0.11): The experience offers little incentive to revisit, as it has no branching paths or alternative outcomes. Replay value lies only in re-appreciating the artistry.
- Niche use cases and free keys (weight 0.1): A few reviewers mention not using their VR headset for a while, receiving a free Steam key, or specific tracking problems. These are isolated comments.
- Reviewer hopes for more content (weight 0.1): Some reviewers wish the experience was longer or expanded into a series, indicating a desire for more from the talented team.
- Uses Unity engine (weight 0.05): The experience is built with the Unity engine, as noted by a reviewer. This is a technical detail.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.13): Users felt disappointed by the very short length of the experience (15-30 minutes) combined with a lack of interactivity and controller support. Technical problems like dark visuals, tracking issues, no pause/fast-forward, and missing subtitles further diminished the value, especially at its price point.
- Admiration (weight 0.09): Admirers praised the striking visuals, high production quality, and strong storytelling that pushes the boundaries of VR. The beautiful art style, reminiscent of Tim Burton, and the thoughtful use of virtual reality space were particularly highlighted.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Enjoyment stemmed from the beautiful scenes, stunning camera work, and a cute story with a Tim Burton-like style. The fantastic art and music, along with the ability to view scenes from various perspectives, made it a delightful VR film experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfied users appreciated the nice little VR animated film with a Burton-like style, especially when discounted. They liked the story, mood, art, graphics, lighting, visuals, and good use of VR, as well as the quality of sets and voice acting.
- Frustration (weight 0.05): Frustration arose from physical discomfort and technical limitations, such as having to constantly swivel 360 degrees to follow the action, getting tangled in a chair, or being unable to lean in due to limited play space. Lower resolution visuals and unresponsive quality also contributed.
- Delight (weight 0.04): Delight was driven by the beautiful VR experience with a Tim Burton style and a sad story, featuring skill, heart, and gothic charm. The living clay diorama feeling, detailed animation, and effective VR staging created a cute and immersive tale.
- Impressed (weight 0.04): Users were impressed by the beautiful and cute VR visuals, incredible animation, and wonderful lighting, including a neon roller coaster part. The artwork and use of VR were considered better than other VR animations, showcasing high-quality execution.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Appreciation focused on the visually nice VR experience with good visuals, scale, parallax, and 360-degree viewing. Creative seamless transitions from scene to scene and the title's placement alongside other high-quality VR works like Allumette and The Great C were noted.
- Immersion (weight 0.03): Immersion was achieved through the ability to sit and get lost in the story, with camera and lighting effects guiding the viewer in a detailed dark environment. The theater-like setting with warm stage light and engaging world elements plunged users into the heart of the story.
- Amazement (weight 0.03): Amazement came from the VR experience being on par with a 3D stop animation movie in theaters, with good visual storytelling and gorgeous visuals. The short movie's presentation, style, and captivating story were considered one of the best VR experiences.
- Moved (weight 0.03): Users were moved by the beautiful and charming story, particularly its ending, which triggered honest emotions. The story's emotional depth and moving narrative left a strong impact.
- Love (weight 0.03): Love was expressed for the story and graphics, especially the sweet, heartwarming love story. Creators using the medium to tell new kinds of stories also contributed to this feeling.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Annoyance was caused by technical issues such as messed-up image resolution and screen shaking or stuttering when viewing close-up. These visual problems detracted from the experience.
- Charm (weight 0.02): Charm was attributed to the charming tale that immerses you in a magical world and the charming art style. The overall aesthetic and storytelling created a delightful and enchanting experience.
- Satisfied (weight 0.02): Satisfied users felt the experience was worth much more than the sale price, indicating good value for money when purchased at a low price. This suggests that the content met their expectations relative to the cost.
- Disappointed (weight 0.02): Disappointment was due to the very short length and inability to pause, as well as the lack of interaction. These factors made the experience feel limited and less engaging.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope was inspired by the glimpse of what VR movies will become, with users wishing for tracking problems to be resolved. This reflects optimism for the future potential of VR storytelling.
- Longing (weight 0.02): Longing was expressed as a desire for VR to have more stories this good and wanting a full game with this style. Users yearned for more content of similar quality and depth.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement was generated by the movie skyrocketing to favorite VR movie status and its dynamic and exciting visual storytelling. The engaging presentation thrilled users.
- Liking (weight 0.01): Liking was based on the game giving a stop motion animation feeling and a Nightmare Before Christmas vibe. The unique aesthetic appealed to users.}