Student's Choice - Lone Echo

Introduction

Lone Echo is a virtual reality single player, adventure game originally made for the Oculus Rift, but now supports the Oculus Rift S as well. It was created by the video game development company Ready at Dawn in 2017. Set aboard a space station orbiting Saturn, it lets players move in zero-gravity by grabbing and pushing off the environment, allowing them to take a hands-on approach to exploring space. The player is also able to use tools and objects around them to solve puzzles.

Above: Captain Olivia Rhodes - Initially introduced when first playing the game.

Above: Jack, the ECHO ONE service android exploring the Kronos II

In the game, the player has the role of an ECHO ONE service android named Jack aboard the Kronos II mining station. The player is to follow the commands of a human crew member, Captain Olivia Rhodes. When Olivia is reassigned, Jack is left behind to be the only crew member of the facility. As Olivia tries to leave the station to move onto her next job, a mysterious spatial anomaly comes in contact with the Kronos II, causing issues with the vital systems. So with the help of Olivia, the player (Jack) has to work with her to repair the damages and investigate.

Why is it a good use of VR?

Although this game came out in 2017, it is still one of the most popular VR games on the market. On the Oculus site it is still listed as one of the top sellers for the Oculus Rift to this day. According to IGN, it is a rare game that demonstrates the true value of VR and hand tracking. Unfortunately I have not been able to play the game, but from the gameplay I have seen most users believe the sense of movement feels great, which is important for a game like this considering it is the player floating around space. With the use of virtual reality technology it creates an immersive experience for the player.

Above: Adr1ft - A similar VR game that was released prior to Lone Echo. It lacked some components that would make it a good use of VR, unlike Lone Echo.

A game called Adr1ft was released a year prior to Lone Echo with a similar concept of exploring space to complete tasks, but had a slight disconnect when it came to the sense of movement. Lone Echo utilized the controllers that come with the Oculus, allowing the user to really feel like they are interacting with the environment. Adr1ft required an Xbox controller, which defeats the purpose of the Oculus Rift allowing the user to have a virtual reality experience, but the game was also done so it could be used across other platforms. Although Lone Echo was only made for a VR headset, the Oculus Rift in particular, it still consisted of a better virtual reality experience compared to Adr1ft considering it took advantage of all the mechanics that the headset had to offer.

It paved the way for the other games that came about from this franchise. Along with the initial release of Lone Echo, Ready at Dawn created a free multiplayer component called Echo Arena that is included with the purchase or can be obtained separately for free. Players are able to form teams and face off against the competition. Similar to Lone Echo, it is using zero-gravity and the player is to move around in the same manner to throw their disc shots towards the goals, or to maneuver around the arena. Although this is not exactly like Lone Echo in terms of being an adventure game with a storyline, it allowed users to experience the same fundamentals of the game as a free version.

The game did so well that a second version was created, expanding on Jack and Olivia’s adventures. It was initially set to be released in 2019, but was moved to sometime this year (2020). Ready at Dawn also created another version of Echo Arena as well called Echo Combat. Still a multiplayer competition, but instead a first-person zero-gravity combat shooter. These games would not be possible without the success of Lone Echo itself.

Above: Echo Arena - a free multiplayer game alongside Lone Echo

Who are its intended users?

The intended users would mainly be for novice users who have access to an Oculus Rift or Rift S since the game is only available on these devices. It is a rather simple game, so those new to VR are able to grasp the concept easily. The game supports sitting, standing, and roomscale playing modes, accommodating to whatever space the user is in. Tied into this feature, the tracking modes can be either front-facing or 360 degrees. Really just depending on what environment the user is in or what is preferred. It can also appeal to those who are typically sensitive to virtual reality headsets. On the Oculus site it is listed as a moderate comfort level, but should still be played with caution.

Lone Echo would also appeal to those who are interested in adventure or exploration games. Since the game is set in space, there is a lot for the user to see and find within the station and outside of it.

It is also stated on the Oculus website that this game is generally suitable for ages 13 and up, particularly for infrequent use of strong language and user interaction.

What are the issues (positive and negative) with it?

The Good

Lone Echo really utilizes the features that virtual reality provides. The puzzles within the game are pretty simple, mainly consisting of the user picking up objects and placing them in certain areas, but it allows newer users to really get a feel for how it all works within a virtual reality environment.

Above: Outside of the Kronos II space station from the view of the player, Jack

The game also takes advantage of the experience it creates in a zero-gravity environment. Although it is in VR, it can feel quite realistic with the seamless transition between the user’s movement and what they see on the screen. With the use of the controllers and motion sensors provided with the Oculus Rift, the user is able to easily navigate through space in the virtual world of Lone Echo.

Since this game takes place in space, searching for certain objectives can be tedious, especially if it is not clear on where the player should be looking. For those who want to play this game more for the visuals probably would not mind this. Lone Echo is very visually appealing with all the detailed textures, animations, and effects. There are even small things like corrosion on Jack’s hands after being exposed to radiation. Details like such really add to the environment and create a new immersive world that the player can really feel like they are a part of.

A common issue for VR games is the risk of experiencing motion sickness, which can happen when the brain receives conflicting signals about movement in the environment around you, and the body’s relation to it. This can cause the player to feel dizzy or nauseous when wearing a VR headset. This can be a possible concern when determining if Lone Echo will cause this issue, especially considering it is in zero-gravity. Although this is a valid concern, it seems like this does not happen often with this particular game. According to the Oculus site, the game’s comfort level is moderate, which takes the likelihood of experiencing motion sickness into consideration. I have also seen reviews of the game, and many people who suffer from motion sickness when using a VR headset have stated that they did not experience any nausea while playing. This is probably due to the fact that the game takes into consideration depth perception with the help of hand tracking and the positional tracking by the Oculus sensors and controllers, creating a smooth transition and enjoyable experience for all players.

..and the Bad

I have not had the chance to personally play this game, but from what I noticed through gameplay online is that the game is not as consistent as it should be when it comes to highlighting certain objectives which can make things difficult in a bigger environment, like space. The user could have to go through some tedious searches just to find their next goal, which is not always a bad thing.

Another downside to this particular game would be that it is only available for Oculus products, the Rift and Rift S specifically. So if someone who was interested in Lone Echo and had any other VR headset, they would essentially be out of luck. In addition to that, Oculus products are not cheap. The game itself is available on the Oculus site for forty dollars, but the actual technology needed to play the game can get pricey. The original Oculus Rift could be purchased for around six hundred dollars, but it was announced recently that they will be discontinued. The Oculus Rift S is still available and its listed price is roughly four hundred dollars. It also has to be powered by a rather powerful PC, which not all people have.

Since the original Oculus Rift has been discontinued, this limits the type of devices that can be used for Lone Echo even further. With the way the Oculus brand is evolving, it seems that they are focusing more on all in one VR headsets, so they would be more standalone and not need a platform like a PC to power it. Currently the game is only available for the PC powered Oculus products, so if Ready at Dawn does not plan to update this game to be compatible with the Quest, it could soon be obsolete.

Above: The Oculus Rift S listed on the official siteBelow: The Oculus Quest - All in one

Resources

Lone Echo: https://www.oculus.com/lone-echo/

Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYRLIaiAKXo

IGN Review: https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/01/lone-echo-review

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pmV2mwAV9k

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse