Review - Red Matter 2 -

So far, the Meta Quest 2 has proven to be a fantastic standalone device, providing an affordable yet powerful introduction to the world of VR. There are great games here like Resident Evil 4 VR and the amazing (but sadly reduced) The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners, but it lacks a real killer app that can take VR to the next level. Whereas Red matter 2 isn’t quite that app, it’s one of the best out there.

Red matter 2 takes place in a future dystopian Cold War in the far reaches of space. You play as Sasha, who is awakened in a Soviet base by an infiltrator who brings you back to safety. As you exit, you discover a distress beacon from someone from Sasha’s past. You must travel through the solar system following a trail left behind. Along the way, you’ll delve deeper into Soviet bases as you uncover their secrets and the return of the mysterious element, the titular Red Matter.

The story of Red matter 2 mostly expects you to have played the first game. There’s a small beginning section that introduces you to the world and summarizes what happened in the last game, with a neat interactive section that lets you get a feel for the game’s controls. However, I’d still be looking for a summarized to understand things better, as it doesn’t do the best job of filling in the gaps. The story on Red matter 2 itself isn’t superb, but it paints a mystery compelling enough to push you through the game.

New mechanics are being introduced at a steady pace.

After a brief introduction to Red Matter 2, you will have access to in-universe game controllers. These mimic the actual layout and design of the Quest’s touch controls, which really keeps things simple. Throughout the game, you will have access to several modes for each side. On both sides you will have the input tool which will allow you to interact with the world. Seize objects, doors, etc. It’s very natural and a wonderful idea to introduce the Quests Touchpad into the gaming world.

On the left, you have access to a scanner that will help you translate documents, as well as clues to help you solve puzzles and advance the story. You will also have access to a flashlight that fires flares. The light itself could be a bit stronger though. It really only reveals what’s directly in front of you, meaning spam flares are the only way to see anything. You’ll use them extensively throughout the game in just about every situation.

On the right you have another claw and a gun that will unlock halfway through the campaign. There’s combat involved here and it’s functional. You point in one direction and shoot, and that’s about it. It’s very arcadey and that’s good, but I was hoping for something a little more interesting here. Luckily, combat is fairly rare, and the gun is also used to solve environmental puzzles.

Sorry. I had to.

Red matter 2 makes you solve a series of puzzles. He frequently introduces new gadgets to each puzzle to try and keep things fresh and exciting. For the most part, this works pretty well; almost every room has something new and different. Along with the combat I mentioned earlier, there are basic stealth mechanics. While not the deepest, it does a solid job of keeping the game at a good pace. The highlight, however, is the jetpack. By pushing forward on the right stick, you will stand up for a few moments before coming down again. This leads to a solid platform that takes you to visually stunning areas.

Considering Red matter 2 runs on what is essentially mobile hardware with the Oculus Quest 2, it actually manages to pull off a uniquely beautiful sci-fi adventure. Spectacular exploration of an abandoned Soviet base at the edge of the solar system. There are hints of horror with a sometimes spooky atmosphere that comes through wonderfully in the VR space. It’s arguably the best-looking game on the standalone device, with the PC version pushing it even further. It has fantastic lighting and well-detailed environments that really draw you into the game world. I would love to see these developers look into that for a full VR horror title.

Some sites are beautiful.

If you have a VR headset and fancy something to play, Red matter 2 is a must. It’s a smart little adventure game that continued to amaze me throughout, thanks to its clever puzzle design that keeps things interesting and varied. Not to mention the sometimes gorgeous visuals that must push the Quest 2 to its limits.

Given the limitations of Quest 2, Red matter 2 looks absolutely gorgeous. Pulling you straight into its wonderfully detailed game world.	Red matter 2 makes excellent use of virtual reality capabilities with a highly interactive world and clever puzzle design.
Solid voice acting and sound design, but there’s not much here.	Red matter 2 is a refreshing short adventure game that keeps things interesting throughout.
Final verdict: 8.5