Detached Reviews
While most of the VR titles that are slim on content feel like incomplete titles, Detached manages to subvert this expectation, delivering a fun filled zero-gravity romp through its limited runtime. If a community for the title manifests, a really interesting and unique multiplayer mode is part of the equation as well. Some truly stunning setpieces and the opportunity to float through space to a haunting cosmic score make for a grand ol' time. The game's steep price to content ratio might scare off some, but that's not exactly a new thing in the VR realm, and ultimately the price of entry still feels worth it.
All these negatives add up to a real downer experience in which that should have left us soaring.
Detached is a great spacewalking simulator, with gameplay that has obviously been built up around that mechanic. While some of the more “gamey” elements might not be up to snuff, you can't argue with the feeling you get when you leave a ship and are floating freely in space. Expect to be mildly frustrated with the lack of direction and irritating checkpoints. But also expect to be awestruck by the superb visuals and setting. Detached is a mixed bag, but the spacewalks alone are worth the price of admission.
Detached is a pretty decent VR game, but the game is too short and you get lost most of the time.
Review in French | Read full review
Detached is an exploration of space and occasional snuff film laden with mundane objectives. Like premise without plot, even the most satisfying sense of motion can't progress without an equivalent destination. In 2018, there isn't much room for Detached beside more mature takes on virtual reality.
I'm not sure I'd ever go back to play Detached again and it's definitely not making it into my 'impress first time VR-users' catalogue. In fact, it has instead become my go-to example for how VR standards must be respected and how ignoring them can potentially ruin what might have been an otherwise fantastic experience. I'm not sure I can put it any better than that; great game but unplayable.
Let all your space horror stories come true as you find yourself (nearly) alone in the silence of space.
Long story short, if you ever wanted to play through movies like Gravity or Interstellar, this is your chance. If you don't mind potential motion sickness and like the challenge of a new style of gameplay, then absolutely give Detached a shot.
Detached is the sort of game where you'll enjoy your short time with it if you aren't easily susceptible to motion sickness. The atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous, giving you a good sense of the beauty and loneliness of space. The puzzles aren't bad, but the lack of direction about where to go can be an annoyance when you have a constantly depleting oxygen meter to worry about and a finite amount of fuel. It may not be a VR showcase title for everyone, but those who can stomach it will enjoy their time.
Detached is a tricky experience to make an individual conclusion on and the verdict given might not reflect what a lot of people may feel when they experience it themselves. As with so many VR titles, and as referenced above, the physical experience of the title reflects a lot of what shapes the opinion. Some people are better versed to cope with the demands that the movement and physics place on them. It is also fair to give props to Anshar Studios for taking a risk like this and not compromising on their vision. For some, that will give them a lot of goodwill. However, even accepting this debate, it still stands true that the experience of Detached is only ever compelling in a few all-too-fleeting moments, and the full potential is yet to be unlocked.
Overall I found the real enjoyment in Detached comes from it's zero gravity movement. It does a great job of making you really feel like you are out in space both with its control scheme and the visuals and sense of scale that it provides. While the single player wasn't memorable and I worry about the size of the online player base there is no question that this is a unique experience that is worth checking out at some point.
Detached is a full 360 degrees rotational VR game set in deep space. The comfort levels (blinders) can be adjusted in order to make the game more accessible for VR players but I feel those who are new to VR should probably stay away from this one until they gain their VR stomach! The game looks great with the lighting effects as the suns emit God-rays over the floating derelicts and meteorites, with a matching soundtrack which creates a fully immersive atmosphere and experience.
Detached is not your normal gaming experience. There are no weapons, no enemies trying to attack you. It is just you the cold, dark place of space. Anshar Studios does something here that you may not normally see. Sure there are risks every single day, but to take the risk of bringing what very may well be the exact experience of being weightlessness in space and bringing the danger of being out there alone, with limited supplies, and facing what could be the end as we know it. And even with the warning at the beginning that Ansar Studios has placed, I respect the chance they took and appreciate for allowing me to have my wonders finally answered and for allowing me the ability to just be able to spin in space.