Ubisoft is set to expand its location-based VR efforts on May 7 with the debut of their second escape room experience, Beyond Medusa's Gate.
Under Ubisoft Blue Byte and Ubisoft's Escape Games, the famed game company has been crafting location-based VR escape room games, starting with the Assassin’s Creed Origins spin-off Escape The Lost Pyramid.
In contrast to its predecessor, Beyond Medusa's Gate takes place in the world of Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Ubisoft’s latest title in the long-running series. In the new VR escape room, two to four people will have to team up to find a way out of a cave that contains the mythic ship of the Argonauts. According to the escape room’s website, players will even be able to customize their own avatars, just like in the original Assassin’s Creed games. Room Escape Artist reported in their favorable review of Escape The Lost Pyramid that avatar customization was available too.
VRFocus reports that Beyond Medusa's Gate will be based in various locations across Europe and the U.S. For people who want a Ubisoft-created VR experience sooner, they can find Escape The Lost Pyramid locations on the official website, which features places like Red Door Escape Room in California and Battlefield Houston in Texas. Like in the original game series, Ubisoft’s first VR escape room had players take on the role of explorers in a mysterious pyramid by using a simulation created from DNA memory.
According to Room Escape Artist, Escape The Lost Pyramid had players virtually climb a tower, and "demonstrated thoughtful escape game design by creating a collection of collaborative puzzles that could not work in the real world."
Assassin’s Creed isn’t the only established franchise to branch off into location-based VR entertainment. The video game franchise joins the likes of Alien and Star Wars, though they haven’t mixed their VR experiences with escape rooms.
Escape The Lost Pyramid enjoyed recognition, winning the Interactive VR Experience Award at the 2018 VR NOW Con & Awards ceremony. Time will only tell if Ubisoft’s second VR effort with Beyond Medusa's Gate will enjoy a similar reception.
Have you ever tried location-based VR? What about an escape room? Do you like an Assassin’s Creed spin on the two concepts? Are you interested in trying Beyond Medusa's Gate if it’s made available in your area? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
