When Toast Interactive released Richie’s Plank Experience way back in 2017, it was foundational. The concept was super simple and unique, a perfect example of how VR’s sense of depth and scale can trick the mind. But that was eight years ago, and VR has evolved dramatically. Recently, GameDigits released Walk the Plank, looking to emulate Toast’s original idea. But can it capture that magic? Our buddies over at 131XR have reviewed Walk the Plank and found that while it its technically good, it doesn’t offer anything new.
Walking a familiar Plank
If you’re unaware of how the gameplay works, it’s super simple. The idea is to trigger a fear of heights by walking out on a very narrow beam of wood at a great height. This obviously sounds daft on paper (or screen), but in VR it’s very different. With no real-world surroundings to glance at, your brain is easily fooled into thinking it’s at the top of a skyscraper, precariously standing on the ledge.
And if you’re doing it properly, having an actual plank of wood (or something similar) to stand on enhances that realism.
And that is Walk the Plank in a nutshell. You step into an elevator on the ground floor of a skyscraper and take it up to the top floor. You can select from a number of different ‘planks’, but the effect is the same. How far can you walk out before you plummet down without screaming?
Walk the Plank Review
As 131XR’s review of Walk the Plank explains, it’s still essentially Richie’s Plank Experience. What it does, it does well. The visuals are nice, with that dramatic sense of scale as you look out over a cityscape teaming with noise and lights. And there are some fun options, swapping the wooden plank for a thin pole or a metal grate. You can even nad yourself a gold plank, which does nothing different , albeit being shiny.
The game does have a mixed reality feature whereby the elevator will appear in your room. But once you step inside, it reverts back to a VR experience.
The main thing going for Walk the Plank on Meta Quest is the fact that Richie’s Plank Experience is no longer available on the Horizon Store. Why that is is currently unknown. But that does mean that if you’ve not tried the 2017 game, then this new version is worth a look. Especially for those new to VR.
What’s next for Walk the Plank?
There’s only so much you can add to a game about walking out on a plank and falling off. Since launch, GameDigits has released several updates, including Quest 2 support, new planks (like the gold one), the NYC street level, and a nighttime environment for the city. Hopefully, more additions will follow.
*Don’t miss our selection of The 7 Best VR Roomscale Games*
Have you tried Walk the Plank yet? What’s your go-to game for introducing newcomers to VR? Let us know in the comments!
