VR horror games can be unusually compelling experiences. Running around a spooky mansion, or a dark and terrifying forest, knowing that something, somewhere, is going to pop out to scare the life out of you. But in these scenarios, you have room to flee – or at least feel like you do. So what happens when that spatial comfort is taken away? Enter, Tunnels, and from 131XR’s latest review, you might need to take a hard hat.
What is this underground nightmare?
As the name suggests, Tunnels is a game that takes place entirely underground. If you’ve seen films like
The Descent, then you’ll know the basic premise. You find yourself stuck deep underground searching for a way out. The only problem – apart from no clearly marked exit signs – is that you’re not alone in these caverns. There’s something far more sinister scuttling through the darkness, and all you’ve got to protect yourself is your flashlight.
Suffice it to say, Tunnels creates a sense of all-encompassing dread as you explore its suffocating passages.
Tunnels Review
And from the outset, 131XR’s review finds that Tunnels sets out what it means to achieve. The mine in which you find yourself is particularly foreboding – albeit not exactly finely detailed – as you clamber through the tight, interwoven tunnels. 131XR notes that the onboarding is particularly impressive, teaching you almost everything you’ll need to know about exploring and surviving.
Immersion is another aspect that Tunnels handles particularly well. As you wander through, you’ll find that you actively avoid trying to bump your head (even though you can’t) or that you can’t manoeuvre your body because there’s not enough space. It’s this sense of presence within a game that VR titles strive for, some achieving more than others.
And that sense of lack of movement, having that flexibility removed, makes the monster encounters even more terrifying. As mentioned, you have a torch to light the way, and it’s the only thing that’ll scare off the creatures. Run out of power or fail to switch it on in time, and that’s it.
However, 131XR’s review says that once the single-player campaign is complete, there’s little reason to return. There is a multiplayer/co-op mode to add some longevity, but it only provides so much replay value.
Try before you buy
Handily, developer Nomad Monkey lets you try the multiplayer for free. Tunnels originally released as an Early Access game for Meta Quest, with this multiplayer aspect having been around since 2023. What the team decided to do, rather unusually, is make the single-player a paid add-on instead of the official launch.
So there’s no need to spend any money if you so wish. Testing the game with a friend for free!
Have you been brave enough to try tunnels yet? Let us know what you though in the comments!
