Euclidean Review on Oculus Rift

It’s a slow fall into the geometric madness of hell.

Ever have that nightmare where you’re falling endlessly through a surreal world of geometric shapes, nightmarish sounds and threatening shadows? Well that pretty much describes Euclidean. It’s part game, part art experience that drops the player at a great height then tasks them with avoiding obstacles, geometric shapes and bizarre wobbling lifeforms that reach out of walls. Somewhere deep below is a glowing blue sphere. Manage to fall into the sphere and the level is completed, miss the sphere, or hit something on the way down and it’s game over.

In many ways Euclidean reminds us of AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! for the Awesome, a game we reviewed on the DK1 last year; but Euclidean is slower, focusing more on atmosphere than thrill. It has also been designed from the ground-up with the Oculus Rift in mind. After loading the game you’re presented with a 3D menu with objects to represent the options panel, level select screen and new game. There’s no need to press any buttons, just gaze at an object and after a brief moment it activates.

Each level of Euclidean is distinctly different from the last. Some challenge you with avoiding fast-moving objects, while others see you navigating giant staircases; all in slow motion. The atmosphere is thick with dread. Shadowy objects loom out of the fog, while a threatening voice taunts you from time to time. You’ll also notice bizarre lifeforms that stretch out of walls as you pass. Euclidean is a strange game, and although it aims for a horror-like atmosphere you’re more likely to be intrigued by what’s under the next object. There are jump frights, usually caused by the fast-moving geometric shapes that appear from any direction, but with the slow falling speed you’re usually given time to plan ahead.

Controlling the game is incredibly easy, with the left Xbox thumbstick used for slowly adjusting your direction, while the top right trigger activates an “avoidance” mode. This temporarily makes you invulnerable to collisions, while also illuminating distant objects and shapes. You can only use this mode a handful of times each level, and it needs to be recharged after each use, but it certainly helps to find the glowing sphere at the base of the level.

Graphically Euclidean is an interesting looking game. It’s murky, dark, and geometrically basic, but the world and its bizarre inhabitants come to life with jittery animation and movement. The game also runs buttery smooth with no hiccups or stutters, and supports Windows 10 and the 0.7.0.0 runtime.

Euclidean is an incredibly atmospheric game, and one that’s unlike anything else out there for the Rift, but with only nine levels it’s short-lived, and it’s surreal world might not suit all tastes. You can get an idea of how it plays by checking out our video review above, or find out more by heading over to Steam where the game is available to buy and download.

Euclidean on Steam