Escaping Wonderland Review: A little VR masterpiece you shouldn't miss
In our review, Escaping Wonderland proves why it is an absolute must-have for VR fans with a Meta Quest or Pico.
Down the Rabbit Hole is a true VR favorite. Even four years after its release, the enchanting adventure game still regularly receives five-star ratings, and here at MIXED, Ben called it a must-have VR title in his 2020 review.
Four years later, the spiritual successor is finally being released with Escaping Wonderland and this much can be revealed: It's at least as great as its predecessor.
Review of Escaping Wonderland in a nutshell
Escaping Wonderland is a magical VR adventure that no gaming library should be without. Both newcomers and experienced VR enthusiasts will enjoy this lovingly designed world. A must-have for adventure fans!
- Escaping Wonderland will be released on September 26, 2024 for Meta Quest (3) and Pico 4 (Ultra) and costs $19.99.
Escaping Wonderland is suitable for you if you...
- are looking for a decelerated VR experience
- have a soft spot for fairy tales and well-told stories
- are seeking a new experience in a VR market dominated by shooters
Escaping Wonderland is less suitable for you if you...
- want difficult puzzles in adventure games
- can't relate to the Alice in Wonderland universe
- games with a diorama perspective are not your thing
Escaping Wonderland review: Back in Wonderland
Like its predecessor, the story of Escaping Wonderland is set in the world-famous Alice universe created by author Lewis Carroll. Although you play a new heroine in the form of Molly, you will encounter some familiar faces in the form of characters such as the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter. You don't need to have played Down the Rabbit Hole to understand the story, although you will certainly discover a few Easter eggs.
Connoisseurs of the literary original will probably recognize some familiar faces. | Image: Beyond Frames Entertainment
In the beginning, you are thrown in at the deep end like Molly. After a long fall, the girl lands on the hard floor of a cave and can only remember her name. The only thing she knows is that she wants to get home. To do so, she must repair a mysterious machine whose parts have been stolen by a feathered thief.
The plot of Escaping Wonderland unfolds slowly and provides a smile or two with humorous references to pop culture, teenage life or the literary source. However, despite the lightheartedness of the excellently dubbed dialogues with the sometimes bizarre characters or the conversations between Molly and the narrator, Escaping Wonderland also tackles serious issues and its core message is aimed at an adult audience. Especially in the last third, you should have some tissues at hand because Molly's story is not lacking in touching moments.
Despite the many dialog options, there are no multiple endings. These are more for you to try out, sometimes deepening the story or providing a few more laughs.
Coherent art design and gorgeous levels
The developers told me at this year's Gamescom that Escaping Wonderland is a project close to their hearts, and you can see that in every corner. Graphically and technically, Cortopia Studios really delivers. Escaping Wonderland has no bugs, no edge flickering, nothing. The 8 levels in total are beautifully designed, rich in detail and varied, and build up around you like little showcases in a tower. In the end, you look down into a deep hole full of diamond mines, snow-covered landscapes, quaint little towns, and the royal court with its labyrinth of hedges.
The puzzles in Escaping Wonderland are rarely difficult, but sometimes you need the help of your companion. | Image: Beyond Frames Entertainment
By grabbing the little tendrils that naturally "grow" under the visible playing field, you can freely move the action in front of you and always find the right angle. For most of the game, you control Molly from the diorama's perspective with the VR controller's joystick, and occasionally intervene with a hand movement to collect a hidden collectible, for example. The game also switches to first-person for a few dialogues and puzzles, such as when I have to shoot an inflatable duck in a pond with my slingshot or uncover hidden clues with a magic lamp.
Fluffy puzzles that alternate between diorama and first-person perspective
Escaping Wonderland is therefore a great game to play sitting down. However, I recommend that you stand up from time to time and take a closer look. Not only will you discover many small details, but you will also encounter some puzzles that can only be solved from the right perspective as well as the many hidden snippets from Molly's diary that will give you a deeper insight into the story.
If a puzzle is too difficult for you, use the help button and uncover clue cards one by one. | Image: Beyond Frames Entertainment
The puzzles in Escaping Wonderland are never really difficult. Logical thinking or trial and error will always get you there. If you do miss something, there is a help button that will reveal three clues in a row. But there is never a lack of creativity: you can become a DJ to motivate the miners, manipulate time to prevent an accident, or take turns with a companion on two different floors to clear the way for the other.
Escaping Wonderland Review: A VR fairytale to dream about
To be honest, I have rarely tested a game that gave me so little to criticize as Escaping Wonderland.
The controls are precise, and the perspective is perfect for VR newbies. The level design is clever, and the graphics are coherent. In addition, there are almost exclusively well-performed voice actors, a soundtrack to dream to, and a touching story about being human.
The playing time of four to five hours is also just right for a VR adventure of this kind. There are no long stretches, and you can enjoy the story all at once. For me, this is an absolute must-have title for anyone seeking a change in a virtual reality dominated by shooters.
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