The Exit 8 VR Review: You will slowly lose your mind in this VR horror game for Meta Quest
In our review of the VR game The Exit 8 VR for Meta Quest, you can find out what it feels like to walk through the (almost) always same, sterile corridor.
At its core, The Exit 8 is a walking simulator that works best when you don't know anything about it. The mix of puzzles and subtle horror is inspired by the typical sterile subway corridors in Japan, as well as the horror phenomena of liminal spaces and backrooms. In my review, I describe what you can expect from the VR version of the indie hit on Meta Quest 3 with as few spoilers as possible.
- Note: We're giving away free keys for The Exit 8 this week. Take part and get the VR horror for free.
Content
Review of The Exit 8 in a nutshell
The Exit 8 is a remarkable VR experience that is both disturbing and fascinating. For fans of subtle horror.
The Exit 8 is for you if ...
- you like puzzles and subtle horror
- you already know The Exit 8 from the PC and want to delve even deeper into it
- you are fascinated by liminal spaces and backrooms
The Exit 8 is less suitable for you if ...
- you don't like walking simulators at all
- you have problems with narrow corridors
- you can't cope with fluid movement in VR
Caught in a loop
I'm standing in a subway corridor. White tiles on the walls, white tiles on the ceiling, white tiles on the floor. All I can hear is the low hum of the fluorescent lights and their occasional click. There is a sign on the wall pointing the way.
I start walking, turn left, then right. A man with a discreet mustache comes toward me in the hallway ahead. I can clearly hear his footsteps. He carries a briefcase in his right hand and a smartphone in his left.
He walks stoically past me, not making a sound. On the wall to my left are six billboards for a dental clinic, a dog groomer, and various exhibitions. On the right is a no-smoking sign.
Further ahead are three doors, the first slightly offset, the next two close together. Above them are two air ducts. A total of four security cameras hang from the ceiling. A continuous yellow line runs across the otherwise white tiled floor.
Why do I know all this so well? Because I have walked this corridor many, many times.
Kindly exit through Exit 8
The Exit 8 VR has no menu, no tutorial, nothing. Just a small white sign on the wall, easy to miss, tells you what to do: reach exit number 8. What sounds simple at first will only work if you have a sharp eye and strong nerves.
Just go straight down the corridor. There are no more interaction options. If you notice anything unusual, turn back immediately. If you don't notice any changes, continue straight ahead.
The path will remain the same, and you will continue to walk along the corridor I described above. Only the signpost will tell you if you are on the right path. Once you have solved the task, the counter jumps up one level, and you continue in the direction of Exit 1, Exit 2 and so on, until you finally reach the redeeming Exit Number 8. If you miss something, the journey starts all over again.
Some of the anomalies are quite different. They can be immediately obvious — The Shining sends its greetings — or barely noticeable at first glance. Sometimes it's just a change in the number of security cameras or the pattern of the colored tiles, sometimes it's something you didn't expect.
I would rather not spoil anything more. Just this much: If you have a good eye for detail and don't get distracted, you'll reach the exit within a few minutes. If not, you'll spend the rest of your life in a sterile VR subway corridor. Good luck!
My verdict on The Exit 8 VR
Exit 8 VR is a remarkable VR experience that is both disturbing and fascinating. The sterile lighting, reduced soundscape, and occasional anomalies in this always-same hallway create an oppressive atmosphere. If you're looking for a mix of puzzles and backroom horror in virtual reality, this is the game for you. I certainly got the chills a few times.
You can buy The Exit 8 VR here
The Exit 8 has been available exclusively in the Horizon Store for Meta Quest 3, Quest 2 and Quest Pro since July 11, 2024 and costs $7. Developer My Dearest has added a few minor improvements to the VR port compared to the indie hit originally released via Steam in 2023. So if you already know the PC version, you can also experience something new in the VR version.
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