Trailblazer on Quest 3: Is the history trip worth it?
Trailblazer tells the story of automotive pioneer Bertha Benz. We tried out the VR experience.
Last week saw the release of Trailblazer on Meta Quest—a new VR experience from Singer Studios, the same team behind The Pirate Queen, which we also wrote about.
With both projects, Singer Studios continues its focus on remarkable women whose stories have been largely overlooked. But where The Pirate Queen delivered a two-hour adventure and introduced various game mechanics, Trailblazer is a much more focused affair, clocking in at just 20 minutes and offering a pared-down interactive experience.
Singer Studios describes Trailblazer as an "interactive story," a label that fits without overpromising on mechanics or gameplay.
A pioneer’s journey, reimagined
Trailblazer centers on Bertha Benz (1849–1944), who played a pivotal role in helping her husband, Karl Benz, bring the automobile to the world. In 1888, Bertha set out—without Karl’s knowledge—on a daring road trip from Mannheim to Pforzheim and back, piloting the Benz Patent Motor Car No. 3. This first-ever long-distance automobile drive not only proved the car’s practicality but also paved the way for Karl Benz’s eventual success.
The experience puts you in Bertha’s shoes, inviting you to prepare and embark on part of her historic journey. It opens in the Benz workshop, where bits of environmental storytelling—like a news clipping or a film reel showing a failed test drive—offer quick glimpses into Karl’s early setbacks and the public’s skepticism toward the “horseless carriage.”
As Bertha, you secretly assemble the Benz Patent Motor Car No. 3 and set off into the dawn of a morning in 1888. The gameplay is intentionally minimal; the experience guides you step by step, so you won't encounter any puzzles or difficult obstacles. However, you do get to steer the vehicle through the countryside.
The environments, especially the village you pass through, are visually engaging. Although the streets are empty, the world isn’t silent. You will hear the villagers express surprise and doubt, as well as scorn, at the sight of the automobile and its pioneering driver. Trailblazer showcases the resistance to new technology as well as the social barriers Bertha encountered as a woman in 19th-century Germany.
Why virtual reality?
Trailblazer wraps up with Karl Benz finally receiving public recognition for his invention. Still in Bertha’s role, you find yourself standing off to the side, blocked from stepping into the spotlight—a bittersweet, even tragic, conclusion.
The experience is clearly intended as a tribute, allowing players to witness Bertha Benz’s courage firsthand. But that sense of pioneering spirit and courage is mostly conveyed through storytelling, not through interactive choices. There are no decisions to make, no real challenges to overcome, and no consequences for your actions. This raises the question: Why tell this story using an interactive medium or VR?
A purely cinematic approach might have better captured Bertha Benz’s journey. Six years ago, Mercedes-Benz produced a short film honoring Bertha that arguably captured her achievements and spirit more vividly.
Technically, Trailblazer could use some polish. Movement is limited to teleportation, which can make it feel clunky at times. There is also no option to crouch, so it can be difficult to reach certain objects while seated.
If you're interested in history and don't expect a game, Trailblazer is certainly worth your time. You can download it for free from the Horizon Store.
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