Review for Escaping Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland has had many interpretations over the decades. Some are light-hearted, while others are violent and dark. Wonderland can be a tangible world or a manifestation of the character’s psychological state. The setting can be whatever one wishes, the most recent example being Escaping Wonderland. Not only does it center around the protagonist piecing together her life and ordeals through the various chapters and scenarios, but the gameplay is quite unique for a VR exclusive.
Developed by Cortopia Studios and published by Beyond Frames Entertainment, Escaping Wonderland puts players partially in the shoes of Molly, a girl who finds herself in Underland, an offshoot of Wonderland. With the help of Mr. Mole and a bird called Dodo, she sets out on a journey to repair a machine that will get her out of Underland and back to the real world. All the while, she is investigating who she is and why she is here in the first place. The concept is standard but effective: someone using imagination to recollect memories left buried, realizing that her experiences have shaped her into who she is today. The narrative is told whimsically, mainly through the environments. For example, a diamond mine that fuels lightbulb people and ignites their passions has been taken over by a corporate dragon who refuses to let the lightbulb people even take a break. There is also the estate of Tweedles Dee and Dum, where a mouse family leaves their mouse mother as the Tweedle Brothers’ mother left them. It is all very philosophical and metaphorical but also easy to understand. A couple of twists appear near the end, but putting together the puzzle of Molly’s character is the most engaging part of the game.
Besides helping to convey the story, the presentation is top-notch. Most areas use bright colors, painted with the finest brush. Even in darker regions and rooms, different colors are visible and set a certain tone. It portrays the magic and unusual qualities expected from a setting inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
Still, each level is distinct. Besides the diamond mines and the Tweedle estate, there is a valley covered in snow, where Molly shrinks every time she gets aggressive and prideful; and a village with gaming cards as guards with a bureaucratic system to get IDs approved. It ties in with the theme of someone who has repressed anxieties and a mindset of all-work-and-no-play, but it also keeps every chapter fresh and distinctive.
The music is thematic but is not very noticeable during play. It is primarily orchestral in nature: violins, pianos, harps, clarinets, etc. The tracks are well-composed, ranging from somber, low, and eerie to loud, upbeat, and sometimes regal. They also help each chapter, and even some rooms within chapters, feel different. However, players may be so invested in the game that the music pieces get lost in the background. If they had been a smidge louder or featured more prominently, it would have created a more immersive experience.
The voice work is acceptable. Characters like Mr. Mole and even side characters like the Cheshire Cat are excellent from the moment they appear. Others, like Molly and Dodo, are competent. They sound like they’re performing voice-overs for a cartoon, which is the right call for this particular game. Still, the quality of their voices takes some time to get used to.
As for the gameplay, it is relatively unique since it uses both first- and third-person perspectives at the same time. The player controls Molly in the third-person, having her interact with items within her reach, while also (from a first-person perspective) interacting with and touching objects that Molly can’t. It sounds complex but is reasonably straightforward. You can even zoom your face into the levels and look around inside them yourself. There are moments where you go into Molly’s perspective to use either a slingshot, a lever, or a lantern which can reveal puzzle hints. This is a standout feature, because I know VR games that either exclusively involve first-person interaction or a top-down view. Never have I seen a game that takes a creative approach to both. One last note: as you discover new chapters and rooms, they are always visible to you. Looking down, you can see every room you have been to, like little dioramas from an eagle’s eye view.
What you do through gameplay is pretty standard. You solve puzzles that help Molly progress further and find collectibles. The collectibles require you to look around with your own eyes, not fiddling with camera controls, and help piece together photos that contain Molly’s memories. Some challenges utilize hand movements with the controls, like writing your name on paper. It is somewhat finicky since it’s grabbing and holding a pencil with a controller, not your fingers. Still, they are all easy to solve or find. There weren’t any puzzles that stood out for being difficult or unorthodox. There are moments where you run into tarot cards that let you make micro-decisions for the character of Molly herself, but they don’t affect the story in the long term.
I have only encountered one technical issue where the camera would sometimes ascend upwards without input. However, after going back to hear the music more thoroughly, I haven’t experienced this problem.
With that said, Cortopia Studios have made a spectacular VR game. Primarily, this is due to how they meld both first- and third-person views, which is an unexpected way to play any game – at least for me. Escaping Wonderland proves that VR has much potential yet to be explored, and I want more of this type of game.
Our Verdict:
Escaping Wonderland is a distinctive VR game that creatively fuses first- and third-person gameplay perspectives while telling a psychological yet hopeful story through dialogue and presentation. While varied and suitable, the music often fades into the background, and the quality of the voicework varies. The puzzles and collectibles are entertaining and relatively easy. If you own a Meta Quest and want to try a rare experience, this is the game to play.
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