Human Within may not be a complete VR game, but it certainly offers more engagement than your average interactive fiction. It skillfully combines aspects of both genres, moving fluidly between immersive virtual reality gameplay and carefully crafted 360-degree live-action sequences where players can influence the story with their choices. Interestingly, this game uses cutting-edge technology to explore the possible dangers of technological progress.
Human Within introduces an innovative technology that enables people to tap into the full potential of their brains by uploading their consciousness into a digital space. Players embody Linh, specifically her digitized consciousness following this upload. This allows them to traverse cyberspace and interact with live-action scenes as the story develops. In an interview with Game Rant, creative director Avi Winkler and director Anne Weigel discussed the creative process behind the game.
How Human Within Blends VR and Live-Action
Human Within tells its story through engaging 360-degree live-action scenes, often shot in a single take. These sequences are made even more intriguing by their choice-driven nature, where players’ actions lead to various outcomes. However, a key challenge the team faced was adjusting camera angles during these scenes, which can be uncomfortable for those in virtual reality. Winkler explained how Human Within navigates this challenge.
The dialogue system in Human Within presents several benefits. With choices determined by where the player looks instead of a typical dialogue wheel like in Dragon Age, the camera can seamlessly transition to a focal point, making the experience feel more natural. This also acts as a form of feedback, signaling to the player that they have made a choice and boosting their sense of agency.
Human Within’s Story Enables Its Gameplay
While Human Within has a captivating story on its own, it also serves as an excellent platform for a story-driven VR game that can explore a range of perspectives. Winkler mentioned that the unique mix of live-action and digital scenes in Human Within brings forth new narrative and experiential viewpoints.
Human Within offers a unique take on storytelling through its live-action scenes, presenting a dual perspective. Visually, players are immersed in a live-action format, while narratively, they explore their character’s history and shape their backstory. When not in these scenes, players find themselves in the present, where Linh exists as a digital consciousness. This interactive approach allows players to confront the consequences of their past decisions, creating a captivating connection between the scenes that enhances the overall narrative. It’s intriguing to see how the story itself plays a crucial role in shaping the Human Within experience.