VR experiences these days are a dime a dozen. For over a decade, developers have been trying to transport us to somewhere stunning and mesmerizing, from detailed alien worlds to fantasy lands rife with exploration opportunities. Kayak VR: Mirage set out to do one thing, and it did it well: create a realistic kayak experience in VR, but it ended up delivering so much more in the process.
I began my VR experience with the Oculus DK1, a developer kit created specifically for developers to design virtual reality games for the headset’s inevitable consumer version. It was janky, barely ran on my PC, and was a mess to set up. But it worked, and what we got in that introduction to the virtual reality we have now was amazing to behold, regardless of how limited the features were. Back then the main idea was to “show people something they haven’t seen before, because you can.”
Years passed, technologies improved, and finally, we have the modern headsets we have today. Many more people use VR, but it seems like it still doesn’t make sense to focus on recreating real experiences when most users are trying to escape reality, which explains the influx of zombie shooters and rhythm music games involving lightsabers. So, where does an experience like Kayak VR: Mirage fit into this virtual ecosystem? Well, it’s somewhere between real and surreal, and in doing so, this game offered me a unique way to overcome my own personal fears.
Kayak VR: Mirage presents a unique opportunity to navigate through beautiful, nearly photorealistic vistas with a double-bladed paddle and a kayak. Some scenes are tight spaces where you have to put your rowing skills to the test, whereas others are wide-open and spacious, which require a bit more force to move around. You move by physically rowing on either side with your paddle, and the physicality of the experience is expanded by being able to push yourself off of surfaces such as rocks and ice.
As someone afraid of open water, this game gave me an experience of the sport without fear of tipping over. The realistic visuals and the minimal interface created an immersive experience that helped me overcome my fears while feeling like I was truly there. It’s hard to overstate how significant that is for someone who shares this anxiety and it is one of the reasons I was drawn to play it over and over again.
The four available scenes have three modes: free-roam, tour, or race. Free-roam is exactly as it sounds and allows a player to freely row around the area and find optional tasks, such as rescuing inflatables for currency points that can be spent in the store for unique custom items such as hats and different paddle cosmetics. Tour mode provides a controller-free means to view all that each area offers, propelled by an unseen force, and is a stress-free and relaxing way to take it all in without breaking a sweat. Finally, Race mode summons gates to navigate through, attempting to break records and earn yourself a spot on the leaderboards.
There is plenty of content for those looking for it, but the reason behind owning and playing this game is the experience and relaxation of gawking at gorgeous scenery while moving through it at your own pace. The graphics are easily some of the best I’ve seen in VR, and the physics and audio push that sense of realism to a whole new level, whether it is interacting with objects and the world with your paddle or seeing the ripple of the water splashing around your kayak and the paddle itself.
Kayak VR: Mirage is an excellent choice for those looking for something new or showcasing what virtual reality can accomplish. It’s fun, beautiful, and more importantly, transportive, and it feels like you are actually there. Especially for those with thalassophobia, it might just be a way to overcome that life-long fear and explore more in real life because of it.
