Platform reviewed: Meta Quest (2)
Price: $19.99
It's not often that I get to experience a game on both console and VR, but Terra Alia provided just that opportunity. This RPG aims to educate players in a new language, and it has incorporated several effective language learning enhancements. However, some elements didn't quite carry over smoothly into the VR format.
The story in both versions is the same. The narrative unfolds in a captivating blend of sci-fi and fantasy, set in an alternate universe where the realms of magic and science seamlessly intertwine. To cast spells, I must learn them in a different language, as some mysterious evil force has disabled the magic in my native language, and but didn’t take away the magic in other languages. The game offers a selection of languages to choose from, adding a layer of depth and replay value. I opted for French again, inspired by my wife who has been honing her French skills on Duolingo for several years. This presented a unique opportunity to compare my linguistic abilities with her real-world application. As it turns out, my wife's French is superior, yet the game allowed me to engage her in specific magical vocabulary. Interestingly, I occasionally encountered magical terms unfamiliar to her, likely because Duolingo’s everyday scenarios rarely require discussing wizardry.
In contrast to the console edition, the VR iteration of the game requires verbal repetition of learned words, which adds to the learning. Advancing in the game involves pointing at various objects, listening to their names pronounced in French, and then attempting to replicate the pronunciation. The system effectively assesses the accuracy of my spoken words. It became abundantly apparent that my French pronunciation needed considerable improvement.
Another engaging method for expanding my vocabulary involves discovering loot boxes, combat, and puzzles hidden throughout the game. By completing challenges or locating these boxes, I encounter various English words, prompting me to select the correct French equivalent to unlock them. Inside each box, I find items that assist me in my quests; however, these items do not alter my character's appearance. Unlike the console version, where I had the opportunity to customize my character's look, this VR experience doesn't allow for such personalization, which makes sense given that I don’t actually see my character.
There have been plenty of times when I needed to articulate complete sentences to advance my character, bypass an obstacle, or access hidden treasures. These moments proved to be the most challenging, often leaving me frustrated when I struggled to speak the sentences correctly. While the game excels at introducing new nouns, it falls short in teaching verbs and the construction of meaningful sentences; the only practice provided is through repetitive prompts on the screen. Although there was an option to skip these challenging parts, I felt that doing so would undermine my overall gaming experience.
Another issue I encountered was related to collision boxes. I found rooms with exits that were intended to be blocked off; however, when I walked through one of the doors, I became trapped in a “void.” Unable to escape, I had no choice but to reset my game. This experience taught me to be cautious and avoid straying too far from the established paths.
Final Score: B+
I am impressed by the developers' ability to adapt the console version of this game into a compelling VR experience. The inclusion of speech recognition to evaluate my spoken words enhanced the language learning aspect. Although there were some technical glitches that slightly marred my overall rating, I generally enjoyed the experience. While this game won't make you fluent in a new language, it offers a fun and unique approach to language acquisition.
Review code provided by Jesus Fabre.
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