Some games hook you with action, others with mystery—but Echoes of Mora pulls you in with water. This upcoming VR narrative puzzler from Selkies Interactive places you in the depths of a cursed lake, asking you to uncover a tragic mystery wrapped inside a world of shimmering dreams.
At the center of the story is Mora, a curious young girl whose brother Dario vanishes into the lake, never to return. Taking on the role of a silent, ethereal observer, you explore underwater dioramas to uncover fragments of the past. By piecing together these memories, you slowly inch closer to understanding what happened—and whether Mora’s brother can be saved.
Swimming Like Never Before in VR
Before you can dive into solving puzzles, Echoes of Mora teaches you how to swim. Movement is surprisingly true-to-life. Unlike most VR games that keep you tethered to flat movement, here you glide in every direction—forward, backward, and even vertically.
Using the triggers, your hands form a semi-cupped swimming position, and a simple breaststroke-like pull moves you forward. At first, it feels unusual, but once you get into rhythm, it becomes second nature. For more precise movement, you can also grab onto rocks or surfaces using controller grips to pull yourself through tighter spaces.
Selkies Interactive has also revealed plans for PC–VR cross-saves, so you’ll eventually be able to jump between desktop play and VR without losing progress. Perfect for when your arms start to feel the workout of all that virtual swimming.
Fragments, Echoes, And Memories
Gameplay in Echoes of Mora revolves around collecting glowing purple Fragments scattered throughout the environment. Each one is inserted into mystical Echoes—golden portals that open up past memories. Stepping into these Echoes lets you relive key story moments that expand the lore, humanize characters, and deepen your connection with Mora and her brother.
During my demo, I uncovered five Fragments hidden behind puzzle challenges. Some were simple to spot thanks to shimmering fish guiding me in their direction, while others required more effort—like opening boxes or solving object-based riddles. Interactable items are clearly marked with a neon-purple highlight, making exploration more approachable.
Puzzles: Accessible But Light
While the puzzles are enjoyable, they lean on the simpler side. One challenge had me reconstructing a marble bust from limited parts, while another involved searching a house to spell out Mora’s name with letter blocks. They provide a sense of discovery but won’t fully satisfy those looking for a deep, mind-bending puzzle experience.
That said, their accessibility ties into the game’s emotional core. Each puzzle solved feels rewarding, not because it’s a brain-teaser, but because it unlocks new narrative threads—moments that make you care more about Mora, Dario, and the world around them.
A Dreamy Journey Worth Diving Into
From the glowing orbs to the surreal underwater environments, Echoes of Mora captures a rare atmosphere—one part mystery, one part dream. It may not be the toughest puzzler out there, but it has enough emotional weight and visual wonder to make it a unique VR experience worth watching.
Echoes of Mora is coming soon and is currently available to try in demo form. You’ll be able to play it on Steam (PC VR), Oculus , and other PC VR platforms at launch.
