Of Lies and Rain has officially arrived in early access, offering players a story-driven VR adventure set in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by machines. We spent several hours with the game on Quest 3, and it left us gasping—sometimes literally.
A War-Torn World Against A.D.E.
The story begins after a devastating twenty-year war against a rogue AI known as A.D.E.. Humanity has been forced underground, clinging to scraps of civilization while the surface belongs to machines.
You awaken above ground, only to discover that you are not human at all—you are a mysterious “data form” with no memory of your past. A guiding voice pushes you forward, challenging you to face A.D.E. while slowly recovering fragments of your history.
Exploring The Data World
One of the game’s standout mechanics is the ability to shift into a secondary realm called the Data World. These sequences blend combat, puzzles, and aerial traversal in creative ways.
For example, a locked door in the overworld can be bypassed by diving into the Data World, clearing a digital firewall, and returning to find the path open. In another moment, a collapsed bridge is restored by completing a challenge inside the Data World.
Movement here is exhilarating—using a gravity gun, you’re flung across wide chasms, soaring toward pulsating forms and elevated platforms. The combat and high-flying traversal are reminiscent of arcade-style shooters like SWARM 2, with plenty of opportunities to reposition mid-fight for the perfect angle.
Atmosphere & Visuals On Quest 3
Visually, Of Lies and Rain is impressive on Quest 3. Environments carry the industrial grit of a ruined world, though the game isn’t without flaws. At times, flat lighting robs rooms of depth, textures look low-quality, and props occasionally jitter or glitch. Physics bugs also appear—bodies getting stuck in walls, enemies clipping through the environment—but these are expected in an early access release.
The sound design deserves a special mention. Ambient mechanical groans and the distant scuttling of AI creatures create constant unease. But nothing stands out more than the game’s toxic rain sequences. For nearly an hour, I trudged through a metallic downpour while my character audibly gasped for breath every few seconds. The experience was unsettling and immersive, though at times overwhelming. An option to tone down this effect in comfort settings would be welcome.
Combat & Upgrades
Combat begins slowly, often resembling a walking simulator in the first hour. Encounters with ground-based machines feel basic at first, but things escalate once drones enter the mix. These long, spindly enemies force you to think strategically—ducking behind cover, leaning around corners, and timing your shots carefully.
Weapon upgrades transform the experience. The upgrade spheres you encounter allow you to spend red cubes (GPUs) to improve your weapons, gear, and character abilities. Picking up the shotgun and investing in accuracy upgrades makes combat significantly more satisfying.
While enemy animations can look stiff and repetitive, the slower-paced combat style emphasizes positioning and resource management rather than pure reflexes. Environmental hazards like toxic gas zones add an extra layer of tension.
Early Access Impressions
Developer Castello plans to keep the game in early access for up to a year. The main storyline and core mechanics are already implemented, but optimization and polish are still ongoing. On Quest 3, players can choose refresh rates of 72, 80, 90, and even 120Hz, though higher-end platforms like PC VR and PS VR2 will feature improved visuals, shadows, and effects.
If you prefer polished, bug-free experiences, it may be wise to wait. But for those who enjoy being part of a game’s development journey, Of Lies and Rain already delivers a unique VR adventure that blends exploration, puzzles, and combat into something worth experiencing.
Final Thoughts
Despite its rough edges, Of Lies and Rain offers one of the more memorable VR worlds we’ve explored recently. The mix of overworld exploration, puzzle-solving, and thrilling Data World traversal feels fresh, while the upgrade system keeps progression engaging.
The suffocating rain, eerie sound design, and bleak industrial landscapes create an atmosphere that lingers long after you take off the headset. If the developers continue polishing and optimizing, this could become a must-play VR title.
