Among Us is coming to VR, and this version promises to be the most realistic and immersive version of the game yet. This game will stick to the core mechanics of teamwork and betrayal as the original game. It will also be just as intense and fun to play, except that the visuals will be in virtual reality.
Let’s explore what’s in store with this virtual reality format of the highly popular multiplayer game Among Us.
What Is Among Us?
Among Us is a group-based thriller and social deduction game created by video game company InnerSloth. InnerSloth released the original version of the game on June 15, 2018, but it failed to gain traction at the time of its release. The game would cross over to Steam about a year later, and it was only then that the game would gain recognition.
Fast forward to 2020, and Among Us has already climbed the ranks to become one of Twitch’s most recognizable party games. The game’s popularity was boosted further when famous YouTubers started streaming Among Us gaming sessions with their friends online. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in the game’s success, allowing people to socialize remotely.
The creators of Among Us took inspiration from other social dedication shooter games like Mafia or Werewolf. As multiplayer games go, a large number of people need to play, and they have to eliminate the members of the opposite team. In the case of Among Us, teamwork happens blindly, and here’s where social deduction becomes a crucial aspect of the game. Members do not know who are friends and who are foes.
The original Among Us game is completely free, and you can get it on nearly every device and platform available. There is a game version for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. The original version of the game would also have an adaptation for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and S.
Also Read: Among Us Game for PC Guide
How Does the Game Work?
Among Us is the type of game that is simply designed, fast-paced, and easy to play. The game is inherently social, with a lot of teamwork and communication required, which makes it ideal to play with friends. It also requires observational skills and deductive reasoning as you need to figure out which of your teammates are friends and which are foes. A bit of acting may also be needed, especially when you are playing as an Imposter. Overall, this is a simple yet brilliant and exciting game ideal for creating lots of fun memories with friends.
Storyline
Among Us drops players into a 2D environment where they can act as either “Crewmembers” or “Imposters.” The crewmembers work for MIRA, a tech company that tests biological weapons on clones in space. Meanwhile, sinister beings called imposters infiltrate the ship to take over operations.
The Crewmembers must accomplish tasks, such as fixing the wiring, emptying garbage, and swiping cards. They would also have to look out for other Imposters and avoid getting killed. The Crewmembers can prove their own identities to other Crewmembers by completing special tasks that the Imposters cannot. They can also use special tools like surveillance cameras to detect the Imposters.
On the other hand, the Imposters have to sabotage the efforts of the crewmembers by eliminating the latter one by one. They would have to pretend to complete the same tasks as the Crewmembers to avoid detection. One thing to note is that only Imposters can use vents to move from room to room.
Mechanics
Among Us is a multiplayer game that requires anywhere between four to ten players. The players are not required to be physically present within a single location to play the game.
The game randomly and secretly assigns each player with a role of either a crewmember or an Imposter. Players are not supposed to share their assignments with others, so each person is left to guess what everyone else’s assignments are. The game also automatically considers the total number of players and decides the appropriate ratio of imposters to crewmembers.
Locations
There are three maps available for Among Us. Gameplay can take place on the Skeld, an alien planet called Polus, or a company base called Mira HQ. Skeld is arguably the most popular location. That might have to do with the fact that the game automatically selects it as the location for each new game. Each map has a variety of locations, each of which is intended to allow crewmembers to accomplish specific tasks.
What Is Among Us VR?
The VR version of Among Us is a fresh take on the highly popular InnerSloth multiplayer game. Instead of the typical third-person, 2D version of the game, this one is in first-person and in 3D. Nonetheless, InnerSloth has already clarified that the VR version of Among Us will retain the mechanics of the original game. The only exception is that the player’s view is limited to the first-person perspective.
The VR version of Among Us was originally announced in The Game Awards 2021. Since this is a virtual reality version of Among Us, you will need to have a fully compatible VR console. In this case, we highly recommend one of the latest VR headset models, the Oculus Quest 2.
What Can We Expect with Among Us VR from the Trailer?
The reveal trailer for the VR version of Among Us premiered at The Game Awards 2021. It did not take long for the announcement to become a hot topic over the internet. You can watch the trailer from here:
The reveal trailer is less than thirty seconds long, which is not a lot of time to explore the quality of any video game. But regardless of how brief it is, it provided quite a lot of insight into the storyline and backdrop of the game. More importantly, the trailer has managed to stir audiences in the right direction in terms of demand.
The trailer gave us our first peek of the game from a first-person perspective. In the trailer, we are dropped into a room in what appears to be Skeld. We also get another crucial piece of information — while the design and color scheme are the same, the objects and their surroundings have a sense of depth to them.
InnerSloth has also stated that the game will follow the very successful mechanics of the original game. This should make it easy for non-VR players to make the transition from the original game to virtual reality.
When and Where Will Among Us VR Be Released?
InnerSloth announced plans for Among Us back in September of 2021. While there is no exact date for the release just yet, the company has stated plans to release it sometime in 2022. Fans expect the company to release additional information, including the plot and specifications soon. The production company has also announced that the game will be available on PlayStation VR, MegaQuest, and Steam.
It’s also worth noting that this particular version of Among Us results from a collaboration between three companies: InnerSloth, Shell Games, and Robot Teddy. InnerSloth initially had a three-person team, and this three-person team was responsible for creating and developing the first game. The team consisted of only one artist, developer, and animator. As it turns out, the team now has all the support they need to develop the VR version, which should indirectly drive the quality of the resulting game upwards.
Final Thoughts on Among Us VR
This is everything that we know so far about the upcoming VR adaptation of Among Us. The trailer gives us the confidence to expect the same storyline and excellent graphics enhanced by 3D rendering.
If anything, the 3D format of the game should make the game a lot more realistic and suspenseful despite the cartoon-like visuals. If you wear the right VR headset, then you should feel as though you were there. In some cases, your brain might register the game as a real memory, so it feels as life-like as possible in hindsight. In the meantime, fans of the original game will have to stick with playing Among Us through standard channels while waiting for the VR release.
