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I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine: Everything You Should Know

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I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine returns to the series’ lethal spy-training rooms with another batch of seated VR escape puzzles. Every mission is a compact comedy of gadgets, traps, disguises, and objects that probably should not be touched—but absolutely will be.

I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine at a Glance

  • Status: Released
  • Release date: Sep 28, 2023
  • Developer: Schell Games
  • Publisher: Schell Games
  • Genres: Action, Adventure, Simulation
  • Steam platforms: Windows
  • Modes: Single-player only; a compatible VR headset is required.
  • Controls: Keyboard and mouse on PC.

Storyline and Setting

The Agency calls its star operative back when former inventor Dr. Roxana Prism begins building machine agents she believes are superior to humans. Her campaign intersects with Dr. Zor and sends the player through six elaborate spy-fi locations filled with gadgets, traps and lethal surprises.

Gameplay and Core Systems

You manipulate the environment with your hands and telekinetic implant, combining clues and items while experimenting through repeated, often spectacular deaths. Missions reward observation and lateral thinking, and optional objectives give experienced agents reasons to replay them.

Each seated VR mission is a physical escape room. Players manipulate props with their hands and telekinetic implant, combine clues, wear disguises and learn through spectacular failures. Missions are self-contained but connected by the espionage story, and optional objectives reward replay. It is single-player and requires a SteamVR- or Meta PC-compatible headset; there is no flatscreen mode or artificial locomotion-heavy campaign.

Art, Audio, and Atmosphere

The series' polished 1960s-spy parody returns through elaborate gadgets, theatrical villainy, compact sets, and reactive physical comedy. Objects are readable in VR and rooms are dense without becoming visual clutter. Voice performances deliver instructions and taunts while spatial audio helps locate mechanisms, making presentation part of the puzzle rather than decoration around it.

Campaign, Progression, and Replayability

Each operation is a self-contained escape-room scenario with a clear objective, a dense collection of interactive props, and numerous lethal wrong answers. Failure restarts the experiment quickly, making trial, observation, and comic disaster part of the rhythm. Optional objectives, hidden details, speedier solutions, and achievement hunting reward repeat missions. It is single-player and VR-only: a headset using SteamVR or Meta PC is required, and the seated design avoids artificial walking.

Steam currently lists 16 achievements.

Multiplayer, VR, and Controller Support

Modes: Single-player only; a compatible VR headset is required. Controls: Keyboard and mouse on PC.

Release and Current Availability

I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine was released on Sep 28, 2023 by Schell Games, with Schell Games publishing. Its current PC edition is listed on Steam for Windows.

Languages and Accessibility

Steam-listed language support: English , French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish – Latin America, Traditional Chinese
languages with full audio support

Steam-listed accessibility and presentation features: Color Alternatives, Custom Volume Controls, Playable without Timed Input, Save Anytime, Subtitle Options

PC System Requirements

Minimum

  • OS: Windows 11
  • Processor: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater
  • VR Support: SteamVR or Meta PC
  • Additional Notes: Requires VR headset

Recommended

  • OS: Windows 11
  • Processor: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater
  • VR Support: SteamVR or Meta PC
  • Additional Notes: Requires VR headset

Who Should Play I Expect You to Die 3: Cog in the Machine?

It is one of the strongest fits for VR players who enjoy escape rooms, physical comedy, and puzzle solving without artificial locomotion.

Jord is acting Team Leader at gaming.net. If he isn't blabbering on in his daily listicles, then he's probably out writing fantasy novels or scraping Game Pass of all its slept on indies.