GreenGrass Review (PC VR)

If there was ever a time to convey a message that would convince the winds of change that forests were more than just canon fodder for lackluster thrillers, it would be now, in the form of a simple yet effective VR game that bottles virtual therapy and idolizes spiritual healing through idyllic beauty. Thankfully, we’ve a vessel that captures that very message—a ten-minute immersive experience that, while not so much of a game-game as an excuse to unveil its Unreal Engine components, enlightens you on the harmonic nature of the woodland and all its homely elements. And that’s essentially all that GreenGrass is: a “narrative-driven” walking simulator that sheds its excess weight of irrelevant gameplay in favor of a simpler, slightly more realistic journey of self discovery and tranquil adventure.

As I said, GreenGrass isn’t the bulkiest of VR games on the market, and so, to clear up any confusion, we ought to point out that, gameplay-wise, you won’t find anything more than a short fifteen minute tale. It doesn’t exactly offer anything outside of that, either — so you won’t find any hidden endings, secret NPCs, or even any branching archways to venture down to help shed light on any consequential outcomes. It doesn’t have any of that. Instead, it has a straightforward premise—a tale of solitude, nature, and the primal need to explore—and a limited amount of interactive content. If that doesn’t appeal to you in the slightest, then perhaps now’s the time to click out of this review.

Still here? Great. Then let’s take a seat by the campfire and harmonize Kumbaya to the beating sound of GreenGrass’ ambient VR entrée.

The Campfire Sings

GreenGrass takes place over three incredibly short in-game days, with each phase in the timeline consisting of short explorative actions and brief storytelling sessions. In the beginning, you have a slither of light—a campfire, no less—and a pitched tent. There are no monsters for you to fight, nor are there any impossible feats to accomplish. The oxygen is clean, and the wild is booming with the sounds of nature doing its thing. With that, your job is simple: soak up the beauty, and follow small steps to unravel a new strand in the story sequence.

The night passes, and dawn opens up to another sight—a smitten woodland of trees and fog, sun-kissed bark and a soothing breeze. You have nowhere to be, and you have nothing to do. There are no commands for you to adhere to, nor are there any threats for you to contemplate. It’s quiet, and the only thing on your radar is a small beaten path that invites you to walk and absorb nature in its purest form. This is, in short, the second day—the middle section to a three-day hiatus from the hustle and bustle of a world stricken by interference and social unrest.

The remainder of your trip is as equally relaxing as the rest, with a small litter of interactive jobs available for you to explore at your own pace, and a laid-back ambiance that’s ripe for the taking. There’s no HUD, no optional side quests, and no mission markers to pursue. It’s just you and the great outdoors. And yes — it is a game. Well, to some extent, anyway.

A Place to Rest Your Head

You could argue that GreenGrass isn’t so much a game as it is a showcase for Unreal Engine’s VR catalog. The only issue here is that, despite it taking every possible opportunity to brag about its graphics, it isn’t actually that appealing. I say this with love, of course, because it certainly captures the charm of a sunlit woodland landscape incredibly well. That said, it does also make a bold claim that its visuals are the driving force behind the experience. As it turns out, though, the visuals in question aren’t exactly great, much less memorable or capable of producing any major points of interest or spectacular effects.

It’s a bit like taking a breather from the pandemonium that buckles itself into the modern world. On the one hand, you have the chance to unwind and relax in the tranquility of a fairly photogenic forest. But on the other hand, there is only so much there for you to do in said forest, and rather disappointingly, after ten minutes or so have passed, you’re almost left to wish that there was a little more to experience before returning to reality. Another evening at the campfire; another short hike through the woods; another chance to unwind from the archaic world outside of the forest. But it doesn’t have that; it stokes the fire once, and it leaves shortly thereafter.

With all of the above said, GreenGrass is still a solid little VR game. It doesn’t instill motion sickness, nor does it suffer from any unusual graphical jitters. For a ten-minute journey, though, I’m not at all surprised by the lack of technical issues.

Verdict

GreenGrass is the sort of camping spot that you could quite easily spend a few minutes basking beside before upping sticks to turn to another, slightly more brash simulator to get your competitive kicks on the side. It isn't the lengthiest VR-focused expedition that you'll get your hands on this week, nor is it one that will stimulate an abrupt passion for the great outdoors. Having said all of that, GreenGrass does indeed make a notable effort to breathe life into a hit-or-miss concept, one that often sadly harbors more forgettable experiences than memorable ones. I can't help but praise that, to be fair.

While GreenGrass won't keep you for extra toasted marshmallows and a second hike around the duck pond, it will certainly keep you company whilst you traipse its idyllic woodland sanctuary and soak up its ambiance. It isn't much of a powerhouse entry in the virtual reality spectrum, I'll admit. But then, for as little as four or five bucks, I suppose you could certainly do a whole lot worse.