XING: The Land Beyond

Zenbane · September 2017

This evening I purchased, XING: The Land Beyond, and instantly fell in love with this puzzle-solving world.

XING: The Land Beyond is an atmospheric first-person puzzle-adventure game for the PC, PS4 and Virtual Reality, and set in the afterlife. Gameplay involves exploration, solving environment-based puzzles and gaining/using powers such as rain and snow to progress through levels.

Spiritualism, mysticism and logic come together in the land of XING, where you will traverse mountains, deserts, forests, volcanoes and more.

I just completed the first environment, and I can't wait to explore the rest. I'm naturally drawn to these types of games due to their ties to the Myst and Obduction genre. If you're a puzzle solving fan like me, then this is a must-have for your VR Library.

Some general feedback about the game:

Movement is full locomotion in a unique way: Oculus Touch triggers are used to control movement, Touch controller positioning is used to control speed and direction.
The player can "jump" over obstacles, which isn't very common in these types of games. While simple, this feature does add some unique flavor to the puzzle-solving experience.
Some of the gameplay environments remind me of Esper 2 (another great VR puzzle game)
The game fluctuates between a cartoon-like state to sequences that are quite stunning, the likes of Call of the Starseed and Chronos.

I wouldn't say that the game is a full AAA experience, but it is pretty damn close!

Links:
http://xingthegame.com/
https://www.oculus.com/experiences/rift/1012092142167066/

pjenness · September 2017

Hiya

Decided to give this a go. Am finding some oddities with the menu and settings.

I want to be as free walking as possible so in VR settings turned on the joystick mode.. however accidently hi the pixel sampling option and now everything is completely pixellated, and I cant revert it, even after restarting.

Yikes!!

Seems like a good looking game, and I lovef Myst...so want to try

Cheers

-P

Zenbane · September 2017

Oh that sucks! Does it let you change the settings back? If not... uninstall then re-install

I'm gonna get started on the second "world" tomorrow.

Star-lizard · September 2017

How does this compare to games like the Robertson's

Zenbane · September 2017

Robinson's has a stronger AAA feel:

A very detailed storyline with 2 side-kicks accompanying you, a robot and a dinosaur.
Both side-kicks play crucial roles in the adventure/puzzle aspects of the game
There is a large list of Unlocks that range from personal leisure time (playing basketball, teaching your dinosaur new tricks), to research and filling up your gallery, to finding hidden quests
There are stories within stories; the story you create as the main character, but also the stories unlocked by the electronic recording devices found throughout the game

To me the biggest difference is that Robinson's is more about "exploration" whereas Xing is more about mental fortitude.

Robinson's leans more towards Tomb Raider style adventure/puzzle, whereas Xing leans heavily towards Myst/Obduction: the player aint exploring a damn thing until their brain solves some challenging mysteries.

Star-lizard · September 2017

Ok Thanks , I haven't played many games so kind of new to all of this. My first game has been elite dangerous and I'm still trying to figure out what I like

Zenbane · September 2017

@Star-lizard - which of your current VR games are your favorite?

Star-lizard · September 2017

Zenbane said:

@Star-lizard - which of your current VR games are your favorite?

So far I'd say Robo Recall and elite dangerous (elite demands all your free time) , however I find nearly all my games are similar , I have the games from the summer salelike dead and burried, farlands etc , then I have the climb, I like it but I keep hitting the" A " button when trying to jump causing me to get frustrated, Superhot VR, Valkyrie, Ever Space, Ripcoil, Apollo 11. For the most part I find most are shooters. There is nothing wrong with that other than the fact most are shooters. I don't really have a variety so that's why I am curious about games like the Robertson's, Lone echo , and xing

Morgrum · September 2017

It looks pretty cool I would give it a shot...... When I get free time to play games again * sigh*

Pablito · September 2017

Thumbs up for Xing! Not quite as detailed as, "Abduction" but certainly beautiful enough, with perfect scale and story depth. Made it through the first part(tropical beach scene)- the next is a house in a forest. Can't wait to explore!

Zenbane · September 2017

And it's full Locomotion; right up your ally Mr. Pablito

I finished the 2nd world yesterday. Going to attempt the 3rd tonight.

Pablito · September 2017

Zenbane said:

And it's full Locomotion; right up your ally Mr. Pablito

I finished the 2nd world yesterday. Going to attempt the 3rd tonight.

Yea, locomotion- super happy with that! VR loves me once again.

Pablito · September 2017

Recently Nintendo commented on how in their view, VR hasn't offered any truly "Fun" experiences. To be fair, Nintendo has sort of cornered the market in the "fun video gaming" market, however....

https://uploadvr.com/nintendo-says-isnt-lot-vr-thats-truly-fun/

I played what I consider to be the Asian themed part of Xing and made it to the final, and tallest totem poll and I gotta say, this game is not only immersive, beautiful, well orchestrated and thoughtfully narrated, it truly FUN!

FUN FUN FUN! The music keeps pace with the environmental obstacles which are challenging but not too difficult(coming from a guy that hasn't even finished two full levels... this might change). This game strikes a rare, satisfying balance between Audio/video immersion, story telling and puzzle solving. When I finish a portion of this game, I feel like I've been working for "the corporation" from home in the late evening for long hours and I've just found a way to save $100,000 bucks before earnings are due out. That's how good I feel after playing this game... a total joy! Nintendo should give careful consideration for what the developers at, " White Lotus Interactive, LLC" have accomplished.

Zenbane · October 2017

I finished the 3rd world last night, and I'm half way through the 4th one - which is a vast dessert region. And whoowheee this 4th world is mighty challenging. I spent about an hour just on one puzzle trying to complete the main challenge for the primary quest, and the extra challenge for the bonus "letter" quests.

I'm excited to hit the endgame and all unlocks.

Zenbane · October 2017

Update:

I'm still loving this game; each world gets more and more impressive. I have completed the 4 primary worlds, and received my "ascension key." I am now in the ascension world which managed to take things up a notch. Entirely new devices, mechanics, and new ways to solve puzzles. It's rather impressive for a game to continue to push the envelope as the player progresses in this way, even up to the final stage.

Here I thought once I ascended that I would see a Cinematic game ending. Instead I'm greeted with another 2+ hours of challenging puzzles using objects and strategies that were not previously encountered. Fantastic stuff.

I should probably point out that this is still within the realm of an Esper style puzzle game mixed with a Myst/Obduction environment.

I've easily clocked over 10 hours with Xing. Based on where I'm at now, and the fact that I missed a small number of secrets for unlocks, I'd say that this game can average 12-16 hours on the first playthrough.

Pablito · October 2017

Zenbane said:

Update:

I'm still loving this game; each world gets more and more impressive. I have completed the 4 primary worlds, and received my "ascension key." I am now in the ascension world which managed to take things up a notch. Entirely new devices, mechanics, and new ways to solve puzzles. It's rather impressive for a game to continue to push the envelope as the player progresses in this way, even up to the final stage.

Here I thought once I ascended that I would see a Cinematic game ending. Instead I'm greeted with another 2+ hours of challenging puzzles using objects and strategies that were not previously encountered. Fantastic stuff.

I should probably point out that this is still within the realm of an Esper style puzzle game mixed with a Myst/Obduction environment.

I've easily clocked over 10 hours with Xing. Based on where I'm at now, and the fact that I missed a small number of secrets for unlocks, I'd say that this game can average 12-16 hours on the first playthrough.

You're right! This game keeps finding a way to "one-up" itself. Just when you think the best has come and gone, it takes you to a new level and blows your mind! This is a gold experience.

Zenbane · October 2017

I finally beat the game; it's getting a 5-start review from me on OH.

My favorite location was the Ascension area, here's a bridge view screenshot:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6024342/uploads/editor/uc/mxawbl5fe6ns.jpg

The ending credits take the form of an environment in itself, very cool:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6024342/uploads/editor/00/sdmsdtdkpjux.jpg

The fella responsible for these challenging puzzles.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6024342/uploads/editor/1q/l0rk8vpg79hq.jpg

This was the hardest of all the "letter unlocks" for me (optional puzzle/secrets in the game):

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6024342/uploads/editor/q8/ccd96lqsgf2l.jpg

cero490 · October 2017

Have been wondering if this game would live up to expectations, though from what I have seen here, it delivers. Thanks for the honest feedback, it has helped me to make up my mind! Adding this sweet title to my own collection.

XING: The Land Beyond

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