We can learn a lot from history. We can learn where we have come from to the techniques that have been used to make the most well-known places still relevant today. It gives us a chance to learn and build upon that knowledge to make a better place for all to live not only for today but for tomorrow as well. But does developer, VRMonkey show us the 7 wonders of the world in a new way? Let’s find out with 7VR Wonders for PCVR.
7VR Wonders is a VR-education experience that allows you to explore the 7 wonders of the old world in an immersive and high fidelity from the comfort of your own home. So before leaving the present day and experiencing some history, there are a few things that you will want to be aware of. For one, find your favorite place to site. Second, make sure your controllers are fully charged. You don’t want to visit a pyramid or temple and not be able to move around only to be stuck in the past? And finally, just set some time aside and enjoy the fun of Virtual Reality. With that said, let’s continue…
In 7VR Wonders, you get to visit the 7 wonders of the old world that include:
- Lighthouse of Alexandria
- Temple of Artemis
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- Great Pyramid of Giza
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- Colossus of Rhodes
- Temple of Zeus
Each wonder really doesn’t take a lot of time, but during that time, you do get the narration that helps bring you in for the experience. You do have two options for movement, the default one is more of a guided tour and the second allows you to teleport. You also have a choice of picking any wonder you would like to visit, however, if you pick The Greate Pyramid of Giza, for example, when it is done, it will move on to the next wonder experience.
When you start to really take the time to enjoy what is presented, it really is interesting to learn just some of the history of the old world. With the Colossus of Rhodes experience, we get to learn that the time with a constant state of war. In the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus experience, I learned that the tomb was built between 353 and 350 B.C. for the burial of Mausolus and stood approximately 45 meters tall.
Out of the seven wonders, just a few of them allow you to experience them on a boat while the others have you on land. I will say, there is something about the nighttime experience of the Lighthouse of Alexandria and seeing the other boats on the water that I really enjoyed while the Hanging Gardens of Babylon felt like it would be an awesome theme park ride. But it’s the experience of the Statue of Zeus where for a majority of the experience is in the dark only to have the lights of the flames that start to make things brighter to finally revealing the statue of Zeus almost a highlight for me.
Let’s talk about the graphics and sound. Keep in mind that 7VR Wonders has been out for quite a few years, but for what its’ worth, the graphics are pretty good. Being on the water at night time or walking around on horseback, really brought something to each experience. The narration I also enjoyed as it kept me engaged with each of the different experiences and wasn’t too overpowering when listening to the background sounds that really helped bring things alive.
There are a few things that I would love to see. Even though 7VR Wonders has been out for quite a few years, I think seeing what VRMonkey could do with the graphics and sound would be amazing. Almost like having an option to experience it in the original way vs the new. Second, longer experiences. Each experience is on the short side, but this is not a bad thing. In fact, after my experience, it made me want to learn even more about each of the different experiences which is really the point here. The amount of time is good for those younger family members as well as introducing someone new to what VR can be capable of. And finally, just more experiences to be a part of. Maybe that could mean a sequel or different DLC that could become available.
7VR Wonders allows us to travel back and experience the seven wonders of the old world even if they may be on the shorter side. It allows anyone with that young mind who is willing to learn to those old enough just to enjoy a part of the world’s past. Too many times mistakes over time are made, but if we just take the time to learn from history, we may not have to repeat it.
7VR Wonders is out now for the Oculus Rift/Rift S on the Oculus Store and Steam VR. A review code was provided.
To learn more about VRMonkey, please visit their site, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
In case you missed the trailer, I think I will go revisit the Statue of Zeus and take a boat ride to the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
