Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality asks players to live through the daily life of a regular human, not a space hero. That is a strange request for a game about a man who can build portals and travel across galaxies. The 2017 release from Owl Planet and Unity puts players inside a suburban house, not on a distant planet, and it expects them to cook, clean, and occasionally fight a giant monster. The result is a mixed bag of ideas that mostly work together, even when the execution falls short.
Trailer, via IGDBcom.
The Rick Who Walks Among Us
The premise is simple. Players take on the role of a regular person living in a normal house, while Rick Sanchez, the titular mad scientist, lives upstairs and occasionally causes trouble. The game runs on Steam VR and PSVR, letting players move through rooms, pick up objects, and interact with the world around them. It is a walking simulator at heart, but with a twist: the player’s actions matter, even if the game rarely tells them why.
Rick is the draw. He is rude, brilliant, and completely uninterested in anyone else’s feelings. He walks through the house, mutters to himself, and occasionally throws a portal gun at a problem. His presence is constant, and he makes the house feel alive in ways few other VR games manage. Morty, the player’s companion, is less interesting, mostly serving as a punching bag for Rick’s jokes.
Cooking and Cleaning
The bulk of the game is mundane. Players wash dishes, make food, and sweep floors. These tasks are simple, but they are also surprisingly absorbing. The game rewards patience, and the sense of accomplishment from a clean kitchen is real. It is a small pleasure, but it carries the early hours.
There is a rhythm to the day. Players wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, and then either start work or look for a portal to jump through. The routine is broken up by random events, like a neighbor knocking on the door or a strange creature appearing in the backyard. These moments are brief, but they add texture to the otherwise quiet world.
Combat and the Giant Monster
Combat is where Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality stumbles. The game offers a weapon, but the shooting mechanics are awkward. Enemies are large and slow, and the game often telegraphs their attacks. The fights are not fun, but they are necessary. Players cannot progress without defeating them, and the frustration builds over time.
The giant monster is the worst offender. It appears out of nowhere, destroys the house, and forces players to flee. The encounter is chaotic, and it feels out of place in a game that spent hours building a sense of calm. It is a letdown, and it leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
Exploration and the Multiverse
Exploration is the game’s strongest feature. Players can leave the house and walk through a multiverse of alternate realities. Each reality is a different version of the same neighborhood, with small changes that reflect different choices. One might be cleaner, another dirtier, and another completely abandoned. The variety is impressive, and it gives players a reason to keep looking.
The portal system is clever. Players can build portals and link them together, creating shortcuts between faraway places. It is a simple idea, but it opens up the world in unexpected ways. Players can visit a beach, a forest, or a desert, and each place feels distinct. The game rewards curiosity, and it encourages players to explore beyond the main path.
Sound Design and Atmosphere
The sound design is excellent. The house creaks, the fridge hums, and the wind blows outside. These small details make the world feel lived-in, even when nothing is happening. The music is sparse, but it adds to the mood. It is a quiet game, and the audio does a lot of work.
The lighting is also strong. The game uses shadows and color to create a sense of depth, and it makes the house feel warm and inviting. It is a small touch, but it matters. The visual style is cartoonish, but it is detailed enough to hold attention. The characters are expressive, and their animations sell their personalities.
Performance and Technical Issues
The performance is inconsistent. On PC, the frame rate drops during busy scenes, and the game stutters when too many objects are on screen. On PSVR, the issues are worse. The headset struggles with the game’s complexity, and the experience is choppy. Both versions suffer from pop-in, where objects appear suddenly as the player approaches them.
The controls are standard for the time. Players move with teleportation, which means they appear instantly from one spot to another. It is a common method, but it takes some getting used to. The game also supports motion controllers, which adds precision to interactions. It is a small comfort, but it helps.
Length and Replay Value
The game is short. It takes about three hours to finish, and the main story ends quickly. There are side quests and collectibles, but they do not add much to the experience. The game is best played in short sessions, since it requires a lot of physical movement. Sitting still for too long becomes uncomfortable.
The replay value is limited. There are multiple endings, but they are minor variations on the same story. Players who want to see everything will need to backtrack and try different choices, but the game does not encourage exploration. It is a one-and-done experience, and it does not ask for much after the credits roll.
Score
Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality earns a 7.2 out of 10. The game is a mixed bag of ideas that mostly work together, even when the execution falls short. The combat and the giant monster encounter are the weakest parts, but they are also the most memorable failures. They show what the game could have been, and they leave players wanting more. That is a rare compliment, even if it is not the one the game asked for.
The game is available on Steam VR and PSVR, and it remains a curiosity in the VR library. It is a game about a man who can build portals and a world he refuses to understand. It is a game about a house that feels lived-in and a routine that feels real. It is a game that tries to be something more than it is, and it mostly succeeds. It is a game worth remembering, even if it is not a game worth returning to.
Key Facts
– Title: Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality
– Developer: Owl Planet
– Publisher: Unity
– Platforms: Steam VR, PSVR
– Release: 2017
– Length: About 3 hours
– Score: 7.2/10
The game is a reminder that ambition is not the same as quality. Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality wants to be a lot of things, and it manages to be a few of them well. It is a game that does not demand attention, but it holds it anyway. It is a game that is easy to put down and hard to forget. It is a game that captures a moment in VR history, and it does so with a sense of humor and a willingness to try something new.
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