Biolum

Biolum is a VR horror-adventure game set in a sci-fi oceanic abyss where players assume the role of diver Rachael, exploring the depths alongside her expedition leader Eva. The narrative unfolds as Rachael discovers terrifying extra-terrestrial bio-luminescent parasites infecting the ocean’s flora and fauna, creating a tense, real-time cinematic experience designed for motion-controlled interaction within a limited 25-minute journey.

Biolum: A Deep Dive into a Bioluminescent Nightmare

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of virtual reality storytelling, Biolum (2021) stands as a unique experiment—a 30-minute sci-fi horror experience that blurs the lines between film and interactive media. Directed by Abel Kohen and co-written with Jon Rowe, Biolum immerses players in an underwater expedition gone horribly wrong, where bioluminescent parasites threaten both the ocean’s ecosystem and the sanity of its explorers. This review will dissect Biolum across its narrative, technical, and artistic dimensions, ultimately assessing its place in the canon of VR storytelling.

Development History & Context

Biolum was developed by a collaborative effort between IKO, Reynard Films, and Prefrontal Cortex, with distribution handled by Astrea Immersive. The project emerged from Abel Kohen’s earlier Reddit animations of bioluminescent creatures, which served as a visual foundation for the story. Jon Rowe, a television writer with experience in immersive media, joined to refine the narrative, drawing inspiration from sci-fi classics like Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Independence Day.

The game was designed with VR in mind, leveraging Unity to create an immersive underwater environment. Unlike traditional games, Biolum prioritizes cinematic storytelling over gameplay, offering only “light interactivity” to avoid disrupting the narrative flow. This approach was a deliberate choice, as Rowe explained in interviews, to ensure the experience remained emotionally engaging without requiring complex mechanics.

At the time of its release in December 2021, VR storytelling was still in its infancy, with titles like Half-Life: Alyx pushing the boundaries of what was possible. Biolum arrived as a more modest but equally ambitious project, aiming to deliver a high-quality narrative experience in a fraction of the time.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot Summary

Biolum follows Rachel, a fearless deep-sea diver, and her expedition leader, Eva, a renowned marine scientist voiced by Charlotte Rampling. Their mission is to explore the ocean’s abyss, but they soon discover that bioluminescent parasites are infecting marine life, creating grotesque hybrid creatures. As Rachel becomes infected, she must confront not only the physical threat but also the psychological horror of losing control of her own body.

Characters & Dialogue

• Rachel (Dominique Tipper): The protagonist, whose bravery and curiosity drive the story. Her performance conveys both excitement and terror as she descends into madness.
• Eva (Charlotte Rampling): A cold, calculating scientist with a hidden agenda. Rampling’s delivery adds gravitas to the character, hinting at deeper layers of deception.

The dialogue is sparse but impactful, with Rowe and Kohen carefully crafting exchanges that reveal character dynamics without over-explaining. The relationship between Rachel and Eva is particularly compelling, as their professional bond fractures under the weight of betrayal.

Themes

• Existential Horror: The parasites represent an alien force that rewrites biology, forcing Rachel to question her own identity.
• Betrayal & Trust: Eva’s true motives add a layer of psychological tension, making the horror more personal.
• The Unknown: The deep sea serves as a metaphor for the vast, unknowable mysteries of the universe.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Biolum is an on-rails VR experience, meaning players have limited agency over movement. The primary interaction involves using a flashlight to illuminate bioluminescent creatures, though this is largely scripted. The lack of meaningful gameplay may frustrate traditional gamers, but it aligns with the developers’ vision of a cinematic journey.

Strengths

• Immersive Sound Design: Spatial audio enhances the underwater atmosphere, making every creak of the submarine and whisper of the parasites feel visceral.
• Minimalist UI: The interface is nearly invisible, allowing players to focus on the environment and story.

Weaknesses

• Limited Interactivity: Some players may feel cheated by the lack of meaningful choices or actions.
• Technical Issues: Early reviews noted bugs, such as controller input not registering or split-screen issues in VR.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Direction

The game’s art style is strikingly realistic, with meticulously detailed bioluminescent creatures and eerie underwater lighting. The deep-sea environment is both beautiful and unsettling, evoking the wonder and dread of the unknown.

Sound Design

The soundtrack is minimal but effective, using ambient noise to build tension. The spatial audio ensures that every sound—whether a distant whale call or the skittering of parasites—feels immersive.

Reception & Legacy

At launch, Biolum received a 69% critic score on MobyGames, with reviewers praising its atmosphere but criticizing its lack of interactivity. However, player reception was more positive, with an 83/100 score on Steambase and an “Very Positive” rating on Steam.

The game won several awards, including:
– SXSW Audience Award (VR Competition)
– NewImages Prix UniFrance
– Geneva International Film Festival Future is Sensible Award

Its influence can be seen in later VR titles that prioritize narrative over gameplay, such as The Last Labyrinth and Gloomy Eyes VR.

Conclusion

Biolum is a flawed but fascinating experiment in VR storytelling. While its lack of interactivity may alienate some players, its atmospheric world-building, strong performances, and thematic depth make it a memorable experience. It stands as a testament to the potential of VR as a storytelling medium, even if it doesn’t fully realize its ambitions.

Final Verdict: A 7.5/10—worth experiencing for its narrative and atmosphere, but not a must-play for everyone.