Gates of Nowhere

Gates of Nowhere is a first-person Fantasy/Horror action adventure set in a terrifying medieval dungeon, designed specifically for VR headsets like HTC Vive and Oculus. Players awaken in a dark prison, fighting grotesque enemies, solving challenging puzzles, utilizing a variety of weapons and alchemical items, and exploring four distinct levels to uncover the mystery of their imprisonment and find a way out.

Gates of Nowhere: A Comprehensive Review

Introduction

Gates of Nowhere (2017) is a forgotten gem in the virtual reality (VR) landscape, a game that dared to blend fantasy, horror, and alchemy into a first-person dungeon crawler. Developed by the indie studio Symmetrical and published by IndieGala, this title emerged during the early days of VR gaming, when the medium was still finding its footing. Despite its modest reception, Gates of Nowhere offers a rich, atmospheric experience that deserves reevaluation in the context of VR’s evolution. This review will dissect the game’s development, narrative, gameplay, and legacy, arguing that while it may not have achieved mainstream success, it remains a fascinating artifact of VR’s experimental phase.

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Development History & Context

The Studio and Its Vision

Symmetrical, a small Italian development team, sought to create a VR experience that combined the tactical depth of tabletop RPGs with the immersive horror of first-person dungeon crawlers. Inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and classic fantasy literature, they crafted Gates of Nowhere as a love letter to high-fantasy adventure, albeit without traditional magic—replacing it with alchemy and environmental interaction.

Technological Constraints and the VR Landscape

Released in August 2017 for HTC Vive and Oculus, Gates of Nowhere arrived during VR’s first major wave, alongside titles like The Climb and Resident Evil 7. The game’s reliance on motion controls and its “locoportation” system—a hybrid of teleportation and free movement—reflected the era’s experimentation with VR locomotion. However, these mechanics were not without flaws, as later reviews would highlight.

Early Access and Post-Launch Evolution

The game entered Steam Early Access in July 2018, with updates introducing new weapons, alchemical items, and bug fixes. Version 1.5 (2019) added Windows Mixed Reality support and difficulty settings, demonstrating Symmetrical’s commitment to refining the experience. Despite these efforts, the game never achieved widespread acclaim.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

Players assume the role of Lother, a Seeker searching for lost alchemical knowledge. Awakening in an abandoned prison, Lother must navigate four levels (The Awakening, Through the Dark, WaterWorks, and Inferno) to uncover the mystery behind his imprisonment. The narrative is sparse, relying on environmental storytelling and cryptic lore scattered across dungeons.

Themes and Atmosphere

• Amnesia and Discovery: Lother’s lack of memory mirrors the player’s own disorientation in VR, reinforcing the game’s immersive horror elements.
• Alchemy as Magic: The absence of traditional magic is replaced by alchemy, where players brew potions from collected ingredients—a system that adds depth to exploration.
• Isolation and Survival: The game’s dungeons are oppressive, filled with grotesque creatures (trolls, ghouls, locusts) that amplify the sense of danger.

Dialogue and Worldbuilding

Dialogue is minimal, but the world’s design speaks volumes. The prison’s decaying architecture, flickering torches, and eerie sound design create a haunting atmosphere. However, the lack of a compelling antagonist or clear narrative payoff leaves the story feeling incomplete.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

• Combat: Real-time melee and ranged combat using 10 different weapons (swords, axes, crossbows, flails). Enemies require strategic positioning and timing to defeat.
• Alchemy: Players collect ingredients to craft potions with temporary buffs (e.g., Mimesis for camouflage, Gravita for levitation).
• Puzzles: Environmental puzzles involve manipulating objects, solving riddles, and navigating traps.

Locomotion and Controls

The “locoportation” system allows players to teleport as a spectral avatar, a novel approach to VR movement. However, reviews criticized its sluggishness and lack of responsiveness, particularly in combat scenarios.

Inventory and UI

The inventory system is radial and motion-controlled, but players found it cumbersome, especially during combat. The UI is minimal, prioritizing immersion but sometimes at the cost of clarity.

Flaws and Bugs

• Technical Issues: Crashes, clipping, and locomotion freezes were common in early versions.
• Balance Problems: Some weapons felt underpowered, and enemy AI was inconsistent.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Design

• Environmental Detail: The dungeons are meticulously crafted, with textures and lighting that enhance the horror aesthetic.
• Character Design: Enemies are grotesque and varied, from skeletal warriors to monstrous trolls.

Sound Design

The soundtrack is minimal but effective, relying on ambient noise (dripping water, distant screams) to build tension. Combat sounds are impactful, but some players noted a lack of variety in enemy vocalizations.

Atmosphere

The game excels at creating a sense of dread. The combination of dim lighting, oppressive architecture, and sudden enemy encounters makes every corner feel dangerous.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Gates of Nowhere received mixed reviews (67% positive on Steam). Critics praised its visuals and atmosphere but criticized its controls and technical issues. The game won the “Best of Showcase” award at GameRome 2016 but failed to achieve commercial success.

Influence on Subsequent Games

While not a major influence, Gates of Nowhere contributed to the conversation around VR locomotion and alchemy mechanics. Its blend of fantasy and horror has echoes in later titles like The Last Clockwinder and Demeo.

Cult Following and Nostalgia

Despite its flaws, the game has developed a niche following among VR enthusiasts who appreciate its ambition and atmosphere. Its low price ($2.45 on Steam as of 2025) has made it an accessible curiosity for retro VR collectors.

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Conclusion

Gates of Nowhere is a flawed but fascinating experiment in VR storytelling. Its strengths—atmospheric design, alchemy mechanics, and horror elements—are overshadowed by technical issues and control problems. Yet, as a time capsule of early VR development, it offers valuable insights into the medium’s evolution. While it may never achieve classic status, Gates of Nowhere remains a worthy relic for those willing to explore its dark dungeons.

Final Verdict: A 3.5/5—an ambitious but imperfect VR adventure that deserves recognition as a forgotten gem of the medium’s formative years.