The Lab
 | “Nope, still can't see!” This page would benefit from the addition of one or more images. Please add a suitable image, then remove this notice.The specific instructions are: "Really need some in-game images. Postcards, Fetchbot, cores, Portal Sphere, etc." |
| Developer: | |
| Publisher: |
|
| Engine: | |
| Released: |
|
| Modes: |
Singleplayer |
| Genre: |
Virtual reality |
| Requirements: |
|
The Lab is a collection of virtual reality minigames released on April 5th, 2016 by Valve Corporation to show off the capabilities of the HTC Vive. The game's hub world is set in an Aperture Science Pocket Universe, specifically "Pocket Universe 08", populated by Bendies, and includes 8 different minigames to play. The minigame worlds are traveled to by using an Aperture Science Head Mounted Portal Sphere.
Minigames
Slingshot
"Begin your career as a Calibration Trainee by recklessly destroying everything in the Aperture Storage Annex using the Core Calibration slingshot."
In this game, a Core Calibration Slingshot is used to calibrate new Personality Constructs by knocking them into boxes in the Aperture Storage Annex. The gameplay is very similar to Angry Birds, in that you shoot things from a slingshot at boxes. There are 32 different cores to calibrate, voiced by Laura Bailey, Steve Blum, Phil LaMarr, Nolan North, Justin Roiland, Pendleton Ward, and Wally Wingert.
Longbow
"Use your archery skills to defend your noble castle gate from a rampaging but adorable and equally noble horde of attackers."
In this game, you must defend a castle's gateway from an army of approaching Bendies in battle armor. You can either simply shoot the attackers, or you can use burning drums of oil and a barrel of rocks to push back in the invading army. In the Appliance of Science Update, a global leaderboard was added, along with progressive difficulty.
Xortex
"Are you a bad enough dude to become a Xortex ace? Relive the golden era of gaming -- only this time, it's all around you."
Xortex is a bullet hell game where you use the motion controls to steer a spaceship, trying to avoid enemy laser blasts, and trying to shoot down the enemy. At the end of the game, there is a boss character you must defeat. Another mode added to the game in the Appliance of Science Update is Xortex Infinite, a boss free infinite run of the game with a global leaderboard. The game takes place in a sphere in the year 26XX.
Postcards
"Visit exotic, far-off locales from the comfort of your own head."
The Postcards are photogrammetry pictures of various areas that exist in real life that you can explore in VR.
Vesper Peak
Vesper Peak is a mountain in Snohomish County, Washington, U.S.
Venice
Venice is a famous city in northeastern Italy. It is famous for being a collection of 117 small islands that are connected by bridges and canals.
Raufarholshellir
Raufarholshellir is a lava cave in Iceland. It is a popular Icelandic tourist attraction.
Snæfellsjökull
Snæfellsjökull is a stratovolcano in western Ireland. The mountain is 700,000 years old.
Human Medical Scan
"Explore the intricate beauty of the human body through a highly detailed model created from a series of CT medical scans."
Solar System
"Why watch shows about the vast majesty of space when you jump in and see it for yourself? Have educational space-fun while putting Neil Degrasse-Tyson out of business."
Robot Repair
"Can you repair a robot? Good, because Aperture Science's Human Diversity Outreach Program is now hiring."
The Robot Repair demo was originally shown on March 4th, 2015 at the Game Developers Conference to show off the HTC Vive and Source 2. It was released to the public on February 22, 2016 with the release of the SteamVR Performance Test.
The mini-game consists of the player, the inaugural participant in the Aperture Science Human Diversity Outreach Program, becoming a Repair Associate in the Robot Rehabilitation and Wellness Center. The player uses Dual Aperture Science Prosthetic Multi-tools to preform various tasks, including opening drawers, and repairing Atlas. The player fails at both of these tasks, by accidentally opening the Aperture Science Pocket Universe Capsule, and accidentally becoming their god, and by failing to repair Atlas in time, which leads to Atlas falling apart.
GLaDOS takes notice of your failures, and personally comes over to berate you, but after realizing you are a human, not a robot, she realizes that watching you flail around trying to complete a task is hilarious. GLaDOS then recycles your repair station, and assigns you a test chamber to complete. Upon entering this test chamber, however, you are immediately killed by a Crusher.
Secret Shop
"The fantasy equivalent of a twenty-four-hour convenience store is now open for business! Peruse artifacts, shop for familiars and cast a spell or two at Dota's Secret Shop!"