The Lab

Welcome to The Lab, a compilation of Valve’s room-scale VR experiments set in a pocket universe within Aperture Science. Fix a robot, defend a castle, adopt a mechanical dog, and more. Still not sold? It’s free!

The Lab is a free to play, vr and singleplayer game developed and published by Valve.
Released on April 05th 2016 is available only on Windows in 21 languages: English, French, German, Czech, Finnish, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese - Portugal, Portuguese - Brazil, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Swedish, Italian, Japanese, Spanish - Spain, Danish, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Turkish.

It has received 6,230 reviews of which 5,918 were positive and 312 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. 😍

The game is free to play on Steam.

The Steam community has classified The Lab into these genres:

Free to Play VR Singleplayer Action First-Person Funny Adventure Sandbox Casual Sci-fi Family Friendly FPS Puzzle Shooter Memes Strategy Archery Atmospheric Simulation Multiplayer

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at The Lab through various videos and screenshots.

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Requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows

OS *: Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10
Processor: Intel® i5-4590, AMD FX 8350 equivalent or better
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 970, AMD Radeon™ R9 290 equivalent or better, Video Output: HDMI 1.4, DisplayPort 1.2 or newer
VR Support: SteamVR. Standing or Room Scale
Additional Notes: 1x USB 2.0 or better port also required

Reviews

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

Dec. 2024

Pretty fun game overall. Runs great on my PC and over a wired connection to my headset. This game feels like it was made for modding support ala bonelab/garry's mod.

Nov. 2024

Look, it's free. And it's got some charm to it, since it's made by Valve. Neat little demo for your first VR experience. But also, don't expect much. VR has come a long way. There isn't much interactivity here. Longbow, and Xortex are probably the highlights. Postcards, Human Medical Scan, and Solar System have no interactivity and no dialogue (postcard are just 3D snapshots of some real places, where you can't even move freely). The robot repair room is just a 5-minute Portal short with very little interactivity (bit of a disappointment actually, I thought there'd be more). The secret shop doesn't seem to have any interactivity, and just crashes for me always at a certain scripted point (your mileage may vary, I couldn't be bothered to try to fix it). So yeah, this isn't the same quality as the the Steam Deck tech demo Aperture Desk Job. And if you've played the Meta Quest tech demos on their headset before this (like me), there is nothing new here VR gameplay wise.

Sept. 2024

The Lab Review Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) Overview: The Lab is a virtual reality experience developed by Valve, designed to showcase the capabilities of VR technology through a collection of mini-games and interactive experiences. Released in 2016, it serves as both an introduction to VR for newcomers and a playground for seasoned users. With its charming visuals and engaging gameplay, The Lab highlights the potential of VR in a fun and accessible way. Gameplay Mini-Games and Experiences: The Lab consists of several mini-games, each offering unique mechanics and experiences. Players can explore environments, solve puzzles, and engage in various activities that range from archery to robot building. Notable experiences include: Robot Repair: A puzzle-based game where players interact with adorable little robots, using tools to fix them. It combines problem-solving with a hands-on approach. Longbow: A medieval archery mini-game that allows players to test their skills with a bow and arrow. The mechanics are satisfying and provide a good sense of immersion. Slingshot: This game lets players launch projectiles at targets, making use of physics for a fun and engaging experience. Interactivity: The level of interactivity in each mini-game is impressive. Players can pick up, throw, and manipulate objects in a way that feels natural and intuitive, showcasing the strengths of VR technology. Visuals and Performance Graphics: The Lab features colorful and whimsical graphics that create a charming and inviting atmosphere. The environments are well-designed, with a cartoonish style that enhances the playful nature of the experience. Each mini-game has a distinct aesthetic, contributing to the overall diversity of the experience. Performance: The game runs smoothly on compatible VR systems, with minimal lag or glitches. The responsive controls and solid tracking make for an enjoyable gameplay experience. Sound and Audio The audio design complements the visual style beautifully, with whimsical sound effects that enhance the immersion. The voiceovers, particularly in the Robot Repair segment, add personality and charm to the experience. The soundtrack is light and playful, matching the overall tone of the game. Community and Support Ongoing Engagement: While The Lab is primarily a standalone experience, it benefits from Valve’s continued support for VR. The game has a dedicated community, and players often share their experiences and tips. However, the game does not have extensive multiplayer options, focusing more on single-player interactions. Conclusion Final Thoughts: The Lab is an excellent showcase of what VR can offer, providing a delightful range of mini-games that highlight the technology's strengths. Its charming aesthetics and engaging gameplay make it a must-try for anyone with access to a VR headset. Overall Recommendation: If you’re new to virtual reality or looking for a fun way to explore the medium, The Lab is a fantastic choice. It offers a variety of experiences that are sure to entertain and impress, making it a standout title in the VR library.

Aug. 2024

It's a great place to start when getting into VR. Gives you a basic rundown of VR and it's capabilities. Not much replay value, but all the activities are great. The Portal-themed levels are obviously the best ones lmao.

March 2024

The longbow game will ruin VR bows in every other game for you. It just works.

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Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates

Steam data	19 November 2024 10:05
SteamSpy data	19 December 2024 06:22
Steam price	19 November 2024 10:05
Steam reviews	23 December 2024 05:48

Free to play

9.2

5,918

312

Online players

Developer

Valve

Publisher

Valve

Release 05 Apr 2016

Platforms