I Expect You To Die 3 Review

Welcome back, agent! We’ve been expecting you, and you’re just in time for our review of I Expect You To Die 3.

The Agency is quite impressed with your sleuthing and return from… well, ashes, we suppose. Now you’re here, we’ll need you to get straight back to work! Zoraxis is once again working on technology that will change the world in unimaginable ways! It is up to you to throw a spanner in the works before it’s too late.

Finally, everyone’s favourite super-agent, spy extraordinaire, VR puzzle franchise is back with yet another incredible game. The I Expect You To Die series has, without a doubt, produced some of the best VR games we’ve seen in the last few years. With intuitive gameplay that actually makes good use of virtual reality alongside an overarching story that always leaves us satisfied, it is easy to see why all three games have achieved overwhelmingly positive reviews.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the latest game in the franchise I Expect You To Die 3: Cog In The Machine, on the Standalone version for the Meta Quest 2. But don’t panic, agent, there won’t be any major story spoilers ahead.

Story

I Expect You To Die 3: Cog In The Machine faces you against the most cunning adversary to date. This latest instalment of the beloved escape room, spy-fi puzzle series introduces players to the brilliant yet sinister Dr. Roxana Prism, a scientist and former Agency inventor who believes she can create an agent superior to humans, and will stop anyone who gets in her way. However, her true motives may not be what they first seem.

The Agency has provided a range of imaginative attire, allowing you to choose a hat, watch, and gloves to suit any occasion. Remember, agent style is just as important as your wit and cunning when you’re undercover in a world where danger lurks around every corner.

As you race to beat Dr. Zor and navigate the challenges posed by Dr. Roxana Prism, IEYTD 3 provides an immersive and heart-pounding spy adventure that will test your mettle as an agent. Can you stay alive long enough to thwart this escalating threat and protect the Agency’s secrets? The fate of the world rests in your hands.

Gameplay

Starting as always in an Agency facility, I Expect You To Die 3’s first gameplay elements are the usual tutorial. And, of course, our faithful handler has to make sure our telekinesis implant is still fully operational, after all it is mission-critical. IEYTD’s main gameplay mechanic has always been the use of this telekinetic implant, allowing us to grab items from great distances and even hold them in mid-air. The force, it seems, is strong with us.

From a blown fuse panel to a giant drill, there is always something going wrong on our missions, so it’s a good job we happen to be the agency’s best. Puzzles in Cog In The Machine range from the innately simple to actual scenarios you’ll have to think about, and maybe even restart. Often with limited time to boot.

I Expect You To Die 3’s first mission blends what in any other franchise would be a mundane tutorial into our first puzzle. Awoken in a disused Agency base from days long passed before our handler can do anything, we’ll first need to finish re-activating our credentials, and the blasted power to this decerped base.

The little things can make or break a VR title, IEYTD 3 is jam-packed with hidden secrets and more. From our humble base, we can grab a snack from the vending machine, shake up a can of pop to make a mess; and, of course, there’s space to store all our disguises (there are quite a few). We’re not even short of Easter eggs and hidden items. What’s more, you can at any point decide to head back into a previous mission simply by slapping a tape into the mission briefing projector, including the cinematic intro – if, like me, you need to watch it another ten times.

You’re going to die a lot. But try not to panic agent!

You’ll almost certainly die a good few times, be it from avoiding robot lasers, poison, or any number of other threats. But don’t worry, death isn’t the end for an agent of your infamy; just read your death report and do better next time.

VR Puzzle games, whilst some of the most prevalent types of VR titles out there, are often lacklustre in terms of overarching story and narrative design. This is something IEYTD has always excelled in, and once again the third entry into the series has continued this legacy, with the return of eccentric handler Reginald Crane. Portrayed by actor Jared Mason, Reginald is more than just the voice in our ear. The character has been our main storyteller throughout the entire I Expect You To Die franchise so far, with Jared Mason being cast perfectly for the role. Voice acting and sound design is somewhere this series has always surpassed VR game expectations. And nowhere is that clearer than the opening of each game.

IEYTD has gained almost an infamous status in VR for having what I’d consider to be the best opening credits of any game. Even outside of the medium. Bond-esque in nature, this latest entry into the series just happens to be my favourite… I know I say that every time but hear me out.

The last time I was this excited to sit down and watch a game credit sequence was, well to be honest, the last IEYTD game. From dodging lasers, cogs, and the discerning eyes of robots, the cinematic nature of Cog In The Machine’s intro deserves an Oscar. To be clear you don’t actually need to dodge any of these things I just get weirdly into these credit sequences.

I Expect You To Die 3: Cog In The Machine’s intro sequence also provides us our first introduction to Dr. Roxana Prism, ex Agency scientist and all-round genius inventor. Whilst not necessarily part of the game’s world, the intro credits are just that. A credits sequence, showcasing the brilliantly talented people who’ve worked on this game. It’s nice to see a credits sequence right here, where it should be instead of hidden away in some settings menu or at the very end of a game.

We’re maybe five or so minutes into the game at this point and, once again, I’m spellbound. I guess here is a good point to declare my bias for these games as I have completed both of the previous titles, several times over at this point.

Accessibility

Often overlooked in even the most successful VR titles, Cog in the Machine is equipped with impressive accessibility options. With the choice to enable subtitles, object translation, and sound visualisation, a setting which enables closed captions when loud sounds are present, IEYTD 3 has a pretty reasonable selection of accessibility built in. Additionally, you have the option to read a chatlog of all lines of dialogue spoken, in case you miss anything or just need a reminder.

Impressive accessibility options for a VR title

TLDR

Once again, IEYTD has applied their winning formula of story, art style, and puzzles, creating another VR puzzle hit. Whether you’re mixing explosive cocktails, re-wiring a fuse panel, falling from a cable car, or even death by volcano, I Expect You To Die 3: Cog In The Machine is without a doubt one of the best VR games of 2023.

I Expect You To Die 3: Cog In The Machine PC Requirements

IEYTD 3 is available in both standalone VR and PCVR on Steam. If you’re looking for the best possible VR experience, you’ll need a gaming PC capable of running VR games smoothly. Luckily, I Expect You To Die 3: Cog In The Machine’s PC system requirements are pretty reasonable.

Component	Minimum Specs	Recommended Specs
Operating System	Windows 11	Windows 11
Processor	Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater	Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
Memory	8 GB RAM	8 GB RAM
Graphics	NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater	NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater
VR Support	SteamVR or Meta PC	SteamVR or Meta PC

If it’s time for an upgrade, Overclockers UK has you covered! Whether you’re in need of a new gaming PC, PC components, or even a brand-new VR headset, we’ve got it all.

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Intel i5 11400F CPU
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Ready For Work Agent?

Dr. Zor and the Zoraxis organisation are already busy preparing to change the world as we know it. It’s time to get back out there and stop them, agent!

PC specs are subject to change.