I Expect You To Die review: a short, sharp spy puzzler that still holds up

This review is an AI-written assessment. It is based on official game details and on what published reviews broadly agree on, not on hands-on play.

What it is

I Expect You To Die is a spy-themed puzzle game from Schell Games. You play a secret agent sent into deadly escape-room missions against the criminal group Zoraxis, in a 1960s spy-movie style. It launched on Oculus Rift on December 6, 2016 and on PlayStation VR on December 13, 2016, followed by Steam in April 2017 and Quest in May 2019. Today it is sold on the Meta Horizon Store, SteamVR and the PlayStation Store, where the PS VR version is $24.99. Schell Games lists it as Verified for Valve Steam Frame.

It was designed to be played seated. Instead of walking, you reach for far-away objects with a telekinesis power, and dying is part of learning each puzzle. The game launched with four missions. UploadVR reported a new level arriving with the Quest version, and Wikipedia lists three added missions in total. Two sequels followed, in 2021 and 2023.

Strengths

• Puzzle design. GamingTrend praised "clever puzzles that aren't too obtuse", and PSU called it one of the best puzzle games of its year.
• Built for VR. Reviewers liked how naturally objects can be picked up, examined and combined. GamingTrend praised the Move controls, and UploadVR felt the Quest port made "no sacrifices".
• Humour and style. TheSixthAxis called it a "charming James Bond spoof", and GamingTrend enjoyed its cheeky British wit. Dying in many silly ways is part of the fun.
• Comfort. Because you stay seated and use telekinesis rather than moving around, it is one of the most comfortable puzzle games in VR. It is a good choice for people prone to motion sickness.

Weaknesses

• Length. This is the most common complaint. TheSixthAxis finished in about 90 minutes, and GamingTrend estimated two to three hours.
• Little replay value. PSU and TheSixthAxis both noted that once you know the solutions, there is little reason to replay, beyond speedrun goals.
• Feels like a showcase. PSU went as far as calling it a technical demo for PlayStation VR, and scored it 7/10.
• Occasional rough puzzles. UploadVR noted a few "road bumps" in the puzzle flow.

Who it suits

It suits puzzle and escape-room fans, spy-movie fans and new VR owners who want something comfortable and easy to understand. It is also a good game to show friends trying VR for the first time, since it needs no standing room or smooth movement. Players who want hours of content per dollar should look at the sequels or a bundle, as each mission is short and the whole game can be finished in an evening or two.

How it compares

The Room VR: A Dark Matter is the other well-known seated puzzle game in VR. It offers a longer, more atmospheric mystery, while I Expect You To Die is shorter and plays for laughs. Superhot VR is a similarly short classic from the same launch window, but it asks you to stand and dodge rather than sit and think.

Critics were broadly positive. GamingTrend scored it 90/100 and called it a must-have, UploadVR called it one of Quest's must-see launch titles, and Wikipedia lists Metacritic averages of 82 on PS4 and 76 on PC. PSU and TheSixthAxis each gave 7/10, mainly because of its length. Most reviewers agree that its puzzles and humour are excellent, and that there just isn't much of it.

Sources

• Schell Games: I Expect You To Die official site
• Schell Games: I Expect You To Die
• PlayStation Store: I Expect You To Die
• Wikipedia: I Expect You to Die
• UploadVR: I Expect You To Die Quest Review: Best On Quest
• GamingTrend: I Expect You To Die PSVR review
• PSU: I Expect You To Die Review – PSVR
• TheSixthAxis: I Expect You To Die Review