Is the spatial twist a glorious evolution, or merely an imposter of innovation?

Introduction

The world of social deduction games found an unlikely, yet immensely popular, champion in Among Us. Its simple yet effective gameplay loop of task completion, sabotage, and frantic emergency meetings captured the collective imagination. Now, we have Among Us 3D, a version that takes the familiar deception into a fully three-dimensional, first-person perspective. The question then becomes, does this shift in dimension truly elevate the experience, or does it simply add an unnecessary layer to a formula that thrived on its simplicity? Read on to find out!

Unmasking the Gameplay

Among Us 3D plunges players into the familiar roles of Crewmates and Impostors, but with a significant shift to a first-person perspective. As a Crewmate, the objective remains the same, which is completing various tasks spread across the map, or identifying and ejecting the Impostors through emergency meetings. Tasks, a core element of the original, are reimagined with immersive first-person controls and some new additions. The Impostor’s mission is, as always, to eliminate Crewmates without being detected, utilising tools like sabotaging vital ship systems and using ventilation shafts for quick, stealthy movement. Among Us 3D supports 4-10 players, and the core loop of deception, suspicion, and accusation remains firmly at its heart.

With a fresh, immersive approach to the environment, allowing players to experience it from within rather than as an external observer, there’s a missed opportunity for deeper engagement. The new 3D environments, while familiar, often serve as little more than corridors or backdrops for isolated tasks. It would be significantly more rewarding to have richer interactive elements and a wider range of activities to pursue within these spaces, transforming them from mere transit points into truly dynamic and explorable areas.

A Deeper Look at the Mechanics

The fundamental mechanics of Among Us are intact in its 3D iteration. Players report dead bodies to initiate meetings, where discussions ensue, and votes are cast to eject suspected Impostors. The critical difference lies in how these mechanics are experienced. The first-person view inherently adds a layer of tension, as the field of vision is restricted, making jump scares and close calls more impactful. Proximity voice chat is natively integrated, allowing for organic, spatial communication that can lead to intense, whispered accusations or panicked shouts as an Impostor closes in.

Players can also customise their characters with a wide array of hats and cosmetics, and new features like a gesture system allow for non-verbal communication, useful for pointing out suspicious behaviour or giving a subtle, nefarious thumbs-up. The game also introduces new modes, such as Tag Mode, where “Infected” players chase and convert Crewmates, adding a fresh twist to the classic gameplay.

Crewmates and Impostors Unite

Naturally, Among Us 3D is a multiplayer-centric experience, supporting online PvP and online co-op. A key feature is its cross-platform multiplayer, allowing PC players to join lobbies with VR players. This vastly broadens the player base, ensuring a more consistent supply of matches and diverse interactions. It’s important to note, however, that Among Us 3D is not compatible and does not feature crossplay with the original 2D Among Us game. The social aspect, a cornerstone of the franchise, is enhanced by the proximity voice chat, fostering more dynamic and immediate interactions among players. In short, the original Among Us is a wonderful multiplayer experience and Among Us 3D has certainly maintained the high standard in this respect.

Among Everything

The most apparent change in Among Us 3D is its visual presentation. Moving from a top-down 2D perspective to a full 3D, first-person view significantly transforms the aesthetic. The environments feel more lived-in, with details coming to life that were previously mere sprites. While the art style retains the familiar charming “bean” characters, the volumetric shift adds a level of realism that can make encounters more intense and frightening.

Audio also plays a crucial role, especially with proximity chat, where the spatialisation of voices enhances the feeling of being truly present in the spaceship or facility. The audio design contributes to the suspense, with subtle environmental cues and the chilling sounds of sabotages or eliminations.

The Quest for Endless Engagements

The replay value of Among Us 3D, much like its predecessor, hinges on the dynamism of player interaction and the constant evolution of social dynamics within each match. The introduction of new tasks, game modes like Tag Mode, and regularly updated Limited Time Events are designed to keep the experience fresh. Customisation options, with an endless number of colour, hat, glove, and skin combinations, provide an incentive for continued play and personalisation. The core deception loop ensures that no two games are exactly alike, as player behaviour and emergent narratives drive the experience. Cross-platform play also contributes to longevity by maintaining a healthy and diverse player base. In other words, there will always be a reason to play Among Us 3D over and over because you are almost guaranteed a new experience each and every time you play.

Conclusion

Among Us 3D is a bold reinterpretation of a highly successful formula. It successfully translates the core social deduction gameplay into a more interesting, first-person environment, largely thanks to features like proximity voice chat and the added tension of a limited field of view. While the shift in perspective adds a fresh layer to the deception, one can’t help but feel that the newly-rendered 3D world is lacking in substance, as it would be nice to have more immersive features available. Among Us 3D retains the charm and addictive qualities that made the original so popular, and is a different beast than the 2D version, focusing on a more visceral, immediate sense of presence. It’s not a direct upgrade, but rather an alternative way to experience the beloved game of betrayal and teamwork.

Grade: 7.5/10 – Good