Mannquin introduces a suspenseful and clever multiplayer concept that breathes new life into Quest’s VR library. At first glance, it may seem simple. You are either an agent hunting down a mannequin, or an alien mannequin itself, melting into a frozen human until the moment is right. However, beneath the surface there is always a tense game that will keep you on your toes. As an agent, you wander through an environment where frozen figures can suddenly lunge at you, but as a mannequin, your objective is simple: freeze, stalk, and attack.
This dynamic of anticipation and fear, combined with the striking contrast between the agent’s cautious exploration and the alien’s predatory calm, gives the game a disturbing atmosphere. This is reminiscent of certain asymmetric multiplayer VR experiences like Panoptic, where both sides use different strategies and abilities. But the tension is heightened here because you don’t know exactly when danger will strike.
mannequin mayhem
Mannequin gameplay is deeper than meets the eye. What begins as a simple game of hide and seek quickly evolves into a psychological game where both teams rely on strategy and communication. One of the most fun elements of being an alien is setting traps. For example, an alien might be caught moving purposefully and lure the agent out into the open, where other aliens may be ambushed. The alien’s dash ability is short, so the moment it gets close to the agent, it’s usually game over.
However, for agents, it’s not so simple. Their detection equipment will help you spot moving aliens, but you need to be careful when shooting. If you accidentally shoot a real frozen human, your gun will jam, leaving you vulnerable to attack. This constant balancing keeps the stakes high. I found this part of the gameplay particularly satisfying. Especially since being overconfident can lead to failure as an agent.
What really sets Mannequin apart is its emphasis on teamwork. Even after you are “killed” and turned into a ghost, you can continue to aid your team by scouting for aliens and agents and telling them their locations. This maintains an engaging experience even after death, just as Echo VR continued to surprise players and let them participate in team coordination even when they weren’t playing a match. The reanimation mechanic adds another layer to strategy and provides thrilling comeback potential if your teammates are quick to rise.
freezing time
Visually, the mannequins do a great job of creating an eerie atmosphere. Stylish graphics complement the gameplay well, with frozen humans interspersed in mid-movement, making it look as if life has stopped all around you. This is enhanced by small details such as objects floating in the air as if time has stopped, and is a bit reminiscent of the surreal environments of Into the Radius, where floating objects give an otherworldly feel.
The color palette balances vibrancy with unease, creating an icy environment in many ways. That being said, the levels can feel a bit repetitive at times. The frozen environments are unique but don’t change much between rounds, and the art style, while effective, could have benefited from a more varied setting. We hope that future updates will bring more variety to the map and help keep it fresh for players in the long run.
Listen carefully or else
If the graphics set the mood, Mannquin’s audio will be essential to your survival. Spatial and positional audio plays a huge role, especially when playing as an alien. Your ears are your best defense, and you can track an agent’s movements by listening to their footsteps and the beeps of their detectors. If you freeze in place, planning your next action based only on the sound, a strong sense of tension will be created.
Conversely, the agent must pay close attention to these same auditory cues and use them to pinpoint the mannequin’s movements. The audio design is excellent here, heightening the suspense and making every game feel like a high-stakes dance of patience and precision. In this respect, it shares a bit of DNA with stealth games like Phantom: Covert Ops, where audio is important to both tension and gameplay. How sound influences decision-making makes games more immersive, making it as important to listen as it is to see.
live by the community, die by the community
Like many multiplayer VR games, Mannquin’s longevity depends heavily on its community. This game has all the tools for success: a fun and approachable concept, depth for strategy enthusiasts, and enough tension to keep things interesting. But whether it flourishes or declines depends on the player base.
While playing, I noticed a mix of young players and casual gamers, which is not surprising given the simple mechanics. The game doesn’t require the kind of dedication you’d expect from a more hardcore VR experience like Population: One or Onward. This is the kind of game where you can participate in a few rounds and still feel like you had a good time. But without a strong community that keeps lobbies packed and matches engaging, Mannequin may have a hard time maintaining long-term appeal.
See also
memory lane
For all its positives, Mannquin has one major flaw that threatens to hurt its long-term replayability. That means frozen NPCs are not randomized between rounds. Once you remember where the real frozen humans are, playing as an agent becomes very easy. If you have a good visual memory (like me), you’ll quickly start to recognize which people are NPCs, making it much harder for the aliens to blend in.
This is something I pointed out during playtesting, and I was surprised it wasn’t addressed in the latest update. In a game like this, where unpredictability is key to maintaining tension, randomizing NPC placement seems like a no-brainer. Until this issue is fixed, the game risks losing its edge to more observant players, which could potentially turn off some of its more avid viewers.
A mannequin with hidden potential
Mannequin is a unique and suspenseful multiplayer experience that brings a fresh concept to the quest lineup. The game offers high tension and strategic depth with simple and effective mechanics. The graphics aren’t revolutionary, but they create a memorable atmosphere, and the audio design is top-notch and essential to the core gameplay.
However, future success depends on two key factors: community and continuous updates. If the playerbase remains active and the developers address some of the current issues, especially non-randomized NPCs, Mannequin could become the go-to casual multiplayer experience. For now, this is an interesting game with a lot of potential, and with a free trial available, there’s little reason not to give it a try. Whether you’re a kid looking for some fun or an adult who enjoys casual strategic games, Mannequin has something for everyone.
Note: I would happily give it a 7.5 if NPC randomization was added. So if you’re reading this at some point in the future when it’s done, it’s a 7.5.
mannequin
TLDR: Overview
Mannquin offers a suspenseful multiplayer experience with clever hide-and-seek gameplay, solid graphics, and great audio design. It’s fun and tense, but the lack of random NPC placement hinders its long-term appeal. If the community remains active and updates roll out, this could be an outstanding casual VR multiplayer game.
Strong Points
An immersive multiplayer concept with high tension and strategy.
It’s a great blend of stealth and action, with engaging teamwork mechanics.
Great audio design makes sound an important element of gameplay.
Unique asymmetrical gameplay that keeps both sides on their toes.
They are involved even after being “killed” by the ghost mechanism.
Cons
The lack of random NPC placement makes gameplay predictable.
Repeating multiple rounds can make the visual environment feel repetitive.
The longevity of the game is highly dependent on the player base remaining active
