Well, this isn’t going very well, I thought to myself.

After being in hibernation, my ship woke me from a deep slumber because its systems had detected a planet that might be suitable for colonization for human life (us humans needing somewhere else to live after, well, not exactly taking care of planet Earth).

But something went wrong during the descent (not my fault, I swear) and we’ve crash landed.

So to recap: I’m Colony Scout 817 and I’m all alone on an alien planet 300 light-years from home, with my only source of light being a single bonfire. Well, I’m alone except for my trusty robot sidekick Debbie, who unfortunately lost a wheel in the crash… and is a wee bit cranky about it.But, wait. There’s something out there in the darkness, watching us.

Yes, there is most certainly something out there, deep in the alien forest.

And I think it might be hostile…

Bonfire is the latest VR experience from the award-winning Baobab Studios. In some of their previous works like Invasion!, Asteroids!, and Crow: The Legend, viewers might have spent most of their time changing their perspective as events unfold in 360 degrees around them, without interacting too much with the story, even though they were placed at the center. And in each of these VR experiences, we were also introduced to truly memorable characters like Invasion!’s adorable large-eyed bunnies and bumbling, clumsy aliens named Mac and Cheez (who we encounter again in Asteroids!). And I should also mention the whole host of celebrity talent giving life to various animals in VR for the award-winning Crow: The Legend. It’s no wonder that references to “Disney” and “Pixar” get thrown about whenever Baobab puts something new out into the world.

But this time around, the company has focused on increasing viewer participation during the piece; it is perhaps the most game-like experience showcasing at the Tribeca Film Festival’s Virtual Arcade this year. The Bonfire installation at the festival recreates the setting of the alien jungle, complete with strange plants and a faux bonfire; attendees can also get access to a mixed reality video of themselves in the experience afterwards, as the star of the “show.

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Once inside the VR headset, players of Bonfire can quickly discover the effect they have on this world; they can pick up and drop the virtual logs of the fire, use pieces of space equipment, turn a radio on and off, and, of course, interact with Debbie’s signature white nourishment cylinders — the only food you’ve brought with you to this strange place. Asparagus with caper sauce, any one? And the fact that the food pellet Debbie offers up looks like a marshmallow is just a total, total coincidence.

I drop a nourishment cylinder on the ground next to the fire and Debbie immediately gets mad that I’m wasting food. Oops.

As for a signature character in Bonfire? We soon have an encounter with the species native to this planet; oddly enough, the big, bulbous, goofy-looking Pork Bun takes a liking to… Debbie?

Oh, dear.

Of course, the story continues onwards and I’m eventually reminded of my mission to find a new home for all of humanity (blah blah blah), which leads up to a big dramatic decision the player has to make (note: no spoilers here). But as I continue through the wacky space-themed experience, I find myself chuckling out loud multiple times at where Bonfire takes us. Humor, is, perhaps underutilized in VR thus far. The work reminds me of other quirky, deeply funny, interactive virtual reality work like Owlchemy Labs’ Job Simulator or Vacation Simulator or even Tender Claws’ Virtual Virtual Reality, but with a more focused, condensed storyline. The result is light-hearted interactive experience that calls out to be shared more widely and hints at the rich comedic potential in virtual reality.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention that the alien landscape all around me is really, just beautifully drawn. And the faux Cold War-era-looking technology is a perfect match for the story. The voice of Debbie is also a perfect match, as played by the hilarious stand-up comedian Ali Wong. In fact, I can think of no one else I’d rather be stranded on a strange alien planet with even if she is a damaged, surly robot.

Just Debbie, me, and my delightful new alien friend.

Bonfire runs April 26 — May 4 as part of the Tribeca Film Festival’s Immersive Program. Tickets are sold out.

Bonfire will also be a launch title for the Oculus Quest when it is released on May 21.

View all of our Tribeca Immersive 2019 coverage.

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