Inside XR Design is a series where we delve into examples of standout XR design. Today, our focus is on the game Synapse as we dissect the idea of embodiment and its pivotal role in enhancing VR experiences.
Editor’s Note: It’s incredible how quickly time passes; although it’s been a year since we first explored these insights, the discussion around embodiment in VR remains as vital as ever in 2025. We thought it was well worth bringing this conversation back to the forefront.
For those who prefer visuals, there’s a complete video available below, but if you like reading, we’ve crafted an adapted version for you.
Defining Embodiment
Welcome to another installment of Inside XR Design. Let’s dive into Synapse, a 2023 release exclusive to the PSVR 2 from nDreams. Today, we’re not just reveling in the usual thrills of gameplay; we’re examining the game through the conceptual lens of embodiment.
So, what exactly is embodiment, and why is it worth our attention amid all the gunfights and explosions? Understanding this helps illuminate why certain design choices in Synapse resonate so powerfully. Hang in there; we’re going somewhere meaningful with this.
Embodiment is what I call the sensation of actually being present within a VR environment—almost as if you’re physically standing in that world.
At this point, you might be thinking, “Isn’t that what immersion is all about?” And you’d have a point, but there’s a crucial distinction to make between these terms.
Immersion is often about having one’s focus completely absorbed. Think about a captivating movie; its story engrosses you, temporarily erasing the outside world. But even the most engaging film doesn’t make you feel as if you’re physically part of it.
This is where embodiment plays its part. For our purposes, immersion relates to where our attention lies, whereas embodiment engages with our physical presence and our relationship with the surrounding world.
All VR games naturally achieve immersion by commandeering our senses—closing us off visually and auditorily from the outside world. However, some games go the extra mile, crossing from merely capturing attention to creating tactile, engaging worlds where players genuinely feel their virtual surroundings.
To break it down: Immersion captures the mind, while embodiment engages the body.
Moreover, embodiment isn’t strictly on or off; it exists on a spectrum. Some VR experiences lightly touch on embodiment, while others fully immerse you bodily. Synapse is a prime example of what makes the difference.
Cover You Can Feel
Initially, Synapse might strike you as another typical VR shooter. Yet, certain well-designed elements ramp up the feeling of embodiment. Let’s consider its cover system—a part of many VR shooters where walls block incoming fire. In Synapse, however, these barriers do more than just stay put; you interact with them, using your hands to move in and out of cover—creating a natural gameplay flow.
Being able to physically maneuver around a wall as opposed to just moving with a thumbstick enhances how real that wall feels. When you interact with the wall, using it to anchor and control body movement, it subconsciously reinforces your spatial awareness, or proprioception.
Understanding Proprioception
Proprioception is a key player when we explore how our brains manage being transported into virtual spaces. A great showcase of this concept involves a cat effortlessly navigating its surroundings. For instance, a cat will subtly angle its ear to avoid an obstacle—displaying an innate understanding of its spatial relationship without having to see it.
In Synapse, when you grasp the wall and move, intuitively you understand ‘by moving my hand to the right, my body will move left,’ and suddenly that wall isn’t just visible but crucial to your spatial understanding. The walls become significant as you use them to determine your body’s relation to the virtual world, drawing you further into the VR experience.
Mags Out
Beyond cover, Synapse offers an innovative interaction with walls—you can also reload weapons using them.
This nifty design feature marries speed and satisfaction, maintaining a quick pace without the hassle of intricate inventory management. Magazines, once ejected, hover—ready to be thrust back into place. This nod to futuristic simplicity doesn’t feel out of place and keeps the adrenaline high without halting momentum.
You see, the game’s cover system requires one of your hands, yet you must reload. The walls, integral to both aiming and reloading, allow simultaneous use—enhancing player engagement with those surfaces.
These tactile interactions—with walls serving as more than mere obstacles—contribute significantly to the realism of VR worlds. Each experience heightens your sense of presence, bridging the gap between the virtual environment and your perceptual reality.
When VR environments grow tangible, you feel more grounded within them. That’s embodiment—a journey beyond mere vision into a realm of touch and sensation.
And speaking of tangible interactions, Synapse ups the ante with its groundbreaking telekinesis mechanics, maximizing your engagement with the world.
More on that to come in “Extend Your Reach.” Stay tuned!
