Why ‘Embodiment’ Trumps ‘Immersion’ in Importance

Inside the fascinating world of XR design, we delve into how virtual reality games create such realistic experiences. Today, we’re focusing on “Synapse,” a standout game on PSVR 2 by nDreams, to explore the captivating concept of embodiment in VR.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate how quickly a year has flown by since this analysis first debuted. Yet, the topics of embodiment in VR remain as fresh in 2025 as they were back then. It’s time to bring these discussions back to the forefront to better understand what makes VR content truly compelling.

You can check out the full video for a deeper dive, or stick around as we walk you through an adapted text version of the analysis.

### Understanding Embodiment

In this installment of Inside XR design, let’s talk about “Synapse” from a unique perspective: embodiment. So, what exactly is embodiment, and why should you care about it over the game’s impressive action scenes and smart mechanics? Understanding embodiment helps break down the thought process behind certain game design choices, revealing why they’re so effective.

Embodiment is the sensation of being physically present in a virtual world, as if you could reach out and actually touch things in the game environment. While it’s easy to mistake this for immersion, they’re not quite the same. Immersion is the art of capturing your complete attention—think of an engrossing film that makes you lose track of your surroundings. But even the most immersive movie never convinces you that you’re inside it.

Embodiment, however, is transforming that attention into a feeling of genuine presence in another space. VR games naturally achieve immersion by dominating your senses, but the magic happens when they cross into embodiment, making your entire being feel transported into their virtual realm.

This concept isn’t an all-or-nothing affair—it’s a spectrum. Some games subtly evoke embodiment, while others fully immerse you, and that’s where “Synapse” finds its strength.

### A Cover System You Can Feel

At first glance, “Synapse” seems like your everyday VR shooter. However, it differentiates itself with its innovative design choices that foster a sense of embodiment, starting with its cover system. Most VR shooters let you seek refuge behind a wall, and while functional, these walls often feel like static props. In contrast, “Synapse” allows you to physically interact with cover, letting you grab and maneuver around it, grounding you more within the game’s reality.

This interaction taps into a subconscious understanding of space, modifying how your brain comprehends your virtual surroundings and making the walls feel part of your personal space.

### Grasping Proprioception

To appreciate how “Synapse” uses embodiment, let’s touch on proprioception—how your body perceives its positioning relative to your environment. Imagine a cat approaching a table, effortlessly knowing where to move its ear without looking. That’s proprioception, a spatial awareness deeply ingrained in us.

In “Synapse,” when you manipulate the cover, you leverage this innate sense, deepening your connection to the virtual environment, and making your presence within it more palpable.

### Reloading with a Twist

Moving beyond embodiment momentarily, let’s discuss the game’s distinct reloading mechanic. Unlike traditional systems requiring extensive inventory juggling, “Synapse” simplifies reloading by allowing players to thrust floating magazines back into the weapon. It maintains excitement in combat while streamlining gameplay.

This feature beautifully integrates with the cover system, enabling you to reload using one hand while maintaining cover with the other. It further enhances your virtual interaction, making the walls around you an integral part of gameplay rather than mere scenery.

In sum, “Synapse” enriches embodiment through thoughtful interaction with the virtual world. The game’s walls aren’t just graphical objects—they become tangible aspects influencing your virtual reality experience, making you feel even more present within the game.

While VR naturally immerses you by capturing your attention completely, embodying experiences like “Synapse” transcend this immersion—making you feel genuinely part of the game world. And there’s much more, including its powerful telekinesis system, which we’ll explore in the next segment. Stay tuned!