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The Lab official game artwork

THE PRACTICAL GUIDE

The Lab Guide

Welcome to The Lab, a compilation of Valve’s room-scale VR experiments set in a pocket universe within Aperture Science. Fix a robot, defend a castle, adopt a mechanical dog, and more. Still not sold? It’s free

Steam ↗Windows
GameWiki Pro EditorialReviewed 5 guide topics

GET YOUR BEARINGS

Plan your next The Lab session

These observation exercises isolate the core interactions of each Lab experience, letting you focus on controller handling, visual detail, and in‑game feedback without external tutorials.

01 / THE GUIDE

Projectile Arc Observation (Slingshot)

Launch objects at low, medium, and high angles and note how the arc height and landing distance change, linking controller motion to the observed physics.

  • Observe how different launch angles affect the path of the projectile.
  • Notice the visual response when multiple objects are struck in quick succession.

02 / THE GUIDE

Target Timing Practice (Longbow)

Shoot at moving targets placed at three distance ranges, recording hit consistency and noting how timing adjustments affect accuracy.

  • Watch how arrows arc when aimed at targets that are farther away.
  • Compare the timing needed to hit moving attackers at different ranges.
The Lab official gameplay screenshot
Publisher-provided gameplay image · Valve

03 / THE GUIDE

Organ Detail Survey (Human Medical Scan)

Select one organ system per session, rotate the model, and write down any visual artifacts or differences compared with textbook images.

  • Move slowly to notice fine anatomical details.
  • Rotate the model to compare left‑right symmetry of structures.

04 / THE GUIDE

Planet Size Estimation (Solar System)

Pause at each planet, estimate its diameter relative to the previous one, then compare your estimate with known planetary sizes to gauge scaling.

  • Pause near each planet to read the on‑screen details.
  • Observe the motion required to orbit larger bodies.

05 / THE GUIDE

Artifact Visual Review (Secret Shop)

Observe each artifact displayed in the shop, noting visual style, color palette, and any particle effects.

  • Explore the shop to view each displayed artifact.
  • Observe the visual style of the items and any accompanying effects.

WATCH THE GAME

The Lab videos

Official trailers & gameplay

INSIDE THE WORLD

Screenshots & game images

5 official screenshots

IN THIS WIKI

Your reading checklist

0 of 6 complete

QUICK ANSWERS

The Lab FAQ

What hardware is required to run The Lab?

A Windows PC that supports SteamVR and tracked controllers is sufficient; the application runs in VR only and does not depend on a specific headset model.

Is any part of The Lab multiplayer?

All listed experiences are single‑player. Family Sharing lets other accounts launch the application, but each account keeps its own progress and collectibles.

Do the mini‑games record scores?

Many experiences submit scores to Steam leaderboards, and achievements are tied to in‑game collectibles.

More The Lab guides

SOURCES & CREDITS

Official resources and further reading

Original editorial guidance. Game imagery and trailers are provided by the publisher through Steam. Media and reference links checked 2026-10-22. Game versions, supported platforms, and balance can change; consult the linked release notes for current details.