Why ‘Embodiment’ Matters More Than ‘Immersion’

Our series, Inside XR Design, takes a deep dive into standout examples of XR design, and today, we’re focusing on the game Synapse, where we’ll explore the idea of embodiment and its significance in the world of VR gaming.

It’s amazing to think how quickly a year has passed since we first shared this piece, yet the insights remain as timely as ever in 2025. We’re bringing it back to the forefront to continue emphasizing the importance of embodiment as a key design element in captivating VR experiences.

There’s a full video available below, or you can read on for this adapted text version.

Welcome back to another installment of Inside XR Design. Today, our spotlight is on Synapse (2023), a thrilling PSVR 2 game by nDreams. But we’re not just here to discuss the epic action and intelligent design. Instead, we’re delving into something deeper: the concept of embodiment.

You might wonder why we’re focusing on embodiment instead of all the cool action-packed features of the game. Well, there’s a reason for that. Understanding embodiment helps us recognize why certain design choices in Synapse resonate so effectively. So hang in there for a minute as we explore this.

Embodiment refers to feeling physically present in a VR world, as if you’re actually standing in the game environment. You might argue that this sounds a lot like immersion, right?

While people often use immersion to describe this sensation, there’s an essential distinction I’m drawing here. Immersion is about having your complete attention absorbed. Think of it like being so engrossed in a movie that everything else fades away, but the movie never makes you feel like you’re physically in the film. That’s where embodiment steps in—it’s about how your physical presence interacts with the virtual environment.

Every VR game offers immersion by default because the technology takes over your vision and hearing, grabbing your full attention the moment you wear the headset. Some VR games, however, push beyond this, making you feel as though your entire body is present in the digital realm, engaging all your senses to make experiences feel real.

So, while immersion captures your attention, embodiment is about actually feeling present in the world. It’s a spectrum—not a binary quality—some games embody the player slightly, while others do it extensively. Synapse is an excellent example of this.

At first glance, Synapse might seem like your typical VR shooter, but some intentional design choices amplify the feeling of embodiment. One standout feature is the cover system.

In most VR shooters, taking cover merely involves standing behind a wall to dodge bullets, with the wall existing as a static object you don’t really interact with. But Synapse revolutionizes this interaction by allowing you to physically engage with the cover. You can pull your body in and out of cover with your hands, adding a new level of realism to the gameplay.

When you physically move yourself in relation to walls rather than simply maneuvering with a controller, the walls start to feel genuine. This is because they begin to register in your proprioceptive model, essentially tricking your brain into believing they are truly part of your physical space.

Proprioception is a fascinating concept worth understanding when discussing how VR tricks our mind into sensing reality. Picture this: a cat approaches a table and effortlessly moves its ear out of the way just in time. That’s proprioception—the body’s inherent ability to sense its position and movement within its environment. It’s similar in Synapse; you instinctively recognize that when you pull a wall with your hand, your body moves accordingly.

Through this, walls become more than visual objects; they start affecting your sense of space and body position. This engagement makes your mind associate them as part of your real-world environment, thus enhancing the sense of embodiment.

Moreover, Synapse’s walls are not just for cover. They cleverly integrate into the mechanics by allowing you to reload your weapons.

This adds a thrilling layer to gameplay reminiscent of Inside XR Design #4, where we discussed the detailed weapon mechanics in Half-Life: Alyx (2020). Despite being a fast-paced game, Synapse still manages to keep the reloading process immersive by floating magazines that you slide back into your gun. This mechanic fits the game’s sci-fi feel, cuts down on complexity, and blends perfectly with its cover system.

Reloading by using the wall for leverage cleverly keeps both hands engaged. You’re instinctively aware of your arm’s proximity to the wall, further incorporating it into your proprioceptive model—making the space you’re interacting with seem more tangible.

Interacting closely with your surroundings enhances the authenticity of these elements, and hence, you stand inside this virtual world feeling that much more present. Remember, VR naturally immerses by claiming your focus, but embodiment extends beyond vision—it’s about touch and feel.

And just when you thought Synapse couldn’t push this feeling further, it elevates your experience with an incredible telekinesis system.

Continue on to Chapter 2 for more insights on how Synapse invites you to literally extend your reach into the VR world.