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The Lab official game artwork

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The Lab Wiki

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 EditorialReviewed 5 guide topics

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About The Lab

The Lab is a free‑to‑play VR application for Windows that runs with SteamVR and tracked controllers. Developed by Valve, it bundles several single‑player experiences that can be shared via Family Sharing.

01 / THE GUIDE

Slingshot Calibration

In Slingshot you start as a Calibration Trainee and fire the Core Calibration slingshot at objects inside the Aperture Storage Annex.

The activity lets you watch how launched objects react when they hit the environment.

  • 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

Longbow Castle Defense

Longbow places you at a castle gate where you fire arrows at a wave of cute attackers.

Each arrow follows a visible trajectory that reflects distance and gravity.

  • 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

Human Medical Scan

Human Medical Scan presents a highly detailed 3‑D model of the human body built from CT scans.

You can rotate and zoom the model to view organs, bones, and vessels without any gameplay objectives.

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

04 / THE GUIDE

Solar System Exploration

Solar System lets you travel through a virtual recreation of the solar system, approaching planets up close.

On‑screen information appears as you near each body, encouraging curiosity‑driven learning.

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

05 / THE GUIDE

Secret Shop

Secret Shop is a fantasy‑themed 24‑hour convenience store where you can view artifacts, familiars, and cast minor spells.

The items are presented as visual collectibles and do not affect other experiences.

  • 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

COMMUNITY

Player discussion

    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.