Virtual Reality (VR) enhances user engagement by providing immersive and interactive experiences, but the effects of sensory cues and narrative richness on engagement remain unclear. This study explores how luminosity, movement, and narrative complexity impact user engagement in VR experiences. Preliminary results indicate that higher luminosity enhances physiological arousal, while vertical movement leads to greater engagement compared to horizontal movement. Additionally, greater narrative richness increases engagement, highlighting the role of storytelling in immersive experiences. Our study extends the discourse on VR design by providing a rigorous, mixed-methods approach that could be leverage in future research and by generating empirical insights into how sensory and narrative integration enhances user engagement, offering guidance for creating more immersive, emotionally engaging cultural and educational applications.