Sony launch their VR headset with a five game compilation, but how well does it demonstrate the potential of virtual reality?
This isn’t the first time we’ve reviewed a virtual reality game, but it is the first time we’ve had to wonder what will happen when ordinary, non-hardcore gamers get hold of it. The Oculus Rift and Vive headsets already have a wide range of interesting games and demos on the PC, but unless you’re a committed gamer you’ve probably never heard of them – let alone paid for the £500+ hardware needed to play them. But PlayStation VR is aimed at a more mainstream audience, and we imagine this is going to be one of the first games many people play.
Actually, the first games they’ll play are likely to be one of the eight demos included with the headset, of which PlayStation VR Worlds is one. Or rather two of its five games are. Because PlayStation VR Worlds is a compilation; five completely different games meant to highlight the different ways that VR can be used in the future and, hopefully, offer some entertainment in the present. It’s a familiar approach for any new hardware launch, and full of all the promise, excitement, and limitations you’d expect.
If you’re trying VR for the first time then Ocean Descent is a perfect place to start. You don’t even need any controllers, as you’re placed inside a virtual shark cage and plunged into the briny depths. As with most VR games you can stand up or sit down, but the former is best as it allows you to role-play the situation perfectly – as you look around at all the teeming sea life. Because there’s no action going on, that would take up precious processing power, this is one of the best-looking of any PlayStation VR game, and as curious fish swim near and giant manta rays glide by it really does feel as if you could just reach out and grab them.
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Even more problematic is Scavengers Odyssey, or as we’ve come to know it, ‘The Migraine Generator’. The longest and most complex game of the bunch, you play as some sort of alien scavenger trying to steal an artefact from a mysterious monolith. You’re sitting in a giant mech suit which, unlike all the other games, allows full freedom of movement using normal third person controls on the DualShock 4. That might sound good in theory but it illustrates why fast action games just aren’t suited to virtual reality.
Moving forwards is okay, and strafing left and right isn’t too bad, but start rotating around as you would in a normal first person shooter and the nausea will hit you like a freight train. Or maybe it won’t. The thing about virtual reality is that everyone responds differently, although since we’ve never had motion sickness from playing a game on TV, and have generally been okay with most VR games up to this point, we think we’re probably more tolerant than average.
The odd thing is that Scavengers Odyssey has affected us much more than even other games with similar control methods, and we’re not sure why. We suspect that it’s the low resolution, which although not as bad as VR Luge is still lower than the other games and makes the visuals quite indistinct at times. It’s a shame because some considerable effort has been put into the game, with its mix of shooting and a Jumping Flash style platform element. Although it ends abruptly, in a tacky bit of sequel begging.
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So too is your escape in a van driven by a bald-headed compatriot. But as he turns the air blue while trying to make sense of the game’s plot, you’re beset by motorcycles and heavily armoured cars, whose wheels you have to shoot out as your driver leans back in his seat to let you fire out of his window.
It’s super shallow arcade fluff, but it’s also an exhilarating use of VR and a tantalising glimpse of the future of the technology. And that also goes for the largely dialogue-based finale, as you try to work out who’s double-crossed who. Again, the game is not long, no more than half an hour or so, but there are some separate shooting galleries to try and get a high score on.
PlayStation VR Worlds is a difficult game to review because while all of the games are shallow and far too short they do perform their role of demonstrating the PlayStation VR, warts and all, very well. If only it had been a bit cheaper we would’ve recommend it without much hesitation, as both a promise of what is to come and a sober warning…
PlayStation VR Worlds
In Short: For better and worse a very useful introduction to VR gaming, with a wide range of games that demonstrate the potential, and pitfalls, of PlayStation VR.
Pros: The London Heist may be short but it looks and works great. Ocean Descent is a perfect VR introduction, and the other games are usefully varied.
Cons: All the games are shallow, especially Danger Ball. Blurry visuals ruin VR Luge and make Scavengers Odyssey virtually unplayable for long periods. Too expensive.
Score: 6/10
Formats: PlayStation VR
Price: £29.99
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Developer: London Studio
Release Date: 13th October 2016
Age Rating: 16
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Source: Metro UK