Blood & Truth
Sony London’s PlayStation VR Worlds has been one of the best selling PSVR games since the system launched and it showed off what was possible on the system through a variety of short experiences.
The shark tank mini-game was a talking point to show off to VR newbies and London Heist was the first example of an action movie we’d seen on the platform. Blood & Truth is the evolution of The London Heist, developing the basic idea into a six hour, action packed shooter.
It’s got all the collectibles, weapon mods, and set-pieces that you’d expect from the likes of Call of Duty, but it’s the gameplay that shines. You’ll be climbing through run down London blocks of flats, the reloading and shooting are complex but satisfying, and the movement feels natural.
The story is a little cheesy, as you’d expect, but as a high-octane thrill ride, it’s the best you’ll find on PSVR. Also, it’s one of only a few original games on Sony’s system that can be considered a traditional ‘fully fledged’ game. It’s the blockbuster that PSVR needed.
Everybody’s Golf VR
Everybody’s Golf has always been a quirky sport series that was easy to get into. While the odd personality and visual flair remain in the new VR game, the gameplay is actually pretty complex.
Using a move controller, you need to be precise with your swing speed, direction, and take note of the wind and lie of the fairway. Get the swing slightly wrong and the ball will fly out of bounds.
Having a good round and beating your friends’ record makes you feel great and getting to how the courses play is very satisfying. The only downside is that the content is a little light.
You can play the three courses from a couple of different tees and in groups of 3, 9, and 18 holes but you’ll still be seeing the same surroundings and aiming for the same holes all the time.
Compared to the standard Everybody’s Golf, the VR game is a bit barebones. Even with that being the case, though, its gameplay is some of the most satisfying on PSVR.
Trover Saves the Universe
Trover Saves the Universe won’t be for everyone. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys the humor of the likes of Rick & Morty, the weird goings on here and the vulgar comedy will be right up your street.
It’s very well-written, making the most of your immersion into the crazy setting, and it’s funny throughout. The gameplay is a solid mix of platforming, light puzzle solving, and combat. There’s nothing special, but just spending time in the wacky world is a laugh if it’s to your taste.
Before jumping in, I’d recommend watching a trailer to gauge whether it’s something you might enjoy. If it is though, you’ll be laughing all the way through Trover Saves the Universe and there’s absolutely nothing else like it available on PlayStation VR.
Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted
Horror is one of the standout genres in VR. Whether it be the predictable scares of Until Dawn: Rush of Blood’s on rails levels, or the intense creepiness of Resident Evil 7, horror VR games are often both the most immersive experiences and the best games to show to people who are new to VR.
Five Nights at Freddy’s is one of the most recognizable horror franchises of the last few years and Help Wanted does an excellent job of bringing its instantly distinctive style and terror to VR.
It’s a collection of levels from classic Five Nights at Freddy’s games and a few new ones, so anyone familiar with the series will understand how it works straight away, and the variety of situations ensure that the scares remain effective throughout.
The controls may be a struggle for some, especially if you’re using the typically inaccurate Move Controllers, but Help Wanted is yet another PSVR game to add to the system’s list of great horror titles.
No Man’s Sky
No Man’s Sky’s Beyond update just released, adding a whole host of new multiplayer content to the game alongside the ability to ride and even milk the creatures that you find loitering on the planets you head out to explore.
It’s the addition of VR compatibility that was the most exciting additions for many, though. While the exotic worlds take a visual hit on PSVR, and there’s some formatting issues that come with the sheer amount of information on screen, it’s a sight to behold.
Wandering the planets is more immersive, as you have to do things like point to your ear to scan the area, and the menus have been implemented very well. It’s the moment you head to space that’s the most incredible, though.
Now firmly in the cockpit of your ship, you can look out in the star-filled sky, gazing at planets in the distance and wondering where you should go next. Not only is space stunning to just look at, but the VR controls have made flying more engaging, as you now move with an actual joystick in front of you.
It adds so much to No Man’s Sky experience, and you can switch between VR and standard play on the same save, so you don’t have to worry about getting exhausted in virtual reality.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat 7’s VR mode might test some stomachs with the crazy maneuvers and rapid changes of direction, but it’s very impressive if you can get used to it.
As you’d expect from an Ace Combat game, the aircraft themselves are incredibly detailed. Unlike the barebones cockpits of other flight combat VR games, Skies Unknown sees every switch and button brought over from the base game. All of that detail, on top of the thrilling chases you’re dropped into, make for an incredibly immersive experience.
The speed doesn’t give you a chance to analyze the surroundings up close, so it all looks great, and the missions are as well designed and exciting as they are in the main campaign.
Speaking of missions though, Ace Combat 7’s downfall in VR is how little content there is. With just three missions available, you’re going to be done in little more than an hour, even if you’re new to the series.
It’s not something you should buy just for VR, since it’s just a fraction of the game’s content, but it’s the best that PSVR has to offer when it comes to flight.
Published: Aug 16, 2019 09:00 am