Zen Studios new dungeon crawler takes the tropes of an oft neglected genre, and updates them with wit and style. Operencia: The Stolen Sun oozes charm, with the perfect balance of combat, exploration, puzzles, and funny bantering characters. This game is a complete winner, and any fan of dungeon crawlers shouldn't hesitate to pick it up.
Moons of Madness is an okay horror game couched within a super science fiction game. While this identity crisis may be a bit off-putting (and there are a few sections of the game that make you wish it would just get on with it), there is some fun to be had with the nice visuals, great writing, and solid puzzles. If there weren't so much Cthulhu, this would have been an even better game.
Paper Beast is a jaw-dropping science fiction tale that immerses the player in a unique, visionary world. Though its puzzles can feel abstract at times, the rewards for completing them are great. Paper Beast is a benchmark in VR game design. This is a game that people will be talking about in thirty years.
Highly recommended for folks that enjoy cooperative play, or as a way to introduce a friend to basic stealth gaming mechanics. Covert delivers a lot of gameplay for two players—one on PS VR and the other on the companion mobile app. The heists remain fun and engaging without ever becoming too difficult, ensuring that everyone has a good time. Can't ask for much more than that.
BE-A-Walker is the first game I can recall that opens with a difficulty spike. The message is clear: get onboard with the game's many anxiety-inducing mechanics or get out now. Beyond that, you will find a moderately entertaining AT-ST simulator. Be ready to juggle a variety of frustrating systems, as nothing in this game comes easy.
Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! is an absolute delight—for the entire 27 minutes of its play time. While the music, swirling lights, and dancing are all accessible and fun, the price for this game is incredibly out of proportion to what you get for your money. Wait for an extreme sale, and then have a blast with this wildly entertaining game.
Infliction feels like a mash-up of elements from other, better-known games. However, a strong game loop and stellar sound design elevate Inflicted beyond being a tired retread. While the lighting is questionable at times, in general the visuals reveal an eye for detail. A fun photo mechanic also sets the game apart from its contemporaries. Infliction is well worth a look for horror fans, and those nostalgic for the early '90s.
Townsmen – A Kingdom Rebuilt is a familiar-feeling town management sim, with some mobile mechanics that hover very close beneath the surface. This game will feel instantly familiar to fans of the genre, with few surprises or innovations. There is some fun to be had for patient players willing to wait for timers to run their course, but the price point is prohibitive. If you are interested in Townsmen, I would advise waiting for a sale.
Never Not Shooting is a hidden gem of a game, and is well worth its modest price.
Throw Anything is a fun and well-made VR diversion that delivers some real thrills. While the tracking becomes an issue due to PSVR's single camera, the cleverness of the level design compels players to work through the clunkiness. This game is not terribly long, but a few difficulty levels extend the play time. Dropping stuff on zombies is pretty entertaining at its core.
Patapon 2 Remastered fails to compensate for the fact that the Sony PSP was a very different device from the PlayStation 4, and in the end, controller latency sinks this classic game adaptation. If the game had compensated for the particulars of its new home, it may have been immensely enjoyable – the core of a great game is intact. But as it stands, Patapon 2 is frustrating and unfun.
Arc of Alchemist is not technically broken, which is the best thing I can say about it. Combining the most basic combat, the most complicated menu system, the weirdest economy, some pretty poor PS2-era graphics, and the densest, most indecipherable tips section, Arc of Alchemist is indeed reminiscent of a work of alchemy – if said alchemist was attempting to turn your valuable time into dust. Avoid at all costs.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics is a competent tactics game that doesn't rely on its license for much beyond window dressing. Though the gameplay is entertaining and works well, there is little in this game that ties it strongly to property that spawned it. TDC:ART will be great for tactics fans that are looking for an inexpensive diversion, but Dark Crystal fans might be disappointed by the game's underwhelming presentation.
Darwin Project takes the battle royale formula and turns it on its ear with simple survival mechanics and visceral axe combat.
Every mechanic in the game works well, from the exploration to the combat. Shadow Legend VR is recommended as a demonstration of the interactivity that VR can offer, couched in an enjoyable fantasy adventure.
While it isn't winning any graphics awards (not that it's terrible), Eclipse: Edge of Light still manages to achieve VR greatness. With a few simple mechanics, Eclipse allows the player to experience its eerie, lonely world in ways that feel tactile and rewarding. Highly recommended for fans of trippy sci-fi, Eclipse stands out from the crowd in all the right ways.
Art Pulse is more of a toy than a game - but pleasant electronic music, brilliant colors, and a great movement system make Art Pulse an experience that certain people will enjoy quite a bit. While there is almost no structure and the creation tools are ultimately limited, just existing in Art Pulse's space is pleasurable for a time. Keep your expectations lowered, and you might enjoy simply existing in this gamespace.
Williams Pinball Pack Volume 5 continues Zen Studios' relentless adaptation of real-life pinball machines. The quality of the tables isn't the issue here; the quality of the adaptation is what should be noted. As usual, these tables are spot on. Real-life pinball fans will love this pack, and FX3's more casual fans might enjoy the gut check beating they endure at the hands of these classics. Recommended, as usual.
Equally playable in VR and flat, Mini Motor Racing X has is RC racing stripped down to its essential, accessible core, and is all the better for avoiding needless complications.
Stardust Odyssey is a game of true beauty, transporting the player to a fantastical world as hauntingly familiar as a recurring dream. While the Stealth gameplay can become frustrating due to escalating difficulty and some checkpoint issues, Stardust is still a game that every PSVR fan should experience for its world-building alone. A true step forward in VR gaming.