COLD VR demonstrates that having an interesting concept isn't enough - execution is crucial. The core mechanic of movement-based time manipulation needed more refinement to find the sweet spot between power fantasy and engaging challenge. The disconnected nature of the levels and settings makes it difficult to become invested in the world or story, while technical limitations and visual compromises on the Quest platform further diminish the experience.
At its current state, Starship Troopers: Extermination feels like a game that needed way more time in development, at least for the PS5 version. While the core concept is sound and the community is welcoming, the technical issues on PS5 make it difficult to recommend.
I was pretty excited when I learned the news that Lawn Mowing Simulator would get the VR treatment and that I would be able to play it on my Quest 3. However, after playing or better say trying to play it, in its current state, I cannot recommend Lawn Mowing Simulator VR to anyone and I will go as far as to say that you should completely avoid this game.
It's sad to say, but creativity and passion appear absent from Dead Man's Diary
Dreams of a quality Christmas Metroidvania go unfulfilled. Ebenezer and the Invisible World offers little but disappointment and frustration. Avoid this Scrooge of a game, unless a major updates arrives before Christmas.
Unfinished, unpolished and with seemingly random puzzles just thrown in makes FINIS extremely hard for me to recommend to anyone.
I honestly don’t know what they were thinking when designing and releasing this game. Avoid Babylon’s Fall as it is not worth your money or your time.
Star Overdrive is a contradiction of a game. At its core, it has something beautiful, an incredible hoverboard system, a sprawling alien world, and a dreamlike vibe that's unlike anything else I've played recently. When the game just lets you ride, it soars. But surrounding that core are systems that feel clunky, tedious, and too random for their own good. The crafting, the skill trees, the combat, the dungeons, they all pull you away from what makes the game special.
When I heard MercurySteam was behind this, my expectations were admittedly high. Their previous work on Castlevania: Lords of Shadow was, in my opinion, amazing. Those games were confident, cinematic, brutal and easy to play in a way that felt satisfying. Blades of Fire feels like a very different beast — a slower, more methodical, less directed experience. That’s not inherently bad, but it’s definitely not what I was hoping for.
The Precinct is an ambitious attempt at creating an authentic police simulator that gets many things right but is held back by technical limitations and repetitive gameplay loops. The detailed law enforcement mechanics and atmospheric 1980s setting show promise, but the excitement of serving and protecting eventually gives way to routine.
Yes, it's in Early Access, and yes, things might improve with future updates. But for now, on PS5 and I guess the same would be on Xbox Series X, it's just not worth it. If you're really curious, maybe give it a go via GamePass and see if you can stomach the rough ride. Otherwise, wait. There's a good game here, but it's buried under a pile of performance issues that seriously affect the experience.
Once Upon a Puppet is a game that succeeds more on its artistic merits and creative vision than its mechanical execution. It's a beautiful, atmospheric adventure that creates a unique and memorable world, even if the journey through it isn't always smooth.
Drug Dealer Simulator is a niche title that won't appeal to everyone. Its core gameplay loop is inherently repetitive - source product, prepare deals, make deliveries, manage money, repeat. However, for players who enjoy management sims and can look past the technical limitations, there's an engaging game underneath.
The Tale of Bistun is a modest but earnest attempt to bring Persian mythology to life through interactive storytelling. Its greatest strength lies in its narrative presentation, particularly its excellent narrator who guides players through this tale of love and loss. While the gameplay mechanics are basic and the combat system lacks depth, the game's brief runtime prevents these limitations from becoming too problematic.
Sword of the Necromancer: Resurrection is a game with interesting ideas that doesn't quite realize its full potential. The monster-raising mechanic provides some tactical depth, and the central love story between Tama and Koko offers genuine emotional stakes. However, clunky combat, inconsistent AI, and technical issues hold it back from excellence.
The foundations are there for an interesting twist on the cyberpunk genre, but the execution falls short in too many areas. From the technical issues to the trying-too-hard writing, SlavicPunk: Oldtimer is a game that reaches for the neon-lit stars but ultimately remains grounded in mediocrity.
Squirrel With A Gun feels like a game built around a Twitter joke that somehow became real. Sure, it has its moments of charm and creativity, but the frustrating controls and repetitive gameplay make it hard to recommend at full price. Consider it only if you're in the mood for some mindless chaos and don't mind fighting with the controls to achieve it.
Much like a karate student who's mastered the basics but hasn't progressed to advanced techniques, The Karate Kid: Street Rumble is competent yet ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression.
Playing Riven on a VR headset in 2024 gives us a glimpse into a bygone era of adventure gaming that trusted players to explore freely without being led by the hand. Fans of the original game will find much to love in this new version as seeing locations that were previously only static pre-rendered images come to life in VR is breathtaking. But for newcomers or modern audiences, Riven might be a tough pill to swallow.
Exploring the atmospheric, otherworldly environments using a straightforward yet satisfying parkour system kept me thoroughly engaged and I think that's enough to give Downward Enhanced Edition a try, if you can grab it during a sale.