Andres Aviles
ASTRO BOT can never be accused of being a tech demo, unlike its predecessor, as many of the ideas previously toyed with in Playroom are now fully fleshed out and in a way that feels just as much a love letter as it does a defiant creative statement in PlayStation's library. Whatever the future holds for this charismatic little robot, it is safe to say that ASTRO BOT is firmly planted as this historic company's new face.
Across 10 chapters, Dei explores his innermost thoughts while making sense of his mother’s letters, finding himself in the process. A brief narrative most will be able to finish in one sitting, The Star Named EOS is one of those heartwarming stories that when the realities of the world wear you down, it will be there to tuck you in and make you feel safe, as you drift off into a deep slumber.
In the context of firsthand retellings of personal life stories, Until Then shines as an excellent example of using every clever advantage an interactive storytelling medium can use. Employing a charming art style and witty writing that feels just right, within its 6 to 8-hour playtime let yourself be transported to a bygone era where everything felt more easygoing yet catastrophic at the same time.
Detractors of horror entertainment condemn video games such as The Exorcist: Legion Exorcist: Legion as celebrating the devil. It is understandable to fear the unknown, but when rendered with so much care as is the case here, it is worth considering giving in to curiosity and trying one of the scariest PSVR2 experiences to date. Maybe banishing demons was always your calling.
The goal of Crow Country is to enjoy the story it has to tell, shoot some zombies, and come out of the experience like you just came out fresh of your time machine. If this fits the bill for you, then by all means go back to the 90s and relive those exciting moments where the only worries you had were how much more time you had to play before bedtime. Perhaps that joyful feeling video games used to give you could come back once more.
There are plenty of moments where Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes feels like a relic of the past. As if the game’s code was found in an old ’90s PC, polished and adapted to newer consoles. This is not to say that it is a bad thing, but a marvel of our time, baggage, and all. The way they were able to so clearly capture the essence of what a timeless JRPG is here will undoubtedly enrapture a certain kind of player yearning for those golden days when there wasn’t a care in the world and all we had were games.
PSVR2 users have been clamoring for a true JRPG such as what SOUL COVENANT looked to be on the outside. But this is not it. This game’s shine wears off rather quickly with its light RPG elements, focus on unwieldy combat absence of real substance, and variations in the gameplay to keep you going back. After the first hour of gameplay, it feels like you have seen everything it has to offer. Which is not bad, but it could have been so much more.
When an ambitious concept is as perfectly executed as it is here, it is imperative to celebrate the creative achievement that it truly is. Not only for the lasting emotion a superbly-told story gives but for all the artistic disciplines that coalesced to form this work of art. Harold Halibut is a feat rarely seen where a comedic sci-fi journey of self-discovery triumphs in leaving a mark that you will always treasure.
To zoom out and comfily watch from the skies when there was nothing but a barren island just over an hour ago and the hustle and bustle of people going about their daily lives is a feeling like none other. Little Cities: Bigger!'s ease of use, intuitive bubble UI, and clear goals shine among other games in the genre. It succeeds in giving you a cozy gameplay loop where there are no risks, but there are plenty of rewards.
Considering the overall presentation, these three unique chapters with different gameplay styles and a short runtime are worthy of a playthrough, especially if you are a fan of the series. All of the stories are connected by a single thread, and to see the care put into The Twilight Zone VR with abundant nods to its creator and what came before it is satisfying to see for the fans.
An inspiring and heartfelt tale for children and adults alike, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley serves as a much-needed reminder to let go of the baggage we carry, reconnect with nature, and try to learn to be a little bit more like Snufkin.
Exactly like the reality truck shows demonstrate, driving a heavy vehicle is not for the faint of heart. It requires a strong will, the courage to keep going when all else fails, and, in this case, a passion for investigating the natural sciences that compound our planet. Expeditions: A MudRunner Game took everything that made its foundation great and multiplied it exponentially into one of the most addictive gameplay loops in the modern simulators of our times.
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a game that asks a lot of the player even before it begins to reap the most meaningful memory out of it. Having to create an emotional resonance with its characters by playing dozens of hours of its previous entries, patience to understand every game mechanic and grind to be appropriately leveled for each chapter, and attention to properly comprehend each story beat. But, if you are willing to go through all of it to live this epic experience, one of the most impactful stories in gaming awaits.
Although the overall risks of the narrative are pretty low, and even the gameplay feels laidback, the dialogue and interactions of each character shine and are solely worth the playthrough just for that. If you are an avid follower of the series, then your enjoyment will only multiply. KONOSUBA is a very popular anime that deserves a comical and authentic video game adaptation, and that’s exactly what this game is.
Well-documented leaks muddied initial opinions of The Last of Us Part II by now, but with the benefit of time, it is easy to see why it won so many awards four years ago, and it will stand the test of time as one of the greatest games ever made. The parallel storyline, risky payoff, immaculate soundtrack, and iconic performances, now remastered and with more meaningful content than ever, will always be there for us when we wish to relive a harrowingly told tale as old as time.
Although the runtime of the main narrative is relatively short, clocking in at about 20 hours or so, the replayability value of Granblue Fantasy: Relink is off the charts. Taking into account the more than 100 quests on offer, the Fate Episodes to learn more information about every character, and the online mode to set out on adventures with up to three friends is virtually an endless trove of entertainment for those looking for an Action RPG with substance.
Given PSVR2‘s current RPG offerings, RUINSMAGUS: Complete is a breath of fresh air with its mission-based incursions into its dangerous catacombs, customizable equipment, and narrative focused on climbing the ranks of the Magus Guild. Ultimately, the empowering sensation of being a mage in control of all their powers is a feeling this game recreates well. At the best of times, it can make you feel like you are inside a classic fantasy story, and if that is what you have been searching for, look no further.
Whether you are accomplishing a lifelong dream of playing with a train kit or are lucky enough to have a dedicated space and would just try the novel new VR game in the store, Toy Trains goes beyond what a usual offering of virtual reality does in that not only does it recreate a fun mechanic to try but in that, it also adds an original spin to establish itself as a PSVR2 title to spend a quiet afternoon in and make it a memorable one.
Among the current offerings on the VR market, Horizon Call of the Mountain stands out as a PSVR2 exclusive because of its unique use of all the PlayStation ecosystem represents. A faithful representation of arguably one of its biggest IPs, standout use of its flagship Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback, and a heightened cinematic feeling throughout Ryas’ journey. If there ever was a system seller for an unproven technology, this is it.
Working as one of the best recreations of movie IPs of all time, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora reaches the heights and callbacks from some of the most memorable scenes from the series. Long gone are the days of cheap tie-in movies for a cash grab. Ubisoft has proven with this entry that a new form of video game world inspired by blockbuster intellectual property can exist.