Firewall Ultra Reviews
A competent sequel to the multiplayer VR shooter original in most ways, Firewall Ultra's awkward use of eye tracking and lack of content are a shot in the foot rather than the arm.
Despite the lack of content at launch and the long waits to join matches, I still can't seem to put Firewall Ultra down.
Firewall Ultra has a ton of potential. Its solid shooting, diverse maps and addictive gameplay make each match a thrill. While First Contact Entertainment nails these aspects, there are several issues that make this fall short of a complete experience. With the lack of in-game interactivity, inactive objectives and only a couple of modes, Firewall Ultra needs time to be the shooter we were hoping for.
Ultimately, we think our impressions of Firewall Ultra boil down to just one question: will we be back for more? At this point in time, it seems unlikely. There are certainly the bones of a good game in here, but with the streamlined gameplay experience and limited content roster, frankly we just kept thinking about the better VR games we could be playing. We'll certainly be keen to dip in once new content arrives, but it's especially disheartening when we've been waiting for a big VR shooter like this on the PSVR2 for quite some time. Firewall Ultra then is an infrequently fun yet persistently disappointing first-party title that really forgets what makes VR so special in the first place.
As arguably the biggest, full-fat PSVR 2 first-party release since Horizon: Call of the Mountain, it's clear that Firewall Ultra doesn't quite match the deservedly lofty expectations that have been set for it. This is thanks in no small part to a modest amount of content and a progression system that is currently grind-heavy to say the least. However, it's also clear that this is a gorgeously realised tactical shooter that approaches excellence when everything falls into place with your fellow human players - it's just that, as of right now, such occasions are more fleeting than I would like thanks to so much for Firewall Ultra's promise being locked behind promised future updates that have yet to arrive.
Is it the system-seller that PS VR2 fans were hoping for? Not exactly, but there is plenty to like about Firewall Ultra. It's an extremely comfortable VR shooter with fun tactical gameplay that uses the headset's features in an interesting way, though it does take some getting used to. Sluggish progression and minor bugs need to be addressed, but First Contact Entertainment has been updating the game rapidly since launch.
It was reasonable to expect more from Firewall Ultra. The legacy of Zero Hour is only partially taken up, as the production alternates between steps forward and inexplicable steps backwards in terms of interactivity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Overall, Firewall Ultra has great gameplay elements working in its favor, but a lack of content and shameful grind and monetization systems make this a hard one to recommend at this point in time. Maybe after a few updates it’ll be ready to go, but for now it’s time for First Contact to grab another mag and get to work.
Could be one of PSVR2s best shooters, but is held back by some baffling design decisions.
Firewall Ultra sticks to what works and is very satisfying, but missed opportunities hold it back from truly being the ultra tactical VR shooter.
Firewall Ultra is a simple game, with few modes at launch and that depend on a very time-consuming matchmaking. In addition, the gameplay explores little of the capabilities of VR. With the promised support, Ultra Firewall may be better in the future, but it's hard to recommend it at the moment.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
While Firewall Ultra might have a bright future, as suggested by the franchise's initial success, its current state offers few justifications for its price. The limited game options and slow progression favoring microtransaction enthusiasts over casual players, along with the matchmaking issues and gameplay flaws, mean the development team needs to work hard to secure its future. The potential for fun is there, but it needs proper development.
Review in Italian | Read full review
All in all, Firewall Ultra is a game full of promise, but which fails to deliver. What's more, in addition to making almost no use of the PS VR2 headset's technologies, the developers haven't mastered them very well.What's more, the graphics are pretty and you can have a lot of fun if you play with friends. And once again, with PS VR2's low market penetration, matchmaking takes a long time. Without being bad, Firewall Ultra doesn't seize the opportunity to place itself above the fray in the offering of games of this style. I'd recommend waiting for a discount, or buying it if you're a group of VR gamers.
Review in French | Read full review
Firewall Ultra has quickly moved itself to the regular playlist at my home. The game's fun and unique style of combat over other FPS titles on the market make for some interesting matches and tactics.
Firewall Ultra for the PlayStation VR2 was poised to be the de-facto FPS in VR. Top-notch graphics and immersion promised a shooter experience unlike any other. Unfortunately, what we have here at launch is a far cry from the promises of what could have been.
Firewall Ultra is a thrilling multiplayer experience that just needs a little bit more content to stand out as a must-play PlayStation VR 2 title. The core gameplay itself is great, whilst the visuals are fantastic and the use of PlayStation VR 2’s more unique features is VERY cool – it’s just a shame that progression in-game is VERY slow and that there isn’t more variety offered with additional game modes. It’s also worth noting that it’s a lot less immersive than similar titles in virtual reality, with a lot of the actions you perform automated by a button press. It isn’t a deal-breaker (and can actually make the game a lot more accessible), but it might feel a bit jarring for those who are more familiar with the genre in virtual reality.
All in, for £35, well worth a try on PSVR2. But hardcore first-person shooter gamers won’t find the next big thing here just yet.