Not For Broadcast VR is the virtual reality adaptation of the popular TV station management game, developed by NotGames and published by tinyBuild. In this VR version, as with the original game, you’re put in the shoes of a TV news editor tasked with selecting and broadcasting the news to a live audience. It’s a unique and immersive experience that is sure to please fans of the original game and newcomers alike, and we tested it on a Quest 2.
The graphics in Not For Broadcast VR are impressive, with a detailed and immersive environment that fully immerses you in the world of a news station. The use of VR enhances the experience, allowing you to interact with the game in a more intuitive and immersive way. As a former janitor, you’re now in the control room of a national TV station in an alternate version of the eighties in the UK.
But what really sets Not For Broadcast VR apart is the gameplay. The game offers a compelling and engaging experience that challenges you to make tough decisions under pressure. You’ll need to carefully choose the news segments to broadcast, edit footage to remove any inappropriate content, and even deal with live technical issues. At the same time, you get caught up in political intrigue, as your decisions and actions have actual sway over what happens in the outside world.
The voice acting and writing in Not For Broadcast VR are also top-notch. The game features a talented cast of voice actors that bring the characters to life, and the writing is sharp and witty, with plenty of (dark) humor and satire – all brought to the screen with full motion video segments, which is a rare thing in VR but works well because it’s all being displayed on (virtual) flat screens.
There are a few areas where the game could use some improvement, however. For example, some players might find the game’s pacing to be slow at times, as there are moments where you’re just waiting for something to happen. Additionally, the game’s tutorial could be more thorough, as some of the mechanics can be a bit confusing for new players. Part of that is intentional though, as the big control room setting with a need for quick decisions is meant to be overwhelming, at least to a degree.
This is also definitely a game that works well in VR due to motion controls. Since it’s the eighties, you still have to work VHS tapes and lots of big screens and buttons, so everything’s quite hands on. Being able to do all that by grabbing and moving things is immersive – we imagine quite a bit more so than doing the same with a gamepad and just dragging stuff across the screen with a thumbstick.
Overall, Not For Broadcast VR is a compelling and immersive news broadcasting experience that is sure to keep you engaged from start to finish. While it has a few flaws, the game’s strengths more than make up for them. If you’re a fan of simulation games with a strong and engaging narrative, or just looking for a unique and immersive VR experience, Not For Broadcast VR is definitely worth checking out. And if you’re looking into the flat screen version of the game: we played the PlayStation version as well, and although it’s a more immersive experience on the Quest you have the added experience of being able to dip into new DLC chapters that aren’t available in VR when you play the regular version. It doesn’t make the choice easier, but both versions are more than worth playing!
Score: 8.0/10
Press Play Media 