We Are One, published by Fast Travel Games and developed by Flat Head Studio, brings a refreshing twist to the VR gaming landscape with its unique blend of mind-bending puzzles and FPS gameplay elements. In this virtual reality puzzle adventure, players team up with their greatest ally – themselves – to navigate through challenging levels set against a vibrant, hand-drawn world. After our earlier demo session with the developers, we played the full game on a Quest 2 headset.
The premise of We Are One centers around the player, a tree sapling, defending Mother Nature against destructive robots that threaten the planet. Armed with a wooden gun and shield, players must strategically plan their moves and cooperate with clones of themselves across multiple time loops to outsmart the mechanized enemies. The ability to clone oneself and witness the perfectly executed chain of actions from an overview perspective adds an exciting dimension to the gameplay.
We Are One’s cel-shaded comic-like art style brings the fearsome machines and idyllic natural elements to life in full VR. The game’s attention to detail, especially in the weapon design and controller hands, is commendable, and the watercolor-inspired palette enhances the visual experience. However, some areas, such as the industrial landscapes, can feel a bit dull and monotonous – it’s here where the limited power of the Quest 2 is felt.
Controls in We Are One are intuitive and mostly well-explained, allowing players to quickly grasp the mechanics. The gameplay revolves around creating clones and coordinating their actions to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. The game strikes a balance between ease of use for VR beginners and providing challenges for seasoned players. However, the difficulty level can vary significantly between levels, and some players may find the steep increase in challenge a bit frustrating. More balanced progression and better assistance could have improved the overall experience, and we had some trouble with the throwing mechanics at times – that aspect can require more practice than some might like.
In terms of playtime, We Are One offers 50+ levels that can be completed in around 3 to 4 hours. While the game’s length may seem relatively short, the inclusion of global leaderboards and the promise of a level editor in future updates add replayability and potential for community-generated content.
We Are One successfully combines puzzle-solving with FPS elements, providing an engaging gameplay experience. The shooting mechanics are responsive, and the available arsenal, including the reflective shield and explosive sap, adds depth to the combat encounters. However, the limited variety of enemies, particularly in later levels, could have been expanded upon to keep the battles feeling fresh.
Despite its strengths, We Are One has a few shortcomings. The game’s storyline lacks depth and fails to answer key questions about the machines’ origins and motivations, leaving players with an incomplete sense of narrative – a Portal-like narrative approach would have been interesting here. Additionally, the hint system, meant to assist players in challenging moments, often provides vague guidance that doesn’t effectively alleviate frustration. A more detailed and helpful hint system or visual demonstrations of solutions would have been beneficial, especially for casual players.
In conclusion, We Are One offers a unique and enjoyable VR experience, blending puzzle-solving and FPS gameplay in a visually appealing package. The intuitive mechanics, coupled with the ability to strategize with clones, provide a refreshing take on the genre. While the game’s story could have been more developed and the difficulty curve better balanced, We Are One remains a recommended title for players seeking a polished and innovative VR adventure. It’s highly original, and makes great use of VR.
Score: 8.0/10
Press Play Media 