C-Smash VRS, developed by Wolf & Wood and published by RapidEyeMovers, brings a reimagined version of SEGA’s iconic Dreamcast game, Cosmic Smash, into the world of virtual reality. This futuristic VR title, which currently is exclusive to PSVR2, aims to deliver an immersive and enjoyable racket sports experience with a unique twist. Let’s dive into the positives and negatives of this game, exploring its gameplay mechanics, controls, visuals, and audio.
The premise of C-Smash VRS is a blend of racquet sports, Pong, and Breakout, set in a futuristic environment at the end of space and time. The game offers a full-body VR experience, allowing players to pull off impressive smash shots in low-gravity environments. The single-player Journey mode introduces rogue-like progression as well, featuring 100 levels and various power-ups that are scattered throughout the cosmos.
One of the strengths of C-Smash VRS lies in its gameplay mechanics, where players familiar with racket sports like Tennis, Squash, or Padel will feel right at home. The ball physics in the game accurately simulate real-life movements, providing a satisfying experience when executing shots with proper spin and angles. The gameplay follows the Breakout concept, where players must keep the ball in motion, breaking through obstacles while racing against the clock – but in 3D from a first person perspective.
The game offers different control options, including sitting, standing, and full room-scale movement. While C-Smash VRS can be played with limited space, the full roomscale experience truly enhances the gameplay in this game, and seated mode just ended up feeling immersion-breaking to us. Players without enough room may find themselves frustrated due to the time constraints and limited movement, and it’s a shame there isn’t a (wireless) Quest version of the game. Dashing around to meet the ball and physically engaging with the game definitely adds an extra layer of immersion and enjoyment.
C-Smash VRS’s single-player campaign, although enjoyable, has its small flaws. The strict time limits and the penalty of starting over from the beginning can be discouraging. The game’s Zen Mode, while offering the ability to restart levels, lacks extended time, which can hinder the experience. The timer’s placement on the floor sometimes leads to oversight and adds unnecessary pressure. Despite these issues, the campaign mode provides a challenge, albeit one that may not have enough replay value because of its arcade-like nature.
The multiplayer aspect of C-Smash VRS shines brightly though, with multiple online versus modes. Players can compete against others, adding a competitive edge to the game. Modes like “control” and “1v1” offer engaging gameplay mechanics and a real sense of playing a sport against a faceless opponent. With a vibrant community, the multiplayer experience can be addictive and rewarding, but we’ll have to wait and see how that community develops as C-Smash VRS is dependent on PSVR2 players alone.
Visually, C-Smash VRS impresses with its clean and futuristic aesthetics. The game’s bright lights, pops of color, and the ethereal space jump sequences create a visually captivating experience. The visual design pays homage to the original Cosmic Smash while adding a modern touch. Additionally, the inclusion of background storytelling through the shuttle’s crew adds depth to the overall atmosphere.
Accompanying the visuals is a terrific soundtrack featuring original tracks by DJ Ken Ishii and Danalogue. The hypnotic beats sync with the dynamic environments, enhancing the immersion and adding to the overall enjoyment of the game.
In conclusion, C-Smash VRS successfully reimagines a forgotten classic for the modern era of virtual reality. While it faces some frustrations, such as precise controls, harsh timers, and limited solo play modes, the game’s engaging multiplayer experience, nice and clean visuals, and immersive gameplay make it a compelling choice for VR enthusiasts. C-Smash VRS has the potential to keep growing with new modes, features, and content, so we’re hoping for continued support and updates from the developers and maybe also versions for other platforms.
Score: 7.4/10
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