We’re exploring new virtual worlds by checking out TOSS!, Hellsweeper VR and the VR adaptation of Behind The Frame: The Finest Scenery in our new VR roundup.
TOSS! review (Quest)
Despite the title, TOSS! is much more about swinging around than about tossing things around. Develeped by Agera Games and published by Vertigo Games, this VR platformer is a monkey-centric escapade that blends monkey-like swinging with VR gaming mechanics. As you crash-land on a celestial sphere, your mission is to collect parts, repair your spaceship, and swing your way through over 75 levels across nine different worlds. We played it on a Quest 2.
TOSS! demands precise timing and agile movements, with the Meta Quest 2’s controller tracking feeling precise. The mechanics are easy to pick up, and the act of grabbing and releasing feels natural, enhancing the immersion. Each level presents a trifecta of challenges: collecting floating banana pieces, completing the course in record time, and minimizing grabs. This introduces replayability as you strive for better scores, but some may find the difficulty curve steep and will be happy to just complete a level.
The swinging mechanic, while not always as fluid as in other titles, offers an authentic sense of immersion, relying solely on the monkey’s upper body strength so getting around the fact that VR can’t properly track legs yet. Unlockable modifiers, from Zero Gravity to Double Toss, elevate the platformer experience with new mechanics. However, the path to unlocking these modifiers may be demanding for newcomers or casual gamers – hence the learning curve mentioned earlier. The multiplayer component adds a layer of friendly rivalry, allowing players to compete head-to-head and race against ghost characters, introducing a strategic dimension to the gameplay. And even if you’re not competitive, this is a good way to pick up tips and tricks.
TOSS! strikes a balance between excitement and challenge, offering a unique VR platforming experience. It’s a swinging adventure that promises a wild ride through vibrant landscapes, making it a must-try for VR enthusiasts seeking a new, physically engaging challenge.
Hellsweeper VR review (Quest)
Hellsweeper VR, developed by Mixed Realms and published by Vertigo Games, is quite different from TOSS!. With its high-octane battles against the denizens of hell, it’s reminiscent of DOOM in a way. The combat system is a standout feature, offering a wide array of weaponry and magic for an immersive VR experience. Switching between guns, swords, and spells adds a layer of depth and strategy, ensuring combat remains engaging and dynamic.
While the narrative is very minimal, it sets the stage for the relentless action that follows. Players step into the role of an undead immortal tasked with stemming the demonic overflow threatening to breach into other realms. The game’s progression system, however, can feel a bit sluggish, necessitating a significant grind for modest rewards. This aspect may test the patience of players seeking more immediate gratification, especially when you consider that VR play sessions tend to be shorter than regular ones.
Visually, Hellsweeper VR impresses with its dark and foreboding environments, accompanied by grotesque enemy designs that match the hellish tone and setting. There are instances where the hardware limitations of the Quest 2 are evident, but this doesn’t detract significantly from the overall experience and the visuals generally feel quite polished.
In terms of sound design, while competent, there’s room for improvement. Spatial audio could be used to greater effect to immerse players in the game’s chaotic battles, and the audioscape in general could certainly be richer as well, feeling a tad minimalist. Despite these minor drawbacks, Hellsweeper VR stands out as a good example in virtual violence, offering an intense and varied combat experience that’s sure to captivate players who relish high-octane action in the immersive realm of virtual reality.
Behind The Frame: The Finest Scenery VR review (Quest)
Akupara Games brings the Studio Ghibli-inspired world of Behind the Frame to life in virtual reality, offering an interactive journey through the eyes of an aspiring artist. The transition from a 2D point-and-click adventure to a 3D VR experience is striking, with well-executed adaptations of the original environments. However, some technical hiccups and design inconsistencies hinder the otherwise intriguing narrative adventure, which we first reviewed in its flat screen incarnation.
Following the story of Amber, an aspiring artist striving to complete her gallery submission, players are drawn into a tale woven around her interactions with a reclusive elderly painter and his feline companion. This seemingly straightforward premise conceals a captivating and endearing narrative that unfolds over the course of roughly two hours. The mundane routines of Amber’s daily life end up serving as a canvas, slowly revealing the complexities of her character.
The gameplay centers around Amber’s apartment, where players engage in tasks like preparing breakfast, brewing coffee, and sending emails. These interactions, reminiscent of point-and-click mechanics, serve to paint a vivid picture of Amber’s life. Puzzles are seamlessly integrated into this, often involving color-related challenges that unlock new shades for Amber’s palette. While some moments test memory and observation, others could benefit from a touch more complexity – this is a rather casual title from a gameplay mechanics point of view.
The painting itself is a gratifying experience, somewhat akin to a virtual paint-by-numbers. However, there are occasional frustrations with detection accuracy when applying paint to existing artworks, which is where the VR/motion controls work against the game. The game also suffers from design quirks, such as a finicky laser pointer and distorted textures. These issues indicate a need for further polish, which is a shame because a game like this should work very well in VR.
This 3D/VR adaptation, while admirable, presents room for improvement. The occasional jarring transition and technical glitches detract from an otherwise engaging narrative. Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery VR offers a compelling story in a beautifully animated world, but its current state suggests that the original flatscreen version may be the preferred choice until further updates address these concerns – and we’re hoping they’ll come as this should be a fantastic tale to experience in VR.
Press Play Media 