One of the surprising benefits of the winter season is that it’s no longer too warm to wear a VR headset for an extended period of time – which we thought was a great reason for another VR roundup. Here’s a look at LEGO Bricktales VR, Pavlov Shack, Towers and Powers and Neko Atsume Purrfect Kitty Collector.
LEGO Bricktales VR review (Quest)
Lego Bricktales VR for the Meta Quest is a groundbreaking fusion of virtual reality and the iconic LEGO building experience – one of the best applications of the Danish brand we’ve seen so far. Taking full advantage of the Meta Quest 3’s enhanced mixed reality functionality, the game uses an innovative passthrough mode that seamlessly integrates the LEGO playsets that are featured in the game into the player’s physical space. In other words – the worlds in Bricktales can actually come to life inside your own living room. This feature adds a layer of immersion and magic to the gameplay that no other LEGO title has managed before – gone are the days of “hold square to build”.
As with the flat-screen version we reviewed earlier, The core gameplay revolves around a brick-by-brick building mechanic, leveraging the intuitive controls of the Meta Quest touch controllers in this VR adaptation. Throughout the campaign, players engage in creative and diverse challenges, constructing everything from suspension bridges to functional gadgets, with the tactile nature of VR and motion controls enhancing the overall building experience. The satisfaction of testing the structural integrity of your creations and seeing them seamlessly integrated into pre-built LEGO worlds is a standout feature, highlighting the game’s attention to detail and immersive design and delivering an almost tangible sense of success.
Despite these strengths and the must-play VR experience on offer, the game isn’t without minor drawbacks. The Meta Quest 3’s passthrough mode, while groundbreaking and almost magical to watch, does feature somewhat imprecise controls, which can bring mild frustrations. Navigating the User Interface also isn’t as quick as it is in the flat-screen version, but these issues do little to detract from the overall triumph of translating the joy of LEGO building into a captivating virtual reality experience. Lego Bricktales VR on the Meta Quest sets a high standard for innovative game design, showcasing the potential of VR technology to enhance beloved gaming experiences and bring LEGO to life in a videogame form in a way we’ve never seen before.
Pavlov Shack review (Quest)
Pavlov Shack for the Meta Quest emerges from its early access phase as a versatile and immersive VR shooter, balancing accessibility and intensity across various game modes. Boasting a library of over 65 interactable weapons and attachments, it caters to diverse player preferences. The game’s detailed weapon physics, which include realistic reload mechanics, contribute to a highly immersive gunplay experience, and it’s easy to see why this one did so well during its beta stage. Pavlov Shack successfully introduces more tactical depth with recent updates as well, including the ability to go prone and a transition to Unreal Engine 5 if you play on PC, enhancing visual fidelity.
The game’s diverse range of engaging modes, from classic deathmatch to historical WWII-themed scenarios, showcases its adaptability and broad appeal. While the Meta Quest version experiences a graphical downgrade compared to the PC version that’s hard to deny, Pavlov Shack compensates with an engaging and dynamic gameplay experience. The game’s replayability is a standout feature, thanks to an active community, diverse content, and a dedicated player base, ensuring a consistently fresh and engaging experience for both newcomers and seasoned players. Despite some graphical compromises on the Quest, Pavlov Shack stands as a top-tier multiplayer shooter for mobile headsets, offering an exciting and tactical virtual battlefield experience.
Towers and Powers review (Quest)
Towers & Powers, a VR tower defense game by MeKiwi for the Meta Quest, offers a new take on the familiar genre, granting players the power of divine intervention to protect their citizens and prevent the fall of islands into enemy hands. The game’s tutorial excels in providing a smooth entry, ensuring a seamless transition into the captivating world – though those familiar with the genre shouldn’t have any trouble to begin with. The playful art style and the inclusion of diverse characters, which you can combine, contribute to the game’s unique charm as well.
One notable aspect of Towers & Powers is its deviation from traditional tower defense mechanics. Players not only build towers but also engage in casting spells and intercepting cannonballs, adding layers of strategy and involvement while of course also making use of the motion controls that are inherent to VR. The levels are both entertaining and challenging, requiring thoughtful strategies to earn the coveted 3 stars – a system designed to let you progress but also keep you coming back for higher scores.
As players progress through the game, the need for strategic planning becomes larger, enhancing the overall satisfaction upon successful completion. Replaying levels for higher scores also offers an additional layer of motivation, promising extended enjoyment for those seeking to master every scenario of this VR tower defense experience on the Meta Quest.
Neko Atsume Purrfect Kitty Collector review (Quest)
Neko Atsume Purrfect Kitty Collector brings the beloved mobile cat-focused game into the VR realm, offering a delightful experience on Meta Quest. With 46 different types of cats, the game invites players to engage with these virtual felines in ways beyond observation. The cartoony and endearing look of the cats, which are characteristic of the mobile version, translates well into VR, making this one very charming to look at.
The game’s simplicity and lack of intense involvement serve as both a strength and a drawback here. Like its mobile counterpart, Purrfect centers around collecting cartoon cats and enjoying their playful antics. However, the VR dimension allows for interactive elements such as petting and picking up the cats using controllers, providing an additional layer of engagement. The mixed reality mode on Quest 3 adds an especially unique touch, allowing a cat to appear in the real-world environment, creating amusing and immersive moments.
Priced rather high for something based on a mobile title, Neko Atsume Purrfect might seem a bit expensive for its lighthearted and casual nature. However, for VR newcomers, the game serves as an excellent introductory experience, with accessible gameplay and over 40 cats as well as a variety of goodies to attract and entertain them. The inclusion of hand tracking controls adds a natural feel, enhancing the overall interaction with the virtual cats – and the mechanic tends to work quite well thanks to the simple nature of the game.
Despite its strengths and charm, the game does have some limitations, with a restricted amount of freedom to move and interact. However, these constraints also contribute to the game’s comfort and accessibility. With its simplistic gameplay, charming visuals, and enjoyable mixed reality support, Neko Atsume Purrfect Kitty Collector is an appealing VR experience for cat enthusiasts and VR newcomers.
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