Crumbling, a new VR rogue-like action adventure developed by indie studio Crumbling Games, brings the charm of playing with action figures to life in VR. Set in the abandoned “Crumbles Hobby and Craft Store”, players take control of a Crumbling, an action figure, and embark on a quest to defeat the plastic minions of the evil Böse Corp. The game, available on Meta Quest and other platforms now, blends the nostalgia of opening and playing with action figures with the immersive experience of virtual reality.
The narrative of Crumbling unfolds through nicely animated and narrated comic books, revealing a story of the evil Böse Corp. that is stealing magic from Mr. and Mrs. Crumble. While the story may not be deeply captivating, the game’s core focus is to recreate the joy of playing with toys as a child – leaving a lot of it to your own imagination. This nostalgic sense comes alive in Crumbling, offering a VR journey for those who still appreciate engaging in childhood play.
One of the standout features is the direct control of the character using motion controllers, simulating the feeling of wielding an action figure in your hand. Each Crumbling figure, representing various archetypal classes, has unique moves and special attacks. In a nice touch, the game’s natural flow involves unwrapping the hero from its packaging, waving it around, and engaging in hack’n’slash combat with a variety of enemies – you get the full immersive experience you had as a child here. The charming visuals, with toy shop and diorama aesthetics, help to contribute to the overall appeal as well.
The gameplay loop includes battling through well-crafted dioramas, facing waves of enemies and bosses, and engaging in mini-games like using a metal hook to navigate paths. The strategic elements come into play as players anticipate enemy moves, evade attacks, and counter at the right moment. Despite some awkward controls at times and some relatively slow movement, the combat system offers a joyful and fun roguelike experience. Crumbling introduces a card-based progression system where players can choose cards at the end of each round to enhance their magical and melee attacks. These cards add a layer of strategy to the game, though in true roguelike fashion they disappear upon death.
The game successfully captures the essence of kids playing with action figures, offering a unique VR experience that stands out in the growing landscape of VR titles. While movement and combat may take some time to master, the charm of Crumbling resonates, especially for those who fondly remember the days of playing with action figures rather than just collecting them. Whether standing or sitting, Crumbling provides an accessible and enjoyable VR adventure.
In conclusion, Crumbling is a delightful and nostalgic VR experience that, despite some control challenges, manages to deliver a fun and engaging roguelike adventure. Its unique blend of childhood play and virtual reality makes it a standout title for those looking for a lighthearted and immersive gaming experience. It doesn’t reinvent what you can do with VR (Arvore’s Yuki came to mind), but it’s a charming take nonetheless.
Score: 7.2/10
Press Play Media 