In a creative and futuristic twist on an extraterrestrial invasion that threatens humanity, Fast Travel Games presents Mannequin – a new asymmetrical VR multiplayer experience that’s now out in early access on the Quest. We stepped into Mannequin’s world just before the launch, and here’s what we thought.
What We Know:
Mannequin is slated for release on Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro in 2024, marking Fast Travel Games’ foray into multiplayer-only gaming. Set against the backdrop of an alien invasion with multiple locations to play in, players are thrust into a high-stakes battle for survival. One team embodies shape-shifting aliens, blending seamlessly with frozen human statues to evade detection, while the opposing faction, armed with cutting-edge technology to help locate them, hunts them down. It’s a game of cat and mouse where victory hinges on having the right strategy and/or the ability to deceive others. For long enough at least, as each round is only 15 to 20 minutes long – and can be even shorter.
What We Saw:
Our journey into Mannequin began with a pre-release build, where we joined forces with fellow journalists and the Fast Travel Games team for an exciting hands-on experience. Through several matches, we took on the roles of both Mannequins and Agents, navigating the tense landscapes and uncovering the game’s intricate mechanics and options to strategize.
What We Thought:
We didn’t fully know what to expect going into our session, but Mannequin quickly managed to captivate us with its ingenious blend of co-op and tactical gameplay. The premise is seemingly straightforward, but builds an atmosphere of intrigue and suspense that wouldn’t look out of place in a single player game or narrative-driven adventure either. The asymmetrical dynamics between Mannequins and Agents inject a sense of urgency into every encounter, keeping players on the edge of their seats.
The gameplay mechanics shine with intuitive controls and strategic depth. As Mannequins, the thrill of blending in among frozen NPCs and launching surprise attacks is unmatched – watching an agent walk by or fire at a nearby decoy before attacking them is a thrill. Conversely, playing as Agents demands keen observation and calculated decision-making, adding another dimension to the chase.
Visually, Mannequin impresses on the Quest with its immersive environments and attention to detail – with some levels having a great sense of verticality and scale and other switching things up between confined and open spaces. From eerie lab sites to ancient ruins, each setting exudes an atmosphere of mystery and danger. Coupled with immersive audio design and voice comms between players, the game pulls players into its immersive world, heightening the tension with every heartbeat.
While Mannequin exhibits immense promise, it’s not without its minor flaws. The limited map variety in the current build and the game only having a single game mode may leave some craving more variety, but the potential for future updates and community feedback offers hope for expansion. Another concern we have is how well the mechanics hold up with fewer players in a round – things can feel unbalanced, and/or rounds can be over before you know it. Despite this, Mannequin stands as yet another testament to Fast Travel Games’ commitment to delivering compelling VR experiences of all kinds, and the session we had was excellent.
In conclusion, Mannequin emerges as a promising addition to the VR landscape, blending innovation in gameplay with adrenaline-fueled gameplay. With its immersive world, strategic depth, and nail-biting tension, it’s poised to carve out its place as a must-play multiplayer experience as long as it attracts a solid player base. As we eagerly await its 1.0 release, we’re keeping an eye out for updates in the coming weeks and months.
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