Thrasher, developed by Puddle and published by Creature, presents a distinctive blend of arcade action and an immersive audiovisual presentation layer, reminiscent of the early VR hit Thumper – which it shares developers with. As you guide a space eel of sorts through surreal and unsettling landscapes, the game offers a unique challenge that intertwines fast-paced gameplay with a hypnotic soundtrack. If you ever wondered how snake could be adapted into VR, this is a solid first step – which we playtested on the Quest.
The premise of Thrasher has you navigating a range of cosmic environments, swooping and dashing to defeat colossal bosses. There isn’t much of a narrative here, but Thrasher’s otherworldly approach is effectively conveyed through the game’s striking visuals and atmospheric soundscapes. This helps players feel immersed in the journey they embark on, which relies in part on the game’s striking audiovisual layer.
The gameplay mechanics in Thrasher are straightforward yet demanding. Controlling your “space eel”, either with hand tracking or controllers, requires precision and timing, especially when executing combos and dodging obstacles. However, at times the eel’s movements can feel a bit sluggish, which can disrupt the otherwise fluid experience.
As mentioned before, the game shines in its audiovisual presentation. Brian Gibson’s soundtrack, paired with the trippy visuals, creates an almost mesmerizing experience that is best enjoyed with high-quality headphones and somewhat reminiscent of Rez VR and Jeff Minter’s VR work. This combination of sound and graphics is not just for show either – it’s an integral part of the gameplay, enhancing the immersion and intensity of each encounter to give your senses a real workout.
On the Meta Quest platform, Thrasher is accessible and engaging, though not without minor technical hiccups. Occasional performance issues, such as frame rate drops, can detract from the overall experience, particularly given the game’s heavy reliance on seamless audiovisual integration – so we’re hoping this one will receive further optimization as it heads towards its release on July 25th and beyond.
In conclusion, Thrasher offers a compelling and unique experience that melds fast-paced action with a rich sensory journey. While it may have some small control and performance issues, its artistic vision and innovative gameplay make it a noteworthy addition to the VR landscape. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the soundtrack or push your skills to the limit while doing so, Thrasher is a VR experience that stands out from the crowd.
Score: 7.8/10
Press Play Media 