With the Quest version of Fracked, the PlayStation release of Antstream Arcade and the port of indie title Thermonuclear, we’re covering three very different titles in today’s port roundup. Here are the reviews.
Fracked review (Quest)
Fracked, developed by nDreams, brings its high-octane VR action-adventure experience to the Meta Quest, following the original PSVR release. In Fracked, you take on the role of a war hero thrust into a frantic mission to save the world from an interdimensional threat unleashed by corporate greed. The game blends a variety of movement styles, including skiing, climbing, and traditional run-and-gun combat, making great use of the immersive qualities that virtual reality allows.
On the Meta Quest, the game’s fast-paced mechanics remain intact, with fluid skiing and climbing feeling responsive and intuitive. The ability to physically lean into turns on your skis adds a great sense of freedom, which pairs well with the intense gunfights that unfold. Fracked emphasizes freedom of movement in combat, allowing players to duck behind cover or zipline across cliffs while shooting enemies. The game’s motion controls have been optimized well for the Meta Quest, with accurate tracking and a seamless sense of immersion – and it’s great to play this one wire-free for the first time. However, the relative lack of graphical fidelity compared to the PSVR version is noticeable, with some texture quality and detail taking a hit on the Quest’s standalone hardware.
The narrative in Fracked delivers a straightforward, action-packed story, critiquing corporate exploitation and environmental recklessness. Though it doesn’t dive deep into character development, it serves as a fitting backdrop for the chaotic battles against the “Fracked,” an enemy force blending hive mind tactics and overwhelming firepower. While the story may not offer much depth, it’s the gameplay mechanics that keep players engaged, with the dynamic environments and freedom to approach combat in multiple ways proving a major highlight.
Visually, the Meta Quest version handles the fast-paced nature of the game well, despite the aforementioned drop in graphical detail compared to higher-end VR platforms – which unfortunately still includes the last gen PSVR headset. The audio experience, however, remains strong, with sharp sound design that elevates the tension in combat. In summary, Fracked on Meta Quest is a thrilling and highly immersive VR experience, even if it has to make a few sacrifices in visual quality to deliver its fast-paced gameplay. The game’s fluid mechanics and VR-specific design ensure it’s still a standout experience for Quest users.
Antstream Arcade review (PS5)
Antstream Arcade on PlayStation 5 delivers a comprehensive retro gaming experience, featuring over 1300 classic titles like Pacman, Monkey Island, and Metal Slug, making it a treasure trove for nostalgic players with an incredibly wide range of covered genres and eras. The platform offers a convenient cloud-based service where you can dive into arcade and console classics without dealing with the hassle of emulators or ROMs, all while taking advantage of cloud saves and seamless accessibility. With regular updates that introduce new games and challenges every week, the platform constantly evolves. We reviewed the Xbox version before and already saw a few different games.
Gameplay-wise, the addition of mini-game challenges and weekly tournaments breathes new life into older titles. For example, Bubble Bobble can feel fresh again thanks to these engaging challenges that offer a modern competitive edge. The Giant Slayer feature adds even more replay value by letting players compete to beat community high scores, while there’s also the fun of couch co-op, allowing players to enjoy games like Double Dragon or Ninja Gaiden together.
However, as with any cloud service, the overall experience depends on a stable internet connection. Inconsistent speeds can lead to input lag, which can be particularly problematic in fast-paced titles like Space Invaders or Strikers 1999, where timing and precision are key. This could be a drawback for those without solid broadband, especially for games requiring quick reflexes. Still, for players with reliable connections, the smooth integration of classic games into a modern system is well-executed. We played with a wired connection, and had zero problems.
Ultimately, Antstream Arcade succeeds in bringing retro gaming to the PlayStation 5, offering a massive catalog and additional features that enhance the classic experience. It’s a must-try for anyone looking to rediscover gaming history, with an immense selection as well as a few modern twists. And while we recently looked at the new Fatal Fury, Antstream Arcade lets you explore the series’ roots, while also letting you switch over to iconic IPs like Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Worms.
Thermonuclear review (PS5)
Thermonuclear on PlayStation 5, recently released after its 2021 debut on PC, brings tactical combat to a dystopian, war-torn future. Set in the midst of a Third World War, the game puts you in control of a powerful cyborg weapon with the mission to end the conflict by defeating the Allfather AI. Its narrative is minimal but effective, with the game itself focusing more on the gameplay than world-building – giving you a reason for why you’re battling through various environments using a blend of strategy and firepower.
The core gameplay of Thermonuclear features procedurally generated levels, where players face a wide variety of enemies, from mutants in ruined cities to heavily armored soldiers in factories. The game encourages players to think tactically, utilizing their surroundings and terrain to gain the upper hand. For instance, you can push enemies off ledges or set the environment on fire, adding a layer of environmental strategy that sets it apart from standard tactical games. The game also offers plenty of customization, allowing players to experiment with different builds, skills, artifacts, and consumables, which adds replayability.
However, Thermonuclear’s controls, while generally responsive, can feel cumbersome in the heat of battle. The turn-based mechanics require precise planning, but sometimes the interface isn’t as smooth as it could be, leading to frustrating moments when you accidentally mismanage your resources or movement. Additionally, while the procedurally generated levels add variety, they can occasionally feel repetitive after a few hours, particularly when certain level types appear more often than others.
Visually, Thermonuclear has a gritty, industrial aesthetic that suits its dark, apocalyptic world. The soundtrack is suitably tense, ramping up during combat to keep the action engaging. That said, the game’s audio design doesn’t stand out beyond what you’d expect from a post-apocalyptic tactical game. In conclusion, Thermonuclear offers an enjoyable tactical experience with a solid balance of strategy and action, though its repetitive elements and clunky controls may limit its appeal for some players.
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