Judging from the various Black Friday sales, VR is set to become a hot staple for gamers this holiday season. Today, we’re checking out Home Sports, I Am Cat and Premier League Player – here are our reviews.
Home Sports review (Quest)
Home Sports aims to bring a vibrant and engaging sports experience to VR, combining mixed-reality gameplay with a diverse selection of activities in this Quest 3(S) exclusive. With five distinct sports – pickleball, hockey, bowling, mini golf, and badminton – the game strives to cater to a broad audience, offering a mix of casual fun and competitive challenges. The emphasis on accessibility makes it easy for newcomers to jump in, while features like career mode and drills provide depth for those looking to hone their skills.
One of the game’s standout elements is its mixed-reality approach, which adapts each sport to your physical play area. This works particularly well for games like pickleball and badminton, where movement feels dynamic and immersive. The intuitive controls for these racket sports make gameplay enjoyable, though the responsiveness can occasionally falter, leading to minor frustrations during fast-paced rallies. The mini golf courses stand out with their creative designs, offering a mix of classic and modern aesthetics, while bowling captures the sport with accurate physics. Hockey, which blends elements of air hockey and ice hockey, provides a unique twist but feels less polished compared to the other offerings – a shame because it’s the most original game on offer.
Visually, Home Sports adopts a bright and clean art style that enhances its casual appeal. While the graphics lack the realism seen in other VR titles, they serve the game’s casual/social tone well. The audio design complements the experience, with lively sound effects and a cheerful soundtrack that matches the upbeat nature of the gameplay.
Multiplayer is a cornerstone of the experience, allowing up to four players to compete locally or online. The social aspect of Home Sports adds significant replay value, especially when playing with friends. Solo players aren’t left out, thanks to the inclusion of career mode and skill-based drills, though the latter may feel repetitive over time, and it’s a shame there is no Quest 2 support (with or without MR) in order to boost the player base.
Despite some minor issues with controls and uneven polish across the sports, Home Sports delivers an enjoyable VR experience that balances accessibility and variety. It may not be a game-changer for the platform, but it’s a solid addition to any Meta Quest library for fans of sports and social gaming.
I Am Cat review (Quest)
I Am Cat does what the title suggests and offers players an opportunity to step into the paws of a cat, blending sandbox gameplay with quirky humor and interactive physics. Set in Granny’s house, the game allows players to explore freely, complete cat-centric quests, and engage in playful mischief. The premise feels fresh and creative, thriving on its sandbox nature, encouraging experimentation and exploration. The house is packed with hidden secrets, puzzles, and interactive objects, from vases to scratchable furniture.
While the freedom to create chaos is amusing, there are quests to add structure to the experience, challenging players to use their agility and curiosity. The inclusion of mini-games, such as basketball and catch the mouse, adds variety, though some of these activities feel more polished than others. The hide-and-seek mechanics with Granny, where players can either befriend or antagonize her, introduce a light stealth element that keeps the gameplay dynamic for a while.
Visually, the game captures its quirky charm with a colorful and slightly cartoonish art style that complements the playful tone. While the graphics aren’t groundbreaking, they suit the lighthearted nature of the experience. Audio design also shines, with amusing sound effects and a fittingly mischievous soundtrack enhancing the cat’s escapades. However, occasional technical hiccups, such as clipping and inconsistent object physics, can detract from the immersion.
The controls are generally intuitive, making it easy to interact with the environment and perform classic (often annoying) cat actions like knocking items off shelves. Yet, the responsiveness can feel imprecise at times, particularly during more fast-paced sequences or when trying to complete mini-games.
Overall, I Am Cat is a unique addition to the VR library, offering a lighthearted and entertaining take on sandbox gameplay. While its charm and creativity carry the experience, minor technical shortcomings and uneven polish across its features hold it back from reaching its full potential. Still, for those looking to embrace their inner feline, I Am Cat is a fun and memorable journey.
Premier League Player review (Quest)
Premier League Player brings the excitement of English Premier League football to VR, offering a licensed experience with all 20 Premier League teams, authentic kits, and stadiums. Central to the game is Moments mode, where players can relive highlights from the 2023/24 season by scoring key goals or delivering clutch assists. While these scenarios are thrilling, the limited variety and content can lead to repetition over time.
Additional modes, like Shot Stopper and Heading, add variety by focusing on goalkeeping reflexes and aerial accuracy – and this fits well what motion controls can offer in VR. These modes are especially fun in multiplayer but feel less engaging during solo play. The Free Play and training drills provide flexibility, but they lack the structured appeal of the main modes or a game like Headmaster. Occasional calibration issues in controls can disrupt immersion, though overall, the mechanics are intuitive and accessible.
Visually, the game recreates the Premier League atmosphere with recognizable stadiums and official kits, though character animations and player models could use more refinement. The audio design effectively enhances the experience with crowd noise and commentary, though its repetitive nature detracts from the long-term immersion. The Player Sanctuary offers a unique social element for tracking achievements and customizing your space, but feels secondary to the core gameplay.
Despite its shortcomings, Premier League Player is a fun and ambitious attempt to bring football into VR. It’s one for diehard fans looking to get closer to the action they love to watch on TV, even if its scope and polish leave room for improvement. Casual players may find the novelty wears off quickly, but its foundation holds promise for future iterations.
Press Play Media 