It’s been a busy time for VR studios this year, and we’re checking Deep Cuts, Mythic Realms and new Current Waves DLC for Synth Riders – all new releases for the Meta Quest.
Deep Cuts review (Quest)
Deep Cuts, developed by Scythe Dev Team and published by tinyBuild, offers an inventive journey into the world of filmmaking through the lens of virtual reality. Players step into the virtual shoes of Elise Weber, co-founder of the film studio Lights, Camera, Faction, embarking on a mission to rescue her partner, Malcolm Micheaux. This quest unfolds by diving into the studio’s eclectic film catalog, allowing players to experience a variety of movie genres firsthand.
The game’s standout feature is its physics-driven mechanics, which grant players a high degree of interaction within the environment. Whether wielding firearms or engaging in melee combat, the responsiveness of the controls enhances immersion. However, this complexity can occasionally lead to a few unpredictable interactions, a common trait in physics-based games. For instance, object handling isn’t always perfect/intuitive, which can momentarily disrupt the otherwise engaging experience.
Visually, Deep Cuts presents a diverse array of backdrops, each reflecting different cinematic genres. From the dusty streets of a Western showdown to the eerie corridors of a haunted house, the game’s art direction effectively captures the essence of various film styles. This variety keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, as players navigate through distinct environments that each offer their own unique challenges and narratives.
In terms of audio, the game features a soundtrack that complements its varied settings, enhancing the overall atmosphere. However, some boss encounters can feel repetitive and occasionally buggy, which may affect the pacing and enjoyment during these segments.
Overall, Deep Cuts delivers a unique and immersive VR experience that celebrates the art of filmmaking. It’s a creative take and while it has minor technical issues, its innovative approach to genre exploration and interactive storytelling make it a noteworthy title for VR enthusiasts.
Mythic Realms review (Quest)
Mythic Realms brings an ambitious mixed-reality twist to the RPG genre, turning physical spaces into interactive fantasy landscapes. Played on the Meta Quest, the game merges traditional roguelite progression with immersive AR/MR mechanics, allowing players to fight monsters that scale walls and furniture while upgrading their own customizable kingdom. It’s certainly a compelling concept, even if the execution has a few rough edges that may impact long-term enjoyment.
At its core, Mythic Realms offers an engaging loop of dungeon crawling and kingdom building. Expeditions take players through procedurally generated environments where they gather resources, battle enemies, and collect loot to improve their town. Combat is fluid, with various weapon types allowing for different playstyles, whether swinging a sword, firing a bow, or casting spells. However, while the mixed-reality implementation is a unique selling point, enemy encounters can feel inconsistent – sometimes thrilling, but at other times a tad clumsy due to tracking limitations and environmental constraints tied to your real life environment and/or lighting.
The kingdom-building aspect gives the game an extra layer of depth, as players return from expeditions to upgrade their settlement and interact with a growing cast of characters. This progression system provides a rewarding sense of accomplishment, but at times, the grind for resources and upgrades can feel repetitive. The game’s variety in content helps mitigate this somewhat, with different enemy types and boss battles keeping things fresh, but certain mechanics may feel a bit underdeveloped for players seeking deeper RPG elements – especially if they’re big fans of flat screen RPG titles.
Visually, Mythic Realms features a colorful and stylized aesthetic that suits its fantasy setting, but some environments lack detail, making them feel somewhat simplistic as they’re made to run on the Quest 2/3 hardware. The soundtrack and sound design are solid, helping immerse players in the experience, though voice acting and character interactions could have been expanded for more narrative depth. Performance is generally smooth, but occasional tracking issues can break immersion, especially in more fast-paced battles.
Overall, Mythic Realms is an inventive attempt at integrating mixed reality with RPG mechanics, offering a fresh take on dungeon crawling and town-building. While it has some minor shortcomings, including occasional tracking quirks and a repetitive grind, it remains an enjoyable and unique experience for players looking to bring fantasy adventures into their own living space.
Synth Riders – Current Waves DLC review (Quest)
Synth Riders continues to expand its musical horizons with the “Current Waves” DLC, introducing five contemporary tracks from prominent artists like David Guetta, Sia, and Charli XCX. This addition infuses the game with fresh energy, expanding its soundtrack with more diverse musical offerings.
The new tracks are well-integrated into the game’s rhythm-based mechanics, providing players with engaging challenges that harmonize with each song’s unique tempo and style. Notably, Sia’s “Gimme Love” stands out, encouraging expansive movements that enhance the immersive experience. However, some players may find certain tracks, such as Artemas’ “I Like the Way You Kiss Me,” less stimulating due to their repetitive beats, potentially leading to a more monotonous gameplay experience as Synth Riders is more synth/flow based.
Visually, Synth Riders maintains its vibrant and dynamic aesthetic, with each track accompanied by themed backgrounds that complement the music’s mood. The game’s neon-infused environments continue to captivate, though more varied visual themes to accompany the evolving music selection would be welcome.
The “Current Waves” DLC is available as a bundle, with individual songs priced a little higher – giving players a choice for how they want to build their library. Current Waves enriches Synth Riders’ repertoire with modern mainstream hits, offering both new and returning players fresh content that aligns with the game’s rhythmic and immersive nature. While not all tracks may resonate equally with every player, the overall quality and integration of the DLC make it a worthy consideration for those seeking to expand their Synth Riders experience. The songs may not prove to be as timeless as those in the last DLC, but if you’re looking for today’s hits then Kluge now has you covered.
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