A zombie game that needs to quickly fix issues post-launch.
There always seems to be a new zombie game coming out in the virtual reality (VR) space.
This is, of course, outside of all the games where players take on the role of a monkey – a new one of those seem to be made every other week.
It doesn’t matter the platform, the developer, or even whether it’s a game meant for full VR versus mixed reality (MR), these types of games have thrived since the technology hit the market.
For all of the games released, there are clear winners – The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners, The Living Remain, Arizona Sunshine – games that didn’t do too well – Zombie Army VR – and games which just didn’t land like they could have – Last Stand, Drop Dead: The Cabin.
Not every game listed in the latter two categories are actually rated or considered that bad by the masses – each game does have its issues and deserves its placement in the category though.
While it may not rocket itself to the top of the bestseller list, World War Z VR is the latest zombie game to release – and it certainly offers up something that you may not get to experience in other similar games… Hundreds of enemies with which to contend at once.
The constant large swarms of enemies will make you change your gameplay from what you may normally do in a zombie game though.
For example: in most games featuring zombies, you’ll find yourself overrun by the enemy at many points throughout your game. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find a zombie game where you won’t come across a large swarm of them at least once throughout your playthrough.
The difference here is that it happens far more often – and with many more enemies on your screen.
On the plus side, the majority of the enemies are slow and easy to mow down. There are different types of enemies that you will encounter – ones that can shoot, explode or hit you with a noxious gas – and they’ll add a little more urgency to whichever actions you may undertake.
For the most part, however, you’ll have a fairly easy time of it – with things only getting more difficult thanks to more enemies.
Released today, Aug. 12, by Saber Interactive; World War Z VR is a single player game that tasks you with helping those left survive the zombie apocalypse.
You’ll travel across three different locations – New York, Marseilles, Tokyo – to complete different missions as one of seven playable characters.
Picking a different character doesn’t seem to do much, as it seems – at least in the early levels – like no matter what, you always start with the same weapons. It would be ideal if you could choose both your character AND your loadout before you launch into a mission, however, this doesn’t seem to be possible.
Instead, you’ll have to contend with whatever starter weapons you get until you find some locked crates in each level to help you upgrade your arsenal.
An issue with the game’s weapons is immediately prevalent from the tutorial mission – here and throughout the game, you’ll see your gun jump out of your hand and back onto your holster. This happens even when you don’t let go of the grip button.
While it isn’t the scariest thing in the world, having this happen while you’re in the middle of a tense part of a mission – one where you may encounter those hundreds of zombies at once – it does become a bit of an issue if your weapon is suddenly gone as you’re about to be attacked.
Another issue that arises when it comes to weapons seems to showcase itself when you try and swap out your guns. Instead of letting you pick and choose your weapon combo, it seems like picking up any weapon from a crate, will instantly teleport another gun from your belt.
This means that if you want a shotgun and rifle – or different combo – you may not be allowed to carry them both, as it seems like you can only hold onto one of these types of guns, lest your holsters teleport one away.
It’s an odd system – one that offers you two hip holsters but oddly doesn’t allow you to use them both.
Shooting with two hands also becomes an issue eventually as you cannot reload via the realistic method, if you’re using two guns. You’ll have to put one down and reload – fast – before grabbing the other gun and doing the same. It’s actually easier to use the simplistic method of reloading – tapping the gun to your chest – because you can reload much faster, and there doesn’t seem to be any difference between weapon power.
Now, this is a fully single player experience, where you’re accompanied on each mission by computer-controlled partners. It doesn’t seem as if there are plans for multiplayer, though this should be a priority for the developer to add, as the game’s premise does seem to make it ideal for playing with others.
The need for the game to boast multiplayer features will become even more apparent after you play a mission with the AI controlled companions by your side. This is because your companions are not the best.
Even if you’re playing on the easiest setting, your partners will find themselves overrun, and in need of assistance. You’ll notice often that they don’t move around, getting themselves stuck in precarious positions. Combine this with missing easy shots and needing the computer to magically teleport them around once in a while, and you’ll notice your attention drawn from whatever the mission task may be, to save them.
The companions seem to be there just so you don’t feel alone, however, they will quickly become obsolete in your playthrough and you’ll find yourself ignoring their presence.
Finally let’s talk about looks before we call it a day.
Graphically the game isn’t stellar, with text at the very beginning looking skewed and slightly jarring. The low quality of the graphics becomes only more prevalent as you make your way through the game, with blocky low texture items becoming standard as you play across all three areas.
In fact, for the most part you’re navigating your way through hallways and corridors that are all meant to pit you against a very specific horde of zombies – all of whom come from very specific places.
You’ll never really be surprised – or surrounded.
What you’ll also never be doing is taking the time to admire the scenery in VR. While some games give you the chance to observe the beautiful scenery of a place halfway around the world, there’s almost nothing to help you realize where you are. Never mind a high quality landmark.
Overall World War Z VR tries to bring something new to the VR zombie genre, however, it ends up missing quite a few marks.
The really bad AI companions – and lack of multiplayer – is the biggest issue stemming from the launch of this new game. But the lack of varying difficulty, poor graphics/level design, and repetitiveness that gets old quick, makes this game one that doesn’t seem to have a ton of replayability – unless you’re a completionist.
The game is certainly going to be fun for some, but in its launch state it won’t be fun for everyone. Here’s hoping the developers make some changes – and do it quickly – so World War Z VR can at least find its footing, before it’s too late.
World War Z VR, was reviewed on the Quest 3 after receiving pre-release access.
