Survival is not guaranteed in the latest PSVR2 release.
Test your skills and learn to survive in Bootstrap Island.
Developed by Maru VR, this virtual reality (VR) release first hit PCVR before releasing on the PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2), Aug. 13.
You are Daniel, shipwrecked on a deserted island in the 17th century. Your goal is to survive the perils of this tropical island while finding ways to sustain yourself and fend off the dangerous that lurk around you.
But this VR release isn’t just a survival game; it also incorporates roguelike elements where death is not just something to fear – it’s also a boon.
“Death is always just around the corner, and it has consequences in Bootstrap Island – every time you die, you start again, with the resources on the island randomized. However, even if you die, you unlock new things you can find and permanent upgrades, so you always feel like you are getting better in the game. The most important aspect of the progression is skill and knowledge that you accumulate – how to make a fire, which plants are edible, where to shelter for the night etc.,” said Rein Zobel, creative director and co-founder of Maru VR.
Zobel also notes that the intention of Bootstrap Island is for players to feel like an active participant, where the gameplay of learning to survive and the actions required, are front and centre.
The actions here are also physics based and are meant to feel as natural as possible in the VR space. You’ll start fires, crack open coconuts and defend yourself with the benefits of the medium allowing players to feel as close as possible to performing the actions.
“Our small team has spent an incredible amount of time on many small interactions in the game like fire, liquids, using muzzle-loaded firearms etc. Of course, we try to make the interactions fun as well, so we needed to strike a balance. For example, when loading a weapon with gunpowder you don’t need to use a ramrod or place gunpowder on the pan, otherwise it would have just taken too much time to reload the weapon each time between shots. But experimenting with the physics and interactions in the game is definitely one of the big things about why playing a survival game in virtual reality is so much fun,” Zobel adds.
With a tenet of the game being realism in your actions, there is less button pressing ingrained into the mechanics.
Yes, you’ll hit the ‘circle’ button to jump, hold the right thumbstick down to crouch and utilize things like the flintlocks with the adaptive triggers. However, because you’re meant to feel like you’re stranded on an island, you’ll find that the physicality required for the game makes things much more immersive.
Grabbing and swinging torches, stabbing fish with sticks, and bashing open a coconut will require you to be more physically active with your actions.
And it works very well.
You’ll find that all of the above ties perfectly into the gameplay loop in which players will find themselves immersed.
Waking up on the island you’ll find yourself in need of food and water.
The day’s are not as long as you’d hope, and the nights can be a danger-filled fear fest for those who are not fans of the dark.
Oh, and we can’t forget about the abundance of creatures who all seem to be out for your blood.
During the day you’ll find yourself exploring as much as you can, while also stocking up on important items.
There are chests scattered around the island which hold important items – torches, flintlocks, etc. – all of which are randomized depending on your run. Opening and collecting these is a good idea, but early in the game you’ll lack the ability to carry things around.
This means it’s beneficial to plan ahead, lest your game restart due to an untimely death.
Does that pistol really matter, should you be searching for a cave to hide, is there enough around you to start a fire. These are all things that will run through your head as you survive and die throughout your playthrough.
Graphically, this game is stellar to be inside. Whether you’re admiring the sights of the island in the day, or you’re someone who enjoys the fearsome beauty of the night – and all the nocturnal creatures who are after you – this is about as close as you can get to perfect in the VR space.
You’ll come across many different settings during your time on the island, and it never fails to impress visually as you make your way through.
Overall, Bootstrap Island is an extremely detailed and exciting survival experience – and something the PSVR2 community should clamour to play.
Developers who take the time to craft games like this, show the community that VR not dying. Through their devotion, time and energy, they prove that there are those out there who are willing to create high-quality titles because there are people who want them.
While the game might not be for everyone, it’s an impressive title for the VR space that allows you to think more critically, the next time someone asks you what you’d take to a deserted island.
As Zobel notes, Bootstrap Island was something near to the hearts of the Maru VR team, and the quality of the final product shows.
“We believe that virtual reality is an amazing medium and we love to break new ground with gameplay and storytelling with this technology. Bootstrap Island is a labor of love and we hope everybody enjoys being inside this world as much as we loved making it!”
Bootstrap Island was reviewed on the PSVR2 after receiving a key from the developer.
