‘The Twilight Zone VR’ Assessment – Enjoyable Psychological Horror Marred by Crappy Fight – Highway to VR

The Twilight Zone is an anthology franchise that’s spawned a number of TV reveals all through the a long time following the long-lasting 1959 sequence. Whereas the VR sport stays principally true to its roots, tossing out sci-fi horror themes and narrative twists aplenty, its inclusion of a finicky shooter-based fight system pitted in opposition to paper-thin enemies is a sore spot that sadly cheapens the general expertise.

The Twilight Zone Particulars:

Accessible On: Quest 2, PSVR coming quickly
Launch Date: July 14th, 2022
Worth: $20
Developer: Pocket Cash Video games
Writer: Enjoyable Practice
Reviewed On: Quest 2

Gameplay

Just like the sequence from the ’60s, the sport’s anthology setup feels appropriately pulpy, and supplies a buffet of narrative twists you’d count on from the franchise. The storytelling side of the sport is unquestionably its sturdy go well with, because it weaves three totally different tales that really feel like they have been ripped from present’s glory days, with a serviceable Rod Serling impression included.

Every story takes round 45 minutes to finish, however for the sake of spoilers I’m not going a lot additional than that. There’s suitably bizarre themes that contact on know-how, gaming tradition, the survival of the species in a sizzling and arid hellscape—all of it actually on level for 2022.

Whereas the tales are positively on model with its psychological horror and patented sci-fi bend, the sport consists of an motion shooter theme that will really feel misplaced in any episode of The Twilight Zone I’ve ever seen. A big portion of the sport is concentrated on fight, and in two of the episodes you’re given some form of gun and anticipated to kill a ton of enemies.

And regardless of some actually intriguing twists, fight weighs down the whole lot, because the taking pictures expertise left loads to need. Aiming is tough with iron sights on one gun from the third episode, and all different weapons within the second episode didn’t embrace sights in any respect, which all results in inconsistent outcomes throughout the board. Enemy reactions to photographs are additionally equally ineffectual, which at all times leaves you guessing when you hit the goal or not.

Enemies additionally spawn out of nowhere and poof away after they’re useless. Should you’re attacked, you restart at your final computerized save. There are a couple of excessive notes, similar to some cartoony one-time use weapons that may be enjoyable, and a few environmental puzzles that will take a minute or two to determine, however the relative dimension of the sport makes these moments really feel extra like a sampler than honest-to-goodness skill-building moments the place you may put belongings you’ve discovered to a satisfying conclusion.

There’s a couple of notable easter eggs all through the sport that have been good touches, and will enchantment to followers of the franchise. Should you go searching, you might discover Mr. Bemis’ studying glasses from Time Sufficient at Final (1959) and the Talky Tina doll from Dwelling Doll (1963). There’s additionally a couple of tableaus which are positively from episodes previous, like The Odyssey of Flight 33 (1961), which initially starred William Shatner.

Discovering easter eggs, or finishing a couple of particular duties unlocks totally different modes, all of which basically perform as visible filters that allow you to play the sport in several colours reflecting every of the franchise’s sequence: black and white for the 1959 sequence, a extra shade saturated mode for the 1994 sequence, and so forth.

It’s a enjoyable gimmick, however it didn’t actually lengthen gameplay after the ultimate credit roll for the reason that sport is actually a one-shot expertise with what seems to be set outcomes. Nonetheless, you might get a kick out of taking part in the sport fully in black and white, and immerse your self extra within the unique sequence.

Immersion

Visuals really feel a bit hit or miss with The Twilight Zone. The sport’s ambiance, due to a wealthy shade palette and excessive variability of objects and environments, is wonderful. A number of the modeling and textures nevertheless could possibly be extra detailed, which is a little bit of a downer. You’ll be able to inform the sport on Quest 2 is desperately making an attempt to wring out each ounce of efficiency although, as video seize incurs important stuttering.

Object interplay is middling, because the few objects you’re allowed to the touch are snapped to particular angles in your hand, whereas others are totally unreactive, main you to query what’s necessary and what isn’t in any given space.

Voice appearing is superb all through, which features a Rod Serling-style narrator. It’s extra of an homage than a dead-on impression of Serling, however it’s such a traditional contact to bookend every of the episodes. The sport’s soundtrack additionally does an awesome job at setting the temper and including to narrative reveals.

Consolation

There’s a ton of map traversal in The Twilight Zone, and plenty of mazes that may make your a head somewhat dizzy with how a lot quick and sharp turning you must do. Fortunately the sport consists of loads of consolation modes to get you from A-to-B, however when you really feel such as you’re operating round an excessive amount of you might must decelerate a bit. There are moments when the world will get turned the other way up, which may really feel unusual, though these are only a few.