With the PlayStation VR2 out now, all eyes are on Horizon Call of the Mountain. The action-adventure title is Sony’s first massive unique for the platform, performing as its tentpole launch title. While it’s a must-buy for anybody selecting up the machine on day one, it’s extra profitable as a robust technical showcase for the headset moderately than as a enjoyable recreation that stands by itself. If you’re searching for the latter, you’ll need to take a look at PSVR2’s actual hidden weapon: Fantavision 202X.
『FANTAVISION 202X』 – ゲームプレイトレーラー
Developed and printed by Cosmo Machia, Fantavision 202X is a totally left-field sequel to an obscure PlayStation 2 launch recreation. Like the unique, it’s a novel fireworks recreation that performs like a cross between Missile Command and a match-three puzzler. There was nothing prefer it when it first launched in 2000, and admittedly, there nonetheless isn’t in 2023. That makes the brand new model really feel as contemporary, artistic, and bizarre as ever.
What stands out most about Fantavision 202X, although, is how a lot it’s quietly enhanced by VR. Cosmo Machia has taken a considerably common puzzle recreation and made one of the best model of it with out altering a lot in any respect. It’s a chief instance of what sorts of video games thrive in VR, standing in vivid distinction to extra bold initiatives which have struggled to copy a full-on console expertise in a headset.
Never break the chain
Fantavision 202X isn’t a lot an evolution of its predecessor as it’s a VR remake. It’s a level-based puzzle recreation the place gamers need to match colourful flares as they shoot up into the evening sky and detonate them to create a fireworks show. Match three flares of the identical colour up, press a button to set them off, and watch them gentle up a metropolis skyline. That’s simply the fundamental guidelines, although. Advanced methods require gamers to create large flare chains by looping a brand new colour with impartial “wild” flares and gadgets. Explosions will set off flares of the identical colour too, so there’s plenty of additional technique in when to detonate, as that may hold a sequence going.
It’s the definition of an “easy to learn, hard to master” recreation. When I first performed the PS2 model, I understood the fundamental matching system, however couldn’t totally grasp its “daisy chain” system. The sequel features a set of very clear tutorials which have considerably improved my talent. There’s an immense satisfaction that comes from getting a combo over 100 or detonating an unlimited chain that lights up your complete display. I’ve already discovered myself chasing its Platinum trophy as I work towards its varied milestones.
The new model is nearly an identical to the unique, from its eight-stage single-player setup to its nearly unchanged gameplay. Even its easy visuals are a little bit of a throwback to the PS2 period. Fantavision 202X might be performed and not using a headset, however you’d get just about the very same expertise that approach as you’d merely taking part in the unique on PlayStation Plus. Its $30 price ticket appears slightly excessive contemplating how slim the bundle is.
However, it’s a totally completely different expertise in VR. When taking part in on a TV, flares are related by shifting the joysticks round, which at all times felt slightly stilted within the authentic. Controls are rather more pure with PSVR2, as gamers can freely transfer their fingers with the Sense controllers to focus on colours. That tactile factor is sufficient to fully change the psychology of the core Fantavision expertise. When I’m in my circulate state, I really feel like a conductor crafting a visible symphony with my very own fingers.
While the visuals aren’t terribly detailed, that’s one other space the place the tech is a pure match. Each stage takes place over a skyline that the digital camera slowly strikes by way of on rails. Early ranges take gamers on a guided tour over a metropolis, however ranges shortly get slightly weirder because the fireworks present strikes to outer house. VR makes these areas rather more immersive, as I truly really feel like I’m flying by way of the evening moderately than following a digital camera panning by way of a background.
And after all, the firework show itself turns right into a spectacle in 2D house. When I set off a Starmine bonus spherical, colourful explosions shoot out proper in entrance of my eyes. I can see particular person strands zipping previous me, placing me within the precise middle of the present. That stage of depth was by no means potential on a flat TV, however the expertise is rather more dynamic right here; it looks like Fantavision was at all times meant to be a VR recreation.
Right recreation, proper tech
With its sparse characteristic set, Fantavision 202X is a modest bundle. However, it’s a shining instance of what sorts of video games actually work in VR. The arcade nature of it makes it simple to play in brief periods, because it doesn’t demand that gamers keep strapped into a good headset too lengthy. Gameplay is simple to execute with movement controls, and its slow-moving ranges gained’t depart you working for a barf bag. It’s a great VR recreation in nearly each approach.
Contrast that with Horizon Call of the Mountain, which tries to cram a full-on PlayStation recreation right into a headset. It’s a enjoyable expertise, however one that may be sloppy at occasions. Its tactile climbing is a spotlight, specializing in pure hand actions, however its extra sophisticated methods could be a headache. Its fast-paced fight is particularly a wrestle, as messy controller monitoring could make it tough to dodge, swap weapons, craft ammo, and extra on the fly. During most of my playthrough, I used to be considering extra concerning the tech than the world I used to be in as I needed to continuously tweak my calibration settings to get it proper. When I’m taking part in Fantavision 202X, I’m not fascinated about the tech in any respect.
It looks like Sony desires to discover a solution to recreate its model of cinematic action-adventure video games in VR, however it nonetheless feels slightly early for that. While VR has had plenty of success with extra concerned experiences, we’re nonetheless within the Nintendo 64 period of the tech at finest. Rather than making an attempt to squeeze a contemporary recreation right into a headset, Fantavision 202X proves that there’s worth in embracing the tech’s present limitations. A return to the PS2 period is precisely the form of evolution VR was prepared for.
Fantavision 202X is on the market now on PlayStation 5. It might be performed with or with out PSVR2.
Today’s tech information, curated and condensed to your inbox
Check your inbox!
Please present a legitimate e mail deal with to proceed.
This e mail deal with is at present on file. If you aren’t receiving newsletters, please examine your spam folder.
Sorry, an error occurred throughout subscription. Please strive once more later.
Editors’ Recommendations