‘The Twilight Zone VR’ Review – Fun Psychological Horror Marred by Crappy Combat – Road to VR

The Twilight Zone is an anthology franchise that’s spawned a number of TV reveals all through the many years following the enduring 1959 sequence. Whereas the VR recreation stays largely 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:

Obtainable On: Quest 2, PSVR coming quickly
Launch Date: July 14th, 2022
Worth: $20
Developer: Pocket Cash Video games
Writer: Enjoyable Prepare
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 anticipate from the franchise. The storytelling side of the sport is unquestionably its robust go well with, because it weaves three totally different tales that really feel like they had 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 contains an motion shooter theme that may really feel misplaced in any episode of The Twilight Zone I’ve ever seen. A big portion of the sport is targeted 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 really intriguing twists, fight weighs down every little thing, because the taking pictures expertise left lots to want. Aiming is troublesome 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 pictures are additionally equally ineffectual, which at all times leaves you guessing in case you hit the goal or not.

Enemies additionally spawn out of nowhere and poof away once they’re useless. If you happen to’re attacked, you restart at your final computerized save. There are just a few excessive notes, reminiscent of some cartoony one-time use weapons that may be enjoyable, and a few environmental puzzles which will take a minute or two to determine, however the relative measurement of the sport makes these moments really feel extra like a sampler than honest-to-goodness skill-building moments the place you possibly can put stuff you’ve realized to a satisfying conclusion.

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

Discovering easter eggs, or finishing just a few particular duties unlocks totally different modes, all of which primarily 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 coloration saturated mode for the 1994 sequence, and many others.

It’s a enjoyable gimmick, nevertheless it didn’t actually prolong gameplay after the ultimate credit roll because the recreation is actually a one-shot expertise with what seems to be set outcomes. Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll get a kick out of enjoying the sport utterly in black and white, and immerse your self extra within the authentic sequence.

Immersion

Visuals really feel a bit hit or miss with The Twilight Zone. The sport’s ambiance, due to a wealthy coloration palette and excessive variability of objects and environments, is glorious. A few of the modeling and textures nonetheless may very well 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 vital 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 solely unreactive, main you to query what’s necessary and what isn’t in any given space.

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

Consolation

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