It's a pattern that repeats itself systematically: when a new console or a new peripheral arrives, it is often accompanied by a string of games that are there to promote the qualities of the product in question. Regarding the PlayStation VR WORLDS title, it is neither more nor less than the VR experience most highlighted by Sony since the announcement of its virtual reality headset. For almost two years that journalists and other influencers have been able to test Sony's new peripheral, you have no doubt heard of London Heist, this heist game with a so British atmosphere reminiscent of Guy Ritchie's films, but also of this diving into the abysses of the ocean allowing you to find yourself face to face with a Great White. All of these games – and experiences – have in fact found refuge on the PlayStation VR WORLDS disc, which have in common that they are a great introduction to the world of virtual reality. Unfortunately, of the 5 experiences that are offered, not all are of the same ilk. We will also explain the qualities and defects of each. Ready ? Let's go.
HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH A GREAT WHITE
The first "game" on which we want to focus our attention is Ocean Descent, which is certainly the experience with which we advise novices in the matter to start. Because the player is passive (there is no joystick to hold), which allows him to literally immerse himself in the underwater atmosphere offered by this dive to the bottom of the oceans. We look around, we want to touch the fish and other crabs that come closer to us, while we let ourselves descend meter by meter into the abysses of water that then becomes darker and darker. Another detail that is important to highlight, the player is locked in an anti-shark cage, which announces the color of the rest of the experience. It is indeed the highlight of the demo which will therefore leave us with this shark with a voracious appetite, to the point that it will tear off the door of your cage. The player is therefore left to himself and his deepest fears. If we would have liked to have had his arms modeled for even more sensations, we must recognize that the experience is rather exhilarating, especially since the shark is particularly well modeled, which is not necessarily the case for the rest. aquatic fauna (crabs are particularly ugly and cubic). So yes, those who have the HTC Vive will immediately cite theBlu demo with its much more convincing technical implementation, not to mention the size of this whale capable of pushing you back a meter with a simple flick of its tail, but very sincerely, the shark attack provides more conclusive sensations. On the other hand, it is true that once the experience has been lived, it is quite difficult to be as surprised as the first time, especially since the other modes also remain pure contemplation, putting aside the presence of the shark. To end on a more positive note, we can salute the excellent work on the sound environment, with a very nice spatialization of sound effects and other sounds, which really forces us to turn our heads in all directions.
TONY "VR" HAWK
Speaking of gesticulating heads, let's continue with VR Luge, a simulation in which the player finds himself lying on his back on a skateboard, hurtling down kilometers of asphalt where cars and other obstacles will give you a hard time. . The idea is to dodge them using PlayStation VR tracking, while trying to avoid throwing up your last meal. Because between the speed, the right-left dodges with the left, the shocks on the sides (the cars have no collision, and that's good) and the graphics from another time, the motion sickness is downright there, even for the most enduring people in VR. So yes, in terms of sensations, you may not come out unscathed from this demo, but not necessarily in a positive way. Note that there are a total of 4 events that can be chained together or separately, but again, VR Luge is clearly not the most exciting experience of the compilation.
PONG AND TRON 2.0 HAVE A CHILD…
Those who wish to interact more with the environment, we suggest the game Danger Ball instead, which is none other than a giant PONG in first person view and in a universe reminiscent of the movie Tron 2.0. In truth, it is mainly the sequence of the disc game of the feature film, but with a ball that you have to hit with your head. Still no controller or PlayStation Move to use, but thanks to the very precise recognition of PlayStation VR and the camera, it is entirely possible to achieve effects to surprise the CPU in front of you. Moreover, the latter will no longer give you too many gifts as you progress through the levels. If the experience may seem quite limited said like that (and it is, let's not be hypocritical), there is still a certain interest, because the ball shots that we give remain really precise and quite powerful.
SPACE MEN
Of all the games included in the PlayStation VR WORLDS compilation, Scavengers Odyssey is the one that, on paper, looks the most complete and interesting. The player finds himself in fact in the body of an Alien piloting a mecha arachnid and having to move in space from rock to rock. The demo is played with the DualShock 4, the analog sticks are used as in a classic FPS, while the gaze is managed with the tracking of the PlayStation VR. Divided into 2 chapters, themselves composed of 3 missions, Scavengers Odyssey asks us both to open doors using an energy grappling hook and to shoot enemies using its machine guns located at the front of the machine. If the structure of the game is modeled on a classic video game, the player's freedom of movement may cause some problems with motion sickness. We will not hide the fact that after 10 minutes, nausea showed up, so much so that we had to take a break for a few minutes before returning to space. Again, the urge to vomit depends on the person cashing in the VR, but know that the adventure is worth living, especially since a big boss awaits you at the end.
SCAMS, CRIMES & BOTANY
Then remains The London Heist, the fifth and last demo of the disc, which is by far the most successful of the compilation. We understand better why Sony has often put it forward in the various shows, since it is the game that really brings a smile to people trying VR for the first time. Where the game stands out from the others is in the graphics, really nice and which proves that it is possible to have games that visually hold up, despite the weakness of the lenses of the PlayStation VR. The other advantage of London Heist is also to vary the pleasures by linking narrative sequence and first person shoot sequence. Again, the game offers two types of gameplay: with the classic controller or via the two PS Move. Once again, we strongly recommend that you use the remote controls, because in addition the interactions with the objects and the decorations are more numerous with them. We suddenly let ourselves be carried away by this story of a robbery that ended badly, while trying to steal a diamond from the nose and beard of agents who will end up shooting you anyway. Another highly appreciable detail of London Heist: the end sequence where you have to make a decision quickly, otherwise you will eat a stab in the chest. The effect is also successful and guaranteed if you are miserably planted. In short, you will have understood, The London Heist is the game that literally pulls the compilation up, the main flaw of which is to be sold for 40€.
