As a dedicated PlayStation VR owner (and a sad PlayStation Vita supporter), I am delighted by Sony’s continuing commitment to their VR platform. While it has been difficult to watch some of my favorite multiplayer titles (Korix, Starblood Arena) struggle to find communities, it has been reassuring to observe the steady flow of varied and interesting content making its way onto the PlayStation Store.
There are typically 2-3 PS VR titles releasing on any given week, but this week will see a surge in new releases. Since some of these titles tend to fly under the radar, I thought I might highlight the new releases dropping on Tuesday. I also thought that I might take the opportunity to rate (read: make fun of) the official PR blurbs that accompany each game on the PlayStation Blog.
Code 51: Mecha Arena
Official blurb:
"2040 A.D. The world continues to deteriorate. Fighting for very limited living resources, World War III had broken out among the major forces."
Blurb score: 5/10
So, while this blurb does set the stage for Code 51: Mecha Arena, it doesn’t do much to tell about what is actually going on in the game. Is this a first-person shooter? A resource-gathering RTS? Well, actually, no. It is, in fact, an insanely cool looking mech-based arena shooter. With both single-player and multiplayer offerings and a dope post-apocalyptic-Fallout-wasteland visual style, Code 51 looks like it could be the next big PS VR multiplayer winner. One random bonus point awarded for the development team being named “Smellyriver”.
Dead Secret
Official blurb:
"Dead Secret is a first-person horror mystery set in rural Kansas in 1965. Who killed Harris Bullard? A reclusive man with a mysterious past is dead, and it’s up to you to crack the case."
Blurb score: 9/10
This blurb nails it! In a few short sentences, the blurb breaks down exactly what is going on in the game. Readers are clear on the setting, the gameplay style, and the point of the game. Check out our story here for more details on Dead Secret.
Dream Angling
Official blurb:
"This is a story about looking for memories in a dream. By completing a series of angling challenges, players experience the inner feeling of the main character."
Blurb score: 7/10
Whoa. While this blurb does make clear that fishing is the name of the game, the metaphysical experience that is promised is a little unclear. I was unable to find a trailer online, but I did find this 2-minute gameplay clip, which is worth a look. Judging by this clip, Dream Angling is starkly different from what one might expect from a “fishing game”. Does catching fish unlock a series of emotional memories? If so, Dream Angling sounds like one of the most original fishing titles in fishing title history. Frankly, Dream Angling sounds weird, so it has my attention. I like the weird ones.
Just In Time Incorporated
Official blurb:
"Just In Time Incorporated is not a regular insurance agency and you are not a normal agent. With the power of our hyper-glove technology, you can move at ten times the speed of a regular human."
Blurb score: 6/10
While this blurb does impart the basic hook of the game (moving through a slow-motion world like Quicksilver in the X-Men movies), it does not communicate the delicious bowl of awesome that JITI is clearly serving up. I had never even heard of this game before today, but after watching the trailer, Just In Time Incorporated has instantly become a must-have. Slow-motion cartoon violence? YES! YES, PLEASE!
MLB Home Run Derby VR
Official blurb:
"Can you crush it in the most immersive and authentic Home Run Derby VR game presented by Major League Baseball?"
Blurb score: 7/10
While light on detail, this blurb does get across the basic ideas of the game. MLB affiliation, Home Run Derby, “crushing it”…you don’t really need more detail than that. There are not many sports simulation games on PS VR, so this one seems like a no-brainer for baseball fans.
Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality
Official blurb:
"Rick and Morty have teleported into your living room for a cutting-edge VR adventure. Solve puzzles, step through portals into strange dimensions, get yelled at by Rick, fight aliens, drink detergent, press buttons, and more!"
Blurb score: 10/10
For the game that probably needs it the least (we all know that this thing is going to sell like hotcakes), the best blurb of the bunch tells you exactly what you are going to get from Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-ality. There isn’t much more to say about this one. Our own John Yan really enjoyed the game when it released on PC. People are going to check it out, and due to the fact that it is being sold digitally, Szechwan Sauce riots are unlikely.
