Stratogun looks like a mixture of Tremendous Stardust Extremely and Geometry Wars, and we tried the PC VR demo earlier than this month’s launch.
Whereas the golden age of arcade shoot ’em ups was earlier than my time, I’ve performed appreciable catch up over time, counting Ikaruga, Gradius, Star Soldier, Sky Drive Reloaded and Radiant Silvergun amongst my long-term favorites. In my seek for trendy takes on the traditional style, Numskull Video games and Horsefly instantly caught my eye with Stratogun in final week’s Steam Subsequent Fest.
Pitched as a nostalgic flatscreen shoot ’em up, Stratogun sees you combating enemies throughout spherical ranges harking back to Tremendous Stardust Extremely VR – sans the primary individual Invasion Mode, anyway. Utilizing a wireframe neon-soaked aesthetic, I went hands-on with Stratogun’s VR supported demo for about 40 minutes, utilizing my Quest 3 through Digital Desktop with an Xbox Sequence gamepad.
Let’s get one factor out of the way in which first; PC VR help would not add an incredible quantity to the gameplay right here. You are seeing the motion happen such as you would on flatscreen platforms however with some added visible aptitude enhanced by VR’s sense of presence. It is extra of a pleasant bonus in the event you’ve already obtained a headset, one that enhances the presentation.
For me, it is sufficient that I would choose to make use of a VR headset in comparison with enjoying the flatscreen model. Watching visible results seem round you after destroying targets is a small however welcome contact, and VR help lets me shut off the skin world to only give attention to what’s in entrance of me. I would argue that is the extra pleasant solution to play.
Stratogun’s premise is easy, however that does not make it any much less intense. From asteroids to enemy traps, you are tasked with taking pictures your means via these swarms and staying alive lengthy sufficient to achieve the world’s boss. The rating multiplier gives a robust incentive to take defensive motion as in the event you get hit, that multiplier instantly drops again to zero.
You may lose the rating multiplier however this is not a one-hit kill state of affairs with additional lives. Your ship can face up to a number of assaults, helpfully indicating your well being via colour coordination by going from inexperienced to yellow to purple earlier than dying. This would not be essentially the most visually accessible method by itself, so I am happy your armor stage can be highlighted on the left facet via the UI.
Enemies and asteroids will typically drop numerous power-ups, enhancing your ship’s weapons or offering bombs that helpfully destroy every part in shut vary. The final one is definitely helpful in a pinch while you’re surrounded, although a restricted provide noticed me clutching onto these till the very finish.
It is an engagingly fast-paced recreation that faucets into that aggressive arcade recreation spirit nicely, one the place a small mistake can price you dearly. Reaching the primary boss took a number of makes an attempt and whereas I efficiently beat it on my first go after getting there, the second space shortly defeated me earlier than I reached one other boss. Stratogun would not undertake a roguelite method the place some upgrades completely stick with you, it is again to sq. one after being defeated.
As I continued enjoying, I may really feel myself moving into the “yet another attempt” mentality that is solely inspired by the net leaderboards. Coming twenty fifth on my greatest run left me feeling completed. This is not essentially the most revolutionary concept however in the event you’re after some old-school thrills, Stratogun affords a enjoyable time. As a result of PC VR help is restricted, we in all probability will not give this a full overview at launch. Nonetheless, the shoot ’em up fan in me loved what I’ve tried, and I will be again for the total recreation.
Stratogun launches this month on flatscreen platforms and PC VR. The VR supported Steam demo stays accessible on a separate retailer web page.
