Celebration VR: Versus is a groundbreaking, social multiplayer experience from Schell Games, now available exclusively on Meta Quest 3. This is our full impressions.
Celebration Versus, a multiplayer reality game developed by Schell Games, is the successor to their earlier titles Amongst Us VR and I Count on You To Die. The game was initially teased before the launch of their latest Apple Vision Pro exclusive, Puzzle Sculpt. In the shared space, up to four players can gather to enjoy a variety of activities, either socializing in the Celebration Lounge or competing in one of the 16 diverse mini-games available for cooperative play.
During a recent hands-on session preceding today’s Quest 3 launch, I spent approximately 40 minutes playing alongside three developers from Schell Games. The studio suggests a recommended play zone size of 2 meters by 2 meters, and the set-up course features a room nook designated for showcasing diverse players during various mini-games. Elevating the ambiance of the Celebration Lounge, a discreetly pressed button releases a whimsical array of sparklers, wands, and glow sticks, bestowing a touch of refined revelry on this esteemed gathering space.
Celebration offers two distinct gameplay modes: Fast Celebration, which allows players to select from a variety of mini-games that can be played as either free-for-all matches or team-based contests? In “Celebration,” a unique ‘Twisted’ mode offers unpredictable outcomes, such as flipping another player’s room “upside down.” Meanwhile, Celebration Playoffs unfolds at a slower pace, pitting players against each other in six minigames to claim the coveted Celebration Crown.
There are simply a few key takeaways at this juncture. Players must throw potatoes with precision to replicate real-life scenarios, where the ultimate goal is to toss the spud into someone’s room before it bursts, scoring bonus points for the victor. In Spike Assault, players engage in a thrilling game of dodgeball, where foam balls suddenly appear throughout their room, requiring quick reflexes and strategic thinking to avoid getting hit. Meanwhile, in Pop Buddies, participants must pop numbered balloons in a specific sequence, showcasing their attention to detail and timing skills. I was particularly fond of Pop Buddies’ creative take on a team-based twist where my teammate could view the exact quantity of balloons in our shared space, forcing us to communicate effectively.
The minigames I’ve experienced thus far are largely straightforward, yet Celebration Versus cleverly leverages the space available to create an engaging experience. By incorporating unexpected objects like new potatoes, which can be strategically placed behind furniture, game designers have cleverly created a sense of depth and dimensionality, thereby heightening the tactical experience as players adjust their aim to account for these clever hiding spots. In Spike Assault, utilize furnishings to cover your position while sidestepping balls.
The sport leverages a unique blend of multiplayer and environmental elements, a concept I’ve only previously encountered in the context of PvPvE shooters like Final Stand. Additionally, in MR Chess, to a slightly lesser degree. The life-like full-body avatars of the builders in my living room were a delightful surprise, seamlessly integrating with my designated play space.
One challenge lies in accommodating participant room dimension disparities, which can be difficult to overcome. Throughout my residency, it was widely known that two of the construction workers would often gather in more intimate quarters, while I was fortunate to have a larger, airy front room at my disposal. The potential exists that target distributions could become dispersed across a broader terrain for individual players, thereby introducing an imbalance in certain minigames.
From a purely technical standpoint, Schell Games has effectively implemented this feature. While I appreciated the intense fervour surrounding this specific game mode, ultimately Celebration Versus stands as a synthesis of its constituent parts. While some might criticize the lack of depth in minigame collections, including this one, it’s essential to acknowledge its intended purpose: providing a lighthearted, entertaining experience for players seeking variety without committing to lengthy narratives. The underlying thread connecting these elements is the potent force of social bonding fostered by a profound sense of togetherness. This new content could serve as an excellent starting point for beginners and novices exploring the world of MR on Quest.
It’s been a rewarding experience, and Celebration mode cleverly leverages real-world events to create engaging multiplayer experiences. While the minigames may lack complexity, they provide an engaging platform to merge social and virtual reality seamlessly. While lacking a comprehensive evaluation, I’ve started strong, laying the groundwork for future growth and development.
Versus, a popular VR game, has launched exclusively on Meta Quest 3, available to purchase for $9.99, with an added bonus for Meta Quest+ subscribers having instant access.
