Thumper was a highlight of PSVR's launch lineup back in 2016 — check out our review through the link to learn why. It's a relentless, frantic rhythm title that has you racing through space, matching actions to the beat of the heavy soundtrack. The game is just as excellent this time around, if not better. While many of the PSVR titles have more noticeable graphical upgrades, Thumper nailed its aesthetic so well the first time out that the change isn't all that drastic.
Visually, the game still looks great, though oddly, only the VR version has HDR support. If you're playing on a traditional TV, you'll have to settle for native 4K and a high refresh rate. The boss fights seemingly have more tendrils and are just generally bigger in scale, but by and large, the experience is the same one you remember.
The PSVR2 headset and peripherals make the biggest difference here, rather than the game itself. The haptics on the visor perfectly accentuate Thumper's gameplay, long described as "rhythm violence". Each time you hit a power-up or damage a boss, the headset rumbles along with your controller, heightening the visceral violence of the experience to new levels.
While you can use the new PSVR2 Sense Controllers — the game didn't function with the PS Move controllers on PSVR — the DualSense feels more comfortable for this outing. The rumble was more noticeable this way, and the traditional controller setup feels better.
One thing we were hoping to avoid with PSVR2 was tracking problems. Staying in range of the PS Camera is no longer a factor, but sadly the headset occasionally loses track of you and jumps around the screen for a moment. It didn't happen often, and it was certainly less finicky than the original PSVR version of the title, but it is still present.
Ultimately, what you're left with is the definitive version of the game, even with the changes being relatively slight. It was one of the best games on PSVR back in the day, and the same can be said for its port on PSVR2.
Comments 22
Worth noting: €5 or so if you own the PS4 version, including claiming it when it was free a couple years ago.
Given the reasonable upgrade cost, this was a no-brainer. There’s still nothing else really like Thumper. It manages to balance stress and fun almost perfectly, and the soundtrack is pretty amazing. Reminds me or early Liars stuff, dark and drummy.
This game is like a "meh" in 2D and a WOOOOOOW in VR. It's just so satisfying hitting those S ranks and the music and the visuals. One of my favourites so far in PSVR2
Absolutely amazing game on PSVR1. Paid the £3.99 upgrade or whatever it was. Haven’t had time to jump into it again yet, but I’m very much looking forward to it.
I own the PS4 version of Thumper, but don’t own PSVR2 (or the original PSVR for that matter). Would you say that it’s still worth me upgrading to the PS5 version? Same question goes for Rez Infinite. Should I pay the £3.99 and £8.99 respectively for the vanilla PS5 experience?
This is just one of the absolute classics for VR. I think this is a game people will still play on VR kits 20 years from now as part of a retro classics library. Timeless perfection.
The upgrade may not add much, but HDR isn't nothing at all, it's still amazing to play. I didn't consider using a regular controller with it in VR. GT was the only game I was doing that with. Probably doesn't make a huge difference but I'll certainly combine my Edge with VR2 anywhere I can.
For me the headset haptics elevate the experience tenfold, when you're in the zone and the headset is bumping away it is unreal!!
I had a wild experience with this game. I realized I was actually terrible at it without VR. I completed the game and all, but with low scores. With PSVR 2, I S-Ranked the entire first stage and all its levels in one try. Looking forward to playing this some more.
@The_Pixel_King I would say it's not worth it unless at some point Drool makes a statement that the upgrade price is a temporary thing, and it'll become full price permanently. Otherwise, just for the 2D version, I don't think you'd really get much out of it. It got a free upgrade to support native 4K on the PS4 Pro back in the day already, and the 2D version doesn't have HDR, so unless the upgrade price goes away, you can probably wait until (or if) you grab a headest! As for REZ, I'm working on the review for that too! So I can let you know once we've got that one up too!
@AFCC @Amnesiac Back in the day when I was on the fence about getting PSVR 1, I got to play this at PAX and it single-handedly sold me on the headset! What a game!
@EnragedGibbon Super, big time agreed! It works SO WELL
@NEStalgia The HDR is a big deal, it's just weird it's only for the VR version! Although rumble/haptic feedback on the headset itself was by far the biggest new addition I think. It fits the vibe of the game so well!
@CRASH64 You know I feel similarly about it haha. I'm way better at it in VR. The sensation of speed, and all the cornering is easier to keep pace with in the VR version for whatever reason, I'm okay at best on the TV version, but VR, much much better
@gbanas92 It really is a great experience. I might try the plat on this one
@AFCC I wish you luck! I don't stand a chance haha. Those last couple levels are BRUTAL
I just played 2 levels of this. Wow.
I should probably look into using my big headphones instead of the stock ones specifically for this.
@gbanas92 I haven't played in 2D but I imagine it has a lot to do with the depth perception. You see the things coming at you and it's easier to judge when exactly they're approaching. I guess it's still mostly about the rhythm but the visuals do help to get it just right.
@Voltan It's SO EXCELLENT!!!!
oh, it's definitely the depth perception of the game. The slightly closer proximity to the environment in VR seems to play a big part! Rhythm plays a part for sure, but honestly, I think the depth of the image as you experience it in VR plays a bigger role!
@gbanas92 Thanks for the detailed reply, buddy! Much appreciated. Yeah, I’ll hold fire unless (hopefully) I do eventually get a PSVR2. Looking forward to the Rez review!
@Voltan Thank you man. That was a true Pro-tip! I just had to buy it at that price.
@The_Pixel_King I'm personally super pro-VR myself (Thumper actually plays a key role in that!) So I hope you get one too! Thumper is a BRILLIANT first VR game! It was mine haha. And I'll try and remember to ping you once the Rez review is up too!
@gbanas92 Thanks man, really appreciate that! I absolutely adore Rez Infinite and I’m eager to know if it’s worth shelling out the £8.99 to upgrade to the PS5 version sans VR2.
That being said, I really do want to pick up a PSVR2 at some point. Hopefully sooner rather than later. It’s just that to warrant the outlay, I do need a few more games to become available for it that really appeal to my tastes. Gran Turismo 7, RE Village, Rez, Tetris Effect and, of course, Thumper are all great starts, but something like a new Astro’s game or the holy grail, Half-Life: Alyx, would be especially difficult to resist.
@The_Pixel_King Oh man, I've been waiting for half-life PSVR announcement for YEARS. I wanna play it so bad! Definitely agreed on a new Astro game too! The first one is so so wonderful!
@gbanas92 well, now I'm scared
@AFCC Oh, you'll see 😉
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