@get2sammyb I've enjoyed all of your video reviews. This review seems so "objectively" unfair that I felt compelled to create an account to post my criticisms.
Too much of your review focused on a downgrade in score because of matchmaking issues or the assumption that the existing PSVR userbase would not sustain the game. If possible, were you to revisit the game today, you would find a lot of community support and increasing player numbers. I've played maybe 50 hours, and after the v1.03 patch was released to address squad matchmaking, the lobbies are always full. Within 2 minutes max, I'm in another game with players from all over the world, and I also notice many new players are joining or buying the PSVR specifically for this game. If anything, this might be the game that actually popularises multi player VR FPS.
In my opinion, having played games for 35 years, Firewall is in one of the VR genre-defining games for FPS. Success in the game relies on exploiting the incredible 3D audio, blind-firing, requirement to actually chat with teammates (not gestures), careful coordinated strategy, etc. The seamless integration of the Aim controller to allow intuitive free movement, tied to the aiming down sights, and the ability to look around independently to cover blind spots... it's unlike any other game that exists at the moment (PCVR does not have a gun peripheral...). This is multiplayer VR magic captured in a bottle.
Aiming down sights versus using a laser for hip-firing.. these are core gameplay decisions that each player needs to make, and it's extremely well balanced, with the laser allowing for rapid target acquisition at the expense of giving away your position to enemies. Even grenades have different pros and cons, e.g. frags do more damage and can roll further or bounce off walls; impact grenades explode on impact but are less powerful and are less useful if you need to clear a room by throwing a grenade around a corner.
I cannot commend enough the amount of balancing the developers have achieved to give variety and depth to gameplay based on a very solid game engine. The perks/skills actually allow for extremely varied gameplay styles that each player can develop. When skills are paired correctly specific loadouts, there is a lot of depth to this game.
And this is one of the key factors that I feel is missing from your review.
I'm absolutely ok with everyone having an opinion, but you don't seem to be giving enough credit on how polished and balanced the game mechanics are.
Furthermore, the PSVR in-game Firewall community is also extremely friendly. This is an incredibly important point because many PC shooters end up very toxic. The actual design decision by the devs keeps communication live only between teammates, which fosters the positive vibes and encouragement. Even the lobby has been designed to encourage players to chat...(as explained by devs). The scoring system also encourages teamwork above everything else. The need to attend to cameras after you die keep players involved and contributing... overall, the game design is extremely well thought out to nurture team bonding.
Separately, most players mention no or minimal motion sickness, which is an important achievement by the devs that should be recognized and applauded.
Overall, to me this is game that achieves a Goldeneye-like paradigm shift in VR FPS gaming. It's a 10/10 despite some areas it needs to improve upon...
... and this comes from a player who doesn't particularly enjoy FPS! To mark this game as a 6/10 just doesn't do the game justice.
Comments 1
Re: Review: Firewall Zero Hour (PS4)
@get2sammyb I've enjoyed all of your video reviews. This review seems so "objectively" unfair that I felt compelled to create an account to post my criticisms.
Too much of your review focused on a downgrade in score because of matchmaking issues or the assumption that the existing PSVR userbase would not sustain the game. If possible, were you to revisit the game today, you would find a lot of community support and increasing player numbers. I've played maybe 50 hours, and after the v1.03 patch was released to address squad matchmaking, the lobbies are always full. Within 2 minutes max, I'm in another game with players from all over the world, and I also notice many new players are joining or buying the PSVR specifically for this game. If anything, this might be the game that actually popularises multi player VR FPS.
In my opinion, having played games for 35 years, Firewall is in one of the VR genre-defining games for FPS. Success in the game relies on exploiting the incredible 3D audio, blind-firing, requirement to actually chat with teammates (not gestures), careful coordinated strategy, etc. The seamless integration of the Aim controller to allow intuitive free movement, tied to the aiming down sights, and the ability to look around independently to cover blind spots... it's unlike any other game that exists at the moment (PCVR does not have a gun peripheral...). This is multiplayer VR magic captured in a bottle.
Aiming down sights versus using a laser for hip-firing.. these are core gameplay decisions that each player needs to make, and it's extremely well balanced, with the laser allowing for rapid target acquisition at the expense of giving away your position to enemies. Even grenades have different pros and cons, e.g. frags do more damage and can roll further or bounce off walls; impact grenades explode on impact but are less powerful and are less useful if you need to clear a room by throwing a grenade around a corner.
I cannot commend enough the amount of balancing the developers have achieved to give variety and depth to gameplay based on a very solid game engine. The perks/skills actually allow for extremely varied gameplay styles that each player can develop. When skills are paired correctly specific loadouts, there is a lot of depth to this game.
And this is one of the key factors that I feel is missing from your review.
I'm absolutely ok with everyone having an opinion, but you don't seem to be giving enough credit on how polished and balanced the game mechanics are.
Furthermore, the PSVR in-game Firewall community is also extremely friendly. This is an incredibly important point because many PC shooters end up very toxic. The actual design decision by the devs keeps communication live only between teammates, which fosters the positive vibes and encouragement. Even the lobby has been designed to encourage players to chat...(as explained by devs). The scoring system also encourages teamwork above everything else. The need to attend to cameras after you die keep players involved and contributing... overall, the game design is extremely well thought out to nurture team bonding.
Separately, most players mention no or minimal motion sickness, which is an important achievement by the devs that should be recognized and applauded.
Overall, to me this is game that achieves a Goldeneye-like paradigm shift in VR FPS gaming. It's a 10/10 despite some areas it needs to improve upon...
... and this comes from a player who doesn't particularly enjoy FPS! To mark this game as a 6/10 just doesn't do the game justice.