Since Sony’s first VR headset and buying the first Quest model, I’m both an avid advocate of the VR format and someone who has tried many of the experiences. However, it’s hard to argue with the lack of more comprehensive games in VR. Another argument that almost always comes up is that many VR games feel like technology demos rather than actual gaming experiences. This means they showcase how cool VR can be, rather than delivering everything we want in terms of game mechanics, narrative, and depth. All of this is hard to argue with because it’s often true. However, the lack of release so far is the main reason why my PSVR2 isn’t being used as much as I’d hoped when it arrived home.
Considering all of this, and perhaps especially the fact that VR is very much a demonstration rather than an interactive thing, I started HappyFunland believing there would be a lot of it. This makes sense to an extent, but luckily it’s more than that, and low expectations are quickly replaced by a happy surprise, because it’s actually really fun.
After a brief introduction, we met a chatty character who wanted us to put on headphones and cameras to record everything we saw during our trip to the abandoned amusement park, and we hopped aboard his little swamp boat. I quickly understood what kind of experience this was trying to give me, what I would call a mildly digestible horror. There were some “jump scares” that made me scream so loudly. I hate things like this but still manage to do relatively well and luckily survive. In many ways, HappyFunland is a walking simulator, except for the obvious fact that it’s a bit like a tech demo for VR. But at the same time, moving around the environment is something we do a lot in “regular” games. This is actually one of the biggest advantages of VR, as it feels like you’re there in a lot of ways. Additionally, a shabby, dirty, and very strange amusement park is a very interesting environment.
Because it is precisely in connection with this that the first part of the great surprise and joy creeps in. While it takes place almost entirely in an amusement park, the environments and experiences vary greatly. This is accomplished by throwing in some simple puzzles, as well as some crazy mascots that run wild in the form of robots and act as enemies. There are lots of different themed areas you can visit and, of course, you can jump on different attractions. Everything happens quickly in a fantastic environment, and the design is top-notch. The visuals are also enhanced by many details, and despite the park’s poor condition, it overall looks very nice. However, the visuals drag a bit as things in the distance are a bit blurry, meaning that, for example, some of the spots where you ride and see things are graphically worse, and some of the effects are also very flat.
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I think the most important thing is the richness of design and detail, which is where they are most successful. Nothing feels forgotten. There are small souvenir shops, restaurants, seating areas and everything else. It’s packed with everything you could imagine a park should have, and it really helps give it an incredible atmosphere. Something as simple as you riding an attraction and being able to see its emergency exits means that these, and the fact that you actually feel like you’re riding them, are absolutely great features to have. Of course, you won’t get that feeling in your belly that real-life gravity provides, but other than that, it feels like you’re actually riding on a real attraction most of the time, which is certainly a great result. . Additionally, there is a huge element of dark humor and horror that I, being a self-critical person, experienced was completely manageable. This is a park with ads for cigarettes and alcohol, a park that is definitely more for adults than kids, and I can’t give enough praise for how well the park itself does being a crazy place.
In addition to exploring the park and ride attractions, the game also includes very simple mini-puzzles, as well as encounters where the park’s mechanical inhabitants run wild and attack you, and you have to crush them with whatever tools you can find. The combat is really just pure swinging, but they at least add a bit of menace. This is also where I come back to VR a lot, it doesn’t feel like a complete game. HappyFunland also suffers a bit from the lack of interactivity and something deeper. As an experience it’s pretty good, one of the best I’ve had running for this format in a long time. However, there was still something missing in terms of developing actual gameplay mechanics and engaging me beyond just thinking it was a fun trip to the park. It’s a bit of one-track thinking, and while you can find some sort of collectible, there’s not much else to it.
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One of the more obvious problems also lies in technology. While this looks great, much better than I expected, and very well designed, it also suffers from a classic VR problem. There’s a ton of editing, probably more than I’ve experienced in a title in a long time. Like the first time something like a golf club is able to drop off the ground on a golf course, the problem is often obvious. There are a lot of objects you just walk right through, and sometimes you turn around and find yourself inside a wall, and the immersion is broken numerous times. It’s a shame because if the technology here was better it would feel more polished and even though I wouldn’t say the rating suffers or is noticeably worse, it’s the part of the technology that just doesn’t work that well.
Additionally, it’s very limited to settings, which is a bit of a shame. There’s no way to change the character’s height, which means the perspective can be a bit silly at times, and the only way to move forward is to guide the character forward with the joystick. In other words, for those who prefer to be in VR without any form of teleportation, I know this is a must for many. But even though everyone has a notch to choose how much you can turn, I missed out on the seamless movement that I myself enjoyed.
Another thing that was a little sad was that it was also a fairly short trip. This takes a few hours and then you’re done with the experience. Now, however, it’s much cheaper than many other games, and despite the short playtime, there’s still plenty to experience, including several themed areas and things to watch, ride, and obsess over. If I’m judging it on the premise that you get a really cool and fun VR journey, which is absolutely fantastic in a lot of ways, but as a game it’s more of a good thing.
For the most part, HappyFunland did exactly what I wanted it to do from an experience like this, and if you miss what it’s like to sit with a VR headset on, you should definitely check it out. At least that’s what I’ve done, and luckily, what’s unfolding before me is one of the most fun, craziest virtual worlds I’ve visited in a while.
