Review: Marvel’s Iron Man VR

Marvel fans can indulge with Playstation. Fans previously got to work with Peter Parker in Marvel’s Spider-Man. Now there is also a Playstation VR game from our favorite action hero. This is not the least. We get into a suit developed by Tony Stark in Marvel’s Iron Man VR and take on the Ghost.

Sony and Marvel go hand in hand and this PSVR exclusive shows once again how seriously the IP is taken up by both parties. Iron Man VR puts you in the shoes of Tony Stark and more importantly, Iron Man. You fly through beautifully crafted environments and maneuvering to try to take out your enemies with an arsenal of gadgets and weapons. Is it playing well? How do you move in such Iron Man equipment and how does it go Camouflaj to deal with the limitations of the Playstation VR headset?

Nice piece of Iron, Man

Anyone familiar with the PlayStation VR is undoubtedly familiar with the limitations of the headset. Despite the fact that it is very impressive what Sony managed to achieve with Virtual Reality just when it started to advance is phenomenal. Back then it was the most user-friendly way to play full VR experiences and games in your own home. PSVR still does not rank badly in the market with relatively low entry price and strong games, including Iron Man VR.

That doesn’t mean it will come without its flaws. Movement tracking always works the way you want it to, and you’ll notice it the most in full fast-paced action games like Iron Man VR. Until now you mainly set the pace in VR games, but in this game the pace is determined by the enemies and dangers that rush towards you. Here you notice that sometimes the management is not completely 1 to 1 the same as your intentions. Camouflaj, the developer, has used clever techniques to make you think that you do everything yourself, while the game actually assists you in many areas. You don’t notice it at all, but it does provide a generally pleasant experience. Even if the headset and the move controllers don’t always want to work well.

Not child’s play

Your first flight in Tony Stark’s suit is not cat pee. It is a typical issue easy to learn and hard to master. The learning curve in this game is considerable and while playing you feel that you get more and more feeling for it. It actually felt very natural and ‘real’. In the beginning you hit your head against a rock more than four times per flight and landing on a platform becomes a bit uncomfortable, but after an hour or two it feels a lot more natural. From a real chunk of a pilot to a true Iron Man in 10 hours. Not only because flying and fighting take time to learn, but also because you can expand and adjust your equipment while playing.

Is it Friday yet?

Mainly, you spend most of your time flying in the air while dodging missiles and firing a shot at one of the many drones that target you. In between your missions there is time for a breather in Stark’s villa. Here you can see your overpriced cars parked, eat some fruit from the fridge, impress Friday with a record pull-ups or spend some free time upgrading and customizing your gear.

Various licks of paint are available for performing in-game challenges. To buy new weapons and switch other gadgets you need upgrade points. you get these for completing missions. You can choose from two different presets. Ideal for the different types of bonus missions you get from Friday and Gunsmith for example. In a playful way you will automatically find out which type of weapons and gadgets best suit your personal playing style. Fly faster, or a faster short boost? Do you want to fire in rapid succession or charge a strong shot?

I am Iron Man VR!

Do we remember them, the Move controllers? Having two Playstation Move controllers is essential to play Iron Man VR. You cannot play the game with a Dualshock 4. While playing you will notice why. You have to use your hands separately. That is simply not possible with a Dualshock 4. Fortunately, Playstation has released a version of the game where you get two Move controllers. Fortunately, too, because the controllers have become quite scarce over the years.

Once you have the headset on your head and controllers in your hand, you are in control. You fly and shoot using your hands. You can turn with the buttons on the front, but you can also turn your head. Do not go too far, because you are not an owl and the headset is simply a cable that you do not want to strangle yourself with. Seems to me. You shoot by stretching your hand forward. With your palm up, you shoot out of the palm, with your palm down, you shoot out of your arm. Both have different types of weapons, so while flying you are constantly moving your hands to switch weapons and take out enemies as quickly and creatively as possible.

In addition to fireworks, there is also a sturdy layer of steel around your fist with which you can give the necessary blows. Both for enemies in the air and on the ground. All actions to be performed, hitting, shooting, flying and so on are ingrained in the Move controller. On the front are the four iconic buttons. Two of these are to steer, one to float and one to hit. The buttons on the other controller are the same, but in mirror image. Occasionally this is a bit confusing and you sometimes hit the wrong button in the heat of battle.

Verdict

Iron Man VR is a clever piece of VR developed by Camouflaj. The shortcoming of the precision of the VR is well absorbed by the game, so you do not easily feel powerless. Or lose complete control. Despite the side wheels, it sometimes happens that not everything goes the way you want. Or that you use the wrong buttons because you have poor visibility.

The game looks great, animations are smooth and the events around you are beautifully designed considering that the device on your head has its graphical limitations. The power it contains is used. Camouflaj delivers a nice cinematic experience of 10 hours at a reasonable pace. Although you play as Iron Man, it feels less iconic and memorable than I had hoped and the game relies heavily on the gameplay. Which for the most part is just fine.