If Pink Matter set a brand new benchmark for visuals on standalone VR {hardware}, then Pink Matter 2 had large sneakers to fill, particularly on Quest 2.

Fortunately, it’s greater than as much as the duty. In actual fact, Pink Matter 2 is essentially the most spectacular visible showcase accessible on Quest 2 proper now. Even higher, it’s a terrific sci-fi journey and largely a pleasure to play.

Doubling Down

Wanting again on our assessment of the unique Pink Matter from 2018, it’s exceptional what number of of these ideas may be echoed on the subject of Pink Matter 2.

That is removed from a foul factor – every thing that the unique did effectively the sequel builds on and develops additional. It’s not essentially simply extra of the identical – as a substitute, it’s clear that builders Vertical Robotic have doubled down on what made the unique Pink Matter so nice to provide a very compelling sci-fi VR expertise.

Pink Matter 2 is in fact a continuation of the story from the unique with returning environments and mechanics, however new gamers shouldn’t really feel remoted both. The story, even when a continuation, is simple sufficient to select up and the sport assumes no prior expertise by way of mechanics.

Very like the primary recreation the participant holds a multi-tool iron claw in every hand molded to the form of your controllers. They supply a strong interplay system, permitting the participant to change between a scanner, claws and flashlight, in addition to some new instruments. They continue to be a incredible method to circumvent potential confusion and friction brought on by controllers as they act like an extension of your arms to work together with the surroundings with out breaking immersion.

Within the first recreation the default was to select spots to maneuver to forward of time and your jetpack then moved you there, however now now you can slowly propel your self into the air and jetpack across the surroundings. You solely have restricted vertical motion with the jetpack, although, and it solely recharges once you contact the bottom. This introduces some partaking platforming sections that require sensible pondering and calculated motion. General, the brand new system is a pleasant method to combine up environmental exploration.

A Beautiful Visible Showcase

Essentially the most spectacular side of Pink Matter 2 is the visible expertise, by fairly an extended shot.

Pink Matter initially launched for PC VR and PSVR in 2018 earlier than being ported over to the Quest a yr later. On the time, we stated Pink Matter’s Quest port set a brand new commonplace for visuals on standalone {hardware}.

Three years later, the sequel has accomplished the identical on Quest 2. Pink Matter 2 is nothing in need of an unbelievable technical achievement and Vertical Robotic as soon as once more set a brand new commonplace for visuals on standalone {hardware}. Pink Matter 2 options a few of my favourite, most awe-inspiring moments from any VR expertise, not to mention one operating on standalone {hardware}.

On PC VR, the sport seems to be incredible as effectively (and there are just a few noticeable upgrades intimately and lighting). Nonetheless, what’s extra spectacular is simply how comparable the Quest 2 model is. Not solely does it utterly maintain up in comparison with the PC VR model, but it surely presents a degree of visible constancy that’s near-unmatched on the platform. This isn’t to say each single second of Pink Matter 2 seems to be mind-blowing, however in its finest moments there’s nothing else on Quest {hardware} that comes shut.

Pink Matter 2’s environments sparkle with consideration to element. There have been a number of galactic vistas that took my breath away, however many rooms and corridors did the identical. The exploration within the recreation is made all of the extra pleasurable by simply how fairly every thing seems to be. The lighting, and reflections particularly, are a selected spotlight — a number of small moments will depart you questioning simply how Vertical Robotic managed to tug off such wonderful results on standalone {hardware}. At instances, these results can seem to be one thing from a subsequent gen console title fairly than a VR recreation operating on a cellular chip.

There’s additionally a prevailing sense of depth all through the sport’s environments. Every little thing feels very large. When Pink Matter 2 places you standing on the floor of a planet, looking into infinite area, it feels overwhelmingly spectacular in its measurement. It’s an identical feeling to the one I received wanting over the city sprawl of Metropolis 17 originally of Half-Life: Alyx.

There’s just a few different Alyx nods peppered all through as effectively. Some mini-game puzzles, requiring you to maneuver a cursor by means of a 3D holographic object, really feel very Metropolis 17 in design however don’t fairly click on the best way those in Alyx did. There’s additionally Alyx-like liquids in all of Pink Matter 2’s bottles, which is a ravishing contact.

Minor Gripes

For essentially the most half, every thing works collectively in Pink Matter 2 to create an expertise that hits a really perfect candy spot. From the puzzles to the environments to the story, every thing is fed to you in simply the correct quantity and spaced out so that you simply don’t get bored and all the time keep in your ft.

Nonetheless, there are some hiccups to take care of as effectively. Very like the unique, the environmental puzzles are largely pleasurable, however sometimes a bit too puzzling. Throughout the second half of the marketing campaign there have been just a few moments that left me really confused and annoyed with the sense there’s not sufficient clues to place two and two collectively. It’s a disgrace, as a result of the primary half of the sport feels prefer it hits the clue-to-puzzle ratio good.

Likewise, there are another late-game sections that fall a bit flat. It’s an extended recreation than the unique, however may begin to really feel a little bit too lengthy towards the tip. The addition of a gun attachment to your claws is enjoyable for the primary one or two encounters, however partaking gunplay isn’t Pink Matter 2’s promoting level. The fight can develop into tiresome as you play by means of a number of related encounters. Likewise, a stealth part involving dodging or disabling turret drones to go by means of an space is enjoyable at first, however considerably overstays its welcome. Each clearly goal so as to add selection to the second half of the marketing campaign however verge on feeling repetitive in themselves.

Pink Matter 2 Assessment – Last Verdict

Even with just a few second-half hiccups, Pink Matter 2 is a surprising achievement and a delight to play with its minor gripes simply forgivable. It’s a stunning recreation on each PC VR and Quest 2, but it surely really raises the usual on the latter to new heights. If you happen to’re a Quest 2 proprietor eager to see one of the best visuals your headset can supply, it’s one to take a look at. And in the event you’re simply in search of an attractive sequel that evolves a sci-fi journey that began in 2018? Pink Matter 2 delivers on that entrance too.

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