Far Cry VR gives a compelling location-based multiplayer VR expertise for the skilled and new to VR alike. Learn on for our full hands-on.
Introduced in 2020 and rolled out to Zero Latency places final yr, I solely not too long ago obtained the prospect to check out Far Cry VR: Dive Into Madness, a 30-minute location-based multiplayer expertise developed by nDreams in partnership with Ubisoft and Zero Latency.
In comparison with different location-based VR I’ve tried, the eye to element dropped at Far Cry VR from nDreams was very welcome. The complete expertise can also be bolstered by the setup enhancements present in Zero Latency’s new wi-fi multiplayer headset system.
As I wrote final month, Docklands in Melbourne is the primary Zero Latency location worldwide to implement its new wi-fi system, utilizing Wi-Fi 6E expertise paired with Vive Focus 3 headsets. Gone are the times of lengthy consumer setup occasions and heavy PC backpacks — all you want with this new system is the gun peripheral and the standalone headset, with all of the content material streamed wirelessly to every participant from on-location PCs. Total, the system delivers spectacular efficiency with surprisingly minimal latency. It helps as much as 8 gamers directly — the utmost for Far Cry VR — and I used to be in a position to strive it out alongside seven of my associates as one massive group. There was a mixture of VR expertise in our group — some had been pretty effectively acquainted, whereas others had been attempting VR for the very first time. Everybody got here away impressed and entertained.
Whereas the brand new wi-fi system streamlines your entire onboarding course of, it’s the prowess of nDreams as a VR studio that shines by in Far Cry VR. It’s a stable expertise that takes benefit of VR in fascinating methods. The sport’s premise is easy — your group discover themselves held hostage on an island and also you’ll should shoot down a ridiculous variety of island pirates so as to escape. Data of the Far Cry franchise is actually not wanted, however followers ought to be glad with the frequent appearances of Vaas, the enduring villain from Far Cry 3.
It’s a cooperative expertise, so nobody within the group will likely be instantly competing in opposition to one another through the sport. That being stated, there may be an ongoing leaderboard you can examine between encounters and after you end and take the headset off. For these like me with aggressive spirit, my greatest tip is to deal with getting headshots if you wish to take the highest place.
The group of eight will likely be break up up into two smaller teams of 4 for many of the expertise, however you’ll typically nonetheless have the ability to see the others as you navigate by the environments. There’s additionally some entertaining fight encounters that may see you come collectively as a full group of eight once more, preventing off greater waves of enemies.
The vast majority of Far Cry VR is combat-focused, however there’s quantity of selection within the environments and a few fascinating areas to discover as you progress by the linear narrative.
Issues begin easy — generic island environments with easy gun gameplay to get everybody warmed up — earlier than shifting onto to barely extra fascinating areas and extra complicated encounters. One part will play out on a shifting cable automotive, whereas one other will provide you with a break from fight to discover a cave ridden with psychedelic gas-expelling fungi, resulting in some enjoyable hallucination results.
There’s a trippy and fascinating full-group fight sequence in stated hallucinogenic cave, with enemies will popping up from all angles — the bottom, sideways on partitions, even the wrong way up above you. It’s a a effectively thought out sequence — not solely does it work throughout the story, however it additionally exhibits gamers how VR gameplay can allow you to expertise sequences and interactions that merely aren’t attainable in the true world. You’re not simply enjoying a digital model of laser tag right here — it’s doing issues that solely work in VR to nice impact.
That is clearly the benefit in bringing in an skilled studio like nDreams to deal with improvement. Whereas Zero Latency’s different developed-in-house experiences are nonetheless entertaining, they don’t really feel fairly as mature or thought-about as Far Cry VR does by way of VR design.
The grand fight finale is a combination of all the pieces you’ve seen thus far — hallucinations, pirates, Vaas and a few new enemies thrown into the combination as effectively — which you’ll struggle by as one massive group of eight.
As can occur with many location-based VR experiences, although, it felt over too quickly. Contemplating the expertise is the type that might appeal to those that are fully new to VR, Far Cry VR is a well-designed taster. There’s nonetheless tons to get pleasure from for knowledgeable VR gamers too, however those that are newcomers ought to get an understanding of not simply what works greatest in VR, however why it really works so effectively.
Followers of Far Cry will definitely benefit from the expertise too, however it’s not a mind-blowing franchise tie-in. It doesn’t should be both — utilizing current franchises like Far Cry is an effective way to offer a considerable backdrop to comparatively easy motion gameplay, without having an excessive amount of narrative context or clarification.
For those who’re seeking to strive a considerable location-based expertise with a gaggle of associates Far Cry VR comes really helpful — particularly in case you’re in a position to play it on Zero Latency’s latest wi-fi system which considerably improves the setup and luxury of your entire course of from begin to end.
Once I visited final month Zero Latency instructed me that the Docklands location was the one venue with the brand new wi-fi system. Nevertheless, there are imminent plans to increase the system as quickly as attainable in different venues worldwide, so preserve a watch out.
You possibly can try periods and places for Far Cry VR over on Zero Latency’s website.
