One thing Random – a brand new studio based by the creators of Superhot VR – releases their new sport, Toy Trains on PS VR2 on January 16, 2024. What’s it, how did it come to be, and why can switching genres result in higher video games? Hop on board to seek out out the solutions to all these questions!

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What’s Toy Trains? It’s a playful, track-building sport happening on a miniature railway delivered to life. “At its core, it’s a sport about making connections,” says Marcin Jóźwik, the undertaking’s lead. “On the gameplay facet, we pair little homes with building websites as a way to construct assembly locations for inhabitants of that world – Railies. On the story facet, it’s about the necessity to uphold connections with different folks, even when it proves exhausting. The theme radiates even outdoors the sport itself. Our aim was to make one thing that may join varied generations. A title that may be loved by children, their grandparents, and everybody in between.”

Toy Trains shouldn’t be one thing you’ll in all probability count on from former Superhot VR builders. Certainly, these two video games couldn’t be any extra completely different! The primary one is targeted on ‘the darkish facet’ of video games. Primarily, how younger folks will be influenced and consumed by them. The second reveals that video games may also be calming, stress-free and really assist coping with hardships. Superhot VR was a shooter for ‘core avid gamers’ whereas Toy Trains is directed to gamers of all ages. Whereas Superhot VR was primarily purple and white, Toy Trains is colourful and cartoony. So, is there something that connects them? 

“The design ideas in each video games are principally the identical,” explains Cezary, the crew author/designer. “We’re at all times laser-focused on delivering gameplay that’s simple to know, fluent, devoid of any pointless fluff. If the participant shouldn’t be having enjoyable throughout the first 15 seconds of the sport – we failed at our job.” The opposite factor that connects these video games is that each of them make time cease – however in a really completely different sense.

From the primary monitor placed on the desk you’ll be drawn to the gameplay and offered world. Almost definitely you’ll end up immersed to the purpose that you just’ll take off your goggles in awe of what number of hours have already handed. The convenience of use, consolation and lack of distractions really pulls you into Toy Trains and refuses to let go. Atmospheric music, clattering of little trains, the sounds of nature make for a really soothing expertise. There isn’t any rush, no timers, no rating – solely you and the place you create on the board.

“We didn’t need the sport to pressure the participant to do something,” provides Marcin. “Each problem you face is open-ended and has varied doable options. You at all times get to be artistic and strategic in regards to the map’s remaining final result as an alternative of merely fixing a puzzle.” To reinforce the creativity side, Toy Trains additionally leaves area for self-expression. The participant can freely adorn the board as soon as they’ve completed constructing the rails. Inserting farms or little stacks of hay can remodel the miniature totally – make it private and distinctive. 

The creation and puzzle-solving features of the sport, together with its cozy, nostalgic presentation, make it an ideal sport to take pleasure in by households and pals in entrance of a giant display screen. The timing and platform it involves aren’t unintentional both. Chilly, winter afternoons will probably be good to sit down in the lounge, cross the PS VR2 headset alongside, focus on the challenges and admire tracks and decorations positioned by our family members. With that, the crew needs to show that VR can deliver folks collectively as an alternative of isolating them.

The final remaining, unanswered query is – why did the crew resolve to make Toy Trains as an alternative of one other motion title like Superhot?

“It will be simple to make solely shooters for the remainder of our careers,” says Kuba, the corporate’s lead programmer. “However if you wish to make really distinctive issues you possibly can’t stand nonetheless. You must problem your self, shake issues up. Creativity comes from discomfort. That’s why we’ve begun with Toy Trains, however who is aware of what we’ll observe up with!”

Toy Trains is about for a launch on January 16 on PS VR2.