As VR continues to develop in reputation, we’re getting extra video games that attempt to replicate standard conventional video games with the immersion and multiplayer expertise that solely VR can provide. Contractors Showdown is my newest VR gaming obsession because it channels two of the very best battle royale titles in the marketplace: Name of Responsibility Warzone, and PUBG.
Visually, the sport evokes the look of PUBG in all the best methods. The map is totally huge, but it does not really feel just like the builders needed to reduce down on mannequin element or make the map sparse simply to suit on the Meta Quest 3. Even with this huge map, it helps 60 gamers at a time — that is 3 times the quantity supported by Inhabitants: One, the system’s hottest battle royale sport.
When you advised me this scale of battle royale sport can be on a standalone VR headset only a yr or two in the past, I am undecided I’d have believed you.
Even the fundamental gameplay loop feels straight out of a PUBG match. You may start every spherical on a navy dropship flying excessive over the island. Because the bay doorways open, you possibly can select to leap out at any time and pull your parachute to glide to your most well-liked place to begin.
Weapons and help gadgets are littered in clusters across the map, mostly present in buildings or crates. Weapons all appear and feel extremely practical, together with distinctive reloading mechanics that really feel good however aren’t overly sophisticated. It is a comfortable medium between the purposefully easy reloading mechanics in Inhabitants: One and among the actually practical — and infrequently annoying — reloading mechanics in among the greatest Quest video games.
The livestream above offers you an amazing thought of what to anticipate from the sport, however I like to recommend beginning at timestamp 12:20 to see how a spherical performs out from the start.
Because the streamer makes his approach to the sting of the airplane and ultimately jumps out, you will get a really feel and appreciation for simply how huge this island is.
In some ways, this sport brings the extra practical multiplayer shooter expertise I had hoped to get pleasure from with Ghosts of Tabor. Whereas that sport is a masterclass in VR design, it requires extra time and persistence than I am keen to offer.
Contractors Showdown suits proper in between that sport and Inhabitants: One, providing the chance to play with 60 gamers however not really feel such as you’ve obtained no probability if you do not have dozens of hours to pour into the sport each week.
There are just a few clunky components proper now, however I think about these will proceed to get ironed out as the sport nears completion. On-body stock is a bit complicated at first, nevertheless it solely took me just a few rounds to determine it out.
Likewise, the sport’s semi-complicated wearable pc system is a bit daunting at first however supplies distinctive and attention-grabbing methods to supply perks and powers like air raids or drones throughout matches. Plus, the perk and improve system provides rewards for gamers who proceed to return again, encouraging common play periods.
If you wish to strive it for your self, the free open beta is working by March 17 (so there’s not a lot time left on the time of writing). Join it on the Contractors Showdown web site.
We nonetheless do not know the ultimate launch date however I think about it’s going to be touchdown within the subsequent month or two based mostly on my playtime with the sport over the previous few weeks. I am so comfortable to see extra high quality video games like this land on the Meta Quest and may’t wait to see what the ultimate sport performs like!