Welcome to the Oasis! Today, I’ll be reviewing “Evasion” on the Oculus Rift. This futuristic shooter, developed by Vancouver-based AR Key Act Interactive, offers an immersive VR experience that can be played solo or with a friend. Now, let’s dive in and find out if this game is worth your time and money.
Contents
A Thrilling Sci-Fi Shooter
“Evasion” takes place after decades of peace, where a lethal enemy known as the OP Terror has besieged a vital human mining colony. As a member of the Vanguard, an elite task force, your mission is to investigate the fate of the colonists and uncover the reasons behind the resurgence of this conflict.
Gameplay and Classes
The game features nine campaign story missions and three survival levels, giving you plenty of content to explore. You have the option to choose from four Vanguard classes: the Surgeon, the Striker, the Warden, and the Engineer. Each class has its own unique abilities, including shield size, weapon range, health, and a special surge attack. While each class brings something different to the table, the gameplay experience feels quite similar regardless of the class you choose.
Engaging Combat Mechanics
Once in the game, you’ll wield a blaster in one hand and a shield in the other. The shield not only protects you from incoming fire but also functions as a tether lash, allowing you to attack enemies and potentially receive power-ups. The combat mechanics create a risk-reward dynamic as you have to momentarily drop your shield to use the tether lash, leaving you vulnerable to enemy attacks. Additionally, each character has a unique surge attack that can be unleashed by raising both hands behind your head and pulling the triggers.
Dynamic Challenges
To break the monotony of the gameplay, “Evasion” introduces dynamic challenges. For example, in one mission, the air purifiers have been damaged, resulting in the air becoming unbreathable. This adds an element of urgency as your character takes constant damage until the air purifiers are repaired. These challenges keep the gameplay interesting and prevent it from feeling repetitive.
Co-op Functionality and Online Experience
While “Evasion” can be played solo, the game truly shines when played with a friend in co-op mode. Unfortunately, during my playthrough, I encountered difficulties finding other players to join my game. This lack of online presence may be a drawback for players who prefer the co-op experience. However, the game allows you to revive fallen colleagues in co-op using the tether lash, which adds a layer of teamwork and makes encounters more manageable.
Visuals and Locomotion
In terms of graphics, “Evasion” gets the job done. The player models, gun animations, and destructible environments are particularly well-done. However, other visual elements are just average. The voice acting from the snarky AI adds a touch of humor, and the energetic music enhances the overall experience.
I played the game using smooth locomotion with all comfort settings turned off. If you’re not comfortable with smooth locomotion, “Evasion” does not offer teleportation options. However, you can choose from different comfort settings, such as a – movement system or a smart jog locomotion system, which allows you to jog on the spot to move in the game.
FAQs
Q: Does “Evasion” support cross-platform play?
A: No, “Evasion” does not support cross-platform play. You can only play with players on the same platform.
Q: Are there plans for additional content or updates for “Evasion”?
A: As of now, there haven’t been any announcements regarding additional content or updates for “Evasion.”
Q: Can I use different weapons in “Evasion”?
A: Unfortunately, “Evasion” only offers a single weapon throughout the game, which may feel repetitive after a while.
Conclusion
While “Evasion” offers a sci-fi VR experience with intense combat mechanics, the game falls short in certain aspects. The repetitive gameplay and lack of variety in character classes make it difficult to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Furthermore, the online co-op community seems sparse, which may limit the multiplayer aspect of the game.
If you’re looking for a bullet hell shooter in VR, there are better options available, such as “Blasters of the Universe” and “Space Pirate Trainer.” Alternatively, if you’re interested in a co-op VR shooter, “Arizona Sunshine” and “Killing Floor: Incursion” offer more engaging experiences.
In conclusion, while “Evasion” has its moments, there are other games that offer a more satisfying and captivating VR experience. However, if you’re a die-hard fan of the genre or curious about VR shooters, “Evasion” might still be worth a try.
