Recent reviews by TheExistentialNerd

I have discovered that I am a sucker for cockpit VR games. I was going to review this a while back, but Microsoft killed WMR, so it was in my library for a few months. So...here is my review in written form.

1. Graphics - The visuals won't match up with something like Mechwarrior 5, sure. However, what we have he is well laid out maps that are not difficult to navigate, look and feel fun to roam around in, AND have tactical usefulness.
2. Controls - If you are sitting in a good gamer/office chair, just fiddle with the in cockpit sticks to adjust to what feels like where you chair arms are, and boom! So natural. I felt like I was piloting the mech from the cockpit and not my gaming space.
3. VR Experience - There are blind spots in your view...intentionally. Think of sitting in the drivers seat of your vehicle. There are blind spots. That is what you have here. Need to see around those blind spots? Lean forward, or stand up a bit. Looking to the side, but there is the side panel of the cockpit in the way? Again, lean forward to look around it. The mechanics of the controls feels so natural. When piloting the mech and moving it around didn't give me motion sickness either! It felt like I was in a cockpit. I know I repeat that, but that feeling is so important. It "fixes" how the visual information is interpreted in the brain. You know you aren't walking, so that dizziness doesn't occur. Having free movment of my body and visual autonomy just makes it feel...right.
4. Online play - This is the only downside. The game is a 4v4 pvp style game. Thankfully, you can easily jump into a session alone with AI teammates and opponents. This is a slight fix, but neither enemies or allies make any attempts at finishing goals. They just go out and fight. Interesting though, your allies do seem to do what they can to defend you when accomplishing goals. There is NO campaign mode. I would like to see one, but I have to assume that would be difficult. Even if the campaign used existing maps with enemies that don't respawn, that would be something, I suppose.

Either way, this is worth it. The overall experience makes this a fun game, and even on "easy" the combat provides a great challenge to hone in on your skills when the chance to go up against a real person won't leave you a walking target.

VERY short demo, but damn this really needs to be a thing. Do not do anything to change the controls. Add something, sure, but just the way turning my head turns the mech, and wsad as movement? Motion sickness was NOT an issue.

It isn't Elden Ring that you expect, but I am perfectly fine with that. I am terrible at Souls style titles. This is more of a roguelike, and that there is my jam. The thing though? It definitely has that souls difficulty with the boss fights. Regardless, I have been having a blast with it.

Giant Anime Mechs. Check. Customizeable Anime Waifus? Check. Fast paced combat action? Check. Annoying micro transaction prompts? Check, unfortunately. Still a fun game worth spending some time with? Check. Ignore the micros and such, and this is a banger mech experience.

This is a classic. M/KB controls are a bit wonky, but the twin stick controls are just fantastic. You will find that you need to swap between a controller and keyboard/mouse DURING game play to efficiently swap between combat and building. Whether solo or with others, you can't go wrong with this freebie. And honestly, if you can get the addons, the starter pack and the prime pack are the best to put you ahead of the curve with a nice selection of mechs to choose from.

Is it perfect? Of course not. The dang thing is in Early Access. Does it have bugs? Well duh, again it is in Early Access. Is it fun? You pilot a giant mech. You blow crap up. You shoot others. You do missions and quests. If that is your thing, then yes it is fun. If you don't like micros, then don't buy anything. Will it hold you back? No clue at this point.

First and foremost, the non-VR controls are solid. There is some "jank" due to this obviously being a VR game converted to a M/KB game. However, I am glad that I have access due to WMR being shuttered. The game feels like a mixture of Mechwarrior on the old SNES, and Wing Commander. The mechs feel clunky, but purposefully clunky because they ARE big clunky hulks of machines. It really draws in the immersion for me. The voice acting works well enough in, but it isn't the best. There are some weird animations here and there, but I am fine with them. They don't break the game, just looks early '00s models hand animated.

Overall, this is a solid mecha game with a good story, solid controls, and fun game play. There is also multiplayer that feels like it was given some real though.

First off, short play through. Take what I say for what you will. First off, for a free game, go for it. You literally have NOTHING to lose. Didn't see any micro transactions either, so that makes this an easy as all recommendation.

With that out of the way, there are flaws. The control scheme is....weird. I do NOT like turning around when I press the down/back direction. I want to back up while maintaining my focus/view in the forward direction. Hit boxes feel very off, or small. Not entirely sure. With the loose controls, it is an awkward experience in combat. The tutorial is not a tutorial. The "shop" font and visuals are way to big. It looks crowded and clunky. Visually, the game looks okay. It isn't really inspired.

Now this is not intended to be a slam on the game. It should be taken as a critique for improvement. The roguelike nature tied with extraction style mission completion, this could easily be a game for the Dark and Darker style players that want a PvE experience.

For the last few years, I have been keeping my eye on this, but wasn't ready to drop the cash on it during early access (sorry, I really should have). Finally took the dive feeling confident with, and I am not disappointed. Now, I am not artistic or talented enough to help in making profiles for more games to be played in the beautiful 3D voxel style in the reasonably numbered supported games. With that said, what is supported just makes the play of those titles so worth it. It honestly changes how you play! Example: Arkanoid with the play field angled so you are behind the bar? Would NEVER have imagined that it would make a difference. The rpgs on NES take on a new life with new 3D angles. There are a few games I would LOVE to see tackled, like Space Harrier.

A fun, retro inspired action RPG. Some of the quests can be a bit confusing at first, but there are plenty of walk throughs and answers if you search. Overall, an extremely chill adventure... Just get it on
sale.