Minor Update (4 Nov 2019):
As mentioned in the original review, the game is fun to play, but forgot to mention a couple of things: (1) All levels are available from the start of the game, which I thought was a nice touch, (2) the levels are immense in scope, which only makes me wish more for a cockpit view, and an optional ability to be able to freely fly around in, (3) the game reminds me how tough SHUMP games can be, even on the easy difficulty setting.
Original Review:
A Cross Between Omega Boost (PS1) and Novastorm (Multiple Platforms), But VR Doesn't Really Add Anything
This game acts as a current generation 3D SHUMP that can be played on a VR HMD. As the game only allows you to move forward (although you can control the speed to a point), with left/right/up/down adjustments (pretty generous ones), I really don't see how the VR mode acts as anything more than having a big screen TV directly in front of your face.
You fly in 3rd person mode only, and the ship itself can be said to obscure your view of the screen to a certain extent. Either a cockpit view, or a raw 1st person view (no cockpit), for myself, would add a greater sense of immersion. The ability to fly in any direction (if only a limited amount to get the enemies you missed that are now behind you) would put it on par with VR-based space shooters that I enjoy (e.g., Eve Valkyrie, Trench Run VR).
Please understand, this is not a bad game at all, and I have enjoyed immensely what I have played so far. It just happens to be a rare case for myself where the VR mode did not make a significant contribution that makes it stick out from a 'pancake' version of the game. Probably the best comparison I could make is the case for Rez. In VR, the main game was just a bigger screen to look at; but their 'Rez X' mode took much better advantage for what VR can offer.
The game controls are straightforward, fairly easy to configure, and a joy to play with on a gamepad.
Your main weapons are guns and lock-on missiles that track multiple targets (kind of like Rez, and the aforementioned Omega Boost). It is very easy to just use the missiles, and on occassion you will questions what value the guns have (as far as I can tell, they deplete enemy life faster).
This game gets a thumbs up from myself, mostly for the nostalgia hook, solid gameplay, and overall good time. I just wish the VR mode presented something more than a 'TV screen in your face' hook to it.
Is this game too expensive? In my opinion, no. I believe I will get more out of it than the asking price.
