PunjiVR: The Vietnam War

As a Vietnam War geek I really want to like this game and it absolutely has the potential to be good, but I just can not recommend it in its current state. Mechanics like running, climbing, and inventory are way too clunky. AI enemies will either snipe you from across the map or just outright walk right past you. To the dev: Please don't take this as discouragement. Take a break from adding new content and spend some time fixing the mechanics and content already in the game, it will make it so much better and easier to work on down the line.

Absolutely innovative, but *inconsistent*. Love the crawling, the gun jamming, the explosion effects, etc. The mechanics are well thought out, but the execution is really frustrating at times. The inventory is jank, just have it be open all the time like every other VR game! And I cannot tell you how many times I have holstered my weapon in a firefight only to throw the gun into a rice paddy and not notice until i have to run all the way back for it. The backpack has a tendency to activate the "shake to empty" function when you put it on your back, dumping all your items on the ground. Still, fun as hell, and the only VR vietnam game to my knowledge, outside of modded H3VR. If you love single-dev type games, this is definitely for you.

PunjiVR is being made by 1 person and it shows. However, that one guy clearly has an interest in VR and isn't phoning it in. There's touches of genius in here that say it might be awesome one day. Once multiplayer is added I can see myself putting a lot of time into this. For now, absolutely worth the money just to crawl around in Vietcong tunnels and die to mines. My grandpa would be so proud

Quite a bit of content to keep you occupied for a few hours (shooting range and 4 gamemodes). The recoil is exceptional and quite realistic, but the horizontal recoil can be a bit much for the automatic carbines. Despite that, the sound design for all the guns are great, especially the AKM sound for chambering a round and the bolt release for the M16 and xm177. The bipod for the M60 is unlike any bipod ive seen in a VR game but I have never found a point to use it unless its the firefight mission. The stationary machineguns, however, feel awesome. Another point with the guns is that the handling is a bit awkward. I see myself with my actual hand below the virtual pistol grip where it should be by a long way, and the M60 only uses the hand gripping the pistol grip to aim, rather than using both hands. Regarding the missions, firefight is very fun but there is a lack of AI at a time and you cant really get more guns within the mode through purchasing or picking them up from houses or dead combatants (you can bring in a custom loadout which is awesome though). Tunnel rat is a serious challenge but can be a bit time consuming, still fun. Last stand was an absolute pain to play within my first attempts, being headshotted by some random bozo beneath the hill. Once you do get the hang of it, you can last for ages and I really felt like John Platoon, just awesome. The gun truck is a bit of a disappointment, but i do see huge potential. It was a selling point for me within the trailer and its a shame to see it riddled with bugs, at least on my part. There were floating VC just way above trees, sometimes the VC wouldn't even despawn once you drove an entire kilometer away, or would actually just despawn right in front of you. Grabbing the stationary guns can be a struggle at times because you are on the move, I'm assuming, but grabbing the charging handle for any gun is definitely a struggle, definitely because I'm on the move. The biggest gripe I had, probably was just on my side though, if I bought another tier of weapon, maybe tier 2 or 3, and I had less points after it, once i got the required points for it the game would just constantly purchase that tier of the gun. I could have gotten a single kill with a tier 3 weapon and gotten a point from it, but that point would have been enough to buy it again and the game would just buy it instantly for me unless I tapped the button before it! Very annoying when i was holding a stationary weapon with it because then it'd just despawn the machinegun and give me some M2 carbine, and i could never get that poor M60 back, just a single pole. Plus, buying the armour for the truck does not work well with the M2HB as the box mag would constantly slam against the armour when traversing it to the right, and the M134 was a serious let down, spending all my points for the most inaccurate gun ever with a small ammo pool. When the mode did work, which I managed by restarting the game, it was very very fun and I was constantly scrambling to repair, man the guns, purchasing reloads. Very stressful, very fun. Going back to version 1, version 2 really outshines it. Although version 1 had very fun and cool missions that version 2 doesn't have, Sir Loin did say some modes like the door gunner mission would make a comeback, thanks! Despite the flaws of some bugs and weapon handling, the game is very fun once you get used to it, and Sir Loin (the dev) is incredibly friendly and helpful with anyone in forums or the discord server, which I recommend you join. I do see this being a perfect VR Vietnam game in the future and a worthwhile purchase now, but bear in mind I could be the only one with some of these gripes and issues.

I found this game because I am interested in Vietnam War games and this is the only Vietnam War VR game afaik. I was pleased by the positive reviews and the general "goodness" that surrounded this product. When I saw it was on sale, I bought the game and hopped in, expecting to be immersed into a low poly Vietnam War. Instead, I start the game, and am immediately thrown into a "tutorial" with no directions or even a dialogue, where I immediately get shot up and go to the main menu. Once in the main menu, I messed around with the guns, and noticed something interesting. [b] Some of the guns have weird hand angles (like the pistol) and all of them require the magazine to be inserted at the exact right angle. The guns also have NO HAPTIC FEEDBACK when shooting, making them feel like toys.[/b] I was also having an extremely hard time gripping the M1911 slide because I kept grabbing the wrong thing, even though my hand was over it and the "T" symbol on the slide was shown. The M60's top cover also rotates at weird angles when reloading, which just feels off. The mounted weapons shake side-to-side when shooting like they are mounted on jello, not a metal pole. I know sometimes indie games don't have super polished weapons so I put that past me and went into the first mission, Firefight. I enter, again with no directions, and my AI teammates start shooting at the enemies, who are extremely far away. I start making my way over to the enemies, dying a few times (they have really good aim after a bit of shooting) and eventually get somewhat close enough that I can possibly be expected to be able to hit a target using low-poly irons and my shaky hands that I'm holding out in front of me. I shoot them, but then get one-tapped by an enemy that I didn't see. I tried to reload while running, and my magazine disappeared when I put it in my gun. I tried again, and the same thing happened. After a few more attempts, I get frustrated and quit. I then tried the Gun Truck mission, only to be given the janky 1911 that is extremely hard to reload, and fail the mission. TL, DR: I was extremely excited to play this game, but now I'm just disappointed. No directions and janky mechanics make this barely enjoyable. Maybe it'll be more fun in the future.

[strike] USE THE TEST BUILD! The normal build is not a good experience. [/strike] My previous review was before the 2.0 update. The 2.0 completely overhauls the game and now it's a hidden gem of a VR game, no test build needed. I would absolutely get this game.

reliving grandpappy's nightmeres

Dev is very dedicated to the game and keeps up good updates. Has very niche and innovative features for vr. Has the typical jank.

I'm not a Tourist. I live here

PunjiVR, developed and published by Camden Cleveland, is a compelling virtual reality tactical shooter that immerses players in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Vietnam War. Since its release in 2022, the game has garnered attention for its dedication to creating a realistic and challenging VR experience that pushes the boundaries of immersion and strategy. Unlike many shooters that rely on fast-paced action and flashy effects, PunjiVR focuses on tactical depth, careful planning, and authentic movement, delivering an experience that feels both intense and rewarding for players willing to invest the time to master its systems. At the heart of PunjiVR’s gameplay is its emphasis on realism and high stakes. Players are dropped into dense jungle environments where every step can mean the difference between life and death. The AI enemies are intelligent and unforgiving, requiring players to use stealth, cover, and tactical thinking to survive. The game features a variety of authentic weapons and tools, each with detailed handling mechanics that add to the immersion. What sets PunjiVR apart is the lethal nature of combat—mistakes are costly, and death can come swiftly, which creates a palpable tension and encourages players to approach each encounter thoughtfully rather than rushing in blindly. The VR implementation in PunjiVR is particularly noteworthy. The developers have designed the game specifically for virtual reality, integrating full-body physics that allow players to physically crawl, climb, and maneuver through the environment in a way that few VR shooters attempt. The locomotion system blends joystick movement with arm-swinging, providing a unique and intuitive way to traverse the game’s challenging terrain. Weapon handling feels tactile and satisfying, with no reliance on artificial aids like laser pointers or excessive HUD elements, reinforcing the game’s commitment to immersion and authenticity. This design choice enhances the feeling of actually being on the ground in a combat zone, making the experience much more visceral and engaging. PunjiVR is currently in Early Access, which means the game is still evolving with ongoing development and updates. The developer has been active in communicating with the community, frequently sharing progress reports and incorporating player feedback to refine gameplay and add new features. Future updates promise to expand the game’s scope with larger missions, vehicle support, squad management, and a mission editor, all of which aim to deepen the tactical options and replayability. This ongoing development demonstrates a strong commitment to the game’s growth and a willingness to listen to the player base, which is encouraging for those looking to invest in a VR tactical shooter with long-term potential. While PunjiVR has received mostly positive feedback for its immersive mechanics and tactical depth, some players have noted that content variety and polish are still works in progress. As is common with Early Access titles, there can be rough edges and limited mission variety at this stage, which might affect initial impressions. However, the game’s foundation is solid, and the unique VR gameplay combined with the brutal challenge of the Vietnam War setting makes it a standout choice for VR enthusiasts. For players seeking a highly immersive, strategic shooter that demands careful thinking and rewards patience, PunjiVR offers an experience that is both intense and deeply satisfying. Rating: 7/10