The Playroom VR is a free application for the PS4 and is similar in vein to The Playroom in that it is a tech demo designed to show off the features of the PlayStation VR. However, unlike the original, this feels more fleshed out with games that has a lot more depth and provides more play time. While the game has modes for a solo player, the vast majority requires two players or more.
Upon getting to the main menu you are presented with a variety of options. Rescue Robots is a VR platformer in which you traverse the level to save twenty robots. Your robot has the typical abilities of jumping, punching and being able to hover using a jetpack. As the camera moves automatically as your robot modes, you may experience some initial queasiness if you weren’t expecting it. The cartoony graphics work great with the low resolution of the headset. Being able to look around and check things out is awesome.
The surround sound allows you to hear where the stranded robots are and even uses your controller in a neat way such as firing grappling hooks that your robot can jump onto. There are basic enemies roaming around that you can just punch away. It’s not too long and takes around 10-20 minutes to complete but it is a lot of fun. In order to save all twenty robots though, you will need to have a second player.
Ghost House puts you in the shoes of a ghost hunter, using your controller as the light and the vacuum to suck up any ghosts. While you can play it solo, it will be difficult in the later levels as they have fewer clues such as shaking furniture. The players who are not wearing the VR headset can see the ghosts on the TV while the VR player cannot.
The goal is for those TV players to guide the VR player’s aim to capture the ghosts. The neat thing about this mode is that it does make you feel like you’re a ghostbuster. There’s a time limit in each level, and there are four levels in total.
Monster Escape also requires at least two players. The VR player will be the monster that rampages down the street using their head to knock down buildings. It truly makes you feel like you are the monster. The TV player on the other hand has the controller playing one of the civilians running away from the monster. There is a showdown at the end between the monster and the civilian, with the civilian throwing items at the monster while the monster tries to dodge. It’s a simple concept but on that is inventive and fun.
Cat and Mouse requires at least two players. It’s the classic game where the VR player plays as the cat behind a curtain while the TV players are mice. There is cheese scattered over the floor and the mice must grab all the cheese to win. The cat on the other hand peeks out from behind the curtain to try and catch the mice in the act (who are hiding underneath cans when not moving). If the cat catches all the mice then the VR player wins, if the mice gets all the cheese without being caught, then the TV players win. Best out of three wins the whole game.
In Wanted, this is played with two players as well. The VR player will be the gunslinger and shoot the wanted. The TV player on the other hand sees the features of the wanted and advises the VR player on whom it is. In this aspect, it’s very similar to Ghost House.
Mini Bots gives you your own room. You might have noticed as you were playing the other modes that you get given coins at the end depending on your performance. You use these coins in this mode with the claw machine in order to get prizes and decorate your room. It makes you feel like you are in the room, being easily able to reach out and touch the items. You may have to be careful when using the claw machine though since you can grab bombs and that’ll waste one of your coins. There are 59 items to pick up.
Toy Wars is free DLC to the game, and in it, you man a turret to defeat monsters made out of blocks. You aim using the motion control of the controller and it works surprisingly well. The enemies can come out of three spots and it can be very freaky and frantic when they rush up to your face. It is the moment that they get right in front of you that you feel really immersed and cannot help but flinch away. If they get to the turret then you lose the level and all your robot friends get sucked away. Enemies are wave based and it can be overwhelming if played solo. You can have up to three other players helping you out.
Overall, The Playroom VR is a fantastic free application with a lot of fun mini-games. Even if you don’t have any other players, you will still get your value as a solo player. Being free, there is no excuse not to download it and check out what new experiences your VR headset can bring.
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