Review of Hubris Rating *****
My very first impression of this game after putting on my VR headset was that it looked a little too sterile, and the very first creatures I encountered were a little lame with their bulbous bodies. That impression lasted only about five minutes before I found myself enjoying every second of this game. For one, I quickly appreciated the bulbous bugs when I found how easy it was to dispatch them. And the sterile environment soon became an epic space adventure.
What Makes for a Good VR experience
I’ve played enough VR games over the past three years to know what I like. I want to experience environments that put me in another place and time and with realistic graphics. I want there to be conflict. I like having to use my brain to figure out what to do next. And I like it when there is a semblance of a goal to achieve. The VR game Half Life-Alyx is an example of a game that nails all of these. Add to this list Hubris.
If only Steam had a better matching Algorithm. This title is three years old. I only became aware of it after reading an article about recommended VR games. Had it not been for that article, this title would have never even made it onto my radar. Steam doesn’t make it easy to find new titles. My Steam account right now has a total of three recommended titles based on my previous purchases.
Hubris is one of only a handful of games where I didn’t have to go online to figure out how to beat a level or what I needed to do next. This is partly due to experience gained in playing other titles. That doesn’t mean it was a walk in the park. There were numerous sections that required multiple attempts. I’m getting better at figuring out puzzles. I understand the mechanics of weapons and weapon upgrades. Still, it took me 31 hours to complete the game.
Weapons
Upgrading weapons is done through a printer that accepts random parts. I read one reviewer who complained that you didn’t need to upgrade your weapons to make it through the game. I beg to differ. There were plenty of sections where I was glad to have new capabilities. The one I found the most helpful was a weapons upgrade that allowed me to pull the trigger and guide the bullet to the target using a laser like red dot. I’m not sure I could have made it through some sections without it. While the weapon capability changes with upgrades, getting to the new capability requires some quick button interaction that takes some getting used to.
Character Interaction
Throughout the game you are referred to as recruit. A female voice guides you using a communications system you set up early in the game. There are also two characters that you interact with throughout most of the game. Like all top-notch VR games, sound and music cue you in to impending danger. A watch lets you know when you need to eat or drink something to regain strength.
Gameplay
Another feature of this game that makes it unique are the underwater sequences. I’m sure someone walking in on you as you are waving your arms in a swimming fashion might make you look weird, but the physics of maneuvering underwater are spot on. And just because you are under water doesn’t mean that you won’t have to contend with threats.
Lastly, I appreciate the developers use of save points. Too many games have long extended sequences that require players to make it through several consecutive levels before reaching a save point. Not only does this game offer plenty of save points, but when you do start a sequence over, you start at full health.
I played the game with the Pimax Crystal Light. I highly recommend this game.