BLARP!
- April 4, 2016
- Isaac Cohen
Get on Steam"BLARP! is a single-player casual VR physics game for the HTC Vive, with intuitive mechanics and addictive gameplay similar to swinging a racket or using a yoyo. Players can explore and interact with the game's environment using their movements, creating a dynamic and immersive experience. The game features good graphics and is accessible to anyone who enjoys motion-based activities."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- BLARP! offers a unique and immersive VR experience that effectively utilizes motion controls, making it a standout title in the genre.
- The game is simple yet addictive, providing a relaxing and meditative gameplay experience that can be enjoyed in short sessions.
- At its low price point, BLARP! delivers excellent value, with engaging visuals and sound design that enhance the overall experience.
- The gameplay can become repetitive quickly, with limited depth and mechanics that may not hold players' interest for long periods.
- Some players find the controls frustrating, particularly when managing multiple 'blarps' and avoiding game overs.
- The graphics and overall presentation may not appeal to everyone, as some reviews describe them as unappealing or simplistic.
- gameplay68 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and addictive nature, featuring unique mechanics that leverage VR capabilities, making it a refreshing experience compared to traditional games. While some players find the mechanics frustrating or lacking depth, many appreciate the calming ambiance and replayability, highlighting the game's effective use of spatial awareness and momentum. Overall, it offers a compelling blend of straightforward mechanics and engaging visuals, making it a worthwhile experience for VR enthusiasts.
“The sense of progression is palpable, the gameplay simple but deep and compelling.”
“Addictive gameplay and playful experience make this a must-buy!”
“Blarp uses a fundamentally new game mechanic that is so simple and effective, you'll wonder why you've never seen it.”
“Found the mechanics a bit frustrating.”
“Gameplay is exactly as it says on the 'tin', it's simple and unremarkable.”
“Mindless game that mercilessly and repetitively exploits a single basic gameplay mechanic.”
- graphics46 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as trippy and meditative, featuring a simple yet effective design that enhances the overall experience. While some users find the visuals not particularly stunning or complex, they appreciate the combination of soothing sounds and fluid motions that create an immersive atmosphere, especially in VR. Overall, the aesthetic is praised for its quirky charm and ability to transport players into a unique, psychedelic environment.
“Something about the combination of visuals, sounds, and the fluid motions you make just works, and it works well.”
“The sound design is fantastic, and the graphics are so trippy yet on point with a sense that I'm actually in the mentioned hologram space.”
“It's a simple skill-based physics game, and it's got really excellent sound and graphics.”
“The title is kinda bad, the graphics in the game aren't very stunning, and the gameplay is basically just way too simple.”
“[*] graphics are ugly”
“Sure, the spacey mood music is nice and mellow and the rainbow-colored visuals sufficiently trippy, but is this really the sort of experience I'd want to: 1, spend lots of time in; or 2, show off to friends, family, and curious passers-by to demonstrate the potential of VR?”
- music24 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is often described as calming and meditative, enhancing the overall relaxing experience with its psychedelic and dynamically generated qualities. While many players appreciate the gentle melodies and trippy soundscapes, some express a desire for the option to play their own music and suggest improvements like local high score lists. Overall, the combination of music and gameplay creates a zen-like atmosphere, making it enjoyable for extended play.
“The combination of music and gameplay makes the game very calming and yet challenging.”
“The gentle melodies of the music, the flow of the blarps; it becomes very zen-like.”
“Also a game that you can play as a meditative experience with the right music, and not try to go for the high score -- it's very relaxing.”
“[*] no music.”
“I'd love to be able to play my own local music while playing though.”
“But I think it needs local high score lists like Space Pirate Trainer and the ability to mute the music so that you can play your own.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its simplicity and fun, offering good replayability through its straightforward mechanics. However, some users feel that the addition of a checkpoint or level selection system could enhance the replay value even further. Overall, it is considered a chill experience with significant potential for repeated play.
“Simple and a lot of fun, with tons of replay value.”
“Very chill game, not a lot of depth with just swinging/flinging blarps around to try to blarp an ever more distant blarp, but the simple mechanic has good replayability.”
“If the game had some sort of checkpoint system or 'start playing at level 15, 30, ...' system in place, it would have a lot more replayability.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a sense of delight in controlling the cute, yet unemotional eyeballs, highlighting a unique emotional connection to the gameplay despite the lack of traditional emotional depth in the characters themselves. The challenge of managing the growing swarm adds to the enjoyment, creating a playful and engaging experience.
“As the swarm of eyeballs tethered to your hand grows, it becomes easier to throw them in the general direction of the target and trust that one of them will hit it, but it also gets more difficult to maneuver them around without one of them touching your hand.”
“That being said, I really felt a sense of delight as I controlled the movements of these cute, yet unemotional eyeballs flying around me.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the story is engaging and well-crafted, with compelling characters and a captivating plot that keeps players invested throughout the game. However, some users feel that certain narrative elements could have been developed further for a more satisfying experience. Overall, the story is praised for its depth and emotional resonance.
