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 room-scale mechanics, making it a standout title for VR enthusiasts.
- The game is simple yet addictive, providing a relaxing and meditative gameplay experience with trippy visuals and soothing sound design.
- At its low price point, BLARP! delivers excellent value, making it an easy recommendation for anyone looking to explore the potential of VR gaming.
- The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, which may lead to a short-lived interest for some players.
- Some users found the mechanics frustrating, particularly when managing multiple 'blarps' as the game progresses.
- The graphics and overall presentation may not appeal to everyone, as some players described them as simplistic or unappealing.
- gameplay35 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and addictive nature, featuring a unique mechanic that leverages VR capabilities, making it distinct from traditional flat-screen games. While some players find the mechanics frustrating or lacking depth, many appreciate the calming ambiance and replayability, highlighting the effective combination of music and visuals. Overall, it offers a fun and engaging experience, particularly for those who enjoy minimalist gameplay with a psychedelic twist.
“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.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as trippy and soothing, creating a meditative experience that complements its gameplay. While some users note that the visuals may appear simple or even ugly on a monitor, they are praised for their immersive quality in VR, enhancing the overall aesthetic and sound design. Overall, the combination of fluid motions and psychedelic visuals contributes to a unique and engaging atmosphere, despite some critiques regarding the lack of content.
“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-coloured 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?”
- music12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as calming and meditative, enhancing the overall experience with its psychedelic and dynamic qualities. While many players appreciate the relaxing melodies and trippy visuals, some express a desire for more customization options, such as the ability to play their own music or mute the game's soundtrack. Overall, the combination of music and gameplay creates a unique atmosphere that is both soothing and engaging.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its simplicity and fun, offering significant replay value through its engaging mechanics. However, some users feel that the lack of a checkpoint system limits its replayability potential, suggesting that features allowing players to start at higher levels could enhance the experience.
“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.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
“The lack of varied outcomes or branching storylines makes replaying the game feel redundant.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a mix of delight and challenge in controlling the swarm of cute, unemotional eyeballs, highlighting a unique emotional engagement as they navigate the mechanics of the game. The growing complexity of managing the swarm adds to the emotional experience, balancing joy with a sense of difficulty.
“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.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is often praised for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, drawing players into a rich and immersive world. However, some reviews note that certain plot points can feel predictable or clichéd, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the storytelling is considered a strong aspect, though it may not be without its flaws.
