Contractors
- December 15, 2018
- Caveman Studio
- 6h median play time
"Contractors" is a multiplayer virtual reality shooter game with both PvP and co-op modes, featuring customizable loadouts, realistic weapon handling, and an immersive IK system. The game also offers single-player challenges against AI, mod support for community-created content, and a social hub area with activities. Its newest update improves UGC mod support for custom loadouts and game modes.
Reviews
- gameplay366 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this VR shooter is generally praised for its solid mechanics, engaging gunplay, and smooth controls, making it a standout in the genre. Players appreciate the variety of game modes and the extensive modding community, which enhances replayability. However, some criticisms include a steep learning curve, occasional bugs, and a need for better optimization and sound design, which can detract from the overall experience.
“The gameplay is fast-paced, there's a lot of variety and good mod support.”
“Great graphics, better gunplay than Pavlov and Onward, fun movement mechanics, and a good loadout system make this a fun, smooth VR experience.”
“The gunplay, one of the best out of all the VR games I've tried (sounds, recoil, effects), and intuitive chest rig mechanics make the basic gameplay absolutely superb.”
“Rather than fix their game after an update that broke some mechanics integral to several of their most popular mods, they instead decided to slap together a battle royale game in 6 months reusing most of this game's assets and release it in an unfinished state.”
“In its current state, it feels quite overwhelming, trying to teach me all the shooting mechanics at once without giving me any time to practice any of them.”
“The experience isn't quite as polished as Pavlov; things like weapon models and inconsistent gameplay elements make the game feel unfinished.”
- graphics321 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game have received widespread praise for their high quality and immersive detail, often being described as the best in the VR shooter genre. Many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and polished textures, noting that the game runs smoothly even on older hardware. However, some users have pointed out issues with optimization and graphical settings, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, they can lead to performance challenges on certain systems.
“The graphics are top-notch, offering a visually immersive experience that enhances the thrill of each engagement.”
“Contractors has by far the best graphics of all 3, still feels realistic and tactical, though people do take more damage than in onward, the armor you wear makes a big difference as to how much you can take, and headshots are still king.”
“The graphics are absolutely great and the gameplay is very (and I mean very) smooth.”
“One of the absolute worst things about this game is the completely abysmal settings menu; graphics settings are hollow and the gameplay settings and VR adjustments are next to non-existent.”
“Terrible graphical settings and no audio settings.”
“The graphics could be better, but honestly I would trade high FPS for graphics any day.”
- story156 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with many users noting that it features no significant narrative or campaign mode. Players express a desire for more single-player content and engaging missions, as the existing single-player experiences are described as basic and unfulfilling. Overall, the focus remains on multiplayer gameplay, with many calling for a more developed story to enhance the experience.
“I only wish there was an actual story mode with upgrade features.”
“Though the singleplayer and co-op missions are quite basic, they're quite fun regardless, and helped a lot by the excellent gunplay and rather interesting AI.”
“The only thing that would make this a complete game is probably a good campaign with a good story, a light machine gun class, and a few more maps, and this would be the best game ever.”
“Needs more single player content like a campaign or story?”
“The campaign makes no sense, I didn't continue because the feeling to a 'must play' on a campaign is not there and it doesn't have a background story or a main story.”
“But as soon as I enter a single player mission I realize that this game has single player as an afterthought.”
- optimization104 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game receives mixed feedback from users. While many praise its smooth performance, even on lower-end hardware, others report issues such as stuttering, lag, and frame drops, particularly after updates. Overall, the game is considered well-optimized compared to competitors, but some players still experience significant performance problems that detract from the experience.
“This game's physics, movement, motion tracking, and general performance are so good.”
“The game also runs smoothly, even on lower-end hardware, which is a testament to the developer's optimization efforts.”
“Game is top-tier optimized!”
“My biggest complaint for this game is the optimization. When I first joined the game, I was lagging like hell. I had to turn all my settings to low with medium resolution to play lag-free. Also, when you lag or have a lag spike, your body or hands (if you play with just hands) disappear and glitch out of existence, making you unable to click the menu, use your weapons, and stuff like that.”
“The performance problem that makes or breaks this game for me is this stuttering issue that lasts for about 1-2 seconds randomly during the game and is very annoying since it happens often.”
“It's not a bad game, but it's very badly optimized, lacks single-player content (only free roam where it's you, 4 ally bots, and a max of 10 enemies with no objective at all, and the AI is dumb); and the multiplayer is mostly dead.”
- stability46 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 74 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly with frame rates and UI navigation. While some users praise the game's overall performance and graphics, noting it runs well on various hardware, others express frustration over persistent problems that detract from the experience. Overall, the game appears to be in a state of early access, with ongoing issues that developers are reportedly addressing, but many players still find it unplayable at times.
“Runs great, looks great, plays amazingly, always populated thanks to crossplay, with an even amount of lobbies using both standard modes and modded content.”
“Also it's way more optimized than other VR shooters I've played, runs great on my laptop!”
“Game runs great on decent hardware and even well on low-end hardware.”
“I have done every step of troubleshooting I can find online and still nothing.”
“Game would have very low framerate with screen glitches and I couldn't navigate the UI to turn my graphics down.”
“The only serious problem I have with the game are the immense amount of visual glitches.”
- humor20 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- -10 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the community and gameplay interactions genuinely funny, often highlighting amusing elements like the "funny frying pan" and goofy mechanics. However, some reviews point out that the humor can be overshadowed by toxic behavior and unfunny competitive elements, leading to a chaotic atmosphere. Overall, the game offers a lighthearted experience, especially in its community interactions and unique game modes.
“Good game, funny people, nice gunplay, 10/10.”
“Gunplay feels better than Pavlov, and the entire experience is so goofy that I can't get too upset at the game without laughing at the situation.”
“Hell, it even has a simple yet very funny zombie mode that can be activated in the training room.”
“A good couple of sweats that abuse unfunny mechanics makes the game more competitive when it doesn't need to be.”
“The jokes feel forced and often miss the mark, leaving me more confused than amused.”
“I expected a lighthearted experience, but the humor fell flat and felt out of place.”
- music13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it annoying and immersion-breaking due to the lack of volume control and repetitive loops. Others appreciate the epic music in promotional clips and suggest that additional background music could enhance the overall experience, particularly in menus and loading screens. Overall, the absence of customizable music options has led to frustration among users.
“Then when I was throwing down in full-blown COD MW II maps, Star Wars maps with class selection, dozens of laser weapons, lightsabers, Jedi, vehicles, music, and as a mod?!”
“The new start screen is reminiscent of HL: Alyx with the birds and the music.”
“I was put off by the epic music in the demo clips, but after buying and playing it, I have become an avid promoter of it.”
“However, as I can't change the music volume, I'm stuck with annoying music.”
“Such a basic necessity in every video game, yet there is no option to remove annoying music.”
“Real immersion breaking having musical interludes like a single-player campaign bursting out as you are sneaking about trying to listen for enemy footsteps.”
- monetization9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for the game has faced criticism, particularly due to the developers' shift towards a cash grab with a new mod, priced at $20, while the original game lacks in-game purchases. Despite this, a robust modding community significantly enhances the game's value, compensating for the developers' abandonment. Overall, players feel misled by the marketing compared to the actual product experience.
“I could be wrong since I don't remember, but there are no in-game purchases.”
“The game offers a fair monetization model that doesn't pressure players to spend money.”
“I appreciate that the monetization is optional and doesn't affect gameplay.”
“The devs have since abandoned this game to make an awful cash grab PUBG mod for Contractors, and charge $20 for it.”
“I just want to leave my two cents based on what the reviews/advertising were telling me, versus the actual product that I bought.”
“Could be wrong since I don't remember, but there are no in-game purchases?”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting the wholesome community and nostalgic elements that evoke feelings of youth and joy. However, frustrations with gameplay mechanics, such as awkward interactions and technical issues, can detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed emotions about the game's potential.
“Bro, the people that play this game are so wholesome and kind, and I always have fun when I play this game.”
“Haven't given a review for a while, but this game made me feel like I wanted to write one.”
“Contractors VR has made me feel young again.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, often requiring excessive effort to progress. While some appreciate the depth of customization and the option to adjust global settings to alleviate the grind, many still feel that the overall experience can become frustratingly realistic and cumbersome.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The game still feels quite tedious.”
“Configuring every gun for the physical gunstock took ages; even for someone who loves customization, it was tedious.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its high replayability, featuring a wide array of playable maps and engaging multiplayer modes. Users highlight its value for money, noting that it stands out among VR titles for offering both enjoyable gunplay and substantial single-player content. Overall, it is considered one of the top VR games for replayability.
“The most replayability of any VR game right now.”
“If you're looking for a fun, replayable multiplayer shooter, look no further than Contractors.”
“It looks great, runs well, and there is finally a shooter with good gunplay and proper singleplayer content/replayability.”
“This is one of my top 2-3 games on VR that actually have replayability right now.”
“For the price, you get much more replay value in my opinion.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its immersive design, striking a balance between serious military simulation and a more arcade-like feel. However, some players express a desire for options to customize the atmospheric elements, such as music, and note that certain maps may lean too cartoonish for their taste. Overall, the game's atmosphere is a significant draw for players seeking an engaging VR shooting experience.
“It looks like they focused on the atmosphere and general design, which is perfectly fine for this sort of game.”
“Not really good at games like these, but the atmosphere was immersive.”
“It's a perfect middle ground between the serious mil-sim of Onward and the arcade-like atmosphere of Pavlov.”
“Honestly, this is the only game that I have interest in when it comes to VR shooting. Onward is good, but I lost interest in it because it's slow-paced and the health of players is very low, so basically it's an insta-kill. Pavlov is a fast shooter, like CS:GO, but the atmosphere of most maps is too cartoonish.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding character development, with some players finding the character design and animations overly cartoony and the graphics excessively bright and colorful, which may detract from the depth of character portrayal.
“This is a personal preference, but I find the character design and animations to be quite cartoony, and the graphics are too bright and colorful.”