DownStream: VR Whitewater Kayaking
- August 28, 2019
- JumpStick
Get on SteamDownStream: VR Whitewater Kayaking offers a challenging and immersive kayaking experience in virtual reality. Navigate through treacherous rapids, perform stunts, and enjoy the stunningly realistic water and environment. Customizable settings allow for a range of difficulty levels, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a highly immersive VR experience with realistic water physics and a strong sense of flow while kayaking.
- It provides a good workout and is enjoyable, especially as players improve their skills and learn the controls.
- The variety of game modes, including freestyle and time trial, adds replayability and caters to different play styles.
- The split paddle control scheme feels unrealistic and can break immersion for players accustomed to traditional kayaking.
- Long loading times and performance issues detract from the overall experience, making it frustrating at times.
- The game lacks multiplayer options and additional content, leaving players wanting more maps and features.
- graphics24 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally described as simple but adequate, with good water physics that enhance the overall experience. While some users feel the graphics may detract from immersion, many appreciate the balance between performance and visual quality, noting that they are sufficient for the gameplay. Overall, the graphics are not considered AAA standard, but they effectively support the game's immersive qualities.
“Really enjoy this unique game ... the music, sound effects and graphics make for a really immersive experience.”
“I’ve done kayaking in the past and this certainly brought back some good memories, it’s very realistic and a great workout, the graphics wouldn’t be AAA standard but they’re more than adequate for the job.”
“Bad performance and bad graphics which is a strange combo.”
“A few maps have basic landscape graphics but you can forgive them as you try to get through a rapid and end up backwards.”
“Some might find the graphics kill the immersion but to me the physics and feeling of it are so good that it gets me fully immersed.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised, with users rating it a perfect 10/10, highlighting its engaging mechanics and overall enjoyment despite some control challenges. The 'push off the wall' mechanic, while questioned for its physics, adds to the excitement, and the combination of music, graphics, and leaderboards enhances the overall experience.
“10/10 package with the music, gameplay, graphics, and leaderboards.”
“Was difficult for me to tape the controllers while not pressing buttons and also having control of the menus... but the gameplay was about a hundred times better, so it was worth the struggle.”
“Gameplay and content:”
“I suggest the devs play 'Journey of Elysium' to understand the mechanics of a kayak paddle.”
“Why does the 'push off the wall' mechanic propel the kayak extremely far?”
“It was difficult for me to tape the controllers while not pressing buttons and also having control of the menus... but the gameplay was about a hundred times better, so it was worth the struggle.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
Users report mixed experiences with optimization, noting instances of stuttering that may improve with adjustments to window size. While there are graphics settings available to enhance performance, many feel that the overall performance and graphics quality are lacking, indicating a need for better optimization.
“This could be great, but I would like to see better optimization and more levels.”
“Bad performance and bad graphics, which is a strange combo.”
“I sometimes got stuttering, but I think it improved after I shrunk the window on the monitor.”
“There are graphics settings to help improve performance if needed.”
- music4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, contributing significantly to an immersive experience alongside the sound effects and graphics. Reviewers consistently rate the overall package, including music, as a perfect 10/10, highlighting its unique and engaging qualities.
“Really enjoy this unique game... the music, sound effects, and graphics make for a really immersive experience.”
“10/10 package with the music, gameplay, graphics, and leaderboards.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story in "Journey of Elysium" immerses players in a realistic quest experience as they navigate a boat using a kayak paddle, enhancing the sense of adventure and engagement. The game is noted for its compatibility with the Quest 2, allowing for a seamless gameplay experience.
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players find the game's replayability satisfying, as it encourages restarting to improve times, offering a good balance of content and length for its price. This aspect makes it particularly appealing for those who enjoy competitive challenges.
“The game offers a nice length and, for the price, provides enough content and replayability to recommend it, especially if you have an itch to scratch for this type of game.”
“With the option to restart and try to beat your time, the replayability factor is significant, making it a worthwhile experience.”
“The variety of challenges and the ability to improve your performance keep the game fresh and engaging, encouraging multiple playthroughs.”
“The game lacks significant replayability; once you've completed it, there's little incentive to return.”
“While the initial playthrough is enjoyable, the lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel tedious.”
“After finishing the game, I found that there wasn't much to draw me back for a second playthrough.”
