HORIZON VANGUARD
- June 26, 2020
- David "Tain" Williams
In "Horizon Vanguard," players experience an intense FPS set in a futuristic world. As a member of the elite Vanguard squad, it's up to you to protect humanity from the threat of the deadly Nanite Wars. Featuring fast-paced action, a variety of weapons, and stunning visuals, this game will keep you on the edge of your seat. Engage in both single-player and multiplayer modes to test your mettle against the Nanite onslaught.
Reviews
- The game captures the nostalgic feel of 90s arcade shooters with its challenging gameplay and engaging mechanics.
- It features a unique blend of shmup and light gun gameplay, providing a fresh and enjoyable experience in VR.
- The art style, music, and overall presentation are polished and reminiscent of classic arcade games, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
- The game is extremely difficult, which may deter casual players and lead to frustration, especially with limited continues and no shield regeneration.
- The controls can be cumbersome, particularly for users with older VR systems, making it challenging to navigate and aim effectively.
- Some gameplay mechanics and enemy behaviors are not well explained in the tutorial, leading to confusion during play.
- gameplay7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its innovative mechanics, such as the top-down view for dodging bullets and the satisfying combination of bike and pistol combat. While the game runs smoothly and offers a thrilling arcade experience, some players wish for clearer tutorials on mechanics and a way to slow down for dodging. Overall, it delivers a challenging yet enjoyable shooting experience, enhanced by a strong musical score.
“The mechanic of looking down on your bike to see a top-down view of the playfield to more easily dodge bullets is genius, and simultaneously blasting ground enemies with the bike and lining up pistol shots feels amazing.”
“High-octane shooter gameplay, flawless performance, great style, super smooth blend of genres, and probably the best shooting experience I've had outside of an arcade.”
“The gameplay is tight as I'd expect from a game like this, even looking past the crushing difficulty, and the music is a real head-banger.”
“Runs smooth, but I wish there was a mechanic to hold down a button or trackpad on the movement controller to slow my speed to more easily dodge dense patterns.”
“The tutorial could probably use more clarity on some of the less obvious mechanics, like certain enemies being immune to pistol shots and the meaning of the colored circles around incoming shots. Additionally, having shots from behind hit can be a bit annoying in a couple of spots.”
“For the most part, shmup-style gameplay translates well to VR, but having to rely on the radar in bullet-hell boss fights is kind of a bummer.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with users highlighting its coolness and the excellent presentation of the soundtrack. It significantly enhances the overall experience, contributing to the game's arcade style and tight gameplay, making it a standout feature that draws players in.
“This game has an excellent presentation and an absolutely amazing soundtrack from the few tracks I heard.”
“The soundtrack is a large part of why I decided to try this game, and I'm looking for more interesting and innovative VR titles.”
“The game absolutely nails the art style, music, and pacing of those arcade games, with a good amount of polish.”
“The soundtrack is a large part of why I decided to try this game, and I'm looking for more interesting and innovative VR titles.”
“The game absolutely nails the art style, music, and pacing of those arcade games, with a good amount of polish.”
“The gameplay is tight as I'd expect from a game like this, even looking past the crushing difficulty, and the music is a real head-banger.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag; while some praise its polished arcade aesthetic and effective art style that captures the essence of classic games, others criticize it for being overly simplistic and reminiscent of programmer art.
“The game absolutely nails the art style, music, and pacing of those arcade games, with a good amount of polish.”
“Pretty great arcade aesthetic, even down to the difficulty.”
“The graphics are very basic, lack style, and look like programmer art.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's challenging levels, which contribute to a high degree of replayability, encouraging them to revisit the content for a more rewarding experience.
“The game features a good amount of challenging levels and offers a high degree of replayability.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the variety of choices and outcomes available.”
“The dynamic gameplay mechanics ensure that no two runs are ever the same, keeping players coming back for more.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is perceived as challenging, with some players struggling to progress through the initial missions, which may lead to frustration and a sense of difficulty in engaging with the narrative.
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is praised for delivering flawless performance and a super smooth blend of genres, resulting in an exceptional shooting experience that rivals arcade standards.
“High-octane shooter gameplay, flawless performance, great style, and a super smooth blend of genres make this probably the best shooting experience I've had outside of an arcade.”