Ironlights

About

Ironlights is a single player and multiplayer fighting game. It was developed by E McNeill and was released on April 9, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Ironlights is a VR dueling game with skillful, physics-based melee combat, available for multiplayer and single-player. The unique combat system features dynamic swordplay with weapons shattering on impact, requiring players to parry, block, and strategize their attacks. Choose your weapon from a variety of options, each with its own unique weight and physics, and test your skills in online cross-platform multiplayer battles or the single-player campaign.

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Skip User Reviews

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 156 reviews

gameplay10 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

Easily one of the best VR PvP experiences with satisfying and unique combat mechanics.
The game features a lively multiplayer community and offers good replayability with various classes and strategies.
The AI in single-player mode is competent, providing a fun challenge while waiting for online matches.

The game suffers from a lack of active players, making it difficult to find matches, especially in PvP.
Many players exploit the mechanics, leading to unbalanced gameplay where certain classes dominate others.
The combat system can feel clunky due to slow-motion mechanics and weapon 'reloading', which may frustrate players seeking fast-paced action.

gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
61%
11%
The gameplay is generally praised for its solid mechanics, enjoyable combat, and excellent optimization, allowing for quick matchmaking, especially in cross-play scenarios. While many players appreciate the tactical elements and unique fighting mechanics, some express frustration with balance issues, particularly regarding weapon classes and the reliance on exploiting game mechanics to succeed. Overall, the game offers a fun and competitive experience, though it may require adjustments to enhance balance and enjoyment in multiplayer settings.
- “Optimization is excellent, gameplay is fun, the community is nice, and you find matches even in the middle of the night on workdays because it is cross-play with the Oculus Store.”
- “In summary, a competitive skill-based VR class-based dueling game with solid mechanics and incredibly satisfying combat.”
- “The gameplay is really fun as well.”
- “Game is more about abusing the balance mechanics of each weapon rather than your own skill and athleticism.”
- “But an imbalanced weapon set and poorly implemented combat mechanics leads to either a boring or frustrating experience.”
- “Single player seems like it's okay, since the AI doesn't attempt to abuse the mechanics, but for a game touting its multiplayer ability, it falls flat on its face in this regard.”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
43%
14%
The reviews do not provide specific insights into the game's story, focusing instead on multiplayer experiences and the technical aspects of playing across different VR systems. Players highlight the game's suitability for parties and social interactions rather than its narrative elements, indicating that the single-player mode has not been a priority for many users.
- “This game is awesome for parties if you have multiple VR setups or your friend has an Oculus Quest or Quest 2 that they can bring over!”
- “To give an example of the above situation being put into use, I bought this game on Steam and my Oculus Quest 2 for a New Year's party I was having with a bunch of friends, and we were able to take turns fighting each other in this game all night!”
- “I have a ton of hours on the game on my Quest and I haven't even touched the single-player yet.”
- “I have a ton of hours on the game on my Quest and I haven't even touched the singleplayer yet.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
Overall, the graphics of the game are praised for their quality, particularly in the Valve Index headset, with impressive sky visuals and smooth performance even on lower settings. However, some users feel the game is overpriced relative to its graphical fidelity and gameplay, noting minor issues like the appearance of the hands.
- “You can tell so much work was put into this game; the sky looks great no matter what setting. The graphics are amazing; the only complaint I have is that the hands look a bit funky.”
- “The graphics look very good in the Valve Index headset, and it all worked very well.”
- “I know it takes a lot of effort to make games, but compared to other games, this one is overpriced for its graphics and gameplay.”
- “I'm actually underspec for the headset I use, being the Oculus Rift S, and at low graphics, I can play this game without a single drop in frames.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be very enjoyable and satisfying, contributing to its strong replayability.
- “Very fun, really satisfying, and offers great replayability.”
- “The game has so many different paths and choices that I can't wait to play it again.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, making it hard to put down.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report that the game suffers from significant stability issues, often describing it as "buggy." These problems can detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- “The game is incredibly buggy, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I experienced frequent crashes and glitches that ruined my gaming experience.”
- “The stability issues are frustrating; I can't progress without encountering errors.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and unenjoyable, particularly after the initial hours of gameplay.
- “Frankly, this game is just tedious and not fun after the first couple of hours.”
- “The grinding feels endless and becomes a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
- “I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which made the experience feel monotonous.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is praised for its excellent performance, allowing for smooth gameplay and quick matchmaking, even during off-peak hours, thanks to cross-play compatibility with the Oculus Store. Players report no issues with online performance, particularly in campaign and private match modes.
- “Optimization is excellent, gameplay is fun, the community is nice, and you find matches even in the middle of the night on workdays because it is cross-play with the Oculus Store.”
- “I've only tried out the campaign mode and a couple of private matches, and I had no problem with the game's online performance.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and playful elements, such as whimsical weapons and unexpected scenarios. Players find joy in the lighthearted and sometimes surreal comedic moments, which contribute to an overall entertaining experience.
- “Lmao, the funny color sword makes me go 'weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!'”
- “I have a terminally ill cat.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised for its energizing and motivating qualities, effectively enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- “Great pump-you-up music.”