Mervils: A VR Adventure
- October 25, 2016
- VitruviusVR
- 7h median play time
Ugly as sin, terrible voice acting, non-existent story, clunky... all of this describes a game that I ultimately enjoyed thanks to its charm, desire to constantly change things up, and just a feeling that it had a lot of spunk.
Get on Steam"Mervils: A VR Adventure" is an open-world RPG platformer in VR, where you play as a hero tasked with finding the pages of the Great Mervil Book to defeat the imminent attack of Balazar the Evil. Explore five vibrant worlds, meet Mervils, Wizards, and ghosts of the past, and engage in combat against Balazar's enemies in this immersive and engaging VR experience. The fate of the Mervil Kingdom is in your hands.
PC
Playstation 4
Virtual Reality
Windows
Linux
Oculus Rift
PlayStation
PlayStation VR
Reviews
- Mervils offers a fun and engaging platforming experience reminiscent of classic titles like Mario 64 and Zelda, with a variety of levels and gameplay mechanics.
- The game features a charming art style and well-designed worlds, providing a long gameplay experience with hidden collectibles and diverse quests.
- It is well-optimized for VR, allowing for a seated experience that is enjoyable and accessible, making it a great choice for both new and experienced VR players.
- The controls can feel clunky and imprecise, particularly during platforming sections, which may frustrate players who are not accustomed to VR or platforming games.
- There are technical issues reported, such as crashes on certain setups and limited compatibility with some VR controllers, which can hinder the overall experience.
- The graphics and voice acting are considered subpar by some players, leading to a perception of the game feeling unpolished despite its enjoyable gameplay.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is diverse and engaging, featuring a mix of platforming, puzzles, and combat that offers around 8-10 hours of polished content. While the motion controls can be challenging, the intuitive mechanics and colorful design create an addictive experience reminiscent of classic platformers and action-adventure games. Overall, the gameplay is well-crafted, with a satisfying difficulty curve and a charming aesthetic.
“There is at least 10+ hours of polished gameplay reminiscent of Super Mario 3D World and Zelda elements.”
“This game would have at least 8+ hours of platforming gameplay and is highly addictive, polished, made in Unity so you know it's sharp, and really well put together.”
“Overall gameplay: 3/10”
“That being said, using the Vive motion controllers for this game will likely cost you more than a few hearts in the form of botched maneuvers -- half the time I feel myself wanting to use my Xbox 360 gamepad, but then they do include some aiming mechanics with the motion controls (firing ballistas/catapults), making it a tough decision.”
“The gameplay will be familiar; it's like a simplified platform game crossed with a simplified action-adventure game.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the cute and polished visuals and simple art style, while others criticize them for being simplistic and reminiscent of older gaming graphics, such as N64 quality. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the atmosphere, but there are calls for more detail in the environments.
“Lovely visuals and good sound effects and music add to the atmosphere.”
“The visuals are excellent and I really enjoy the simple art style.”
“Polished graphics, well-made game.”
“The graphics are N64 quality.”
“The only complaint I have is the graphics, which are too simplistic. I wish there was more detail in the environments.”
“Graphics-wise, it looks very similar to Lucky's Tail, except with better enemy design.”
- story9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its depth and variety, with each level presenting a unique narrative and engaging gameplay elements, such as combat and exploration. While some players noted issues with controls and voice acting, the overall charm and interesting storyline make it a worthwhile experience. The combination of cute graphics and immersive sound design further enhances the storytelling aspect.
“Cute graphics, interesting storyline, and well worth the $10 I paid for it.”
“I've played quite a few VR titles and there aren't many that have this level of depth in story, mixed gameplay types (fighting enemies with sword, shooting with arrows, etc.), level differentiation, and overall length to complete the game.”
“Every single level tells another unique story.”
“Ugly as sin, terrible voice acting, non-existent story, clunky... all of this describes a game that I ultimately enjoyed thanks to its charm, desire to constantly change things up, and just a feeling that it had a lot of spunk.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for enhancing the atmosphere, with fitting soundtracks for each environment and enjoyable voice acting that complements the gameplay. Overall, the sound design, including both music and sound effects, contributes positively to the player's experience.
“Lovely visuals and good sound effects and music add to the atmosphere.”
“The music is great and fits each environment perfectly.”
“The sound is fantastic; the music complements the environment, and the voice acting is enjoyable and frequently used during quests or while walking near NPCs.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its stunning visuals, effective sound effects, and music, creating an immersive experience. Notably, the intense boss fight in world 3 stands out as a highlight, further elevating the overall ambiance.
“Lovely visuals and good sound effects and music add to the atmosphere.”
“Keep an eye out for the boss of World 3, which was easily the most intense VR experience I had. Standing in the very atmospheric arena made it one of the most outstanding boss fights I've played.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as combat often involves repetitive actions like running in, attacking, and retreating, leading to a lack of engagement and excitement.
“Enemy combat is also very simple; you run in, swing your sword, then run away - it feels tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which makes the gameplay feel monotonous.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Mervils is praised for its excellent optimization, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience.
“Mervils is extremely fun and well optimized.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, with frequent crashes and freezing upon launching the game, particularly when attempting to use it with the Rift.
“Bought for 20 bucks, expecting compatibility with the Rift as it claims - but whenever I launch the game, it crashes immediately and freezes Steam.”
“The game is riddled with stability issues; I can't even get past the main menu without it crashing.”
“I was really looking forward to playing, but the constant crashes make it unplayable.”
