VAIL VR
- February 15, 2024
- AEXLAB
- 9h median play time
"VAIL VR is a competitive 5v5 tactical shooter designed for VR, featuring immersive physics allowing for realistic gun handling and movement. The game emphasizes competitive integrity with features designed to ensure fair play. Planned updates include social experiences like mini-games, avatar customization, and 1v1 modes." NO RELEASE DATE OR DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER MENTIONED.
Reviews
- gameplay326 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this VR FPS is widely praised for its polished mechanics, satisfying gunplay, and engaging visuals, creating a smooth and immersive experience. While many players appreciate the tactical elements and well-designed maps, some express concerns about bugs, optimization issues, and a lack of content, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these criticisms, the game is noted for its exceptional firearm mechanics and potential for fun, especially in a community setting.
“Very solid VR FPS with polished, clean, and carefully crafted mechanics that tie the whole experience together.”
“The standout feature of this game is undoubtedly its exceptional firearm mechanics.”
“The guns feel incredibly satisfying, the gameplay is well-paced, and they've designed the visuals in a way that makes enemies clearly distinguishable regardless of hardware.”
“This game initially is fun, but after playing it for a couple of weeks, the gameplay gets stale.”
“The gameplay was repetitive and tedious, offering little in terms of innovation or excitement.”
“The main issue is that the game has way less features and gameplay than existing VR shooters, while also being priced at a premium for some reason.”
- graphics220 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received a mixed reception, with many praising their polish and attention to detail, particularly in the gun designs and overall art style. While some players find the visuals to be stunning and well-optimized, others criticize them for being simplistic or reminiscent of older graphics, with certain maps appearing empty or repetitive. Overall, the game is noted for its solid performance and engaging visuals, though some users have experienced lag and performance issues depending on their hardware.
“The graphics look beautiful and smooth, good variety of guns and skins, the devs are very vocal about what is coming down the pipeline and when various things will be added.”
“Amazing graphics, tactical-ish gameplay, great dev team, this game is peak VR and should be #1 on SteamVR.”
“Honestly the game is great, the physics make sense, the mechanics are smooth and the graphics are stunning.”
“I can get past the graphics looking like PlayStation 2 era textures.”
“The graphics were lackluster, with outdated textures and uninspired character/map designs.”
“The lag spikes, oh boy the lag spikes, they're very often on any map that has any detail whatsoever and they severely impact the quality of the game, turning your graphics settings down does nothing either to fix it.”
- story172 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game lacks a traditional narrative, with users emphasizing that it is primarily focused on gameplay rather than story development. Many reviews confirm that there is no single-player campaign or structured storyline, making it more of a multiplayer experience. Overall, players express a desire for a story mode or additional content that could enhance the gaming experience.
“☐ make your own story”
“🔲 epic story”
“☐ there is a story, but most of the game is focused on gameplay.”
“It's just for online play with strangers (or friends if you happen to have 10 people you know with VR headsets). Not story mode, no single player campaign.”
“☑ only gameplay, doesn't include a story.”
“✅ this game has no story”
- optimization130 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, particularly on lower-end hardware. While some users report smooth gameplay on higher-end systems, others find it unplayable even on decent setups, citing crashes and poor graphics quality. Overall, the game appears to require further optimization to enhance performance across a wider range of systems.
“Runs smoothly (100-120 fps) on my 1660 ti despite it being below the minimum system requirements.”
“Well optimized, great graphics, and pretty much okay on storage.”
“Performance wise, the game runs perfectly on my setup.”
“The game is totally not optimized and looks like a PS1 game.”
“Horrible optimization, better hope you have a 4090 to run this.”
“From frequent crashes to game-breaking glitches, it was clear that this release was rushed and poorly optimized.”
- stability26 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 62 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been a mixed bag, with some players experiencing significant bugs and performance issues at launch, including crashes and frame rate drops. However, many have noted that recent patches have improved stability considerably, leading to a smoother experience for most users. While some minor bugs persist, particularly in specific areas like weapon reloading, the overall sentiment is that the game is now much more playable and enjoyable.
“The game is early access and right now is fairly basic, but even with what is currently here, I believe it is worth the price as it is very refined (not buggy) and addicting to play.”
“The game runs great at a solid 144 fps.”
“I had to fiddle around with VR runtimes and switch between DX11 and DX12 a few times before finding a good balance, but it finally runs great.”
“From frequent crashes to game-breaking glitches, it was clear that this release was rushed and poorly optimized.”
“I hate to post a bad review on a game I've been following for so long, but it just isn't what was shown. It is fun but is just too buggy sadly, and the worst part is it pretty much already died with only 3 active servers, with only 1 server having 9 players, another having 6, and the last having 3.”
“Constant fixes and patches for bugs and glitches.”
- grinding20 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, with players noting that experience gain is painfully slow and levels require significant effort to achieve. Many feel that the repetitive gameplay and restrictive leveling system create a frustrating experience, suggesting that improvements like dedicated playlists could enhance the grind. Overall, players express that engaging with the grind feels like a daunting task, often requiring more time than they are willing to invest.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“XP gain is painfully slow, and each level grows longer and more grindy. I've gotten to a point where my 2-hour sessions will only net me one level before I get tired of using the same exact strategy.”
“The gameplay was repetitive and tedious, offering little in terms of innovation or excitement.”
“The game is great, but it has a very grindy and restrictive leveling system that creates a significant skill gap.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted, with players finding it funny and entertaining, particularly during multiplayer events. Bugs in the game are seen as adding to the comedic experience rather than detracting from it. However, some players express frustration with certain gameplay mechanics and the game's monetization strategies, suggesting that while the humor is enjoyable, the overall quality may not meet expectations.
“Join a cyber event through Discord for the most hilarious time you’ve ever had.”
“There are many bugs in the game, which do not detract from the overall gaming experience; it only adds a humorous aspect to certain scenarios one may encounter.”
“Good game, funny people, nice gunplay.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its welcoming and supportive community that fosters fun and wholesome interactions. The unique graphics evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort, enhancing the overall experience. The balance between competitive play and camaraderie contributes to a fulfilling emotional atmosphere.
“This game's community is the best and always leaves me with very fun and wholesome interactions every time I play the game.”
“Pretty wholesome community willing to help you learn, while also being a tiny bit competitive for that competitive sake.”
“Best FPS shooter with a wholesome community.”
- music10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for enhancing the overall experience, contributing to a positive atmosphere during gameplay. Players appreciate the combination of great visuals and music, noting that it creates a good vibe, especially during modes like deathmatch. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that complements the game's aesthetic.
“Just listening to music and playing deathmatch is a really good vibe.”
“All in all, good community, good enough gunplay, great aesthetic and music (in my opinion).”
“I love the art style and the music.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, particularly for the introduction of microtransactions and overpriced cosmetics, which many players feel detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, the initial plans to incorporate NFTs have left a sour impression, leading to perceptions of the game as a cash grab rather than a genuine effort to enhance gameplay. Overall, players express disappointment that the focus seems to be more on monetization and advertising rather than on delivering a quality gaming experience.
“I really enjoyed this game for a bit, but after they added the overpriced cosmetics and I found out that they tried to initially add NFTs to this game, it makes it feel like an uninspired cash grab.”
“And it's disappointing that they added microtransactions. I've been playing since the game's early access, and it used to be fun, but now it's just like MW3.”
“Developers should've focused on making a good game instead of advertising and running tournaments.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, players express disappointment in the game's replayability, particularly for its price point, citing insufficient content and a lack of meaningful progression systems. While some appreciate the game's polish and fun factor, concerns about performance issues and limited replay value hinder its long-term appeal.
“Super polished and replayable.”
“Super polished and replayable.”
“For a game that costs 40 dollars, it feels like it does not have nearly enough content or replay value. Yes, they have recently added a prestige system, but all it does is add a cosmetic (that you can't equip on both teams, by the way) and gives you the ability to earn a very small amount of in-game currency.”
“Vail is an incredibly fun game, but I'm afraid that with the performance issues and lack of replayability, the progression doesn't justify the MSRP of $20. Maybe later down the line, after the beta bugs are weaned out.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, particularly for its exceptional sound effects, including meticulously calibrated footsteps that enhance immersion. Reviewers consistently rate the overall atmosphere, alongside gunplay and level design, as outstanding, often giving it a perfect score.
“Sound effects are top-notch, with meticulously calibrated footsteps adding to the immersive atmosphere.”
“Sound effects are top-notch, with precisely calibrated footsteps adding to the immersive atmosphere.”
“Rate this game 10/10 for gun play, sounds, original ideas, level design, and overall atmosphere.”