War Robots VR: The Skirmish
- August 10, 2017
- Pixonic
War Robots VR: The Skirmish is a short, but highly immersive teaser-shooter for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive set in the universe of the War Robots franchise.
Reviews
- The game offers a fun and immersive mech piloting experience, showcasing great graphics and intuitive controls.
- Despite being a short demo, it effectively captures the excitement of mech combat and leaves players wanting more.
- The head-tracking aiming system is innovative and adds a unique layer of immersion to the gameplay.
- The demo is extremely short, lasting only about 5-10 minutes, which leaves players feeling unsatisfied.
- Many players feel misled as the game serves primarily as an advertisement for a mobile game rather than a full-fledged VR experience.
- The lack of motion controller support and limited gameplay mechanics detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a tech demo than a complete game.
- story253 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 98 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally perceived as lacking depth, with many players expressing a desire for a more substantial narrative experience beyond the brief, single mission available. While some find the short story engaging and the gameplay enjoyable, there is a strong call for a full-fledged, story-driven campaign that would enhance the overall experience, particularly for fans of mech games. Overall, the consensus is that the current offering feels more like a demo than a complete game, leaving players wanting more.
“The story, for how short it is, is engaging and made me want more.”
“They should make this an actual VR game with a story mode.”
“Damn, I was loving it until I realized it was just a one mission demo/advertisement for 'War Robots' on Android.”
“Solid game, seems like they had everything they needed to make a quick campaign to maybe fund the multiplayer game, but I'm sure the numbers weren't there and the mobile market seems to be all the money they need. Shame, as an aspiring VR developer, I hope the Oculus Quest changes their mind and they see the growing numbers to bring this back to multiplayer and make it worth their time to actually make.”
“I want to see a whole story mode!”
- graphics45 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many users praising the detailed visuals and smooth artwork that enhance the immersive experience, especially in VR. While some reviews noted that the graphics may not reach the level of top-tier titles, they are considered more than adequate for a VR game, with a few users expressing disappointment in comparison to other VR experiences. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the enjoyment and engagement of the gameplay.
“The graphics are very good, I was surprised to see how detailed the world was after the small download. The sound design is almost perfection, the voice acting was good, but could've been a bit better, the gameplay itself is simple and fun.”
“The graphics are very nice for a VR game and even surpass some non-VR games.”
“The graphics and the steering are amazing!”
“Don't get this if you're expecting MWO level of graphics or gameplay.”
“Graphics look like shit.”
“The graphics are a little bit subpar, but the sense of presence and combat in this game are awesome!”
- gameplay42 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally criticized for being shallow and overly simplistic, often limited to basic mechanics like moving and shooting, with most experiences lasting only 5-10 minutes. While some users appreciate the smooth controls and graphics, many express disappointment in the lack of depth and variety, feeling that the demo fails to showcase the potential of a full game. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a missed opportunity, with calls for more engaging mechanics and longer playtime.
“It's fluid, it controls well, and it feels like you're actually piloting a three-story mechanical death machine.”
“The graphics are very good, I was surprised to see how detailed the world was after the small download, the sound design is almost perfection, the voice acting was good, but could've been a bit better, the gameplay itself is simple and fun.”
“Decent graphics, good gameplay controls and mechanics.”
“Gameplay is 5 minutes long, which all leads to a boss fight that doesn't even let you fight before getting interrupted by an advert for a pay-to-win mobile game.”
“The gameplay is shallow, the environment is bland, and the dialog is ridiculous.”
“The gameplay itself is clearly very unfinished, and didn't feel very good or challenging, but shows some promise.”
- monetization21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- -10 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is heavily criticized, as it is primarily viewed as a short, interactive advertisement for the mobile game "War Robots" rather than a standalone title. Players express disappointment over its lack of depth and content, labeling it a cash grab that fails to deliver a full gaming experience, despite its appealing visuals and potential. Overall, the consensus is that the game feels more like a demo designed to promote the mobile app than a legitimate VR game.
“I would love to see microtransactions in the form of cosmetics, similar to what Hawken had, assuming it gets a multiplayer version. Options like paint jobs, missile flare effects, and more would be great!”
“The monetization model is fair and offers a variety of cosmetic options without impacting gameplay, which keeps the experience enjoyable for everyone.”
“I appreciate that the game offers optional purchases that enhance the visual experience without being pay-to-win, allowing players to customize their characters at their own pace.”
“It's important to know this is an advertisement for their mobile game.”
“The only VR mech game available on PC is a 15-minute advertisement for a mobile app.”
“The concept for a great VR game is there but it's wasted by just being an advertisement.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, with players highlighting moments that enhance the overall experience, such as the impactful "take off your helmet" scene. Overall, the atmosphere is described as enjoyable and effectively engaging.
“The only place this demo got anything right was atmosphere; the 'take off your helmet' moment felt really in line and immersive.”
“Very enjoyable atmosphere.”
“Really great atmosphere!”
“The only place this 'demo' got anything right was atmosphere; the 'take off your helmet' moment felt really in line and immersive.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, particularly praised as one of the most engaging free-to-play demos available, with the potential for over 200 hours of enjoyment through various weapons, upgrades, and strategies. However, some users caution against expecting high replay value overall.
“Weapons, upgrades, replayability, and strategy can easily give you 200+ hours of fun.”
“Just don’t expect any replay value.”
“As for me, this is one of the most replayable free-to-play demos I've ever played.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, with users describing it as "super awesome," indicating a strong positive reception.
“The music is super awesome!”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short while.”
“The sound effects are poorly mixed, often drowning out the music and making it hard to enjoy.”
“The soundtrack feels generic and uninspired, failing to enhance the overall gaming experience.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, with some feeling compelled to explore the mobile version due to its engaging content. The experience is so impactful that it evokes tears, particularly upon discovering that the game is only a demo, highlighting its ability to resonate deeply with players.
“It actually made me feel like checking out the mobile game itself, which even gives you rewards for downloading through a QR code at the end of the game.”
“Please continue the game; I cried when I found out it was a demo.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for being unintentional, with players finding the clunky mechanics and poor voice acting amusing, albeit for the wrong reasons. While some appreciate the comedic value in its brevity and absurdity as a promotional tool, the overall experience is marred by its lack of substance, leading to a recommendation for a quick playthrough followed by uninstallation.
“Would be amazing if this were a full game, funny that it's a way better game than the one it's supposed to advertise, lol.”
“Whether it was the really clunky aiming mechanics, the hilarious for all the wrong reasons voice acting, or the fact that it's just a cheap advertisement for a mobile app, I recommend this game for the maybe 5 minute long gameplay and then an immediate uninstall.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the demo is inconsistent, with users experiencing fluctuating performance during gameplay.
“An okay demo that had very inconsistent performance while playing.”
“The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering.”
“I experienced significant lag and long loading times, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that the game demonstrates strong stability, with no bugs or glitches noted even in the demo version.
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the experience.”
“There are numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay and hinder progress.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 200 % positive mentions
- -400 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or multiple attempts to progress effectively.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I was getting nowhere.”