Following final yr’s PSVR 2 launch, C-Smash VRS stays a classy remake for a SEGA arcade basic on Quest & Pico. Our full overview:
Cosmic Smash makes for an unlikely reboot candidate however, twenty years on, C-Smash VRS stylishly adapts this arcade basic.
Ever since fashionable VR’s early days, there’s been a gradual slate of Dreamcast diversifications. Rez Infinite set a excessive bar early on, later adopted by Area Channel 5, whereas Samba De Amigo: Digital Get together is predicated on the sequel. Then now we have C-Smash VRS, which opts for a full remake. Arguably one in all SEGA’s most obscure video games, I am nonetheless stunned however personally thrilled that Cosmic Smash is getting a second likelihood.
Platforms: Pico 4, PSVR 2, Quest 2, Quest Professional, Quest 3 (Evaluate performed on PSVR 2 and Quest 3).
Launch Date: 04/04/24 on Quest/Pico, out now on PSVR 2.
Developer: Wolf & Wooden Interactive
Value: $17.99
Mixing Squash and Breakout with a first-person perspective, C-Smash VRS includes hitting coloured pads throughout this area station. Name the ball towards you thru a pulling movement, use your different controller as a racket, transfer left and proper with the analog stick, and serve. It is an intuitive management system that feels easy to be taught, helped by a responsive physics system. Although there is not large gameplay depth, that is key to C-Smash VRS’ arcade-like appeal.
Following a short tutorial, C-Smash VRS opens up on-line multiplayer and a solo ‘Journey.’ The latter units up a fast marketing campaign throughout 5 planetary orbits with two problem choices. Zen Mode permits you to restart phases in case you do not succeed, whereas failing in Problem Mode means a whole restart. Select one in all a number of potential routes round this planet, every with totally different phases, and start your journey.
Every stage primarily assesses your efficiency based mostly on velocity, rating you from ‘D’ to ‘A.’ Your purpose to hit each panel stays the identical, however every stage presents totally different challenges. Some panels require a number of hits, whereas others transfer place or have particular skills, like destroying each panel in a horizontal line. Indestructible grey tiles usually block your path, forcing a special method. Like Squash, the ball bounces again towards you and play doesn’t cease till every tile is gone; there’s no penalty for lacking pictures past shedding time.
C-Smash VRS successfully makes use of PSVR 2 haptics and hitting the ball provides a delicate controller vibration that enhances the racket swing. Repeat hits slowly cost your ‘Energy Smash,’ which is available in a number of types throughout Journey. One potential permits you to energy by means of a number of panels concurrently, whereas one other holds the ball atop your racket for exact aiming. Adaptive triggers additionally create a satisfying resistance when activating this potential. You’ve got nonetheless bought that controller vibration suggestions on Quest when hitting pictures, although the Contact Controllers’ lack of assist for adaptive triggers means this does not really feel fairly nearly as good.
Leaping into phases or on-line matches feels easy, and the rating system provides appreciable replayability. Each time I bought a C rank, I attempted once more to hit A rank. C-Smash VRS is effectively fitted to fast play, helped by an lively retro-futuristic soundtrack and appealingly colourful presentation that appears nice on each Quest 3 and PSVR 2. I rapidly discovered my rhythm, and whereas I wasn’t continually shifting my ft, the arm swinging had me sweating.
It is a easy, well-executed thought and I am happy to see one in all my primary gameplay gripes at launch have since been addressed. When pausing throughout Journey phases, you beforehand could not retry phases with out ready for the timer to expire. Zen Mode now permits you to restart anytime.
Concerning versus play, C-Smash VRS options 4 totally different multiplayer modes with respectable selection. ‘Head-to-Head” sees who can hit probably the most panels, ‘Firewall’ includes tagging and holding zones by switching them to build up factors, and ‘Bodyshot’ makes use of slender phases and it’s essential to instantly hit your opponent. Lastly, ‘Quickshot’ makes use of rising blocks and also you rating extra factors for hitting them after they’re smaller. If nobody’s about, a coaching room seems to assist cross the time whereas matchmaking happens.
C-Smash VRS solely permits shifting left or proper throughout phases, both with teleportation or synthetic locomotion. Blinkers add a vignette with a slider for adjustable power. You possibly can select your dominant hand and alter the racket angle. On PSVR 2, Sense Controller and headset vibrations can be switched off in-game or by means of the PS5 settings menu. The sport’s physicality may flip this right into a exercise, and I used to be sweating all through.
I beforehand stated C-Smash VRS may very well be the multiplayer recreation PSVR 2 wants, and after reviewing the complete launch, I stand by that sentiment. Presently, I have been unable to check the Quest model’s multiplayer, although I beforehand tried it on PSVR 2. Again then, I performed 4 multiplayer modes with one other reviewer, which led to some aggressive matches that rapidly turned a private spotlight.
I am happy to see how a lot C-Smash VRS has expanded since final yr’s launch, too. Infinity Mode is a good addition that gives a dynamically generated enviornment with co-op assist additionally out there; AI opponents imply now you can apply these modes offline, and 36 new ranges imply there are much more Journey phases to attempt. It is a extra full expertise and the studio is not performed but. What’s significantly fascinating is the pleasing apply stage teaser with music from UNKLE, and the writer says it has “large plans” to return.
C-Smash VRS Evaluate – Closing Verdict
RapidEyeMovers and Wolf & Wooden have performed Cosmic Smash justice with this VR reimagining and I discovered C-Smash VRS efficiently tapping into that “yet another recreation” mindset. Whereas Journey is not an extended marketing campaign and the arcade-style gameplay lacks important depth, there’s power in its simplicity that makes it a simple advice.
Boosted by a robust multiplayer element, slick presentation and massive post-launch updates since final yr, C-Smash VRS has transitioned from PSVR 2 to Quest extraordinarily effectively. It is a nice remake of an arcade basic that feels higher than ever in standalone VR.
UploadVR makes use of a 5-Star ranking system for our recreation evaluations – you possibly can learn a breakdown of every star ranking in our overview tips.
Discover: This overview was initially printed on June 22, 2023, when C-Smash VRS first launched on PSVR 2, awarding it a “beneficial” underneath our previous overview tips. We up to date this overview on April 3, 2024, to mirror the Quest and Pico editions’ launch and post-launch adjustments, updating the scoring to match our present overview tips.
