As VR continues to develop in reputation, we’re getting extra video games that attempt to replicate standard conventional video games with the immersion and multiplayer expertise that solely VR can provide. Contractors Showdown is my newest VR gaming obsession because it channels two of the very best battle royale titles available on the market: Name of Obligation Warzone, and PUBG.
Visually, the sport evokes the look of PUBG in all the precise methods. The map is totally huge, but it does not really feel just like the builders needed to lower down on mannequin element or make the map sparse simply to suit on the Meta Quest 3. Even with this huge map, it helps 60 gamers at a time — that is thrice the quantity supported by Population: One, the system’s hottest battle royale sport.
If you happen to instructed me this scale of battle royale sport can be on a standalone VR headset only a 12 months or two in the past, I am unsure I’d have believed you.
Even the fundamental gameplay loop feels straight out of a PUBG match. You will start every spherical on a navy dropship flying excessive over the island. Because the bay doorways open, you may select to leap out at any time and pull your parachute to glide to your most popular start line.
Weapons and help objects are littered in clusters across the map, mostly present in buildings or crates. Weapons all feel and appear extremely practical, together with distinctive reloading mechanics that really feel good however should not overly sophisticated. It is a glad medium between the purposefully easy reloading mechanics in Inhabitants: One and a few of the really practical — and infrequently annoying — reloading mechanics in a few of the best Quest games.
If you happen to instructed me this scale of battle royale sport can be on a standalone VR headset only a 12 months or two in the past, I am unsure I’d have believed you.
The livestream above gives you an awesome thought of what to anticipate from the sport, however I like to recommend beginning at timestamp 12:20 to see how a spherical performs out from the start.
Because the streamer makes his solution to the sting of the aircraft and ultimately jumps out, you will get a really feel and appreciation for simply how huge this island is.
In some ways, this sport brings the extra practical multiplayer shooter expertise I had hoped to take pleasure in with Ghosts of Tabor. Whereas that sport is a masterclass in VR design, it requires extra time and endurance than I am prepared to offer.
Contractors Showdown matches proper in between that sport and Inhabitants: One, providing the chance to play with 60 gamers however not really feel such as you’ve bought no probability if you do not have dozens of hours to pour into the sport each week.
The mechanics match someplace between practical and accessible, whereas the perks and rewards system encourages gamers to maintain coming again.
There are a couple of clunky components proper now, however I think about these will proceed to get ironed out as the sport nears completion. On-body stock is a bit complicated at first, however it solely took me a couple of rounds to determine it out.
Likewise, the sport’s semi-complicated wearable laptop system is a bit daunting at first however supplies distinctive and fascinating methods to supply perks and powers like air raids or drones throughout matches. Plus, the perk and improve system provides rewards for gamers who proceed to come back again, encouraging common play periods.
If you wish to attempt it for your self, the free open beta is working via March 17 (so there’s not a lot time left on the time of writing). Join it on the Contractors Showdown website.
We nonetheless do not know the ultimate launch date however I think about it will be touchdown within the subsequent month or two based mostly on my playtime with the sport over the previous few weeks. I am so glad to see extra high quality video games like this land on the Meta Quest and may’t wait to see what the ultimate sport performs like!