I recently had the opportunity to try out an early level of World War Z VR on the Quest, marking the first foray of the popular zombie franchise into virtual reality. Similar to the novel, film, and previous flat-screen games, this VR experience is packed with zombie hordes that you must face alongside two AI companions. With the promise of up to 200 zombies on screen simultaneously, a record-breaking number for VR games, my main question going in was whether more zombies equate to a better gameplay experience.
In most zombie games, fewer zombies typically translate to more powerful adversaries, resulting in intense single encounters. However, World War Z VR flips this concept on its head. While individual zombies pose little threat and can be easily dispatched with a well-placed shot, it’s the swarms of zombies that demand your attention. These massive clusters of undead, while not individually menacing, can overwhelm you if you’re not careful.
The game introduces some variety in enemy types, ranging from gas-emitting zombies to explosive ones, adding a layer of complexity to the encounters. Despite the lack of enemy diversity in the levels I played, occasional encounters with unique zombies kept things interesting and forced me to adapt my strategies.
Contrary to my expectations based on the film, World War Z VR offers a more strategic and methodical gameplay experience. Instead of mindlessly rushing at you, the zombies exhibit a disciplined approach reminiscent of old martial arts films, where enemies encircle the protagonist and take turns engaging. This behavior, combined with the constant stream of reinforcements, adds a challenging twist to the gameplay.
As I progressed through the levels, the game ramped up the difficulty by throwing larger hordes at me, requiring quick reflexes and resource management to survive. While the AI companions provided some assistance, their lackluster performance in combat left much to be desired, highlighting the need for multiplayer support in the game.
One pleasant surprise was the inclusion of puzzle-like elements, such as arming a bomb in Tokyo, adding depth to the gameplay beyond simple zombie slaying. Additionally, the prospect of unlockable weapons and hidden secrets encouraged thorough exploration of the levels.
Overall, my initial impressions of World War Z VR were positive, and I look forward to delving deeper into the full game upon its release. Stay tuned for a comprehensive review covering the shooting mechanics, weapon variety, locomotion options, and narrative aspects of the game when it launches on August 12th for Quest and SteamVR platforms. If you’re interested in pre-ordering World War Z VR, it’s available on the Horizon Store for Quest 2 and above, as well as on Steam for PC VR headsets at a price of $20.
The original article ‘World War Z VR Preview – A Solid Imitation of ‘Left 4 Dead’ (without multiplayer)’ was published on Road to VR.
