Introduction:
Superhot VR is an independent first-person shooter (FPS) video game developed and published by Superhot Team. The game originated as an entry in the 2013 7 Day FPS Challenge, which Superhot Team expanded into a browser-based demonstration that September. In August 2019, A rebuilt version of the game to better support virtual reality, Superhot VR, was released for the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR headset devices.
Why this game is engaging:
SUPERHOT is a first-person view shooting game that breaks the line between careful strategy and daring fighting. The concept of the game is very engaging. In the game, time only continues when the player moves, and this clever concept of time manipulation gives the player the superhuman reflexes of a slow-motion hero. At the same time, at the end of each level, players can also enjoy and save the movement with the regular timeline.
The level design of SUPERHOT-VR is also engaging. Each level is only the size of the player’s movable range in the real world, allowing the player to move freely in the VR world without causing the player to feel VR motion sickness. Furthermore, each level was divided into several trim levels. Carefully observe each trim level to find the previous level’s route, making the game feel linear even though there are many levels.
At the same time, the art style of SUPERHOT-VR is also very engaging. All items and enemies are displayed in the form of polyhedrons. Every time the player kills an enemy, the enemy will be broken into smaller pieces. This art style can not only give players the pleasure of smashing glass but also reduce the requirements for the host and allow more players to play this game.
What Can Be Improved:
One of the shortcomings is that the game production team needed to add more save points. The production team hopes to let players experience each primary level’s linear flow and story. But players will have a strong sense of frustration when they die because once they die, they will need to start all over again. I often get killed by the last enemy and replay the same level again when I play.
Another point that can be optimized is that there are only few weapons in the game, only individual melee weapons (katana, fist, etc), throwing weapons (wine bottles, wine glasses, etc.), and some firearms (pistols, shotguns, etc). It’s also missing random events to change each level at different times. The game only support story and endless mode. These make the process of each game similar, and players will inevitably feel bored in repeated games.
Conclusion:
Superhot VR’s ingenious concept of time manipulation allows players unparalleled reflexes. Smashing wave after wave of glassy enemies while deftly dodging threats with body movement is an exciting and worthwhile challenge in both stories and endless modes.
Citation:
Stapleton, D. (2017, August 4). Superhot VR Review. IGN. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/08/04/superhot-vr-review
Superhot VR on steam. SUPERHOT VR on Steam. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2023, from https://store.steampowered.com/app/617830/SUPERHOT_VR/
YouTube. (2016, December 5). Superhot VR release trailer. YouTube. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzG7Wc6mbwE
YouTube. (2019, May 21). Superhot VR Quest launch teaser. YouTube. Retrieved January 19, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9qNP5EPFEE