There have been many bullet hell-type games done in VR before, but none of them do it quite like Blaston, by developer Resolution Games.. In this game, you’re constantly on both attack and defense in a one-on-one against an opponent. Both of you are equipped with a potentially different kit of 6 guns, each of which has its own properties. Go for the widespread but low damage of a shotgun, or opt for the powerful and precise sniper. Some guns can even act as shields against bullets. Blaston forces you to be constantly moving as you multitask, trying to shoot your enemy while not getting shot yourself. It’s a great experience and a lot of fun.
This game makes a lot of clever decisions to reward skilled players while not leaving beginners out to dry. It uses a ranking system to match you against opponents of the same skill level as you. This is pretty standard in ranked multiplayer, but the cool part here is that Blaston prioritizes a fair battle over having to match with a person. That is, if the matchmaking system can’t find you a player within a reasonable range of your skill level, it will queue you up against a computer. That’s not to say it’ll be an easy win – the AI in this game is amazing, and it only gets harder as you win matches and level up.
As you level up, you’ll not only unlock more cosmetics for your character, but more guns to give you a wider array of possible tactics in battle. This gives a whole new depth to the game every time you level up, since you’ll have to decide where in your 6 gun kit to place the new one. Each new gun is an opportunity to theory craft. Perhaps you’ll even switch up your kit entirely to opt for a different playstyle. It’s important to think about the synergy between weapons and not always as individuals.
The tutorial for this game is very bare bones, so there are a lot of hidden techniques and weapon combinations as you level up and unlock more. For example, one thing I discovered while playing was that the handheld shield weapon can actually be thrown to block incoming bullets. In fact, every weapon can be thrown once they’re out of ammo, dealing a tiny bit of damage or blocking a bullet. That might be just what you need in a pinch, though. This moving shield technique combined with my sniper allowed me to shoot my sniper while blocking the opponent’s sight by throwing the shield at them, giving them very little time to dodge after they realize what’s coming. It’s little things like this that give this game so much depth. At any given point, you may have access to any of your guns, so you’ll need to think carefully about how each pair interacts.
At the same time, I mentioned cosmetics earlier. Blaston likes to reward its players for playing, and that includes new skins for your character, your player profile, and even the platform you stand on during battle. This commitment to the aesthetic is clear throughout your experience, and the effort put into building up the world immerses you very well. Often, I would find myself messing about and posing for the AI crowd. It’s a great feeling to win against an opponent, but it’s even better when you do it in front of the fans.
I would definitely recommend Blaston to most people. It’s a game that any FPS player can pick up, but new players can also practice and level up as well. There is one thing that may prevent some people from playing, though, and that’s the constant movement of it all. After my first day of playing, constantly squatting and crawling on the floor, I woke up the next day with sore legs. Personally, I’m physically capable of handling this, but I wouldn’t recommend this game to anyone who isn’t willing or able to commit to that. I do enjoy working up a sweat while playing, though, so if you can, I would say go ahead.
9/10
Check Out the Blaston Launch Trailer:
Blaston is available via the Oculus Store. You can also wishlist it on Steam.
For more information, please visit: https://www.resolutiongames.com/blaston
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I am an aspiring game designer looking to explore the philosophy behind game creation. Some of my favorite games include Overwatch, Super Smash Bros, Portal, and Beat Saber.
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