I’ve been playing Firewall: Ultra on PSVR 2 and wanted to share my initial impressions. This game is new to PSVR 2 on the PlayStation 5 and is priced at $40. Recently, I acquired a PSVR2 and have been trying out various games, including After the Fall, a bit of Oregon Quarter, and Walkabout Golf.
The majority of the games I’ve purchased are room-scale VR games. These games allow you to move around, lean, and step in one direction, with great tracking. However, Firewall Ultra, possibly due to its roots in the original PSVR, seems to be designed for standing or sitting gameplay. This shift limits freedom of movement, preventing full control to lean around corners or peek around objects for an advantage. The game lacks these VR elements.
The gameplay experience feels more casualized, possibly driven by the development studio’s interpretation of VR and the new features of PSVR 2. In Firewall Ultra, turning left or right while seated seems to be the optimal way to play. In contrast to games like After the Fall, there’s no locomotion feature; you can’t teleport. This posed challenges for me.
I had to play the game in a unique way. I used the vignettes around my eyes when running, although they made it difficult to spot incoming enemies. The game also employs eye tracking extensively due to the features of PSVR 2. Menus require eye tracking, not head tracking. While this concept is cool, it’s a bit finicky and the menus are confusing, with insufficient explanations of functionalities and locations.
Jumping into the gameplay, I tried PvP but found it unenjoyable due to the round-based setup. The waiting time after dying and the cautious gameplay of opponents diminished the fun. Switching to PvE, I experienced more excitement. PvE mode has players defending laptops against waves of enemies, requiring teamwork and strategy.
I also explored the operator system, with two free options and more available for purchase. There’s a lot to unlock, but the unlock rate is slow. After several games, I hadn’t even unlocked the ability to create a custom class. Progression feels slower than expected.
Despite initial frustrations, I plan to keep playing and continue exploring the game’s features. I’ve captured some gameplay footage to accompany this review. I’m curious to see how my experience evolves over time.
We’ve had a good time with the PSVR 2. Grab one here
