VR Game of the Year: Pistol Whip (PSVR2)

The original PlayStation VR version of Pistol Whip combines rail shooter gameplay with rhythm mechanics brilliantly. The upgraded version is even more impressive.

Pistol Whip doesn’t make much of an impression graphically, unlike some of the PSVR2 upgrades. As a stylized title with a solid aesthetic on its first attempt, it doesn’t make much of an improvement, except for HDR, of course. In Pistol Whip, movement and frantic activity are crucial. Because of this, the PS Move wands sometimes had difficulty keeping up. Despite some minor aiming niggles, this problem is mostly resolved with the PSVR2 Sense Controllers.

It’s even more rewarding to achieve flow-state while playing because it lets you focus on the action instead of your motion controller. It’s a great addition to PSVR already. Also, you have a better sense of the beat of individual songs based on the pulse of your controllers and headset, since you can feel the vapor trails of bullets fly past your face.

The content has doubled since the last time we reviewed the release. The game had a lot at launch on PSVR, but with a number of free updates, the amount has nearly doubled. There are multiple campaigns and boss fights included, along with an excellent storyline. Moreover, these new campaigns include more traditional rock music, as well as genres other than EDM. The title gains broader appeal.

It’s not hard to sell this title! With its colourful environments and masterful level design, there’s not much to criticize here. The gunplay works brilliantly on its own, as does rhythm gameplay. In this way, the product becomes extremely easy to recommend when these disparate elements come together harmoniously.

Pros:

  • Tracking greatly improved.

  • A touch of immersion.

  • Increased content.

  • A great soundtrack.

  • An amazing rhythm game.

  • Bosses and campaigns.

Cons:

  • Graphics updates merely adequate.

  • A few minor aiming issues.

The overall score is 9 over 10.

Author: Maricel Cuico