Earlier this week I shared a review of the Oculus Quest, a device that I believe makes at-home virtual reality more appealing and accessible than ever. You can read the full reviewright here, but now it’s time to move on to full game reviews and we’re kicking off this coverage withVader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series - Episode I.
Back at Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, I was lucky enough to give the game’slightsaber dojo component a go. For anyone out there who’s dreamed of wielding a lightsaber (and who hasn’t?), that element is a treat with undeniable appeal, but the real revelation ofVader Immortalis the immersive storytelling. The game gives you the opportunity to step into a canonicalStar Warsstory written byDavid S. Goyerand feel what it’s like to come face to face with Darth Vader.
Steering well clear of spoilers, the story is set in between the events ofStar Wars:Revenge of the SithandRogue One: A Star Wars Story. You’re a smuggler and the captain of a ship called the Windfall with the droid ZO-E3 (voiced byMaya Rudolph) serving as your right hand. You’re spotted by Imperial forces and brought to Mustafar where Darth Vader himself sees something special in you, essentially launching a multi-episode experience where you’re fighting right alongside Vader himself.
As one might expect,Episode Iis a set-up episode and it most certainly serves its purpose well. Strictly focusing on the story first, ZO-E3 makes an excellent guide who helps the user get his or her bearings on the Windfall and then in Vader’s castle in a way that never makes you feel like you’re being instructed on how to play the game, but rather like a natural part of the world-building. ZO-E3 is charismatic, has some serious bite to her humor and is simply a pleasure to hang out with as you make your way through the castle.
As far asStar WarsEaster eggs and important canon details go, I’ll keep this vague, but do know that there are some very interesting elements to the lore highlighted inEpisode Ithat connect to previously releasedStar Warsmaterial and also suggest thatVader Immortalmight offer up some much sought after answers - especially when it comes to the state of Mustafar. There’s also an abundance of material that gave me the sense thatVader Immortalcould wind up being a strong Vader character piece, in addition to being an exhilarating VR adventure.
Now on to the capabilities that the Oculus Quest provides. The sense of scale inEpisode Iis phenomenal. Very early on, you’re sitting in the Windfall cockpit when an Interdictor-class Star Destroyer slowly pulls into the frame from above. It’s a truly awesome sight that ups the stakes and starts to make the threat feel real. And the same is true of Vader’s stature in the game. Yes, Vader has always had an imposing presence in the films, but when you’re made to feel like you’re standing in the same room with him towering over you, it’s chill-inducing.
I playedEpisode Iin a rather small area of play so had to use the teleport ability quite a bit to move around, but it’s still a fairly fluid way to follow ZO-E3 and never once took me out of the game. Adding to the immersive quality is, of course, the constant calls to action requiring you to interact with everything around you, whether it be a door lock or igniting your lightsaber to battle Stormtroopers. The lightsaber battles inEpisode Ifar exceed the expectations my dojo experience at Celebration set. As authentic as that dojo training feels, it’s a completely different sensation when the story actually makes you feel like you’re defending yourself to complete a mission.
Oddly enough though, I think my favorite moments ofVader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series - Episode Iwere those that had me climbing ladders. Yes, I know that sounds ridiculous and dull when we’re talking about aStar Warsadventure, but there’s something about the combination of the visuals and the controller haptics that makes it an addictive, very realistic thrill. At one point, the game makes you feel like you’re about to fall and as someone with no fear of heights whatsoever, I was very impressed it made my heart skip a beat for a moment.
There’s a similar effect during a moment when your character is spying on Darth Vader. You’re essentiality looking through slats, trying to get a better view of what’s going on and when the realization hits you that you’re crouching down, leaning in and doing whatever necessary to catch a glimpse of Vader, that’s when it really hits you how much the game has sucked you in. Again, the lightsaber combat is phenomenal, but there’s something about acting out common, realistic behavior in VR - climbing and trying to get a better view for example - that had me in awe of what the game compelled me to do so naturally, without even realizing it.
At this point, I’m sold on the mechanics of the game and how the Oculus Quest is utilized to create a high level of immersion, but I’m very curious to see how the story develops from here. Again,Episode Isuccessfully sets up a interesting situation that I’m eager to learn more about, but I’m hoping thatVader Immortalwinds up being so much more than just an opportunity to feel like you’re in a galaxy far, far away. If it also ends up adding to Vader’s arc, fleshing out the history of Mustafar, and then some, this could be a major win, justifying the desire to add toStar Warscanon through VR.
