Toy Trains VR is essentially a train-set simulation for VR. I mean, we have Goat Simulators, Power Wash Simulators so why not a Toy Train Simulator?

In Toy Trains, you are someone who unearths a train set in your grandparent’s attic. While waiting for your Mam and Dad to arrive home, you open the train set and let your imagination run wild. But in this imagination-fueled world in which you lay the tracks, there are living people called Railies who need you to carry out tasks for them.

I Choo-Choo-Choose You!

The Railies live too far apart from each other and rely on you to make sure they can interact. It’s also very important that you include the construction site in the loop because every level sees new and improving benefits for the Railies. Sometimes they are building a cinema, and sometimes they are building an airport, but you are always the catalyst for making a better life for the Railies that rely on you.

With every successful level you complete, you earn different track pieces. Earning the ability to add bridges, slopes and even sharp turns, transforms the landscape of your Railies quite literally.

Also, as you help your Railies, your own personal story develops. I don’t want to elaborate on that anymore as it is something that should be experienced, not described.

Graphically, the game is gorgeous. There is not one thing I can fault about it. VR games often try too hard to be super realistic and come across Uncanny Valley or they just look basic. The visuals in Toy Trains are spot on. Proper blend of nostalgia while looking crisp and legitimate. There are also a good few little hidden easter eggs and interactive areas that feel so natural and help add to the immersion.

Also, when you complete a level, you can “decorate” it as you see fit. This is one of the most surprisingly fun aspects of this game. Watching the interactions, improving the aesthetic and pretty much doing anything you wish to your own landscape is bizarrely cathartic.

Don’t you know I’m Loco? (motion)

I genuinely can see people using this game as a stress reliever and not just as a narrative-driven game. It is genuinely calming and soothing to be able to just have a little go and let your imagination run wild.

The controls are very intuitive and very easy to use. Sometimes with VR games, there is a disconnect, but everything you do in this game feels natural. Whether it is selecting a slanted section of track or discarding a bridge section in the bin, it feels realistic and authentic.

Toy Trains VR is not what I would call a traditional “game”. It is a puzzle game, a train sim, and a building sim all rolled into one. It is more of an experience than a game.

Toy Trains has a beautiful, heart-rending story that is fantastically told. More importantly, it is entertaining too. There were times when I was stumped as to how I would be able to run the track the correct way in order to serve all the houses. I actually cared for the people in my world when they were struggling.

On The Right Track

Toy Trains sounded like something I would have absolutely zero investment in. I have no interest in model railways. I don’t care about building sims. How in the world would a VR Sim about a train set interest me in any way?

The answer is… by charm.

Toy Trains VR is undoubtedly one of, if not THE, most charming games I have ever played. As I said earlier, It doesn’t feel like a game, it’s more of an experience. It won’t pique the interest of people who want to have an adrenaline-fuelled gaming session. It won’t tantalise the grey matter of those who want to be challenged mentally. What it will do though, is make you feel warm, relaxed and okay.

It’s wholesome.

I didn’t know what to expect from this game but what I got from it was more than I could have imagined.

A great little gem that I thoroughly recommend to anyone who might want a little detox from the norm.

Stay tuned to GamEir. Come talk with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir).  

Toy Trains is launching January 16th 2024! Build the model railway of your dreams and solve satisfying puzzles in a nostalgic miniature world, coming to PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest 3 and 2, and SteamVR.

I promise we’re nice! Keep up with our streams over on Twitch (GamEir) and our videos on YouTube (GamEir) and we’ll give you all the latest content. 

The post Toy Trains VR Review – appeared first on GamEir.

Not For Broadcast VR is an unusual game. On the surface, it looks like a fun, throwaway Job Simulator type simulation with added Full Motion Video. However, as this game will teach you, don’t believe everything you see. There is much, much, more underneath the surface.

You are in control of a newsroom production desk and are tasked to run a half-hour-long news show. In order to do so, you need to change the different camera angles, censor out swearwords, ensure the signal is synced up and various other menial tasks. Doing a good job will see the audience figures soar, doing a bad job will see them plummet.

So far, so normal.

Television: The Drug of a Nation

What sets this game apart from other similar VR titles is the undertone. You not only produce the news, but you can shape the news to suit your own agenda. With every decision you make, you can choose how the news is framed. Whether it is by picking alternate camera angles to make a guest or host look bad, or by censoring out key points to change the context of an interview, you are the gatekeeper to what the audience sees. You can choose to be politically dishonest to increase ratings or you can try to broadcast the truth and run the risk of governmental interference.

The footage you are working with is full of biting satire and wickedly dark humour. It doesn’t shy away from pretty strong topics either. There are episodes which touch on stories that include COVID-19 like pandemics, the rise of the Far-Right/Far-Left and even bullying and domestic violence.

Remarkably, considering the subject matter, none of it seems gratuitous and it all fits in with the game’s politically charged tone.

Have I Got News for You?

Gameplay-wise, it can get quite chaotic. It’s not as simple as just pushing a couple of buttons. When something can possibly go wrong, it does, and you have to act immediately and in real-time. Balancing the sound levels, the camera angles, the narrative, choosing and timing the adverts and putting out fires (sometimes literally) all at the same time is ridiculously stressful.

Changing how the world sees the news also changes the world around you. Your work-life decisions impact the world and in return, change your home life. In between shows, you need to make some life-altering choices regarding your personal circumstances. Instead of sitting at your workstation, you make these choices via text selection. It’s a welcome break from the pandemonium of the news desk.

Some episodes are more enjoyable than others. Sometimes you might find yourself wishing that an episode will just end so you can cover a different story. And the fact that each episode is over 30 mins, it can feel like a slog. But even within those episodes, there is plenty to do to keep you busy.

There is a good 10+ hours in the game with plenty of different ending scenarios so there is a replayability aspect to it.

Visually, it works well. The graphics are nothing to write home about but the aesthetic of the newsroom fits in well with the grainy FMV and captures the essence of the game well. The FMV is plentiful, with hours upon hours of footage filmed.

And Finally…

Is Not For Broadcast VR fun? I don’t really know to be honest. This game can be draining; physically and mentally. But it is compelling. Calling it “fun” would be doing it a disservice.

The humour varies from subtle and dark to cheesy and slapstick, the acting is purposely hammy and the gameplay can be frustrating but for some reason, it works.

If you are looking for a Job Simulator experience, you will be sorely disappointed. If you have an interest in politics and social manipulation, you will be enthralled. It’s like an interactive version of the satirical television programme BrassEye.

Not For Broadcast VR is an unusual game that will have a very niche audience. I loved it.

Stay tuned to GamEir. Come talk with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir).  

I promise we’re nice! Keep up with our streams over on Twitch (GamEir) and our videos on YouTube (GamEir) and we’ll give you all the latest content. 

The post Not For Broadcast VR Review- Too Hot for TV? appeared first on GamEir.

The well-known arachnid slaughtering sim Kill it with Fire has made its way to the PSVR2. A game that began its life as a regular flatscreen game has added an extra dimension in order to try to terrify arachnophobes everywhere. And for the most part, it works. 

Kill it with Fire is definitely not a mainstream title, nor will it be for everyone. At its core, it is a very simple game where the player needs to enter a room and kill spiders. In order to progress to the next room, you need to also carry out some simple tasks. These can range from scanning groceries to run up a specific amount on a bill, to smashing plates against the wall. 

Shotgun Webbing

The way in which you dispose of the eight-legged freaks is quite well-varied. You start off by smooshing them with whatever is next to you. Want to squash them with a book? Sure thing. Want to crush them with your television? Go ahead. Want to blow up a petrol station in order to kill a tiny spider? Erm, you can… but perhaps seek help. 

Obviously, the more extreme ways of exterminating your creepy crawly enemies are unlocked as you progress, but the more bizarre they are, the more fun they become. There are guns, Molotovs, garden strimmers and many, many, more available to unlock. 

The objectives that don’t involve mayhem and destruction aren’t as much fun, but they do not outstay their welcome enough to become tedious. Your surroundings are highly interactive and almost everything you can see can be used, destroyed or thrown which is hugely entertaining. 

You’re Fired!

There is a sense of humour throughout the game, and it never once takes itself seriously. There is a charm to every level and a nice variety to your surroundings in the different rooms you find yourself in. 

Graphically, it does not look pretty, and it certainly doesn’t look realistic. This was a deliberate choice from the developers though. For someone who has just a slight aversion to spiders, it is still deeply unsettling when you begin the game. Even with super pixelated and dated graphics, you still get a great feeling of immersion which is key for any VR game. 

The sound is great especially if you wear earphones with the VR Headset. The sound of the scurrying spiders really gets under your skin. It also helps that the in-game music changes to something that sounds like a swarm scene from a horror film. It’s just good stuff. 

It’s VR-ry good

The controls are perfectly in keeping with what you would expect. If I could pick up on one slight negative, is that Kill it with Fire doesn’t take full advantage of the PSVR2 hardware. If the haptic feedback is utilised, it is barely noticeable. That could have been a nice additional feature. As I previously mentioned, it certainly doesn’t use the VR’s graphical capability to its full extent. On the plus side though, the eye tracking works great and allows you to choose your items of annihilation with ease. 

This really is the kind of game that lends itself brilliantly to PSVR2. Although you can run through the game in 3 to 4 hours, that is what you want from this title. While AAA non-VR releases (I am looking directly at you Modern Warfare III) rightly come into criticism for their brief runtimes, Kill it with Fire is a perfect length for VR release especially at this price point.  

Will it be in my top 10 list of games at the end of the year? Absolutely not. But I can say that it is undoubtedly fun and brilliantly entertaining. If you have PSVR2, it should be in your library. 

You can pick it up from the PS Store for a bargain €14.99. 

Stay tuned to GamEir. Come talk with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir).  

I promise we’re nice! Keep up with our streams over on Twitch (GamEir) and our videos on YouTube (GamEir) and we’ll give you all the latest content. 

The post Kill It With Fire VR – Kill them, kill them all appeared first on GamEir.

The VR title has received a slew of positive reviews ahead of its release, with the action-packed gameplay and intuitive use of the PS VR2’s hardware features singled out for particular praise.

“…a pure power fantasy that epitomises everything great about virtual reality.”

Eurogamer

“Synapse is a strong addition to PlayStation VR2’s library that any FPS fan should buy.”

UploadVR

In Synapse, players must harness a lethal combination of surging telekinetic powers and deadly weaponry as they break into the mind of the notorious enemy of the state, Colonel Peter Conrad (David Hayter). Guided by their Handler, Clara Sorensen (Jennifer Hale), players will need to fight through to the Colonel’s subconscious and extract crucial intel that will put an end to his plans for mass destruction.

Synapse’s innovative gameplay has been crafted to take full advantage of PlayStation VR2’s next-generation feature set. For more information on Synapse, visit the official website.

Stay tuned to GamEir. Come talk with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir).

I promise we’re nice! Keep up with our streams over on Twitch (GamEir) and our videos on YouTube (GamEir) and we’ll give you all the latest content.

The post Synapse, the VR action shooter is out now appeared first on GamEir.

The Galway native became the first female conductor in Oscar history at the ceremony in February 2020 and throughout her 15-year career has conducted many orchestras including Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Her gaming credits include such titles as Overwatch, Diablo III and World of Warcraft to name but a few.

In this episode of Players Unlocked, Eimear talks about the impact video game music has had on players around the world.

“It always fascinated me how music and the twist of a chord change… can just ignite a picture.. it can make you physically feel goosebumps”.

Players Unlocked see’s Tony Cantwell speak to some of Ireland’s biggest gamers, each from very different backgrounds. Throughout the series guests discuss what role gaming, and PlayStation, has played in their life.

The series has already featured guests such as lifelong gamer, perpetual mammy-botherer and TV star Baz Ashmawy, streamer Úna-Minh Kavanagh and Marvel comics illustrator and TV Presenter, Will Sliney. You can watch the first four episodes now on PlayStation Ireland’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

But most importantly…

Stay tuned to GamEir. Come talk with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir).

I promise we’re nice! Keep up with our streams over on Twitch (GamEir) and our videos on YouTube (GamEir) and we’ll give you all the latest content.

The post Eimear Noone joins Tony Cantwell on Players Unlocked appeared first on GamEir.

This the latest entry in the franchise, built completely from the ground up. Putting you deep in the action in war-torn Southern Italy. Creating a beautifully and fully immersive VR first-person shooter experience. Nazi Germany can’t get away with their plans. 

In Sniper Elite VR, the Nazi forces have occupied the Italian homeland you hold dear. Using the patented stealth mechanics and authentic weaponry, you’ll have to fight for the resistance. As a skilled marksman, you’ll take out enemy forces in the great slow-motion ballbusting style. And, all this action-packed straight into your VR headset. 

This instalment of Sniper Elite is specifically built up for a virtual reality experience. The game delivers a fresh take on the sniper experience. The heart-pounding action as you stare down your scope at your targets. Adding in the whole new dimension of physically reloading your weapon while under intense fire. Work your way through 18 replayable missions in this new stand-alone and expansive campaign. 

Sniper Elite VR is available now on PlayStation VR, priced at €29.99 and on Steam VR, Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest (1 and 2). The game is a cross-purchase product on Oculus Rift and Quest.

For more updates stay tuned to GamEir and check out our Facebook page for everything gaming!

The post Sniper Elite VR is available for long range sniping appeared first on GamEir.

Captain ToonHead vs the Punks from Outer Space puts you in the boots of Captain ToonHead himself. Master the wide range of blasters, chanclas and towers to stop the evil P.U.N.K. army. Build your toonret towers in strategically important positions and watch them fight back against the galactic invasion. Need more firepower? Stop by Captain ToonHead’s ship and spec your arsenal up. Embark on a comedic journey with a fully voice-acted cast and colourfully detailed environments.

Teravision Games is a leading Latin American video game development studio and is behind Captain ToonHead. The studio has been responsible for over 80 mobile, web and PC games. They have developed games for some big brands such as Disney, Nickelodeon, Namco and Atari. Now they predominantly focus on PC titles using the Unreal Engine. 

If you’re excited to see more from Captain Toonhead the wait is almost over. 

For more updates stay tuned to GamEir and check out our Facebook page for everything gaming!

The post Captain ToonHead vs the Punks from Outer Space On Oculus appeared first on GamEir.

After the entire defense squad sent by the World Treaty for Freedom (WTF) got fried by a burrito-related explosion, the fate of humanity is at stake. Elliot Salazar, the cartoon-obsessed spaceship technician and only survivor, is now Earth’s only hope. Join Elliot and suit up as the heroic Captain Toonhead to save the world from Earth’s last dictator, Nikolas Voorhees, and his devious army of cyberpunk minions.

Battle through diverse stages against relentless waves of punks and technologically-enhanced creatures like copter cats, T-Rexes, and merciless cyberchickens. Experiment with Captain Toonhead’s armoury of upgradable blasters, an overpowered chancla that never misses its mark, and placeable towers that can be manually controlled for maximum destruction.

Combine combat skills and strategy to defend your base and stop punks from stealing Enercubes. Rescued Enercubes can be taken back to Elliot’s ship and be spent on permanent upgrades for weapons, turrets, and bases. Clash, protect, and piñata blitz through outer space to stop Voorhees and save humanity!

Captain Toonhead vs the Punks from Outer Space Key Features:

• Experience a blend of FPS and Tower Defense in Virtual Reality: Fight at the front lines while strategically placing upgradable towers and blasting away foes.
• Harness an Outlandish Arsenal: Wield a weaponized chancla, dual blasters, and controllable towers with unique firepower like electrified pizza or a lethal piñata blitz.
• Rescue, Upgrade and Overcome: Complete missions to rescue Enercubes that can be assigned to permanent offensive and defence upgrades for future battles.
• Take Down an Army of Punks: Faceoff against a ridiculous lineup of enemies including terra-sharks, cyberchickens, and T-Rexes, which can all spawn with a variety of perks like jetpacks, explosive care packages, and healing bots.
• Become the Greatest Hero: Replay past missions with purchased upgrades to unlock achievements and master each stage.

“Captain Toonhead started with a fantasy,” said Enrique Fuentes, CEO of Teravision Games. “How awesome would it feel to experience a tower defence if you were fighting waves of enemies from the front lines, in first-person — while fully immersed in VR?”

The post Check out the wild adventures of Captain Toonhead vs the Punks from Outer Space appeared first on GamEir.

Last Labyrinth – A VR Escape Adventure Game

Last Labyrinth is a VR escape adventure game, where the player is trapped in an obscure mansion and joins forces with the mysterious girl, Katia, to solve numerous riddles in an attempt to escape from the mansion.

You are vulnerable and tied up. With your arms and hands bound and immobilised in a wheelchair, you are at the mercy and reliance of Katia. She is your only way of escape from the mansion in an intensive, meticulous and inventive series of escape room puzzles. The ever increasing complexity of riddles, and their diversity, which may be number related or brain-teasing weight balancing, must be solved in order to venture on.

Uniquely constructed and designed puzzles, minimalistic controls to ensure fluid and intuitive gameplay are accentuated with stunning atmospheric music.

A high-profile team

The expertise behind the creation of Last Labyrinth is unmatched within the VR genre. Created by a team of veteran Japanese developers whose previous works include classic titles such as ICO, The Last Guardian, Shadow of the Colossus, Puppeteer and the Doko Demo Issyo series (Toro, the Sony Cat).

The voice of the mysterious girl Katia is Stefanie Joosten, who played the role of the beautiful, wordless sniper “Quiet” in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. She works as a model, actress and singer in Japan and abroad. Stefanie Joosten feels honoured to be part of Last Labyrinth:

“It’s a huge honour to be part of Last Labyrinth. When I first played the demo, I immediately felt completely sucked into its mysterious world. It lets you experience VR in a way I have never seen before. I think it will be a completely new experience to players worldwide.”

The theme song was composed by Hiroki Kikuta, who has worked on numerous games including Secret of Mana and Soulcalibur V.

Last Labyrinth is a virtually unmissable and distinctive encounter where reality is closer than you imagine. Can you escape a hostile mansion along with a girl words cannot reach?

Stay tuned to GamEir. And if you’re interested, come converse with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir).

Check out our videos on Twitch (GamEir) and YouTube (GamEir) and we’ll give you all the latest content!

The post Get your hands on the limited-print physical release of Last Labyrinth appeared first on GamEir.

Available for free until the 19th of April before rising in price to $6.99, the new song pack features EGOIST’s All Alone With You, Planetes, Ghost of a Smile, Kimi Sora Kiseki and Anata ni Okuru Ai no Uta, all of which can be played in both VR and controller modes. Fans of all skill levels can challenge themselves to master multiple difficulty levels of these hits fitting to DEEMO -Reborn-‘s melancholic setting.

The 13th in a series of DLCs, the EGOIST Special Selection brings the total number of downloadable songs to 65. The J-pop duo joins a renowned roster of collaborators including Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu’s Earthbound Papas, metal band Jigoku Quartet’s guitarist Shinichi Kobayashi, and electronic and contemporary classical group Mili. Each of the first 12 five-song packs contains two VR mode and three controller mode tracks.

Explore titular character Deemo’s breathtaking castle and master a piano whose beautiful melodies have the power to grow a tree to unbelievable heights. With gameplay alternating between musical performances as Deemo and exploration as his unexpected visitor, DEEMO -Reborn- presents its beloved and touching tale as an unforgettable and immersive PlayStation VR experience.

“EGOIST’s songs are a perfect fit for the atmosphere and gameplay of DEEMO for both VR and regular TV screens, said John Davis, G&R Representative, UNTIES. Collaborating with EGOIST on a DLC was very special for all of us and their songs make a great addition to the ever-expanding pool of music in DEEMO -Reborn-“

The EGOIST Special Selection DLC will be free until April 19th and cost $6.99 after that. The first 12 song packs are available for $4.99 each or as a season pass for $29.99. The season pass does not include the EGOIST Special Selection DLC. An animated DEEMO film is also on the way and expected to wrap up production in 2020.

Stay tuned to GamEir. Also, be sure and converse with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir). Check out our videos on Twitch (GamEir) and YouTube (GamEir) and we’ll give you all the latest content.

The post Stunning free DLC available for DEEMO -Reborn- appeared first on GamEir.