Football is a sport enjoyed by many. Fans will live by the team at the highs and stay with them at their lows. Some fans will even switch teams when they felt like their team let them down only to be on the bandwagon when the next season starts. A Quarterback’s job is not an easy one with trying to make the plays in hopes that the play gets executed in the right way. But when it comes down to the last two minutes, things can get very exciting. Players can become heroes and some become legends. But does developer Truant Pixel show us how to make the winning play? Let’s find out with 2MD: VR Football Unleashed ALL☆STAR for PlayStation VR2.
2MD: VR Football Unleashed ALL☆STAR is the sequel to the groundbreaking motion-controlled VR football game, 2MD: VR Football. Draw the plays and throw, hand-off, catch or run the ball before the clock runs out. So before you go out there trying to be the Replacements of the Replacements, there are a few things that you should be aware of. First, you need a minimum play area of 2m x 2m or 6ft, 7in x 6ft 7in. The game will not let you start unless you have this area. If you do not have so said area, you will just need to set up the PlayStation VR2 grid again and extend it out even if it is through walls. Second, make sure you have enough arm width as you will be drawing plays and throwing balls. Third, make sure those Sense controllers are charged. You don’t want to be down to the last seconds to throw that hail mary only to have your controller die because you forgot to charge them. And finally, just have some fun. With that said, let’s continue…
Some might be wondering what is with the All-Star and how is it unleashed. Well, there have been some changes. The tackling dummies for players have now been upgraded to actual players, more customizable teams, and throwing styles, and more stadiums to play in. Pretty much, what you love you will still love, but with more to love. The first thing any player should do is probably stretch. Has it been a while since you threw a football or tried to hold up a trophy only to then throw it at your cheering team because you feel that you should be drafted because you are better than this?
When you first start, you are in the locker room and faced with the drawing board. Your coach, who is on your right in case you don’t look right away, will give you instructions about how to draw plays. You have options such as viewing stats, practicing, changing the receiver control to when you throw the ball it will switch so you can try and catch your own throw, watching tutorial films on how to play, selecting your teams, changing the team voice, and even the colors of your team. Feel free to start drawing some plays as you can have up to four different plays for each Sense controller and you never know what may work.
As much fun as drawing your own plays can be, the fun really starts to happen once you pick up the helmet and it’s on and you are out on the field making the plays. Even though I had my play area set really out there, I was just sitting just to see if I could make the plays the entire time. My test came up with either having my team catch my throws, the ball bouncing off many players as they all ran down the field, which I had to laugh at, interceptions, or me running into the endzone to make the play. Remember, you have two minutes to make the play. Yes, you can play up to a full-length exhibition game, but I was having fun making those quick plays to try and win the league that I was in. The way I was playing all I had to do is helping my team get one touchdown. Once that was completed, it was time for a series of throwing the football through circles to increase the final score. I say this rule should now be implemented at the professional level.
I tried to change the receiver control to where I could catch my own throws. I quickly found out, that for me, this is not to my liking. Not because it doesn’t work, but it may make you start to argue with yourself for not throwing the ball right and then the next thing you know, someone is on a bad press run and the team starts to fall apart. Of course, you are trying to get through each league your participating in and trying to go as far as you can. I did find that some plays worked better than others and some of the plays that worked, and I could use them over and over again. That is until the other team started to smarten up and intercepted my perfect streak. Yes, if you start to have a streak, you will start to have a football that is on fire which is a nice touch. After you have earned that trophy, you do get to see where you placed on the online leaderboards which I really do enjoy seeing.
Let’s talk about the graphics and sound. From the footage that you have seen, you are seeing only the plays from a higher spectator view. But when playing and being right on the field in the action of it all with players trying to come at you, there was some very good detail with the players. Some may look and say that the graphics are not at a certain level, but when you are in the action, trying to make those plays, having different elements like snow and rain come into play, the different stadiums and teams that you can unlock, to even the pattern on the football, things can look good, With a soundtrack by Fat Bard, with additional Tracks by K.Carter, you will hear and feel the pounding sounds, and the crowds cheering win or lose, it felt and sounded like I was in control of the action and that is part of the fun here.
There are some things that I would love to see. First, online play. Having the ability to play against someone else where one person is on offense and another is on defense would just add to the fun of it all. Second, more teams and stadiums to unlock. Yes, you get to unlock these as you progress, but there was just something that made me wish there was something more to unlock and that’s not really a bad thing to want more. And finally, I really hope to see progression with the game such as new features and modes to the game. Maybe something like tournaments or additional weather elements like a hurricane just to add to the fun.
2MD: VR Football Unleashed ALL☆STAR gives us the chance to make the plays and doesn’t try to be something it’s not while just trying to be in the league of fun no matter how high the score is or the loss that may come with it. In life, we all have chances with the hopes that they are the right ones. Sometimes we pass on those missed opportunities, but sometimes it may only take two minutes to take a chance on something that may change our life for the better.
2MD: VR Football Unleashed ALL☆STAR is out now on PlayStation VR2, Quest/2/Pro, and Steam VR. A review code was provided.
To learn more about Truant Pixel, please visit their site, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
Also, check out the 2MD: VR Football Unleashed ALL☆STAR video review:
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I have more things to unlock and a leaderboard to climb.
