Rollercoasters are some of the best times when going to theme parks. We all have our favorite be that they are themed after a particular movie or superhero or just the design of the track along with the thrill of the ride. Sometimes we just want to escape for a few without the lines and the crowds and just go on the ride. But does Developer Monster Paw allow us that front row seat? Let’s find out with Coaster for the PlayStation VR.
Coaster is virtual experience that allows you to experience the thrill and sensation of four unique coaster experiences from swooping around asteroids in space, see what’s it is like at a picnic, feel like a child’s toy on a coaster around the room to even going to the moon.
When you first start Coaster you are giving the choices across the different screens along with the DualShock 4 controller that have really simple controls. L1 is your brake, R1 is your boost, O is your pause, and X is the return to the main menu. So now that we have the controls set, let’s look at the different coaster experiences.
Space Coaster – With the Space Coaster you are of course in space. As you are out in the middle of space turning and twisting, for a brief second I could almost feel what it would be like to ride a coaster through space and seeing the moon as are you riding. I was a pretty relaxing experience.
Room Coaster- Next I tried the Room Coaster and it was almost like a child built this coaster with their set and just let their innocence go as far as they could. The coaster took me all over the room going up and down from different heights getting up and close with the furniture adn even the outside balcony.
Moon Coaster – Next up I selected the Moon Coaster and being able to go from the start of a moon base to a launch pad through the darkness of space and all over the moon kind of gave me the feeling that if we were on the moon and wanted some outside fun while still being able to breath oxygen in our suits, this is what we would possibly come up with.
Picnic Coaster – The next coaster was the Picnic Coaster. And I have to say this might be my favorite one next to Moon Coaster. Being able to dive into a pie, through doughnuts, and different foods while you hear the birds and see the butterflies just felt like a refreshing view on a coaster ride.
Now you might have noticed in each of the videos a few things. One is the sound. There are not your typical coaster sounds such as the chains and the screams, but instead, music that goes along with the theming of each coaster. Also, you will notice the blinders. The blinders are there for the reason of motion sickness. Keep in mind that Coaster is a passive virtual experience and was really made for those friends and family members who have not even tried Virtual Reality before. If you added all the sounds and removed the blinders for someone who has never tried Virtual Reality, it possible it could be a not so good experience and a memorable one at that. But, by adding the blinders and adding the sounds of space or the birds outside, it does give off a much calmer and welcoming exprience.
There are some things I would like to have seen added. For one, the option for those that are more experienced with Virtual Reality to remove the blinders. Another thing would more coasters to ride and experience. Possibly adding rides and experiences with the different seasons such as winter with the Northern Lights.
Coaster may not have all the mechanical sounds of a roller coaster or the screams of the crowds as you are riding and may not be for everyone, but it does welcome and allow those new to Virtual Reality that want to see what it’s all about. For those who have been affected by the pandemic, and even those friends and family members who may be disabled a chance to escape their own lives for a moment and experience what a coaster feels like again or just being able to just try something new. And any chance that we can welcome someone into Virtual Reality, shouldn’t we show them?
Coaster is out now on PlayStation VR, Steam, Gear VR, Oculus Go, and the Oculus Rift/S on the Oculus Store, and Viveport. A review code was provided.
To learn more about Monster Paw, please visit their site.
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I have some people who want to ride a roller coaster for the first time.
