We’re off to see the Wizard…the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It’s ok to sing. Sing it like nothing else. But can you sing while staying in rhythm while moving your arms and hearing the story from the husband of the Wicked Witch? Well, I suggest you step up, listen to the tale, and keep the rhythm going because Virtro Entertainment has brought us a special gem with Run Dorothy Run for the PlayStation VR.
Run Dorothy Run is the first major release from Virtro Entertainment. This is an endless runner game. You are Dorothy and along running with you is Toto. When you first start, you are introduced to the husband of the Wicked Witch, and he tells his tales of what went wrong. A flying monkey is also on the journey and while I was listening to the story and what was going on and having the flying monkey go back and forth with the ex-husband, yet supporting you and trying to help, I realized this may be more of an intervention for the husband. Therapeutic healing is strong here.
Run Dorothy Run does require both Move Controllers that are represented by two scepters. Your job on this endless running of 16 levels with three difficulty settings for each. Your job is to collect the gems. But it’s not as simple as that. The music along with the gems needs to be collected in a rhythmically way. Doing this with the music, (which I must say is very catchy, in fact, I want the soundtrack) all while listening to what is going on and in the immersiveness of Virtual Reality, will truly allow you to hone your multitasking skills.
As you are collecting the gems, you will be moving your arms. Trying to match the scepters with the gems in the positions they are coming along with the beat of the music is a refreshing and welcomed adventure to PlayStation VR and I for one appreciate it. On some levels there will be enemies, from you will need all while trying to collect the gems, which if you hit it at the wrong beat and time, may distract you from seeing where the gems are coming up next. This isn’t a bad thing and it did make me want to replay the level so I could collect them…nice try big flying monkey…nice try.
The more gems you collect, the higher your combos will be. There are some special gems that you will want to look out for and try to collect that will allow you to get a higher score to even send Toto running off to help. But this is why it’s important to keep the rhythm going. If you miss a gem, then your combo is gone. But I look at it as a challenge that I am happy to accept.
Now if you are one that cannot concentrate on the music, rhythm, and story at the same time, you can turn down the sound effects and music in the options. The only thing I wish that was included was leaderboards. Being able to compete and try to be the best at the three different levels is always a nice touch. And who knows, maybe there will be an update later.
While I am playing Run Dorothy Run, I noticed the environments and the graphics. Some may not appreciate the art style that was used and might think there should be something more. To me, using this style with the world of OZ, it just works. It doesn’t need to have this mega Hollywood atmospheric look to it. Run Dorothy Run strives at what it does best…giving us a rhythm game with some good music, allowing us to get moving, and all while telling an alternately comical and fun version of a classic story. If we have an opportunity to play a game, that at least for me, that hearing the songs in your head, makes you want to stop and go play, then something has to be right.
Run Dorothy Run is out now on PlayStation VR and is also available on the Oculus Store and Steam. A review copy was provided.
Also, check out the interview with Jordan and Lee Brighton of Virtro Entertainment.
To learn more about Virtro Entertainment, please visit their site, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and follow them on Instagram.
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I have to try and get that 100% on each difficulty.
Mr. PSVR, Febuary 24, 2018, theplaystationbrahs.com
