When you think of survival, what comes to mind? Is it something that you foresee as something that is out in the wild or could be the world as it is now? When it comes to surviving the unknown, things are sure to be a challenge for any who attempts it. But the knowledge of the skills, no matter how strange they may seem, can be a true test of one’s abilities. But do developer, Descent VR Productions Inc., and publisher, Cream Productions bring the skills to survive? Let’s find out with Survivorman VR: The Descent for the Quest 2, 3, and Pro.
Survivorman VR: The Descent is a survival skill game with an authentic and dynamic experience in the breathtaking Canadian Arctic. Face real-world extreme challenges that push your intellect, emotions, and physical abilities to the limit. So before you try to survive the Arctic, there are a few things you should be aware of. First, make sure you have some arm-length room. You will be moving your arms and body to some degree and you want to make sure you do not hit anything or anyone. Second, make sure those controllers are charged. You don’t want to be stuck out in the cold all because you forgot to charge them, do you? Third, I am not going to spoil anything for anyone. And finally, just have some fun. With all that said, let’s continue…
When starting any expedition adventure that you may not have an ounce of knowledge or skills to make the best out of a bad situation, it is always a good idea to read up on things such as what you might need, any snacks, a good camera for those memories you will be making, maybe a book such as Will To Live by Les Stroud, and well, someone that can be there with you to make sure you can survive with whatever nature may throw your way.
Speaking of Les Stroud, you know, the Survivorman, who has been on T.V. for so many seasons and who has taught many how to make it off the land? Well, starting out, you do receive a welcome greeting from him about how he can teach anyone, yes, even you, how to survive the Arctic from the scenario he has created. What is the scenario you may wonder, basically make it down the mountain and try to survive along the way. Sound simple, right?
So before actually starting, go into Settings and select if you want to play standing or sitting, your locomotion & turn style, the control scheme, and what gear you have. Once you actually start your adventure, you are in a chopper. It has everything you could possibly need along the way, including Altoids, and all you should need to do at this point is just enjoy the ride. Well, you would enjoy the ride if you didn’t have to exit the chopper the way that you do. Lucky for you, there is a lot of snow and you have Les there to help you along the way.
Not only is it a matter of survival for yourself so you don’t die, but you will also have to use different resources such as breaking a crate to help use as shoes so you can travel in the snow to eating off the land to making sure you have enough wood to stay warm all to make sure your survival is a success. Not only do you have assistance from Les from time to time but it’s going to be very helpful to listen to what is being said, but you also have the device on your wrist that will show your priorities as well as health. So it really can be a matter of life or death.
You will come across a backpack that will become your inventory system, so don’t forget to use it. To access it, all you need to do is just reach over your shoulder. Oh, when you get the backpack, don’t forget the water bottle as it very well may have a familiar logo that you will probably recognize.
Let’s talk about the graphics and sound. Playing Survivorman VR: The Descent on the Quest 3, looked good. Some will look and say that the graphics may have that simple look about them, but it works here because it’s effective. What we have here is a game that puts in a simulation that creates a convincing and immersive world that immerses you with its details of the environment with realistic snow and ice and seeing Les Stroud up close as a hologram of sorts, looked almost lifelike in a way.
The sound was equally lifelike with the wind howling to where you almost have this sense of what it must feel like out there in the cold as if the wind itself was piercing the side of your face to the point of hurting. Even hearing Les himself speak made it feel like he was right beside you the whole time.
There are a few things that I would love to see. First, optimization for the Quest 3. With the higher resolution of the headset, it would be interesting to see how far the graphics could be pushed. Second, different choices. It would be interesting to see how the player would survive if faced with different choices for survival and how those injuries could actually affect the outcome. And finally, more adventures with Les.
Survivorman VR: The Descent isn’t trying to be something it is not, but does what it sets out to do, bring the world of Survivorman into your home in new and positive ways. In life, we are faced with challenges every day. Sometimes we have to fail at times in order to succeed, but it’s when we have the skills that are needed, that can we truly survive.
Survivorman VR: The Descent is out now for the Quest 2, 3, and Pro on the Meta Store and coming soon to Steam VR. A review code was provided.
To learn more about the game, please visit the site, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and subscribe to the YouTube channel.
To learn more about Cream Productions, please visit their site, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I think I am going to go watch Survivorman.
