When Virry VR: Feel the Wild was announced for PlayStation VR, I got kinda excited. Not only because they were the winner of The Webby People Choice Award 2017 in VR, but to be able to sit at home to go on an African Safari all with the help of PS VR was something that I knew would be special and yet at the same time to see where VR is headed and I wasn’t disappointed. Published and developed by Fountain Digital Labs Limited, you are presented with a chance to get up and close with these fascinating animals in ways that most people will never get to experience.
When you first start Virry VR: Feel the Wild, which can be played with or without the PlayStation VR, you are given some options such as settings, Woodland, Savannah, River, Live and Virry Club. I started with the River and I have never felt so relaxed with these live cameras. You are narrated with facts about the river and are never once rushed, which I appreciate and even told to take my time and to continue when I felt like it. I spent about a good 5 – 10 minutes just watching the waterfall or run along all while enjoying the atmosphere. This may be my new favorite happy place.
I then moved to the Woodland and the Savannah options. I was able to get up close with Vervet Monkeys as they ate some watermelon, fed some meat to some Hyenas and Leopard, feeding African Elephants and honestly had fun to learn about the animals and the popup questions to keep me wanting to continue which I find refreshing and educational on a fun level. I will say that having a rhino come up and take a mud bath and just being free did put a smile on my face.
Also watching the Zebras in their natural habitat while listening to the sounds that they make really shows what VR is capable of. But for those that may not like the Circle of Life, there is a scene where there is an animal that was eating and you learn some interesting facts about the Hyena that was new to me and I appreciate the actual facts. You also get Virry Club, that once you sign up for, which is free, you get 3 free months of live camera footage and while when I tried only one was working, the live cameras are not in VR, but it’s still interesting and educational to just escape to watch.
Will Virry VR: Feel the Wild be the go-to app for PlayStation VR? For any animal lover and their natural habitats and if you have any children, they will love the 360 escape. I still would recommend this to anyone who would ask for a suggestion of something to add to their collection and it would be great to show someone the PlayStation VR that’s not scary. But I will say this, there were parts where you are listening to the narration and was told to look behind me and there was an animal right there, so it does have a small jump factor to it. But having an animal trying to lick or eat you in VR to see if you are edible has its own specialty to it that I can appreciate and welcome any new type of experiences that can add to VR.
Even if you might look at the pictures or see some videos or even this review and think that might not be for you, just keep in mind, some of these animals are endangered. A review key was provided. And even when my subscription ends, I plan on helping make a difference, to continue the monthly subscription of the live feeds for about $2.50 a month, which a $1.00 would then go to support the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy that will hopefully keep these beautiful animals alive for generations to come.
Virry VR: Feel the Wild is out now on PlayStation VR and is also available on the Oculus Rift/S and Gear VR on the Oculus Store. A review code was provided.
To learn more about Virry VR and learn how you can help out, please visit the site and make sure like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, follow them on Instagram, and subscribe to their YouTube channel. For other opportunities and ways to contribute with Conservation, please visit www.tusk.org, vhil.stanford.edu, and www.gorillas.org.
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy.
Mr. PSVR, June 23, 2017, theplaystationbrahs.com
