When you think of the word objectives, what comes to mind? Completion? Goal-oriented? Task? All of these would be correct. But what if in order to complete the objective you were given some help in the form of vehicles? I know what you must be thinking. I know you want to know more. So does Ratloop Games Canada give us the tools to not only complete the objectives but give it to us with an explosive touch? Let’s find out with Vroom Kaboom for the PlayStation VR.
Before going any further I do want to point out that Vroom Kaboom can be played in both VR and non-VR. There are some good and bad with this that I will get into in a little bit.
So what is Vroom Kaboom? Well besides having an awesome name, think Tower Defense + cards + player vs player combinations. The objective is to unleash your vehicles based on your deck and head to the other end to the enemy base to destroy it all while the enemy is doing the same to you. What I really like is when a vehicle is released, that you are able to somewhat control that vehicle (more on this in a minute). There is nothing like semi-driving a bus or a tank while using turbo to then crash into the other enemy vehicles. What I don’t like, is when I have my motorcycle and feel like I’m on top of the world only to be killed by so said enemy bus. This part is truly not fun and only lights my competitive fuse of destruction. Be warned enemy bus…be warned.
But please make note of what I am about to say. When you first start Vroom Kaboom, yes there is a training mode, but you are not going to be handed a tutorial like you might be familiar with. So you have a choice, you may either go out there and learn by crashing and burning or with the help of Ratloop Games Canada, they have given us a breakdown to allow your experience with Vroom Kaboom that much more successful.
Let’s talk about the card aspect of the game. The cards that you play will help determine how strong the vehicle that you set out is.
Cost is what you will need to play the card. But in order for you to play a card, you have to have enough resources in your possession. Not enough resources, then you are allowed to recycle the card, but keep in mind the card will then be removed from your deck and the value of that recycle will be credited to you.
Each of the vehicles has a special ability that can be used many times. However, the ability will need to be cooled down in order to be used again.
Speed on the card is how fast that particular vehicle can go so speed is what you should be looking out for when making your decision of what to play next. More speed = more damage. There is no need to go in the school zone here…rev up those engines and go.
Pay attention to health. The higher the number is how much the vehicle can take before going boom. Use this to your advantage.
Another factor on what card you play will be the damage. More damage the vehicle can do, the better.
With everything else going on, there is something else you will need to pay attention to, Oil and Fire Power. Why are these two important? In order to play a vehicle, they require oil. FirePower has to do with the dealing of damage with higher level vehicles. Once used, they will start to fill up over time. You can either wait for them to fill up or drive over them on the way to the enemy base.
I mentioned earlier about the controls. If you play in non-VR, you will be using the DualShock 4 controller. If you play in VR you will be using the Move Controllers.
I would have loved the ability to be able to use the DualShock 4 controller while in VR. I understand that with everything going on and trying to make it the easiest way to play, but the option should be there. I would also love to have Vroom Kaboom to automatically detect PlayStation VR. But when you have the PlayStation VR headset on, you have to go into settings with the DualShock 4 controller, select VR, enable and then you will be presented in the Virtual Reality fun. This just seems like an extra unneeded step that I am sure can be addressed with an update. But I wanted to point this out.
I also mentioned semi-driving/controlling the vehicle. Since this is a Tower Defense game, you are selecting your vehicle to go an attack. The only real controlling is the ability to switch lanes, using the nitro (speed), and the vehicle’s ability. And if we were to be able to drive there would be more crashes than needed, but those crashes could make for some excellent attacking and defensive plays.
The more XP points you have and the more you level up, you will be able to unlock new cards that you can add to your deck and level up the vehicles which will reflect on their cards. Even changing your look is a welcomed addition that just adds something special.
There are different modes to play in. If you want to play the single mode, you will be playing against the AI. Going online will allow 1 vs 1, 2 vs 2 or even 3 vs 3. However, playing in VR will only allow 1 vs 1. I am not sure why the 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3 is not available in VR. It would be a blast to be able to play with more people or even have global boards that would be great. Again I am sure this can be added. But one thing that may not be able to be added is the ability to have different views. Yes, it would be cool in VR to be in the first person view only to then have a vehicle crash into you, but in a Tower Defense type of game, seeing the different vehicles is something I really appreciate.
The sound fits with the game as well as the immersion that is set here. Every time I am in VR I am truly amazed at what can be done and regardless of how some may feel, the atmosphere of each of the three levels has a different feel. Each of the over 70 vehicles adds something special and each feels unique from the police car to the tank, to the missile and even the scooter. As soon as I saw the scooter I thought of some food delivery person who lost their vehicle as it was destined to be for the greater good.
Sometimes chances are taken and sometimes they are executed and become missed opportunities. We don’t know what opportunities may be missed if we never take the chance on them and don’t we all need a little more chances and opportunities in life?
Vroom Kaboom is out now on PlayStation VR and comes in two different versions. The free version where you have to earn to unlock everything and the premium version that has everything unlocked and is also available on Steam. A review copy was provided.
To learn more about Ratloop Games Canada, please visit their site, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, follow them on Instagram, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I have to go level up.
Mr. PSVR, August 31, 2018, theplaystationbrahs.com
