Preview: Aim Assault
I’ve been chatting a lot about how developers are overlooking a fantastic chance to revive beloved light-gun shooters such as Time Crisis, Virtua Cop, Point Blank, and House of the Dead in Virtual Reality. The use of tracked motion controllers in this medium is ideal for reintroducing these classic games. On Point on Steam has already adapted a game similar to Point Blank for PCVR, and now DIVR Labs is working on bringing Time Crisis into the VR space with Aim Assault. I recently got to try out one of the levels in both day and night settings. Does this sneak peek indicate promising potential?
Release Date: To be announced
Developer: DIVR Labs
Publisher: DIVR Labs
Previewed On: Meta Quest 3 with Link Cable
Demo Coming to Steam on Thursday 13th February
* Access Provided For Preview *
To start, I went through the training level, designed to familiarise you with the fundamental mechanics of the game. It allows you to experience the automatic movement system and simple gunplay, similar to the classic light-gun shooters from the past. The tutorial also covers how to shoot med kits for health recovery and demonstrates that you can play with or without crosshairs. While the tutorial is short, it covers everything you need, as the game operates just like the nostalgic titles of earlier days.
After playing the tutorial, I had the chance to play levels, which was a day and night variation of the same Villa level. These play the exact same in relation to enemy locations, the different is Night Villa presents you with a tougher challenge. As previously mentioned the team at DIVR Labs have wanted to bring the Time Crisis experience to Virtual Reality with Aim Assault.
They’ve taken inspiration from the time-based mechanics of Time Crisis but opted to eliminate the cover system, requiring players to dodge incoming fire instead. While there are certain areas in the levels where you can find physical cover, for the most part, you’ll be exposed. I think this was a wise decision because it eliminates potential accessibility issues and the requirement for a button-press cover system. Additionally, I appreciate how this decision evokes a bit of the classic Virtua Cop feel while incorporating the Time Crisis time element, which really resonates with me as a SEGA kid and brings back an extra wave of nostalgia.
In addition to the exciting challenge presented in the Night Villa level, there are more challenges to explore. First up is the ‘One Life Mode,’ where you must navigate without taking any damage. For those seeking an even tougher experience, there’s the ‘Insta Death Mode,’ which ends the game if an enemy fires a shot. As mentioned earlier, you can choose to have crosshairs or turn them off entirely. Plus, you have the option to select between single or dual guns, giving you the freedom to play in a way that fits your style perfectly. The team has also included a vignette tunneling feature that activates when the game moves you automatically, providing support for those who experience motion sickness.
The game features a variety of unlockable gun types and skins, which is a fantastic addition. In the preview I experienced, I encountered several weapons: the basic gun, a silencer, and arcade-style guns, with the latter resembling the G-Con 45 that came with Time Crisis. Players have the option to personalise their firearms with a range of skins, which can be obtained by completing challenges, such as finishing levels while activating extra challenges. In addition to unlocking these items, the game boasts leaderboards, encouraging players to return and improve their times to claim the top spot. There are multiple leaderboards available, categorised by level (Day or Night Villa), gun type, single or dual guns, and crosshair or no crosshair.
My experience with Aim Assault has definitely sparked some nostalgia for me. It feels like a fantastic blend of Time Crisis and Virtua Cop, which are undoubtedly the top two light-gun shooters out there. This game is off to a promising start, and the team has plans to roll out additional content in the form of purchasable level packs. I believe this is a smart way for a small developer to grow the game, but its overall success will hinge on the frequency of these releases and their pricing. The demo I played will be available on Steam starting February 13th, so be sure to check it out and relive the excitement of classic light-gun shooters!