Hangry Bunnies From Mars Review (HTC Vive)
For the purposes of transparency, this review was created using a code provided by the company or their respective PR company. The use of a review code does not affect my judgement of the game.
Another arcade-style shooter has made its way over the HTC Vive, in the form of Studio299’s indie title Hangry Bunnies From Mars. As you will most likely tell from the title the game has tried to bring humour into this popular VR gaming genre. But, does the title offer enough to feel like something from a different planet?
Hangry Bunnies From Mars does not incorporate any sort of story, hell I don’t even think there is an end of the game (well until you die). The comedic voice overs basically explain that you are a clone, and then your job is take out the bunnies attacking from Mars, and that is it.
The way you will take on this bunny invasion is by using guns, three in total which will unlock the further you progress through the waves. The bunnies will be dropped on by the ships in three possible directions; in front of you, to your left or right. So, this game is best played stood up in order to give the opportunity to turn freely – and you need to do this when it gets to the later stages.
You will get three different enemy types thrown at you throughout the waves. The normal enemy is the nice looking bunny, although it does turn into an evil black and green alien with sharp teeth when shot. Then you face one with black smoke around them, they get close enough they’ll make your screen black. Then to finish them off you get some sort of juggernaut bunny, that will swallow you whole – and you will have to proceed by shooting its uvula.
As previously mentioned, there is also three weapons to help you take care of these attacking bunnies. The beauty of the gun is that it just transforms – the problem with this beauty it’s not just a quick switch of your weapon. You will start with single shot pistols, which will then upgrade to automatic rifles, and then finally a gun which is half vacuum and half grenade launcher. With the final gun you will vacuum the bunnies that have changed into the aliens, and then these become your grenades to fire at the enemies. Also with your guns you will get two special abilities; one that pushes them further back and another than calms down on the enemies in the blast radius.
So those are your enemies, and the weapons at your disposal, as I said now it is just your job to survive the attack for as long as you can.
One thing I really like about Hangry Bunnies From Mars is the visuals. These really bright bold colours and the cartoon looks really makes this game great to look at. It also really looks sharp and the lack of rough edges is something that keeps you immersed in the world. Also the transitions between the different guns are really smooth and don’t effect the how the game runs. This is one of the few games that have mixed the cute bold visuals with something that can also make you got ‘ewwww’.
Also with the strong visual style they have added the comic value, with the voice overs while playing the game. They will just make comments throughout the waves that at moments will make you laugh. But, this is expected when they have worked with Jeremy Adams, who is a writer and producer for LEGO, DC Comics and Warner Brothers – who can make this hectic overwhelming game have a laid-back fun side to it.
Control wise its pretty much what you would have expected for a wave base shooter. Especially one where you are placed on the one spot and you don’t move at all, apart from having to turn depending on the part of the city they’re coming from. The controller in each hand will control the gun or part of gun (in the grenade launches case) that is in that hand. Simple as it gets, but that is all this game needs to work – so it’s not a bad thing.
Now, the one issue that faces the game for me, is the fact the games only aim is getting to the top of the leader boards. So, if this is you’re not your idea of what makes a game enjoyable and worth going back to, then you would not really find much in the game. For me it will have a lot more replay value if you have friends around often or have friends with the Vive and the game, because trying to beat friends on the leader boards is a lot more fun than beating strangers.
Conclusion
Hangry Bunnies From Mars does what you would expect from an arcade-style VR shooter. But, brings visuals that can make you go ‘awwww’ and ‘ewwww’ at the same time, with some great comedic value via the audio. However, where the game will have people going back who like to top leader boards, it offers little for everyone else.
Also available on Oculus Rift
Developer: Studio229
