Review: Humanity
1. Enhance has introduced us to Humanity, pushing the boundaries of VR gaming with their innovative takes on classics like Rez and Tetris. Their success in transforming these games caught my attention right away, and I was eager to see how the Quest 3 would manage this new experience.
Release Date: March 14th 2024
Developer: tha ltd / Enhance
Publisher: Enhance
Price: £19.99
Reviewed On: Meta Quest 3
* Access Provided For Review *
It's A Society
1. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the game includes a storyline, and it’s quite educational too! It narrates a tale while also teaching players about a society, highlighting the importance of collaboration and how interconnected we all are as humans, often more than we realize.
Tiny Happy People
1. Humanity resembles a contemporary version of Lemmings, but it feels even more unique thanks to the advanced technology we have today. In this game, you take on the role of a Shiba Inu, using your bark to issue commands to a crowd of humans, guiding them toward the light at the end of each level.
Throughout the seven levels, you’ll encounter a variety of challenges that begin quite simply. As you advance, you’ll unlock additional commands, allowing for more inventive solutions. During the gameplay, you’ll instruct the humans to turn, jump, float, split up, follow, and pause as they navigate through the different stages.
After finishing a few sequences, you’ll encounter a boss battle where your goal is to destroy the core. In addition to these boss fights, you’ll also meet ‘The Others,’ which are adversaries you’ll need to navigate around and battle during the trials. You can equip your characters with either lightsaber-like weapons or firearms to take them on. In certain trials, you’ll have to issue commands to either avoid these foes or confront them head-on until you can reach their gate and eliminate it.
Each level also features ‘Goldies,’ which are taller golden figures that serve as collectibles. There are a total of 150 Goldies to find, and collecting them unlocks new appearances and colors for the characters you control. However, gathering these can be tricky; sometimes, you’ll need to guide a specific number of characters to a pressure plate. If you’re dealing with The Others, they might take out too many of your characters, making it difficult to activate the plate or even snatch your Goldies. I made it my mission to collect all the Goldies before progressing to the next trial, and it took me about sixteen hours to do so, which I believe is a solid length for the game.
Minimalistic But Striking
I was initially worried about how the standalone device would manage so many players moving around the stage in this version of the game. However, thanks to its minimalist design, it performs exceptionally well. The simplicity is quite eye-catching! The combination of the minimalistic elements with the floating levels above the clouds and the vibrantly dressed characters creates a beautiful contrast. When other players join the trials and you engage in combat, the bright sparks from the battles enhance the already stunning visual appeal of the game.
The game, a collaboration between Tha Ltd and Enhance, features an incredible soundtrack that enhances your experience. It keeps you engaged while you strategize the placements needed to conquer each trial. With only the Shiba’s bark breaking the silence, the audio design truly complements the gameplay.
Comfort
The Verdict
Enhance has once again impressed us by introducing something truly unique and fresh to the world of VR with Humanity. This game offers a contemporary twist on the classic Lemmings concept, reminiscent of the experimental titles we enjoyed on the PlayStation 2. It’s refreshing to see such creativity, especially since modern gaming often shies away from taking risks. Humanity features engaging and challenging levels, stunning visuals that shine on standalone devices, and an exceptional soundtrack. With a campaign lasting around sixteen hours, a level creator, 150 collectible Goldies, and various styles to unlock, it provides plenty of entertainment for just £19.99.