RollerCoaster Legends II: Thor’s Hammer 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.
The team at WarDucks released RollerCoaster Legends (read my review here) around six months ago, now they have brought us a second instalment in RollerCoaster Legends II: Thor’s Hammer. So, have the team added anything to the newest instalment?
First of all like the first instalment this is more of an experience rather than game, as we get chance to experience a new roller coaster inside of our own homes. In RollerCoaster Legends II, you are placed into Norse mythology. And you are going to come across giants, elves, trolls and fire-breathing dragon throughout the ride.
One issue I outlined I’m my review of the original was where you would like an experience to have you fully immersed, the wide open areas really took some of that away. I am happy to say in Thor’s Hammer they have made most of the areas of the experience built up or taking place in tight tunnels. With the more open areas having the elves firing arrows at you, or coming across the giants, trolls and the dragon – meaning you’re dragged into the ride a lot more. Also they have added a lot more turns and drops throughout the track, meaning you are always waiting for when that next big drop is coming. As with the first instalment they have used the sound well to add to the immersion that this offers – only difference being it isn’t needed to save the immersion in this one. The great use for the sounds in this one include; the changes in track noise as you enter tunnels, the music and the sound effects are great during the whole experience.
With what was mentioned above bringing better immersion in this instalment, you certainly feel all the feelings you expect on a roller coaster. The anticipation when you see that big drop, the feeling of butterflies as you hit the bottom of them. With this being the case in Thor’s Hammer they have introduced multiple comfort settings – which will increase the size of the blinder around the edge of the screen. Leaving this experience open for those who might not be so comfortable using VR.
Now one massive addition to Thor’s Hammer, is the team have introduced a Challenge mode – which adds some gameplay to your experience. In this mode you are given some carved wooden laser guns, and around the same track you get in experience mode they place fifty artefacts. So far I have yet to collect all of these, because some are placed in challenging locations, and your laser can lose power if held in too long. Adding something extra to what the game is offering, as you now have a reason to go back to it yourself.
Of course the game is made to played in a seated position, as given this is seated roller coaster it is essential for the immersion. If you choose experience mode, you track motion controllers have no use. However, as you would expect in Challenge mode they both represent one of these wooden laser tools, in the corresponding hand. To collect the artefacts you need to press the touch pad to fire the beam, and then the trigger to collect it.
Again the ride/experience is going to last around the 8 minutes mark, and the aforementioned Challenge mode gives you a reason to return to the game. But, of course if you won’t use the challenge mode there will be little in the experience for you. Although if you have family and friends it is the perfect introduction to VR, as with first title. Given the time and size of the experience WarDucks have again made the price correctly reflect what their title is offering, with RollerCoaster Legends II costing £4.79 on Steam. So, why not strap yourself in for another ride with RollerCoaster Legends II.
Also available on Oculus Rift and Playstation VR
Developer: WarDucks
