Synapse: A Novel Roguelite FPS in VR
A roguelite first-person shooter in virtual reality, Synapse raises questions about its necessity as a roguelite experience. While the game's looping structure, where the full run must be completed three times, initially shows promise, it ultimately falters upon failure. The difficulty levels of Easy, Medium, and Hard may seem enticing, but the game's decision to lock away its best features for arbitrary reasons feels unfair.
Despite its structural limitations, Synapse offers enjoyable gameplay with its fast-paced action and emphasis on close-quarters combat. However, it is worth noting that the intense movement may induce motion sickness in some players. Additionally, the initial scarcity of ammunition and reliance on telekinesis throws can prove ineffective before upgrading weapons.
One of the game's main selling points is the inclusion of renowned voice talents Jennifer Hale and David Hayter. Unfortunately, their contributions are underutilized, with generic grunts from brain guards dominating the audio landscape. While enemies like gunners, exploding foes, flying adversaries, and tanks provide decent variety, their placement and behaviors can sometimes feel unfair. A mini-boss encountered halfway through the game often becomes a source of frustration, appearing earlier and more frequently as players progress.
Despite its frustrations, Synapse excels in first-person shooter gameplay, offering a wide range of weapons, versatility in combat approaches, and diverse enemy types. The roguelite structure provides frequent and meaningful rewards, although it may benefit from starting players at a lower point to allow for gradual progression. Nonetheless, the game's decision to combine VR and roguelite mechanics remains unclear, as does the reasoning behind having an exceptional voice cast that is barely utilized.
Synapse Review – GameCentral's VR Game of the Year Contender?
Overall, Synapse is a decent game that possesses all the necessary components but lacks a clear purpose or direction. It receives a score of 2.5 out of 5. This review is based on a provided PS VR2 code.
Pros:
Cons:
Roguelite games thrive when they have a clear sense of purpose and direction. While Synapse possesses these elements, they fail to fully coalesce. The roguelike aspects offer frequent and meaningful rewards, but the game's decision to incorporate virtual reality and roguelite mechanics remains ambiguous. Similarly, the exceptional voice talents of Jennifer Hale and David Hayter are disappointingly underutilized, overshadowed by generic brain guard grunts.
Despite occasional motion sickness concerns, Synapse excels in delivering a fast-paced first-person shooter experience with its wide range of weapons, combat versatility, and diverse enemy encounters. The roguelite structure provides ample opportunities for progression, although starting players at a lower point may enhance the gradual sense of growth. Ultimately, Synapse is a decent game that has all the necessary components but lacks a clear purpose or direction. It receives a score of 2.5 out of 5. This review is based on a provided PS VR2 code.
