Summary
World War Z VR might not wow you with visuals, but when you’re surrounded by fast, screaming zombies and scrambling for ammo, it delivers the chaos the franchise is known for. It’s buggy, sure, but if you want to sweat through a VR headset while feeling like you’re one jump scare away from being zombie food, just wait until the real undead show up at your door.
Developer – Saber Interactive
Publisher – Saber Interactive
Platforms – Meta Quest 3S (Reviewed), SteamVR
Review copy given by Publisher
Saber Interactive has released its new single-player, immersive FPS based on the blockbuster Paramount Pictures film. World War Z VR puts players face-to-face with overwhelming hordes of zombies, providing what could be a very thrilling experience or a horrifying experience, depending on whether you like zombies up close.
For someone who doesn’t play a ton of VR games, the controls in World War Z VR were easy to get used to, such as picking up your weapon, healing yourself, etc.
In World War Z VR, you are faced with pressure during the moments you’ll have to survive a horde of zombies in any location. You’ll have to make sure you look around for any sort of loot, such as ammo, grenades, or new weapons, or else you will be out of luck. The first major horde you deal with is in the first mission of the game, and even that could provide some difficulty for your first time playing.
The zombies have a great chance at surprising you because they’ll come from behind, the sides, and, of course, the front. There have been multiple times when I found myself having a jumpscare here and there throughout my experience.
Challenging Gameplay
If you’re familiar with the zombies from World War Z, you know they are fast and pose a significant challenge. The VR version maintains this intensity. I honestly found the game to be more challenging than I expected, which could be frustrating for someone seeking a solid VR experience.
Holding each gun or throwing grenades is actually fun and comfortable using the Meta Quest controllers. However, during my gameplay experience, I noticed a decent amount of bugs and loading issues.
I played while sitting and standing. In my time with the game, I’d say the best way to play is by standing if you can.
Visually Average
Don’t expect to be blown away by the visuals in World War Z VR. The graphics are pretty standard, which is common for most virtual reality games. The art style can be described as average, and the character designs could be better. The zombies themselves don’t look particularly terrifying; the only genuinely frightening aspect is when they unexpectedly attack you and make startling noises, when you least expect it.
Audio
The audio in this game may be its best feature, from the character sounds to the environmental design. It is perhaps the one aspect of the entire VR experience that is as close to perfection as possible.
Verdict
World War Z offers a challenging experience with a range of weapons and characters to choose from. If you enjoy games featuring zombies, this is definitely a title for you.
VR games can be hard to come by for headset owners, but World War Z is a solid option to consider, especially given its price. While I wouldn’t expect it to deliver a spectacular experience, it’s still a worthwhile game to play and enjoy.
