Pistol Whip Review – Whip ‘Em Up Shooter

by Salal Awan

PSVR 2 offers a lot of exciting ways to become immersed in the VR experience, and Pistol Whip takes full advantage of them. The game makes use of eye tracking, head tracking, Sense controller, haptic feedback, and 3D audio of PSVR 2 to provide the most immersive experience for an arcade game that we have seen so far since the launch of Sony’s new headset.

Pistol Whip is not a new game since it was already available for the PSVR. However, the jump to PSVR 2 is monumental in several ways, providing an exhilarating amount of fun with an immersive experience. The Sense controllers, along with haptic feedback, offer precise and immersive controls. The new 3D audio mixed with the excellent soundtrack makes our bodies thrive with every beat of the action.

In Pistol Whip, the player takes control of an action hero. The main appeal of the game is that it attempts to recreate cinematic scenes that we have seen in our favorite action movies like John Wick. The gameplay is simple: with the use of the Sense controller, we can use weapons with the precise aim to take care of any enemies that come our way. Head tracking helps to steer clear of enemy attacks or obstacles that might come along the way. However, this means that the game is not playable in a seated position, even if it is theoretically possible to play it this way.

Pistol Whip provides an unlimited amount of replay value with many customization choices. You can modify and customize your weapons, adjust the difficulty level to challenge yourself, and go through various stages to unlock even more content. Each of the weapons feels different, thanks to the clever use of haptic feedback. The finger touch detection allows us to interact with the environment, which is another aspect of PSVR 2 that doesn’t get much use in other games.

If you are looking for a great game that is not only fun solo but can also be a hit at parties, Pistol Whip is the best choice for it right now. Beat Saber is not available for the PSVR 2 yet, and Pistol Whip feels like the best possible alternative. The game has a diverse soundtrack that covers plenty of genres, so you won’t ever get bored of it. Whether you want to dance to the beats of hip-hop or go metal, the game has it covered with its vast soundtrack. There are so many unlockables in the game that it can feel overwhelming at first, but this also encourages us to play more to get more content out of it. I appreciate that the developers have provided so much content with the game considering its price and haven’t tried to lock it behind paid DLC.

As an added bonus, Pistol Whip is not just a simple arcade shooter; it can also prove to be a good fitness game. Since it requires you to move around, dodge enemy attacks or obstacles, and attempt to clear stages with a set condition, it can get a lot of work out of you easily. I was sweating while going through some of the harder stages just by playing the game with a PSVR 2, so this can be a fun side activity to burn some calories.

Pistol Whip might be a casual game if you stick with an easy difficulty, but on higher difficulty settings, it can be quite challenging. The game requires precise skills and reflexes to make way to some of the later stages. The hours of content provided in the game, along with unlimited replay value, make it an essential purchase for the PSVR 2.

Pistol Whip Game Information

  • Price: $29.99
  • Publisher: Cloudhead Games
  • Developer: Cloudhead Games
  • Platform: PSVR 2 (Reviewed)
  • Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher

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