The Tale of Onogoro, a VR game from the developers behind Last Labyrinth, appears to build on the same fundamentals established by its predecessor, such as issuing commands to an NPC. However, it introduces intriguing elements like combat and an engaging narrative to switch up the gameplay. While Last Labyrinth featured limited gameplay elements, The Tale of Onogoro differentiates itself by utilizing the PSVR Sense controllers and headset tracking to offer a variety of gameplay options.
Upon starting the game, players are greeted by Haru, a shrine maiden who has summoned our character to assist her in this world. The visuals in The Tale of Onogoro are vibrant and colorful, a stark contrast to the dark and gloomy atmosphere of Last Labyrinth. This aspect makes it significantly more appealing, and Haru’s charm adds to the allure. The game’s visuals provide a more immersive experience compared to other VR titles, but how does the gameplay measure up?
The Tale of Onogoro aims to deliver a cinematic story in the VR format, and it largely succeeds in doing so. However, this also proves to be one of the game’s drawbacks, as frequent cutscenes and dialogue interrupt the gameplay, resulting in a slower pace of progression overall. One of the appealing aspects of The Tale of Onogoro is its head-scratching puzzles, which are engaging to solve using the in-game mechanics, such as firing or storing energy with a set of futuristic weapons.
The controls are well-integrated with the PSVR 2 requirements, providing full tracking support with the Sense controller. They are not perfect, as there are occasional inconsistencies between player actions and on-screen results. A returning annoyance from Last Labyrinth is the need for reaffirmation from Haru. During certain actions, Haru will look to the player for guidance on whether to proceed or not, further slowing down the gameplay. Players can guide Haru to new levels by using the Sense controller to grab a platform, which she then uses to move around. This mechanic also serves as a puzzle element, as players must guide Haru around specific obstacles.
I enjoyed the variety of puzzles in the game as well. They effectively utilized the different gameplay mechanics, offering a unique twist on traditional gameplay. If the puzzles had been repetitive, the game would have become dull. However, they remain fresh and engaging with the use of weapons and portal-inspired mechanics. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the combat, which is incredibly repetitive. Although some boss fights were enjoyable, there were too few of them interspersed between the game’s short levels.
In comparison to Last Labyrinth, The Tale of Onogoro is significantly more replayable and enjoyable. While it may not fully succeed in delivering an anime-driven action-adventure experience, it doesn’t detract from the game’s overall appeal. I do wish the developers had reduced the frequency of story-driven cutscenes and trimmed the dialogue, but the gameplay is engaging enough to keep players entertained.
The Tale of Onogoro Game Information
- Price: $29.99
- Publisher: Amata K. K.
- Developer: Amata K. K.
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
