Townsmen successfully transitioned into the VR landscape last year, and with the launch of PSVR 2, the game is now fully playable with all of its features. This real-time strategy game with a god complex allows players to control and command small living beings in the world of Townsmen using their hands. While the original game is entertaining, the VR version adds a layer of immersion that makes us feel like we are watching the action unfold before our eyes.
Townsmen VR is a well-crafted game, not just hastily adapted for VR as a gimmick. The developers have fine-tuned the controls for the Sense controllers, which work quite well, apart from some confusion regarding the control schemes. The opening tutorial covers most of the basic gameplay mechanics, and the game is one of the rare few that doesn’t induce motion sickness, even after extended play.
In the game, the player’s hands are tied to the Sense controllers, and movement is executed through hand gestures. While enjoyable, a more refined system could have been helpful. However, once players dive into the game, there is plenty to relish. The immersion is heightened by the ability to grab anything in the game’s world, such as humans or animals, and direct them to complete tasks, like building bridges or chopping down trees. Players can also construct buildings and other objects by placing them using their hands, effectively replacing the mouse cursor with two hands while fully supporting the Sense controllers.
The control scheme is a double-edged sword; it enhances immersion but can make certain tasks tedious. Despite spending considerable time in the game, I still made errors when placing buildings and struggled to navigate to desired locations on the map. Fortunately, the simplicity of Townsmen VR compensates for these issues. The game doesn’t require mastering the complexities of managing a living city but rather focuses on resource management and ensuring the Townsmen are well-fed and protected.
A fast-forward option would have significantly benefited Townsmen VR. As characters work on assigned tasks, the process can be slow, especially for simple tasks. While it’s possible to pass time by interacting with the world, a feature to skip animations would have been useful. Admittedly, this may have disrupted the immersive aspect of experiencing everything live in the VR world, but the novelty of this factor fades after a few hours of gameplay.
Kudos to the developers for providing ample content. Townsmen VR offers a sandbox mode for endless creativity, as well as a campaign mode for completionists seeking a sense of purpose in their missions. With a decent amount of content available, VR newcomers will find plenty to enjoy. Although I would have preferred more complex systems in Townsmen VR, the game seems to target beginners in the RTS genre, which may explain the lack of complexity and options.
In conclusion, Townsmen VR is an enjoyable game that takes advantage of the PSVR 2 headset to enhance the original experience. Far from being a shoddy port, it is a well-implemented game that offers fun and immersive entertainment for the VR community.
Townsmen VR Game Information
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: HandyGames
- Developer: HandyGames
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
