CastleStorm VR Review – Tower-defense Doesn’t Need VR to be fun

Avid gamers may recall a game by the name of CastleStorm. Four years ago, the game was originally released for most consoles, including the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita. Fast forward to 2017, and the game has received a VR version compatible with the PlayStation VR. Not everyone feels there was a need for such a VR game, though, as 2.5D tower-defense games often don’t translate well to virtual reality. It is still a decent game, though.

CastleStorm VR is a Fun Game But Doesn’t Really Need VR

Out of all tower-defense games we have played in the past, none of them needs a VR component to make it appealing. CastleStorm is no different in this regard, as we played the PS3 version years ago and had plenty of fun with it. Then again, we just had to try the virtual reality version as well. Players are dropped into a virtual cinema while booting up the game, which is used to introduce gamers to the story. Speaking of which, the story is just filler content,but hardly anyone plays tower-defense games because they want a good story.

The main difference between the regular and VR version is how the other one lets you do everything in virtual reality. Players are still defending their castle from the incoming enemies, whereas other levels let you go on the offensive for a change. The special levels are still as fun as they used to be many years ago. However, we can’t find a good reason to warrant a VR version of this game. We probably won’t be the only ones either, but it is a valid option for those who never played the original game.

As is usually the case with these types of games, the concept is simple to learn, but it has a steep difficulty curve when you reach the latter levels. In fact, the higher levels are so challenging it borders on a frustrating experience, but in  a good way. The worst case scenario will see players get annoyed now and then, but that is to be expected from a game that is not exactly a walk in the park. It is a tower-defense game with some longevity, for which it deserves to be praised.

In the end, the VR version of CastleStorm makes little sense, as you don’t even need the PS VR controllers to play the game. Nor is there PSVR Aim support, but that is to be expected. This type of game needs to be played with a regular DS4 controller, which is something most gamers will certainly appreciate. Other than seeing some cutscenes in a VR cinema, the game has no “VR feeling” to it whatsoever. Then again, for the price of US$14,99, we can hardly complain as the game is so much fun.

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