I’ve always been excited for VR but unfortunately, my predisposition to motion sickness has made my experiences hit and miss. I was super keen to play Resident Evil 7 in VR, but I simply couldn’t handle it.
Moss is a VR game that worked really well, but only because you didn’t move.
When I read about Firewall Zero Hour I was again, super keen, but I was worried that motion sickness would ruin it for me. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Somehow, First Contact Entertainment has created a VR shooter that works and doesn’t induce vomiting.
Kudos!
Firewall Zero Hour Review
Firewall Zero Hour is essentially Rainbow Six Siege in VR. It’s an incredibly cut down version of Siege, but the basic gameplay is the same. An online-only title, Firewall Zero Hour pits two teams of four against each other.
One team is defending and the other attacking. The defenders need to prevent the attacks from hacking a laptop, while the attackers need to complete the hack. Like in Siege, victory can also be achieved by defeating all opposing players.
At launch, this is the only mode really available for players. There is a tutorial which you can play against AI with friends, but the main mode, Contracts, is the only way to play against other people.
It might seem lacking in content and truthfully, it is a little. However, thanks to clever design and a great use of VR, you’ll be enjoying the game so much you won’t even notice you’ve been doing the same thing over and over.
That’s the standard MO for shooters in any case and with a reduced price, it’s easily forgivable. The developer also recently announced that it will continue to support Firewall Zero Hour post-launch, so stay tuned.
Flank or Be Flanked
Teamwork is key in Firewall Zero Hour and it’s actually really cool to chat with other players while you all explore this virtual world. Using VR is much more immersive than a normal game, but the added teamwork and chat just go a step further and really makes you feel a part of the game.
As the maps are so small and the objectives so structured, you’re going to need to communicate with your team to make sure you take the victory. As with other realistic military shooters, it only takes a few bullets to down you and only one or two more to finish you off for good.
If you’re down, you’ll need a teammate to revive you quickly in order to get back into the fight. If you don’t make it, you can flip between a range of CCTV cameras to act as a spotter.
One problem that’s pretty prevalent though is long wait times for matches. Even though there seems to be a robust community, being a platform exclusive and a VR title, the player pool is much smaller than a standard game.
However, due to the smaller community, games are much friendlier and much more welcoming to new players.
Under Control
Controlling your character in Firewall Zero Hour can be done using the DualShock 4, but it’s much less impressive than using the Aim controller.
When using the DualShock the immersion is broken and aiming is much less precise. While playing, you’re at a huge disadvantage too. I could always tell who was using the Aim controller and who was using a DualShock.
The players with the Aim controller were much, much better.
Using either controller is how you move and aim, but it’s the way you can look around your environment thanks to VR that truly helps this game stand out. You can peek around corners, look over objects and have a much better view of your surroundings than with a static screen.
Peering around a corner, spotting an enemy and letting your teammate know is great. What’s even better is then watching them take the enemy out thanks to your lookout skills.
Play Your Way
By default, Firewall Zero Hour flicks the screen as you turn the right stick. It also adds a vignette when you sprint. Both measures have been put in place to reduce motion sickness, which I am incredibly thankful for.
However, if you’re not someone who suffers, you can turn both of these options off and enjoy a much smoother, more immersive experience. Especially when using the Aim controller.
Easily the best VR shooter available Firewall Zero Hour does so much right that it’s easy to forgive the shortcomings. The fact that matches are player hosted can be frustrating when the host leaves and the match ends prematurely as can the aforementioned long wait times.
However, when you get a good long stretch of matches you’ll definitely find yourself having a great time.
Firewall Zero Hour was reviewed on PS4 using a digital code provided by Sony.
PowerUp! Reviews
Game Title: Firewall Zero Hour
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VR FPS that doesn't give me motion sickness - 9/109/10
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Simple, but incredibly effective use of VR - 8.3/108.3/10
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Limited gameplay options - 6.1/106.1/10
