Trombone Champ: Unflattened is an intriguing adaptation of the rhythm comedy sport, although not the whole lot interprets completely for VR. Listed here are our impressions.
When Flat2VR Studios was formally introduced again in March, I had many guesses as to what its first official VR launch can be, particularly contemplating what number of established modders are concerned following earlier VR initiatives. Admittedly, none of these guesses had been Trombone Champ, the hit 2D rhythm sport from Holy Wow Studios that first appeared again in 2022.
I am nonetheless pleasantly shocked Trombone Champ: Unflattened formally exists, and that is even when taking Raicuparta’s earlier BaboonVR mod into consideration. Throughout a quick hands-on demo on Quest 3 at Gamescom 2024, I skilled three generally difficult songs on this demo, and you may’ve satisfied me this was a totally new sport.
Some pleasing modifications guarantee Trombone Champ feels proper at dwelling in VR. The 2D ranges are utterly gone, and Unflattened locations you inside a 3D live performance corridor with distinctive animations. Your efficiency options dwell reactions from the Mii-like characters within the viewers, whose hilarious responses vary from enthusiastic approval to nearly wanting traumatized by your poor efficiency.
Notes seem in your left and proper at alternating intervals. Simply watch out to not toot your personal horn for too lengthy. since your character runs out of breath if that occurs. Seeing the viewers applaud your efficiency is especially good and extra factors are earned by sustaining combos that rewardingly builds a multiplier, step by step filling out a ‘CHAMP meter’ that awards extra factors. Ending a track then earns you a rank from F to S.
This strategy adapts the flatscreen sport in addition to I might realistically hope, and it is definitely a novel strategy in comparison with VR’s greatest rhythm video games like Beat Saber and Synth Riders. However the disconnect between your bodily motion and the way these notes seem leaves the management scheme feeling barely awkward. Notes transfer up and down the display screen because the track progresses, whereas the trombone’s slider wants you to maneuver your hand ahead and backward.
The slider’s movement matches taking part in an precise trombone however your motion does not match how notes seem on display screen. I maintain considering I have to transfer my hand up and down as a substitute, not ahead and backward. That problem will seemingly enhance with continued observe, although I might maintain making that very same mistake all through your complete demo.
The reveal confirmed unlockable and customizable trombones, collectible trombone playing cards, and combined actuality assist, although I did not see any of that in my demo. Unflattened gives an intriguing rhythm sport, and I am happy to see a lot care is being put into this official VR adaptation. Regardless of my management points, Trombone Champ’s charming character continues to be completely current right here.
Trombone Champ: Unflattened launches this fall on the Meta Quest platform, Steam, and PSVR 2.
