Augmented Empire revives the Oculus Go narrative technique sport subsequent month with combined actuality assist on Quest, and we went hands-on.
Developed by Coatsink, Augmented Empire is a 2017 turn-based technique sport initially developed for Oculus Go and Gear VR. Set within the cyberpunk metropolis of New Savannah the place persons are divided by a citizen grading system, Augmented Empire sees you main a workforce of misfits and criminals. The story splits between a number of characters and scenes are seen from a top-down view out of your hideout.
The remastered version guarantees visible upgrades with dynamic lighting and PBR, utilizing 4K textures on Quest 3 and 2K textures on Quest 2. New combined actuality assist allows you to resize the board inside your playspace, hand monitoring and controller assist are each accessible, whereas different adjustments embrace “improved fight minigames” and achievements.
Earlier than right now’s announcement, Coatsink despatched me an Oculus Go headset with the unique Augmented Empire put in for the reason that unique sport has lengthy been delisted. Technical points prevented me from transferring any recorded gameplay footage off the headset, so Coatsink offered the next gameplay video for comparability.
Augmented Empire gameplay footage on Oculus Go. B-roll offered by Coatsink.
As somebody who missed the period of smartphone-based VR and 3DoF headsets (my major introduction to VR was with the Oculus Rift S and PlayStation VR), taking part in the Go model has been an eye-opener. On the time, our overview praised it as a “uncommon deal with” for cellular VR that gives “a ton of content material, a compelling narrative, and cleverly designed encounters.”
After an hour with the Go model, I am inclined to agree and Coatsink did effectively to work round these {hardware} limitations. Now that it is free from the shackles of 3DoF, Augmented Empire is way improved for it. That is most notable with the controls, you are now not constrained to aiming by angling your headset in a sure route or utilizing a gamepad.
Very like Witchblood or Dragon Entrance Rising on Quest, introducing combined actuality seems like a good way to develop the present idea. Augmented Empire presents its maps like a digital model of the mission discipline that you simply view out of your workplace, so having the ability to “place” that show in your desk is a very good concept in combined actuality. Gripping each side of the map allows you to conveniently resize it at will and on Quest 3, the character fashions and environments look sharp even at bigger sizes.
Our remastered demo solely lasted quarter-hour, however it’s lengthy sufficient to spotlight how a lot has modified. Our purpose includes discovering a powerful recruit for our trigger, ending up in a battle in opposition to a number of males from a gaggle known as Detritum. Some nice voice performing units the tone effectively, with the forged together with Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager), Doug Cockle (The Witcher), and Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3).
Fight stays turn-based and each map is tile-based in a fashion harking back to Hearth Emblem. Hand monitoring already seems like a pure match and urgent tiles to maneuver your character or choose actions works effectively. On this occasion, I favor the precision that controllers supply however I am glad that a number of enter choices can be found, comparable to a laser pointer or direct contact.
Every character has a typical assault utilized by pointing on the focused foe in the event that they’re in vary, whereas particular talents like extra pictures with lowered accuracy can be utilized should you’ve obtained AP. Maps present loads of areas for potential cowl and the strategic fight is satisfying, albeit a contact too straightforward in locations.
Notably, Remastered’s largest gameplay change thus far includes eradicating the timed bar initially utilized in fight. Beforehand, you needed to time pictures good when attacking with the potential to land a essential hit. That additionally utilized to dodging or decreasing injury when enemies assault you. The outdated strategy was higher; you’re feeling extra accountable for your character’s future, particularly when you’ll be able to assure essential hits on every flip with some apply. Fortunately, Coatsink confirmed that whereas this is not within the demo, it is an non-obligatory function that shall be current within the full sport.
As somebody who missed the earliest days of client VR gaming, I am happy to see video games I initially missed like Augmented Empire get a second likelihood. Coatsink’s narrative technique sport seems like an excellent match for combined actuality, and whereas it is exhausting to talk definitively after a brief demo, the early indicators are promising.
Augmented Empire arrives on the Horizon Retailer on November 21.
Augmented Empire Assessment: Flip-Primarily based Techniques Meet Deep Storytelling
When a VR sport goes the extra steps to make all the pieces not solely really feel and play nice within a headset, but additionally have lore-appropriate explanations for quirky gamified caveats like a third-person top-down digital camera angles, I actually admire it extra. Within the case of different comparable titles like Dragon
Coatsink knowledgeable UploadVR after publication that the timed fight bar shall be an non-obligatory function within the full launch, confirming this function is not current within the demo construct. We have up to date the article to replicate this.
