Past Blue: After The Storm is a short-lived journey that educates about marine conservation, and it is out now on Quest.
VR is usually a highly effective methodology for elevating consciousness. Whether or not that is by way of video games, movies, or one thing else, putting you inside these digital worlds usually leaves a extra lasting impression. With the ever-increasing menace of local weather change threatening our oceans, seeing VR media tackle such matters is a welcome sight, although I by no means anticipated a VR-only sequel to 2020 flatscreen sport Past Blue.
Whereas The Sea We Breathe explores comparable grounds with a WebXR documentary, Past Blue: After The Storm takes a twin method harking back to Medal of Honor: Above and Past. A collection of unlockable mini-documentaries complement the expertise properly by exploring the science behind Past Blue, although the marketing campaign stays the principle draw.
Taking part in because the marine biologist Mirai, voice actor Erika Ishii offers her some welcome character, and also you’re investigating the injury after a tropical storm hits your analysis base. Disappointingly, you may’t swim through movement controls; motion’s restricted to both the analog sticks or hand propellers activated by the A/X buttons. Although I perceive that is for consolation causes, I want After The Storm would allow you to flip off the propellers’ vignette that kicks in as you velocity up.
Instruments like a scanner and chopping system help Mirai’s journey, letting you scan native fish species/faunas or clear totally different obstacles. The storm’s environmental impression quickly turns into clear as you discover unwell creatures and crops, and seeing sick sharks trapped beneath metallic grates illustrates After The Storm’s themes properly. There is a welcome bluntness that feels particularly potent within the present political local weather.
You may ceaselessly change to a different playable character referred to as Kanaloa, a robotic who largely handles the heavy lifting whereas Mirai handles extra technical work, like fixing cracked tubes with sealant or changing an influence supply. Although you are working with your self, there is a good diploma of co-operation right here between these two, and it is moments like this solo journey might’ve benefitted from co-op assist.
What’s significantly disappointing is how After The Storm stops proper because it will get going. My journey ended after roughly 100 minutes, and that features finishing varied aspect missions with out utterly exhausting them. To its credit score, the properly paced narrative is efficiently holding my curiosity, however the optionally available duties like aiding any sick creatures aren’t significantly enjoyable when all you are doing is capturing therapeutic gel at them. There is not any time to introduce extra complicated mechanics, leaving VR interactions feeling comparatively fundamental.
Nonetheless, After The Storm’s presentation holds up properly on Quest 3: at the least, it does whilst you’re stationary. Taking in these aquatic environments can really feel somewhat nice. Sadly, that is hindered by constant visible pop-in that will get distracting when you begin shifting. Since your avatar is portrayed by floating fingers, it is usually complicated selecting up a instrument since you may’t see them off your “physique,” and I maintain by accident selecting the improper merchandise by hovering over the improper space.
For those who’re hoping for one thing like Subside on Quest, you will not discover it right here, although Past Blue: After The Storm has its moments. Regardless of the presentation points and shallow gameplay, E-Line Media and Chaos Concept Video games present clear dedication to the sport’s environmentalist themes, finally delivering a good narrative journey.
Past Blue: After The Storm is out now on the Meta Quest platform.
