It's the kind of game that makes you feel like a skilled warrior while providing enough depth to keep you coming back for more
In the not-so-distant future, where robotic gladiators battle for supremacy in a deadly tournament called Crashloop, Clone Drone in the Hyperdome emerges as a standout VR experience that masterfully blends precise combat mechanics with roguelite elements.
You step into the mechanical body of Blink, a "looprunner" with dreams of climbing the tournament ranks to ultimately face the mysterious Captain. The game's narrative unfolds in the loading room between matches, where you interact with fellow competitors, each harboring their own motivations and stories. These interactions build a surprisingly engaging narrative framework that gives context to your brutal battles.
The world itself is stylishly presented through a voxel-based aesthetic that perfectly complements the game's destructive combat system. The arena settings vary from standard battlegrounds to hazard-filled death traps, complete with environmental dangers like lava pits and automated turrets that keep you constantly on your toes.
The heart of Clone Drone in the Hyperdome lies in its exceptional combat system. The voxel-based destruction mechanics allow for precise dismemberment (very similar to Paint The Town Red VR) - every swing of your weapon can slice through any part of your opponent's body exactly where you strike. This creates intensely satisfying moments where tactical precision pays off, whether you're chopping off an enemy's weapon arm or going for a clean decapitation. However, the same applies to your own body as enemies can and will also slice you up. They all pretty much go for your head and if their weapons touch you, you're dead.
The weapon variety is impressive, with each option feeling distinct and viable. While the sword and shield combination offers a perfect balance of offense and defense, other options like spears, katanas, axes and more completely different tactical approaches. The addition of "turbofists" - special abilities you can acquire by defeating other looprunners - adds another layer of strategic depth. These powers range from time manipulation to summoning abilities, significantly expanding your combat options and what's even cooler is that you can stack multiple powers on top of each other like you can have a flamethrower that also launches shurikens. It's a really cool system that adds a lot of depth to the combat.
The roguelite structure works brilliantly here. Each run through the tournament feels fresh thanks to randomized opponents and arena layouts. Death is a natural part of the learning process, and the game encourages you to try different strategies and weapon combinations with each new attempt.
The game's voxel-based visuals might seem simple at first glance, but they serve the gameplay perfectly. The chunky aesthetic makes it easy to read enemy movements and attack patterns, while the destruction physics create spectacular moments as robot parts fly across the arena. The visual feedback is immediate and satisfying - you always know exactly where your strikes land and what damage they've caused.
The sound design deserves special mention. The voice acting brings personality to the various looprunners you encounter, while the thumping soundtrack perfectly matches the intensity of combat. The sound of you slicing through metal since basically every weapon is a lightsaber contribute to the immersive experience.
In VR, the combat feels natural and intuitive. The physical nature of swinging weapons and blocking attacks creates an immediate sense of presence. The game's movement systems are well-implemented, minimizing potential motion sickness while maintaining fluid combat flow. I also love the fact that apart from smooth locomotion, you can also teleport without needing to switch any options.
The base game offers a substantial amount of content, with multiple weapon types to master and various paths through the tournament to explore. The roguelite structure naturally encourages repeated plays, with each run potentially revealing new story elements or combat strategies. The difficulty curve is well-tuned, providing a steady challenge that pushes you to improve without feeling unfair.
While the core gameplay loop is extremely satisfying, there's potential for even more content. Additional game modes, custom modifiers for tournament runs, or a multiplayer component could extend the game's already considerable replay value. The foundation is so solid that it feels natural to want more ways to experience it.
Clone Drone in the Hyperdome stands as a shining example of how to do VR combat right. The combination of precise, physics-based combat, engaging roguelite progression, and satisfying destruction mechanics creates an addictive gameplay loop that keeps pulling you back in for "just one more run." The attention to detail in the combat system, the well-implemented VR controls, and the charm of its world-building make it a must-play for anyone who enjoys action games in VR. For fans of action games or anyone looking for a satisfying VR combat experience, Clone Drone in the Hyperdome is an easy recommendation. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a Quest 3 via a promo copy provided by PR. Clone Drone in the Hyperdome is available on Meta Quest and PCVR.
