Iron Guard: Day Zero loses some VR magic, but on PS5 it is still a clean, cheap, and enjoyable tower defense game
Look, if you give me the choice between playing something in VR or playing it flatscreen, VR wins. Always. There is something special about being inside the game, leaning close to assets, inspecting the world, and interacting naturally.
That said, I am not against flatscreen ports of VR games. I would love to see more games go both ways. Flat games getting VR modes out of nowhere? Great. VR games getting normal console versions so more people can try them? Also great. Iron Guard: Day Zero is one of those cases, and on PS5 it plays well.
This is a very conventional tower defense game, but that does not make it bad. Most levels are built around one central structure you need to protect, with multiple lanes where enemy robots march in. You control a small spaceship or drone, place defenses on fixed spots, and survive each wave before the base goes down.
The loop is simple and it works. Enemies come in, you shoot them, your turrets shoot them, and every kill gives you cash to build more units or upgrade what you already have. You are always checking lanes, patching weaknesses, and deciding whether to spend money now or hold it for the next wave.
Each level ramps up nicely, with later waves pushing more pressure onto your setup. The game is never doing anything wildly new, and if you have played tower defense before, you will understand it almost immediately. Different weapons and upgrades give you enough to think about, although I do wish progression opened up faster. I would have liked the game to trust me with more toys sooner.
Whether it stays engaging long term depends entirely on how much you enjoy tower defense. I am not the biggest fan of the genre, but I have dabbled in a few, and Iron Guard: Day Zero absolutely works. It is not flashy, it has no massive twist, and it does not replace the extra immersion VR can offer. But it is smooth, readable, and satisfying.
That short-burst nature is probably its biggest strength on PS5. It also works surprisingly well through Remote Play, whether on a PlayStation Portal or something like the ROG Xbox Ally X. You can clear a level during a small break and put it down.
For around five bucks, which is basically nothing, Iron Guard: Day Zero gives you a couple of hours of solid tower defense fun and makes a good case for more VR-first games getting flatscreen versions. It is not special, but it is good. Sometimes that is enough. Thanks for reading!
