Metal Hellsinger VR Review

The immersive qualities of VR enhance both the visual and auditory aspects Metal Hellsinger VR, creating moments of pure metal-fueled ecstasy when everything clicks into place

Metal: Hellsinger VR brings the acclaimed rhythm-based first-person shooter to virtual reality, offering an intense and immersive experience that will have metal fans and shooter enthusiasts alike headbanging with joy. I thoroughly enjoyed the original flat-screen version and it's safe to say that I was eager to see how this unique blend of genres would translate to VR. After spending considerable time with the Meta Quest 3 version, I can confidently say that Metal: Hellsinger VR delivers a thrilling and visceral experience, though not without a few rough edges.

At its core, Metal: Hellsinger VR remains true to the original's concept: a fast-paced shooter where your actions sync with the thunderous metal soundtrack. You play as "The Unknown," a demon seeking vengeance in the depths of Hell, armed with an arsenal of weapons and a thirst for destruction. The game's central mechanic revolves around timing your shots, reloads, and movements to the beat of the music. Successful rhythmic actions increase your fury multiplier, ramping up both the intensity of the music and the damage you deal. When you're in the zone, effortlessly chaining kills to the pounding drums and searing guitar riffs, Metal: Hellsinger VR achieves a euphoric flow state that few other VR games can match.

The transition to VR adds a new layer of physicality to the gameplay. Dual-wielding pistols feels incredibly satisfying, as does pump-action reloading the shotgun or drawing back the bow. The added dimension of physically dodging enemy attacks while maintaining your rhythm creates an exhilarating dance of destruction. However, this transition isn't without its challenges. The precision required for timing your actions can be more demanding in VR, especially when you're also managing physical movement. There's a steeper learning curve compared to the flat version, but the sense of accomplishment when you nail a perfect rhythmic combo is amplified tenfold.

The game offers eight main levels, each culminating in a boss fight. While the core gameplay loop remains consistent throughout, the variety of enemy types and environmental hazards keeps things fresh. That said, some players might find the overall structure repetitive after a few hours, as the focus is primarily on score chasing and perfecting your runs rather than narrative progression.

Where Metal: Hellsinger VR truly shines is in how it makes you feel like an unstoppable force of nature. The combination of physical movement, precise shooting, and rhythmic action creates a uniquely empowering experience. Dodging a fireball by physically sidestepping, then retaliating with a perfectly-timed shotgun blast to the beat is undeniably cool. The haptic feedback in the Quest 3 controllers adds another layer of immersion, pulsing with each beat and providing satisfying feedback for every shot fired.

The boss fights, while not radically different from standard combat, benefit greatly from the VR perspective. The sense of scale as you face off against towering demons is impressive, and tracking their movements with your whole body adds to the intensity of these encounters. One area where the VR version stumbles slightly is in the platforming sections between combat arenas. What was already a somewhat weak point in the original game feels even more awkward in VR, with depth perception issues occasionally leading to missed jumps or collisions with the environment.

Visually, Metal: Hellsinger VR is a treat on the Meta Quest 3. The hellish landscapes are richly detailed, with lava-filled chasms, ominous structures, and demonic architecture creating a palpable sense of place. The enemy designs are suitably grotesque and varied, from nimble imps to hulking behemoths. Particle effects from explosions and special abilities add to the visual spectacle, especially when you're in the midst of a frenzied battle.

The game's performance on the Quest 3 is generally smooth, maintaining a solid framerate even during the most chaotic encounters. This is crucial for a rhythm-based game, where any stuttering or lag could throw off your timing. There are occasional instances of pop-in or texture loading, particularly in larger arenas, but these rarely detract from the overall experience.

Of course, the star of the show is the metal soundtrack. Featuring original tracks with vocals from renowned metal artists like Trivium's Matt Heafy and Arch Enemy's Alissa White-Gluz, the music in Metal: Hellsinger VR is nothing short of phenomenal. The way the tracks dynamically build as you increase your fury multiplier, adding layers of instrumentation and eventually unleashing the full vocal track, creates an unparalleled sense of momentum and power. In VR, the audio experience is even more immersive. The spatial audio allows you to pinpoint enemy locations based on their growls and attacks, while the thunderous bass and crunching guitars envelope you completely. It's worth noting that the game is best experienced with good quality headphones to truly appreciate the nuances of the soundtrack.

Metal: Hellsinger VR successfully translates the unique rhythm-shooter concept to virtual reality, offering an intense, physically engaging experience that will delight fans of the original and newcomers alike. The immersive qualities of VR enhance both the visual and auditory aspects of the game, creating moments of pure metal-fueled ecstasy when everything clicks into place. While there are some rough edges in terms of VR-specific interactions and occasional technical hiccups, these are minor quibbles in the face of the overall experience. The game's relatively short length and focus on replayability might not appeal to all players, but those who connect with its rhythm-based gameplay will find themselves returning to Hell time and time again to chase high scores and perfect runs.

For metal fans with a Quest 3, Metal: Hellsinger VR is an easy recommendation. It's a uniquely satisfying blend of genres that showcases the potential of rhythm-based action in virtual reality. Just be prepared to work up a sweat as you headbang your way through the circles of Hell – and maybe warn your neighbors about the noise. Thanks for reading!

The game was reviewed on a Quest 3 via a promo copy provided by the developers. Metal Hellsinger VR is available on Meta Quest, PSVR 2 and PCVR.