Vendetta Forever succeeds because it understands the fantasy it's trying to fulfill
Vendetta Forever manages to distill the essence of action movie set pieces into bite-sized virtual reality experiences that make you feel like the ultimate action hero. It's a game that understands exactly what it wants to be and executes on that vision with laser precision.
At the heart of Vendetta Forever is its innovative "LO-KILL-MOTION" system. Rather than traditional VR movement, you navigate through levels by shooting enemies and teleporting to their position as you grab their weapons. This creates a unique flow where every kill propels you forward, forcing you to think strategically about the order of your targets while staying alive amidst a hail of bullets. It's a system that clicks almost immediately thanks to an admirably brief tutorial that gets you into the action within seconds, but it also requires a lot of practice to master.
The game's 60 levels are masterclasses in varied scenario design. One moment you're in a Matrix-inspired hallway, methodically working your way through waves of suited agents while dodging bullets in slow motion. The next, you're in a Wild West showdown, where success or failure is determined in less than a second as you quick-draw against an opponent. The next, you're in a pirate ship where you need to well, dispatch pirates using flintlocks and blunderbusses. The next, you're in a carnival where there are no enemies to shoot, just some carnival games you need to get through to complete the level. Each level delivers a uniquely creative experience that feels meticulously crafted to evoke specific action movie moments while maintaining its own distinct identity.
The standout level design comes in the form of what I'll call the "Daredevil" scenario. These pitch-black environments only illuminate through sound, with enemy footsteps creating rippling circles of visibility and gunshots briefly lighting up sections of the level. It creates an incredibly tense experience where you must use sound tactically – sometimes even throwing weapons to create noise distractions that reveal enemy positions. These levels showcase how creative thinking can elevate what could have been a straightforward shooter into something truly special.
The weapon variety keeps the action fresh throughout. Beyond standard pistols, you'll find yourself wielding everything from uzis to rocket launchers, katanas to throwing knives and shurikens. Each weapon feels distinct and satisfying to use, with the physics-based interactions adding an extra layer of immersion. Catching an enemy's thrown knife mid-air and immediately returning it for a kill never stops feeling incredible.
Presentation-wise, Vendetta Forever opts for a clean, minimalist low-poly aesthetic that prioritizes readability over flash. On Quest 3, the game looks crisp and runs smoothly, with the hardware handling the real-time shadows and lighting effects without issue. All this works perfectly with the fast-paced nature of the game, allowing you to instantly identify threats and opportunities without visual clutter getting in the way. The sound design deserves special mention, with impactful weapon effects and an energetic soundtrack that absolutely slaps hard and perfectly complements the action.
While individual levels are short ranging from less than a second to just over a minute - the game's replay value is substantial. Online leaderboards turn every level into a competition for the highest score as the scoring system rewards both speed and style. The inclusion of various mutators adds another layer of replayability. You can make things easier with options like damage immunity (at the cost of lower scores) or ramp up the challenge by removing aim assist or increasing difficulty for higher score multipliers. Unlocking these cool mutators in the first place is a great way to keep you coming back for more.
The game's difficulty curve is generally well-balanced, though some levels can feel frustratingly precise in their requirements. However, you are not meant to play the level just once and be done with it. For some of the longer levels, you'll have to replay them a bunch of times to understand enemies' spawn patterns and who you need to kill first. And you'll die, a lot. But that is part of the fun and the quick restart system and short level length mean these challenging moments never become too frustrating.
Now, while the lo-kill-motion system is a lot of fun, it does have its downsides. For one, it can be a bit disorienting to get used to at first. You're not used to dodging bullets in slow motion, and it takes a bit of practice to get used to. The game does a good job of explaining the system early on, but it's still something that takes a bit of getting used to. And I can't help but feel that if a full smooth locomotion system was to be added in a future patch, the game would still be a lot of fun to play. Developers, if you're listening, please consider adding a full smooth locomotion mode soon!
Vendetta Forever succeeds because it understands the fantasy it's trying to fulfill. Every element - from the movement system to the level design to the scoring mechanics - works in concert to make you feel like an action movie protagonist. While you can complete all 60 levels in a few hours, the addictive gameplay loop and leaderboard chase will likely keep you coming back for more. For VR action fans, Vendetta Forever is such an easy recommendation, dare I say an essential purchase. It's a game that knows exactly what it wants to be and executes that vision with style and precision. Whether you're looking to perfect your runs for leaderboard dominance or just want to feel like John Wick for a few minutes, Vendetta Forever delivers an action-packed experience that makes excellent use of virtual reality's unique capabilities. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a Quest 3 via a promo code provided by the publisher. Vendetta Forever is available on Meta Quest and PSVR2.
