From PSU: "As arguably the biggest, full-fat PSVR 2 first-party release since Horizon: Call of the Mountain, it's clear that Firewall Ultra doesn't quite match the deservedly lofty expectations that have been set for it. This is thanks in no small part to a modest amount of content and a progression system that is currently grind-heavy to say the least. However, it's also clear that this is a gorgeously realised tactical shooter that approaches excellence when everything falls into place with your fellow human players - it's just that, as of right now, such occasions are more fleeting than I would like thanks to so much for Firewall Ultra's promise being locked behind promised future updates that have yet to arrive."
Gematsu says: "The studio recently released the Sony Interactive Entertainment-published Firewall Ultra for PlayStation VR2 on August 24, and was announced to be working on Solaris: Offworld Combat II."
This is sad. Firewall Ultra didn't get the reception that their earlier hit got, which probably didn't help.
But I believe what they're saying, it's gotta be hard to justify big spend on such a small population of potential customers
It is sad. Since it kills a decent VR developer for PSVR and PS VR 2. I thought Sony publishing the game would have helped them. Guess they still had bills to pay beyond that. They definitely have something there. They just need more support financially or more technical skill hires.
I loved playing the first game with Aim. Only played it in single player practice though up to level 35. And bought the game for $15. The enemies got harder as you progressed in rank which was cool. I didn't have sight drift and enjoyed what was there.
What I don't like about it was that it was an online connected game with no actual campaign. And the developers didn't act fast enough or didn't seem to care about fixing issues of the game for online players. My guess is that if they do close, I won't be able to play it on PSVR at all. It's the problem I have with online connected games. I hate them. My other online connected game, Star Trek Bridge Crew, is also toast. No voice activated controls as captain and no game. Waste of money. Reason why I want going to buy Ultra. More online connection.
Anyway, they then launch Ultra and it releases with issues right of the bat. Good ideas but poor execution. I don't think it was the cost of the game to make. They just had design issues and bugs and relied on a terrible upgrade system and skins.
I know they filled a void for online players. But I just wish these developers would just make a great game. With multiplayer on the side. Without online only attached. Others in that same bracket I refused to buy in VR because those games die and game preservation goes with it.
Maybe Sony can help them. Or, maybe they will learn from this to make games the old way. Games like Beat Saber, or Astrobot or Blood and Truth or the RE games don't have a problem. So, I think it's their design decisions that killed them.
It didn't help 3 similar shooters all coming out at the same time either, wasn't the other 2 shooters better ?
The others were better. Just watching it, you can see the problems. No interaction with anything which is essential in VR to feel immersed. They set it up to grind even more than the first game trying to push some into buying progression. That's a huge no. Online connected and no campaign.
They had potential with ROM. They did decently with Firewall but didn't listen to the community. They made Solaris that no one wanted. They made an Ulta reboot of Firewall and it's a game where the gamers are the testers when they should have tested the game with gamers before launching.
It's not even a AAA game. Just an impressive looking indie game on UE5. Hello Games is indie but they, even with their problems, have made a lasting game with much more to do with No Man's Sky.
They'll blame it on cost. But it was definitely their choices. It was the same with CCP when they created Eve Valkyrie VR. They expected a huge community, they pushed micro transactions, more online than off, and when it failed, they bailed on VR altogether. But blamed VR instead of their choices of how they developed their game.
Yeah on psvr2 Pavlov is essentially now the top dog of multiplayer shooters which was a earlier game but cost half the price of fw ultra and had more players. Also crossfire came out which had a campaign and along came firewall ultra which had shown us extremely little in terms of gameplay leading up to release and still had last gen features like click to open door or button press reload instead of having the user perform those motions like most modern VR games.
It really came across as mostly a reskin of the last game unfortunately
VR is still a bit niche. To really hit the big time, we need more affordable hardware, especially standalone options. But with most devices needing a processor box (like a PC or console) being pretty pricey, and the market all divided up with these walled gardens, the journey ahead won't be a cakewalk.
abit?
very much so xD
but it has a bigger market than maybe 5 years ago i agree.
If I mention that it's niche as heck, Sony's intern might pop into my private messages again, and I'd prefer to avoid that. /s
It's definitely larger than it once was. But not enough to guarantee viability.
What they shouldve done is the capcom route. Make a good game that can also translate to VR.
Oh dear, was about to pick up a PSVR2 after Xmas and this game was on my list. Shame, VR just isn't catching on as well as they hoped.
Find out how the ambitious and evolved sequel to the beloved VR FPS shapes up on PSVR 2 for PS5 with our detailed Firewall Ultra review.
Ok. This is below what I expected. Hopefully they patch some of these issues.
Yeah I'm really pretty bummed. Beyond waiting for matchmaking, lots of mixed reviews about the controls. Honestly this was the game I was looking forward to most in VR this year.
I'd rather PS release an official rifle stock and use traditional VR ADS mechanics
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Despite the lack of content at launch and the long waits to join matches, I still can't seem to put Firewall Ultra down.
Having more fun with Sierra Squad currently.
only drawback currently is the game is missing a lot of features.
- Progression system doesn't work yet, so leveling up takes forever
- Matches don't start until you get a full 4v4 which means you can wait a while before a game starts
- No manual reloading (I personally don't even understand this one being VR)
- Limited play modes
I know the game will be more fleshed out in time but I wonder why they were so desperate to get it out the door in this shape rather than waiting a month and releasing it with more.