Iron Man VR Review: Bringing the summer blockbuster home
Iron Man VR offers a fun movie theater alternative, but it lacks in spectacle
Review: Marvel’s Iron Man VR
Whether you love or hate the films there’s no denying that fact that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become a cultural phenomenon, packing cinemas across the globe with fans eager to see superheroes saving the day. Central to all of this has been Iron Man, a fan favourite because rather than having some sort of magical power it was engineered armour, giving that air of feasibility to the character. Everyone would love an Iron Man suit and now they can (sort of), thanks to Marvel’s Iron Man VR, the closest you’ll ever get to properly donning the red and gold suit.
There have been other videogames which try to emulate that sense of freedom and power Iron Man evokes in the films yet without being inside the suit and firing a blast from one of your hands it’s just not the same; that’s where Marvel’s Iron Man VR is different. Developer Camouflaj has created an experience where you can now soar through the skies or twist and turn through ravines as the armoured superhero, shooting down enemies without breaking a sweat.
Marvel’s Iron Man VR strongest parts are its narrative and gameplay mechanics. The story is original yet still nods towards the overall Iron Man universe, where he’s now a force for good rather than a weapons manufacturer. In this experience Tony Stark’s past comes back to haunt him, having to deal with two super villains who have teamed up, Ghost and Living Laser. They wish to topple Stark’s empire and are using repurposed old Stark tech to do so. Battles take place around the planet, from Stark’s Malibu home to Shanghai, China, making for one action-packed adventure.
Just like the films Marvel’s Iron Man VR is mostly wall-to-wall action, there’s no real brain teasing here. So it’s all about mastering those flight controls in conjunction with an assortment of weapons, finding a preferred loadout and going in guns blazing. Flying is actually fairly easy with the PlayStation Move controllers, holding them by your side to move forward and then angling your hands depending on the direction you wish to fly. Things do get a little more complicated during battles when you’re trying to dodge incoming projectiles whilst shooting enemies so there are boost and hover options to help when required.
The main worry with the system was whether the PlayStation Move could handle all this action in a 360-degree warzone without tracking problems. Camouflaj has done a great job in this area so you don’t have to stay rigidly forward facing the camera, you can twist and shoot then fly away with ease even when almost looking completely in the opposite direction. Strangely, it wasn’t the action sequences that caused tracking issues, these occurred in the main hub area (Tony’s home) when trying to through a basketball or interacting with certain areas.
The core game is a linear story-based tale where you can quite happily go through the main campaign in around eight hours or so. Yet there are plenty of little extras to play with extending those hours further whilst ensuring the gameplay doesn’t become repetitive. You can explore Tony’s home to find little Easter eggs, unlocking a few trophies along the way, or take on some of the extra flight and shooting challenges his AI’s set for you. In the centre of it all is the customisation area, where you can mix and match two loadouts with various weapons and augments to tailor the suit to your needs.
These are unlocked by earning a maximum of five stars across each of the levels, using variables likes checkpoints used or time. All the modifications cost the same, so there are none which are more highly coveted than others. They add a nice spice the battles which could’ve become stagnant otherwise as most are about shooting everything that flies. Of course you do get to battle those nasty super villains who provide the greatest challenge.
For those concerned about comfort in this fast and frantic videogame don’t worry. The flight mechanics the studio has built shouldn’t cause too much of an issue, plus you can play seated if required. The only problem with that is you don’t quite get the full versatility of standing and moving around, plus don’t sit on a sofa, use a chair. Purely because putting hands by your side to fly doesn’t work nearly as well.
Really, the main quibble VRFocus has with Marvel’s Iron Man VR is the loading times. Played on a PlayStation 4 not only are they frequent between each and every area, they just seem to last for ages – certainly noticeable when stood up. Stark does occasionally air his thoughts in some of these moments but most of the time it’s either a black screen or an information screen watching a percentage increase with story snippets and gameplay tips. Because of the regularity and time taken that sense of immersion and presence you get from the battles does diminish.
Marvel’s Iron Man VR does feel like its stretching the boundaries of what PlayStation VR and the Move controllers can do. Yes, the load times are very annoying yet the experience as a whole is still super satisfying. There might have been a few delays along the way but Camouflaj has made sure it was worth the wait. While there are plenty of hours of content to enjoy what’s most important is that exhilarating feeling of being Iron Man. Marvel’s Iron Man VR does that, making for a rewarding superhero experience
Iron Man VR Review: Flying High As Tony Stark
The verdict is in. After several days of playing you can read our Iron Man VR review right here to see how this superhero adventure stacks up!
Making superhero games is already very difficult. Not only do they have all of the typical stressors and difficulties that any other game has, but they have a pre-existing fan base of comic readers and movie watchers that have a specific idea in their head of what that hero is supposed to do, say, and look like. Add in years of idolization, the lack of any really reputable games about the character, and the astronomical task of making a good VR game in and of itself, and Marvel’s Iron Man VR had a tall order at hand.
Despite the odds, it absolutely delivers.
Camouflaj set out to make an Iron Man game that would feel both like an authentic portrayal donning the suit as Tony Stark and a completely fresh and original take on the character. They didn’t want to copy the MCU version of Iron Man (this is totally separate from any other versions of the character and uses comics as inspiration) and didn’t want to retell an origin story.
The end result is an entirely captivating and thrilling action game that features an incredible narrative full of stand out performances and unexpected twists. The voice cast here (featuring the likes of Josh Keaton and Jennifer Hale, to name a few) is one of the best I’ve seen in a VR game with excellent development over the course of the 8+ hour adventure. That being said though, Hale’s portrayal as Pepper Potts is excellent but she plays a painfully small part in the overall story. For the vast majority, she’s absent and it feels like a missed opportunity given her rapport with Keaton’s Stark.
Iron Man VR is structured like a linear action game with a central hub in the garage of Stark’s Malibu, California mansion. From the hub, you can tweak your armor loadout, pick missions to play (or replay,) explore and play around with things like a basketball game and home gym, or do flight and combat challenges. It’s a good structure with as much content as I’d expect from a AAA-quality game.
My playthrough clocked in around 8 hours and felt very well-paced. I spent a tiny bit of time doing optional challenges and poking around environments. If I had tried to unlock everything in the garage, get every suit design, and look for more Easter eggs it could have easily taken several more hours. There are also new pieces of content that open up after you finish the game and three difficulty modes to pick — I played on normal and never died, but that isn’t to say it wasn’t challenging or fun. I had several near-death experiences and frankly enjoyed feeling like a powerful superhero. Hard would likely be better if you’re looking for more of a challenge.
As good as the story is in Iron Man VR though, the real highlight here is how it feels to be Iron Man. A lot of the time you’ll see people say games like Spider-Man on PS4 or the Batman Arkham games made them feel like a superhero, but even those can’t measure up to the attention to detail here. I don’t think I’ve ever played a game that embodies feeling and being a superhero so completely. From the super-powered highs to the depressing lows.
Holding the PS Move controllers down by your waist, you tilt them backwards to aim your palms behind you and pull the triggers to engage thrusters and fly. This is the core of Iron Man VR’s gameplay. From this stance you can then twist your wrists to turn subtly in the air, point your palms up to go down, let go of the thrusters, then switch the direction you aim your palms to engage boost and sort of “drift” through the air as well.
Boosting to the side to dodge, then engaging hover to stop in place and line up a powerful blast was my bread and butter in tight combat scenarios. Mastering the art of flying with one-hand and shooting with the other, while moving, is another key tactic that feels amazing to pull off — even if a little imprecise at times.
But as cool as it all can feel, it’s mostly in spite of the PS Move controllers. They were outdated in 2016 when the PSVR launched and they’re just showing their age even more now.
At first I was worried combat would get extremely repetitive and just involve boosting, punching, and shooting, but there’s a lot of customization and nuance here. You start the game with basic repulsor beams and smart missiles that lock onto targets, but in the garage there are lots more. You can change the repulsor to a chargeable beam, unlock bombs, cluster bombs, missiles, and more. And yes, you’ve got the iconic Unibeam as a special as well.
As you enter each mission you see Tony’s breath reflected back on the metallic interior of the helmet. As the onboard systems activate, the HUD initializes and fades into view as your eye sockets appear and zoom onto your face. It really, really feels like you’re wearing the armor. VR developers of sci-fi games or helmet-based games really need to look at this and take notes.
At first the HUD is a little distracting because of just how much information is shown at all times, but it not only helps with immersion, it’s all useful information. It would be nice if you could adjust the size and placement of some elements though.
To its credit, Iron Man VR really feels like it’s pushing the PSVR to its limits. Despite what the developers say about designing the game around the PSVR and PS Move Controllers, I can’t help but feel like it would be so much better on a headset with higher resolution and more horsepower to eliminate jagged edges, no wires to avoid the tripping hazard from constantly spinning, and better controllers so I didn’t have to participate in mental gymnastics to remember which buttons do what. Mapping things like rotating, punching, and hovering all right there next to each other was still confusing even after nearly 10 hours of play time.
Iron Man VR Review – Like This? Try These
Iron Man VR is the best superhero VR game we’ve seen yet, but if you want to take control of other iconic Marvel heroes then look no further than wave-based co-op game Marvel Powers United VR on Oculus Rift. Or if you want some free thrills, the movie tie-in VR game Spider-Man: Far From Home VR on PSVR and PC VR is simple, but effective at keeping its web-slinging promise.
I’m still in awe that the pseudo-360 tracking works as well as it does. I never really had issues regardless of which direction I was facing in my room, even if my back was to the camera. The camera can always see your head and if it can’t see the controllers it uses the gyroscopes to estimate position and movement.
The absolute worst parts about Iron Man VR though, something that have zero concessions to make them not so bad, are the load times. I cannot stress enough how brutal some of these load times are.
I’m talking literally minutes on-end standing in silence. To Camouflaj’s credit they did a good job of providing useful tips, story recaps, and concept art to look at for around half of the load screens, but it’s still awful. You literally have enough time to go get a snack between missions. And to make matters worse, most missions begin with a load screen, then you get ready in the garage and pick where to go, then another load screen, do part of the mission, another load screen, do the rest, and then load screen back to the garage.
It’s almost comical how bad the load times are and really underscores the need for PS5 from a VR perspective. I’m eager to see what this game plays like on PS5 (fingers crossed it’s supported) even using the original existing PSVR headset.
Iron Man VR Review Final Impressions
Despite a few setbacks like horrendous load times, sometimes janky controls, and a few missed opportunities with its (surprisingly excellent) story, Iron Man VR is an absolute triumph. Camouflaj absolutely delivered a AAA-quality campaign-driven VR game featuring one of the world’s most iconic superheroes, all while showing him in a new light with an original story that isn’t weighed down by the baggage of the MCU and comics. Flying as Iron Man feels amazing, talking to characters as Tony Stark is full of wit and humor, and from top to bottom it’s an exhilarating and well-paced adventure that feels like it only grazes the surface of how high this developer can fly in VR.
Marvel’s Iron Man VR will be available from July 3rd, 2020 exclusively on the PSVR headset for PS4. We conducted this review using a PS4 Pro. For more on how we arrived at this verdict, see the UploadVR Review Scale below and check out our review guidelines. Like our Iron Man VR review? Let us know in the comments below!
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Iron Man VR Launch Trailer Reveals New Villain
Here’s one final look at Iron Man VR before launch this week, and it holds a fairly significant reveal.
The new video for the PSVR exclusive reveals that classic Iron Man baddie, The Living Laser, will be appearing in the game. Laser first made his debut over 50 years ago in The Avengers comics but has since troubled Tony Stark countless times. The trailer reveals a brand new design for the character, too.
The Living Laser joins Ghost in trying to take down Iron Man in the new game. We only know a little about the game’s story thus far, but developer Camouflaj assures us that narrative is a huge focus for the adventure. Of course, the trailer shows us lots of the other side of the game; huge explosions, breakneck speeds and high-impact repulsor blasts. We wouldn’t have it any other way.
A series of other developer diaries over the past few weeks have also revealed new features for the game, including weapon crafting and more details on Iron Man VR’s unique flight mechanics. Earlier this week a trophy list also revealed that Iron Man VR is comprised of 12 missions, and Camouflaj says it will take a while for you to see through.
Iron Man VR touches down on July 3rd. If you haven’t picked up a PSVR of your own yet, make sure to check out some of the hardware bundles available for the game. And keep watch tomorrow as we’ll have our full review of the game at 5am PT. You won’t want to miss it!
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Launch Trailer for Marvel’s Iron Man VR Lands Ahead of Friday Release
There’s only two days to go until PlayStation VR exclusive Marvel’s Iron Man VR arrives for eager fans of the comic book hero. If you weren’t already excited enough then take a look at the new launch trailer from developer Camouflaj and Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), showcasing a highly action-packed experience.
Those that have been trying to avoid spoilers will definitely want to steer clear of the new trailer as it unveils a lot more of the gameplay and storyline. One thing is for sure, players are going to have lots to do saving the world from a new menace whilst getting to grips with flying, punching and shooting across a range of environments.
Using two PlayStation Move motion controllers players can use Iron Man’s Repulsor Jets to easily navigate the skies, whilst being able to dodge enemy attacks using a boost function. And when it comes to dispensing with enemies they’ll have quite the arsenal to choose from, from the standard Repulsor shots to Rocket Punches and wrist-mounted missiles.
Tony Stark being the inventor he is isn’t happy with a single loadout. Players will be able to modify their suits at an Armour Station, unlocking additional weapons and augments via Research Points earned in the campaign. So you can eventually tune your Iron Man suit just the way you like it.
As previously reported, Marvel’s Iron Man VR will feature its own unique storyline centred around a mysterious villain called Ghost. A hacker and anti-corporate activist who repurposes old Stark tech, Ghost aims to topple Tony’s empire and you need to stop her.
Those playing Marvel’s Iron Man VR during the launch weekend will also be treated to a little bonus. Play the game during the first three days to unlock the Iron Patriot custom deco.
Depending on where you live Marvel’s Iron Man VR has been available in a range of bundles, from digital editions to deals which also include the PlayStation Move controllers. VRFocus will be bringing you a full review of the highly anticipated Marvel’s Iron Man VR very soon, until then check out the new launch trailer below.
‘Iron Man VR’ Launch Trailer Highlights Action-packed Gameplay & Story
Cleared your schedule for the weekend? We hope you have, because the PSVR exclusive Marvel’s Iron Man VR is headed for launch on July 3rd. To drum up even more hype, developers Camouflaj released the game’s launch trailer featuring plenty of high-flying action and story.
We’ve seen a fair bit of Iron Man VR in the months since we first went hands-on with the game last year. From what we’ve seen and experienced, the game has huge potential, which is part thanks to its innovative flying mechanic that—without exaggerating—makes you feel like Iron Man.
If you’re looking for a better breakdown of everything you’ve seen in today’s launch trailer, Camouflaj actually released a bunch of gameplay and story info just last week, which should help you understand some of what you’re seeing here.
Provided you drag your eyes across this article before July 3rd, you can still pre-order Iron Man VR in either a digital or disc Standard Edition for $40, and a Digital Deluxe Edition for $50 which includes four Iron Man armor skins that are unique to the Deluxe edition, extra upgrade points, the full soundtrack (digital), and an Iron Man VR PS4 theme.
You can also play a free demo of the game to tide you over.
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When Can You Read Our Iron Man VR Review?
The release date for Iron Man VR is fast-approaching on PSVR! Marvel’s Iron Man VR, developed by Camouflaj and published in part by Sony, releases this Friday, July 3rd and you can read our full review on Thursday, July 2nd, at 5:00AM PT.
This is one of those rare instances where we actually have an extremely good idea of what to expect out of a game prior to its release. Not only were there several demos we got to attend, there is now also a demo on the PSN Store for everyone to try, we’ve spoken to the developers at length, and generally know what this game has in store.
We can’t say anything else right now about it, but if you’re looking forward to the game’s release you can check out our review and plenty of video coverage right here at UploadVR.com a day before it launches starting at 5AM PT.
As a reminder: Iron Man VR features a brand new story. This is not connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, any existing video games, cartoons, or even comics. The team looked to past stories from the comics for inspiration, but are building this as its own, unique story that’s totally standalone and is not an origin story.
Let us know what you’re expecting down in the comments below!
Iron Man VR is slated to release exclusively for PlayStation VR on July 3rd. Check out our Iron Man VR coverage hub here for more details on the game, our interview article about the game’s fresh new take on Tony Stark, our latest hands-on impressions, and details regarding the game’s length and scope.
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Community Download: Which Superhero Deserves Their Own VR Game Next?
Community Download is a weekly discussion-focused articles series published (usually) every Monday in which we pose a single, core question to you all, our readers, in the spirit of fostering discussion and debate. For today’s Community Download, we want to know which superhero you’d love to see in a dedicated VR game next after Iron Man?
With Iron Man VR releasing in just a few short days on July 3rd, this Friday, it’s an exciting time for PSVR gamers. One of the most well-known and truly iconic superheroes of all-time is entering the immersive realm of VR with his own, dedicated game complete with a robust campaign and lots of depth — at least, according to the developers.
We’ve gotten the chance to take on the role of lots of iconic superheroes over the years in VR, such as Batman in Arkham VR, several Marvel characters in Marvel Powers United VR, and even as Spider-Man specifically in the free Far From Home VR experience. But now we want to imagine what another fully-fledged made-for-VR superhero game would be like that focuses on a single hero.
Superman is one of the most notoriously difficult characters to get right in games, but maybe playing as him in VR would offer that sort of empowerment you’d seek. Or, perhaps a full game building on the web-slinging of Spider-Man could be fun. Teleporting between dimensions and using your hands for magic, like Doctor Strange, could be a blast too.
Let us know what you think! Which superhero do you think deserves their own dedicated VR game next after Iron Man VR?
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Iron Man VR Trophy List Confirms 12 Mission Campaign And More
Last week Iron Man VR developer Camouflaj told us that the upcoming PSVR exclusive featured around ‘8 – 10 hours’ of AAA VR gaming. Now the Iron Man VR trophy list gives us an idea of how that time is divided up.
The trophy list debuted on Exophase over the weekend. If you want to avoid spoilers then we wouldn’t recommend reading it, but the list and icons indicate that Iron Man VR is comprised of 12 missions and an opening prologue.
We got to see that prologue and the first mission in the demo that released on PSVR a few weeks back. Remember, though, that Camouflaj is kitting out the game with optional extras and challenges, taking part in which is likely to push the game to the developer’s estimations.
Other trophies confirm that the game will feature more Flight and Combat Challenges and that you’ll have star ratings at the end of each mission. You’ll also be rewarded for killing a certain number of enemies with specific weapons and completing the campaign of different difficulties. There’s also a trophy for catching a grape in your mouth which will probably be as hard as the basketball trophy in The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners.
Not long to go now; Iron Man VR debuts on PSVR on July 3rd. Publisher Sony has been releasing a bunch of developer diaries for the game in the run-up to launch and Camouflaj shared plenty of other details with us in our interview.
Will you be chasing every trinket on the Iron Man VR trophy list when the game launches on Friday? Let us know in the comments below!
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Launching Next Week, ‘Iron Man VR’ Shows New Combat Gameplay, Armor Station, & More
Iron Man VR is the next big PlayStation VR exclusive; the title is being published by Sony and developed by studio Camouflaj. Following a demo of the game released last month, and a ahead of next week’s July 3rd launch, the studio has shared a deep dive on what players can expect from the game.
In a post on the official PlayStation Blog, Iron Man VR director Ryan Payton today shared a heap of new details about the game, including new game footage showing off environments, combat, and more. Payton also revealed that players should expect 8 to 10 hours of playtime.
Combat Abilities
Payton spoke to some of the movement and combat capabilities that players will have access to:
Boost
We heard how much you love boosting at high speeds, so just a few weeks ago, we further increased the frequency at which you can boost in the full game. Buckle up!
Rocket Punch
My favorite mechanic. I can’t get enough of punching enemies with a one-two-three hit combo and then finishing them off with a Repulsor Blast or auxiliary weapon.
Auxiliary Weapons
By spending Research Points at the Armor Station, you can unlock powerful auxiliary weapons that fire out of your gauntlets. When you play the full game, please do me a big favor and check out the incredible detail artist Chris Foster and animator Benjamin Meals put into each weapon. I can’t tell you how cool it is to see those weapons emerge from your forearms in VR.
Ground Pound
The rough-and-tumble cousin of Rocket Punch, Ground Pound allows players to descend on enemies at furious speeds. Mastering Ground Pound takes some practice, but once you do, you will be a powerful force on both horizontal and vertical planes!
Unibeam
Eagle-eyed players noticed blasting enemies charges the Unibeam meter. Once it’s fully charged, you can fire a mighty Unibeam blast out of Iron Man’s chest. The trick, however, is determining the optimal time to trigger it…
Payton says there’s more mechanics that players will discover in Iron Man VR, and that players will face a “true test” in a “tough-as-nails optional mission that unlocks once you’ve completed the game.” Bring it on.
Garage & Armor Station
Beyond combat abilities, he also revealed the Armor Station in Tony Stark’s garage, which functions as an interface for players to equip their amor with upgrades and weapons.
Payton says there will be more for players to do while hanging out in Tony’s garage too. “Try roaming around Tony’s garage, squeeze in a workout, give Pepper a call, or maybe listen to our in-fiction podcast series hosted by a close(ish) family member of Tony Stark…”
Story and Characters
Payton also spoke to the game’s story-focus and said that players will see some classic Marvel characters in the game, like Pepper Potts, Nick Fury, and Friday, along with others that haven’t been revealed yet.
The game’s cast is comprised of Josh Keaton (Tony Stark), Chantelle Barry (Ghost), Leila Birch (FRIDAY), Ike Amadi (Nick Fury), and Jennifer Hale (Pepper Potts).
– – — – –
Iron Man VR is a PlayStation VR exclusive with a release date set for Friday, July 3rd. A demo of the game is already available.
Iron Man VR can be pre-order today in a digital or disc Standard Edition ($40) and a Digital Deluxe Edition ($50) which includes four Iron Man armor skins that are unique to the Deluxe edition, extra upgrade points, the full soundtrack (digital), and an Iron Man VR PS4 theme.
Sony is also making available an Iron Man VR PSVR bundle for $350 which includes the headset, camera, two move controllers, and the Standard Edition Iron Man VR game on disc.
Pre-ordering either version of the game (or the PSVR bundle) will net you four armor skins that are a unique to pre-orders.
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