Virtual reality (VR) developer Survios teamed up with Taito to launch Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey earlier this year, exclusive to Oculus Quest. Today, Survios has announced that PlayStation will be getting its own version called Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey next month, slightly reworked to support both flat screen gaming and PlayStation VR.
Puzzle Bobble 3D VR gameplay
Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey will maintain the same modes as before, with a 100-level Story Mode, the endless Infinite Mode and the PvP online versus Duel Mode where players can battle it out. But now, of course, players can decide whether they want to sit back and casually play on a TV screen or delve into the Puzzle Bobble world in VR.
While the puzzles will remain the same as well as the Paintbrush, Spin Orb, and Chili Bomb power-ups; the control systems will differ. In VR you’ll be able to use PlayStation Move controllers to utilise the Bubble Cannon like a slingshot. You’ll also be able to swap between both iterations with Survios saying in a blog post: “A big goal for us was giving as many Puzzle Bobble fans access to the game, and the agency to choose how they wanted to play. This led to creating a game that can be fully experienced with or without a headset, and seamlessly swapped in-game for those who want to approach puzzles from a different perspective!”
That “Cross-Reality” functionality as Survios calls it means that PlayStation 4, PS5 and PlayStation VR players can all go head to head in the Duel Mode. Plus, buy the PS4 version and Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey will still come with the compatible PlayStation 5 edition.
Puzzle Bobble 3D flat-screen gameplay
The Puzzle Bobble franchise is now in its 35th year, proving that its iconic mix of matching and popping colourful balls still hasn’t aged after all this time. Whether in VR or on a TV, it’s all about scoring as many points as possible by using the least amount of shots.
Survios will be releasing Puzzle Bobble 3D: Vacation Odyssey for PlayStation consoles and PlayStation VR on 5th October 2021. For further updates on the latest Survios titles, keep reading VRFocus.
35 years. It’s nuts to think that it has been that long since Puzzle Bobble – or Bust-a-Move depending on where you are in the world – is that old. Even more so considering its sole gameplay mechanic is popping coloured bubbles. Taito has kept the series alive with numerous sequels whilst the format has spawned countless clones. Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey, on the other hand, provides a notable break in the franchise with a more immersive (and physical) control scheme as well as a few extras to differentiate it. But how far can you really push a bubble popping videogame?
In the hands of virtual reality (VR) veterans Survios quite far it seems, taking that classic gameplay and (literally) adding some weight to the whole endeavour. Think you’re a bubble popping master in 2D, well think again when it comes to VR. That precision pointer of the originals is replaced with an intricately designed catapult – seriously, look at all the cogs and gears, it looks awesome – with which to fling those bobbles. If you’ve ever used a bow in VR then you know it can be tricky to aim yet one of the most immersive actions in VR, and that’s true here.
Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey presents you with three gameplay options, step into the Story Mode and try to complete the massive 100 levels; go for the Infinite Mode and face wave after wave of colour baubles or head online for some 1 vs 1 action. All of this ensures there’s no shortage of content as the main campaign alone provides a good few hours of entertainment depending on how successful you are with each level.
As this is 3D gone are the rows of bubbles. Instead, there’s a central core that needs to be destroyed by removing all the outer balls. Survios has added a further twist to the gameplay mechanic by having this floating collection of bubbles spin depending on where you hit it. So if you have a couple of shots planned the second could then become blocked as you’re presented with a new side. It’s an ingenious system to keep you thinking about each and every shot, even on those level where time is of the essence.
However, that can be complicated by how finicky the aiming can be at points. Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey tries to make this as easy as possible by showing exactly where the bubble is going to land. In doing so any connected bubbles will begin to flash to help build chains to pop. As the puzzles get more complicated it can be tricky telling which ones are connected, or worse you get that perfect placement and then because of the smallest of arm movements it’s lost. This is the first Puzzle Bobble where you can actually get fatigued trying to keep that catapult raised, a big step away from the franchise’s more casual roots. It would’ve been good if there was a fine-tune feature – zooming in for example – rather than the extended trial and error.
To make things a little easier are the power-ups. These help to clear larger quantities – great for those later story levels – where you can eat a hot pepper to breathe fire and light a bomb for some bubble destruction. Yet the power-ups are the most restrictive part of Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey because they’re so tedious to get. They cost coins, 100 to unlock then a smaller amount to buy, all earned by completing levels. The coins really do trickle in which kind of puts you off spending them, and should you use a power-up and fail the level then bad luck, it’s gone. And then there’s the pelican. This feathered friend will occasionally appear in levels for you to shoot, dropping a single coin in the process. Which isn’t always worth it, especially when chasing those three-star level clears.
That frustration aside Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey is a lovely world to be inside. It’s suitably vibrant like you’re on holiday plus bubble brothers Bub and Bob make their return. That kid-friendly, welcoming atmosphere extends to the comfort. There’s no locomotion here whatsoever, you’re permanently placed in one spot so you can easily play standing or seated.
Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey retains the series’ charm that makes its gameplay suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. Does it retain that same addictive quality the franchise is known for? Not so much. There’s no doubt Puzzle Bobble VR is fun with a great soundtrack to accompany the gameplay, it just doesn’t have that spark. Sure, once you’ve got through the single-player campaign the duelling mode keeps the experience going but it never quite got its hooks in, which is a shame.
Looking at the week ahead there’s a varied selection of indie virtual reality (VR) titles on their way, from monstrous shooters to tactical, asymmetrical co-op adventures. While more may appear out the blue, here are five videogames who’ve confirmed their release dates.
VAR: Exterminate – VAR LIVE International
A frantic zombie wave shooter coming to Steam Early Access, VAR: Exterminate will initially offer 12 levels to try and survive, with 3 weapons, 2 drones, and 50 ability cards. You can pick one of 3 abilities at the start of each wave tailoring each run-through. These range from steady hands and medkits to extended mags and improved critical hits. VAR LIVE International will further expand the experience with more weapons, cards, and maps.
A Wild West-themed shooting simulator, Sheriff Exam has a single-player campaign mode and six mini-games for you to test those skills in: Bottle Range, Flying Cans; Rolling Ducks, Shootball; Darts, and Whack ‘em Moles. As you progress you’ll be able to unlock new items such as revolvers, shotguns, custom gloves, bombs, and whiskey at the shop. There’s also a global leaderboard for everyone to compete on.
Developed by Australian indie team Fullbeans Studio, Operation Armstrongsees the VR player take on the role of a field operative, having to carefully sneak around a robot base. To aid in this endeavour, up to 12 other players can join for some cross-platform local co-op by logging in through a web browser on their smartphones. The team can then assist by clearing obstacles and disrupting the enemy.
The one non-indie VR title on this list, coming from the studio behind The Walking Dead Onslaught and Creed: Rise to Glory, Survios has teamed up with Taito for Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey. Offering a single-player mode with 100 levels of bubble popping madness, an Infinite Mode for endless fun and an Online Duel Mode where players can go 1v1, Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey brings this classic puzzle gameplay into VR.
A Steam Early Access release from AR studio Nieko and VRKiwi, Crystal Raiders VR is an action-adventure where you can explore medieval castles either on your own or in co-op with three other players. Like any dungeon crawler you’ll have to fight monsters, customise your loadouts, avoid traps, and solve puzzles to survive until the end.
It’s amazing to think that Puzzle Bobble (a.k.a. Bust-a-Move) is now 35 years old, providing decades of addictive puzzling across almost every videogame platform imaginable. Soon it’ll be the turn of virtual reality (VR), with Taito and Survios announcing that Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey will be making its way to Oculus Quest next month.
Since the initial reveal of the VR edition last summer, no other details have been released until now, where you can see the gameplay in action for the first time. Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey mixes the original bubble popping gameplay with immersive VR interaction, so rather than having a normal gun to aim and shoot, you’re provided with a weapon more akin to a high tech catapult, popping in colourful balls to then fling at the floating collection of bubbles.
Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey will provide players with 100 levels of bubble popping madness, with the aim to score a perfect three-stars on each level. As levels are completed players will earn coins to spend on unique power-ups with their own particular VR interactions.
The videogame will be split across three gameplay modes to offer players a nice mixture:
Story Mode: Make your way through 100 progressively challenging levels and achieve three-star mastery
Infinite Mode: Shoot and match to achieve a high score as a never-ending wave of bubbles take over the screen
Online Duel Mode: Challenge online opponents and send jammer bubbles to a rival’s board in this fast-paced 1v1 mode
Survios and Taito will be launching Puzzle Bobble VR: Vacation Odyssey on 20th May for Oculus Quest. Check out the launch trailer below and for further updates keep reading VRFocus.
