Syren Episode 2 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

July 31, 2019October 31, 2019

Horror Franchise Syren Finally Comes to PlayStation VR in Europe

Hammerhead VR’s underrated sci-fi horror Syren wasn’t a massive success when it arrived in 2017 for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, offering a stealthy experience under the sea. A few months later Episode 2 arrived mixing up the gameplay with action elements. A PlayStation VR version arrived for North American gamers in November 2018 but it never appeared in the European PlayStation Store. Today that has been rectified, with both episodes now available in one bundle.

Syren

Syren was an original IP from the virtual reality (VR) specialist and its first proper videogame, having previously released experiences like ABE. The story takes place beneath the waves on the ocean floor, involving a scientist obsessed with eugenics who builds an underwater research facility named Darwin Station. Studying an ancient lost city, he conducts horrific experiments in an attempt to recreate the lost species of ‘Syrens’. Naturally, he succeeds and what he creates aren’t friendly, so you’re sent down to find out what’s going on.

So the first instalment is pure stealth, as you’re not some badass marines armed to the teeth. While there are moments where you might find a weapon, these are very rare, hiding and sneaking are really your only option. Make a noise or get spotted by a Syren and it’s usually instant death, which may not be to everyone’s liking. Check out VRFocus’ full review of Syren to learn more.

Then there’s Syren: Episode 2 which offers a flip in the gameplay experience. Without trying to ruin too much, in episode 2 you return to the facility because the CIA is less interested in the experiments but more the mysterious ‘Anomaly’ that sits at the heart of the ruins, and this time you’re a hardcore soldier and you have guns lots of guns. Heading back through the lab, there are plenty more Syrens to encounter. There’s no need to run and hide this time, killing them and collecting stuff means you can head to a very well-stocked armoury to upgrade your weapons.

Syren Episode 2

Syren is available today via the EU PlayStation Store supporting PlayStation VR for £11.99 GBP. It’s only compatible with PlayStation Move controllers. For any further updates on Syren from Hammerhead VR, keep reading VRFocus.

October 25, 2018

Terrifying VR Horror Syren Dated for PlayStation VR Release

Currently in the process of developing crime thriller STEIN, virtual reality (VR) specialist HammerheadVR has revealed that its rather scary videogame Syren will be coming to PlayStation VR in November.

Syren - Lab

PlayStation VR owners will be getting both versions of the videogame, the original which launched in earlier 2017 for both HTC Vive and Oculus Rift plus Episode 2 which arrived a few months later.

In the first installment Syren tells the story of a scientist obsessed with eugenics who builds an underwater research facility named Darwin Station, investigating an ancient lost city beneath the ocean. This lab has been conducting horrific experiments in an attempt to recreate the lost species of ‘Syrens’ – the legendary inhabitants of the civilisation that once existed in the ruins below. But now, the experiments have gotten loose. You head down into the lab to find out what’s gone wrong, having to use stealth to navigate the complex without being seen, if you do only death awaits.

For Syren Episode 2 HammerheadVR took a completely opposite approach to the first. Players now take on the role of a CIA agent sent into the underwater station to find out why there has been loss of contact with the secondary science team and Navy Seals, who were previously sent in to investigate. The DLC moves away from the stealth and survival gameplay of the first, becoming a more action packed free-roaming shooter, with players now exploring the structure with an array of weapons at their disposal as they learn the CIA is less interested in the experiments but more the mysterious ‘Anomaly’ that sits at the heart of the ruins.

Syren Episode 2

VRFocus reviewed the original title, giving it 4-stars, saying: “Despite some of its flaws on the whole Syren works very well, but because of this there’s not enough. Most players will find the experience too short, easily completed within a couple of hours.” The addition of the second episode did help to address some of the issues relating to the first.

Syren will be available for PlayStation VR on 6th November 2018. For further updates form HammerheadVR, keep reading VRFocus.

May 28, 2017

Hammerhead VR’s Horror Title Syren 2 Returns for a Gameplay Video

Earlier this month Hammerhead VR released the second episode for its virtual reality (VR) horror experience Syren 2, for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. So VRFocus thought it would be a good idea to return to the ocean depths and see what the new release entails.

The first episode arrived back in February for both headsets, with VRFocus giving it a respectable four stars, saying: “Hammerhead VR has shown it can really do VR horror some justice, but Syren needs some more polish to be a standout experience.”

That first outing was all about stealth, hiding in the shadows and behind pillars to ensure you were never spotted as most of the time you’re unarmed. For this new release the tables have been turned, and instead you can now take the fight to the syrens. This is a far more action-horror experience, where you’ll start off with a pistol then find cash to spend at a gun store, purchasing more ammo and greater firepower.

Checkout the gameplay video below, and come back to VRFocus everyday for another slice of VR goodness.

May 17, 2017

Hammerhead VR releases Episode 2 of Horror Experience Syren

In February, Hammerhead VR launched virtual reality (VR) horror title Syren for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Today the studio has announced the first DLC for the videogame, continuing the story from the first release with Syren Episode 2.

In this second installment of Syren players take on the role of a CIA agent sent into the underwater station to find out why there has been loss of contact with the secondary science team and Navy Seals, who were previously sent in to investigate. The DLC moves away from the stealth and survival gameplay of the first, becoming a more action packed free-roaming shooter, with players now exploring the structure with an array of weapons at their disposal as they learn the CIA is less interested in the experiments but more the mysterious ‘Anomaly’ that sits at the heart of the ruins.

Syren Episode 2

Syren tells the story of a scientist obsessed with eugenics who builds an underwater research facility named Darwin Station, investigating an ancient lost city beneath the ocean. This lab has been conducting horrific experiments in an attempt to recreate the lost species of ‘Syrens’ – the legendary inhabitants of the civilisation that once existed in the ruins below. But now, the experiments have gotten loose.

The Syren Episode 2 DLC is free to download for anyone who purchased the original. Syren retails on Steam for £14.99 GBP and on Oculus Store for £14.99.

VRFocus reviewed the original title, giving it 4-stars, saying: “Despite some of its flaws on the whole Syren works very well, but because of this there’s not enough. Most players will find the experience too short, easily completed within a couple of hours.” With this additional DLC release Hammerhead VR is likely addressing some of the issues relating to the first release.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Hammerhead VR and Syren, reporting back with any further updates.