Review of Bulletstorm VR: A cult classic makes its VR debut, but lackluster VR combat hinders it

Initial release date: January 18, 2024

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Meta Quest

Developer: Incuvo

Genres: Shooter game, Adventure game, Adventure

Publisher: People Can Fly

Bulletstorm has lasted impressively long for a game about a harsh and difficult-to-like drunk and his motley crew of warriors. Bulletstorm, which debuted on consoles in 2011 to relatively positive reviews but low sales and significant controversy, remained popular enough that a remaster, Bulletstorm: Full Clip, was released barely five years later. Nearly eight years later, a new version to this cult favorite is being published for VR, allowing players to experience Grayson Hunt’s revenge mission up close and personal in all its obscene and gory grandeur. Unfortunately, despite the developers’ best efforts, Bulletstorm VR never shakes the weight of its 13-year-old console origins, and the VR upgrade dulls what was once a tremendously fast-paced and attractive shooter.

I’m not going to spend time repeating the relatively basic story because it is only a backdrop for crazy action sequences, and the story was never the game’s distinguishing feature. Bulletstorm’s distinctive style set it apart. A game as violent and vulgar as Bulletstorm could have easily been ignored or dismissed as a product designed for shock value (and, to be sure, some people did come after the game for that reason) if it hadn’t been for how fluid its combat was and the uniqueness of the game’s skillshot reward system, which encouraged experimentation.

To this day, the skillshot payout system remains a novel technique to entice players to use all available ways of destruction to annihilate their adversaries. As you defeat adversaries, you receive points based on how stylish your kill was. A simple straight forward takedown may only earn you ten points, kicking an enemy into spikes may earn you 100 points, and kicking an enemy into an exploding barrel and sparking a chain reaction that eliminates an entire line of adversaries may earn you thousands. These prize points can then be used to purchase weapon upgrades, ammo, new weapons, and other items from hubs located throughout each level. Combined with the fast-paced movement and shooting, as well as a variety of clever ways to pull off trick kills, the skillshot system may have contributed to the game’s longevity.

Bulletstorm contains a lot of shooting, so you’ll have access to a wide range of weaponry. While you start with simply a simple assault rifle, you’ll quickly unlock a plethora of diverse weapons, each with its own play style, reloading mechanism, and charge shot. Bulletstorm VR allows you to dual wield two guns at the same time, one on your right hip and the other over your right shoulder. It is quick and easy to swap weapons, and you don’t have to worry about dropping a weapon while fumbling around in VR because anything you have equipped will always spawn when you reach for its designated position on your belt or backpack.

Bulletstorm provides three different reload styles: button, semi-immersive, and fully-immersive. I went with the semi-immersive method, which allows the player to reload by simply reaching into their ammo pouch in their left pocket and inserting it into their rifle. Those who desire more authentic loading techniques will want to select fully-immersive, whilst those who don’t want to worry about reloading should select the button option, which allows you to reload instantly without using any VR mechanics.

Aiming in VR seems decent, at least after you get used to the duck and cover brawls that will occur at every round. You can shoot a gun one-handed, but it will become awkward after a while. Alternatively, you can use two hands to stabilize your aim for more accurate shots. In addition to your armory of weaponry, you have a leash mechanism attached to your left glove. The leash is highly useful during your assignments, allowing you to move heavy obstacles swiftly and easily. In VR, the leash can be used in two ways: hand or head. Hand allows you to aim with your left hand, then hold the relevant button and pull, whereas the head option places the aiming reticle in the center of your view and allows you to utilize the leash by simply looking at what has to be pulled, holding the appropriate button, then drawing back with your hand. Both approaches are simple to use and ultimately come down to personal preference.

A VR game, particularly an FPS where precise movement and aim are required, tends to live or die based on its movement and fluidity. Unfortunately, here is where Bulletstorm VR falls short, although its console counterpart excels. Let’s start with the good: Bulletstorm VR has a wide range of movement options, including snap angle turning, smooth motion, and teleportation. Bulletstorm VR most likely contains your preferred method of VR traversal. Despite being very well-versed in VR at this point, I occasionally experience nausea, especially when trying out a new title, but Bulletstorm VR’s mobility never bothered me. For my playthrough, the fluid mobility and snap turn best suited my play style.

Now comes the disappointment. Bulletstorm’s entire gameplay idea is based on rapid and stylish kills, which were simple to accomplish on console but may be frustrating and difficult to carry off in VR. The transition to VR increases the likelihood that the player will simply hide and shoot, hoping not to be swamped, rather than running around the battlefield sliding and kicking foes and completing amazing headshots and gruesome kills. Some players may adapt better than others, but I discovered that whenever I tried to be fashionable, I ended up flailing around and missing my aim, so I eventually decided on staying back and shooting from a distance. The game can still be enjoyable, but losing that free-flowing carnage, or at least making that devastation considerably more difficult to execute, significantly diminishes the experience.

Unfortunately, Bulletstorm contains little else VR-related other from a few brief climbing parts, and, for better or worse, it is the same game you may remember from the 2016 remaster. The graphics are out of date, but they do the job, albeit you will never be impressed by what you see. Aside from particular times where the game hands you something, you cannot pick up random objects and play with them like you can in other VR experiences. The sequences, which take you out of the VR experience and play on a wide screen, are the most disappointing. They are quite pixelated because the original video quality was not designed to be blown up to such large levels. It’s not a deal breaker by any means, but it does detract from the immersion, especially given the number of short but intrusive cutscenes that occur throughout each level.

The biggest surprise in this version is the inclusion of two brand-new campaign levels centered on Trishka Novak, who can dual-wield energy blades. Fighting with the energy blades is a welcome departure from Hunt’s regular arsenal, forcing players to adjust to a far more aggressive style of play that is more suited to VR. Two levels may not be enough to warrant purchasing this release, but they may convince some die-hard enthusiasts to return.

Bulletstorm VR still has the makings of a terrific game, but it fails to explain why a VR edition of this cult favorite was necessary. As it is, the entire time you play Bulletstorm VR, you’ll be acutely aware that you’re playing a 13-year-old console game and will frequently question why you didn’t play the PC or console remaster instead.

Review Overview

Gameplay – 65%

Controls – 60%

Aesthetics – 68%

Content – 65%

Accessibility – 62%

Value – 63%

Overall Rating – 64%

FAIR

Summary: Bulletstorm VR brings the over-the-top action of the original to virtual reality, but the result is underwhelming. The game’s signature skillshot system doesn’t translate well to VR, with clunky controls and frustrating combat mechanics detracting from the experience. The visuals, while colorful, feel dated and fail to fully immerse the player in the VR environment. Despite offering a decent amount of content, the game’s repetitive nature and steep learning curve make it difficult to recommend. While fans of the original might find some enjoyment, Bulletstorm VR struggles to justify its place in the VR landscape.