Hands-on: Cold VR is Superhot VR in reverse, but much more chaotic
A demo of the VR shooter Cold VR has recently been released on Steam. I tried out the VR game, which is reminiscent of Superhot VR.
Cold VR is a VR shooter for PC VR that is very similar to Superhot VR in terms of visuals and structure. There is no release date yet, but a demo is available via SteamVR where you can try out some of the game's levels.
While it may look like a clone of the popular Superhot VR port, Cold VR does one thing completely differently. Time only stands still when you move — the opposite of Superhot VR's gameplay. You can also move freely, which makes the gameplay much faster and more chaotic. But how does Cold VR play?
Cold VR is pure chaos
To test Cold VR, I connected my Quest 3 directly to my computer using a link cable. After starting the game, I found myself in a kind of hub. Here I have to choose from six levels, a tutorial and the start of the demo, which takes me through different areas before the game starts and explains the game and its functions in more detail.
As already mentioned, the special feature of Cold VR is the fact that time stands still as long as I move. That's why it's important to keep moving, which works perfectly thanks to the fairly fluid controls. This big difference to Superhot VR makes Cold VR a much more chaotic game.
Whereas in Superhot VR I could simply take my time and plan my steps, here I have to plan on the fly. It's especially challenging to keep track of things when you're moving quickly from enemy to enemy.
When I got to the first real level, I found a katana. I immediately went into battle with it and defeated my first few enemies in melee combat — only to realize after a short pause that two more enemies were already shooting at me with pistols. I dodged the first bullet with a quick movement and simply blocked the second with my katana, which surprised me quite a bit. In this style, you progress through increasingly complicated areas and levels.
Here you are on three connected ships. There are enemies everywhere and bullets flying towards you all the time. Pure chaos! | Image: ALLWARE LLC
From the katana to the throwing axe to the revolver
At first, I'm usually only armed with a katana or other melee weapons, but soon I'm holding the first firearms with very limited ammunition. The fact that enemies move when I'm standing still is particularly noticeable here.
Aiming at an enemy in peace is typically not a good idea. Instead, I run wildly from cover to cover, trying to make sure none of the enemies can move much. I have a large sword in one hand and a pistol in the other. Whenever I managed to shoot one of the enemies in the chaos and constant movement, I tried my luck.
Unfortunately, quite often unsuccessfully because aiming and shooting in VR and in full motion is by no means easy. As a result, I regularly found myself relying on my melee weapon and charging at the various enemies, only to take them down with a powerful blow.
Pirate ships and backrooms
The levels are designed very differently. Once I had to escape from a labyrinth without weapons, which is very reminiscent of the familiar back rooms. These are disturbing, surreal mazes of seemingly endless, monotonous rooms and corridors with yellowish lighting and damp carpeted floors. You can only enter this labyrinth through a “glitch” in reality, and it is haunted by creepy creatures. The creepy pasta phenomenon recently brought Noclip VR to Meta Quest.
In another level, I started on the mast of a ship connected to two other ships by bridges. I had to jump from the mast to kill the first enemy and then use my katana and revolver to take out the crew of all the ships. Due to the many obstacles and the narrow planks between the ships, it was especially difficult for me to keep an overview and not get hit.
The variety of levels makes each challenge feel fresh. I have to come up with a new approach each time and find out what options the current area has for me. These range from different weapons to the ability to jump and take cover.
As you move through the back rooms of Cold VR, you will be chased by enemies who cannot touch you. | Image: ALLWARE LLC
My verdict on the chaotic VR shooter Cold VR
Being a big fan of games like Superhot VR or Pistol Whip, I truly enjoyed Cold VR. Of course, there were a few glitches here and there in the demo, but overall the game played really well. Only the picking up of weapons was sometimes not as precise as I would have liked.
I really liked the music, the visuals, and the variety of environments and tasks. Although Cold VR is incredibly chaotic and confusing at first, once you get used to the speed and movement, the mechanics are straightforward to master. I'm excited to see what the full game has to offer and will definitely give it another try.
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