As Mixed and Virtual Reality headsets gain traction, there’s a push for immersive experiences akin to AAA Games on consoles and PCs. Released in December 2023 alongside the Meta Quest 3, Asgard’s Wrath 2 is one such attempt at an AAA Game for the VR platform.
While free for users of Meta Quest 3, Asgard’s Wrath 2 is priced as a full AAA Game and as such warrants high expectations in terms of its gameplay experience.
NORSE NOSTALGIA
Being a sequel to the first Asgard’s Wrath, it is not necessary to have played the first game as Asgard’s Wrath 2 neatly summarises the first game’s plot into a stylised introduction.
However, it is a treat for players who have played the first game to revisit the old Norse tavern which serves as a home base for the players.
This is short-lived as players are immediately thrust into a cinematic set piece that pushes them into the new mythical Egyptian world that is brimming with content as well as a story that sees players traversing the lands in fighting various mythical creatures and monsters.
As Asgard’s Wrath 2 sets out to be an AAA Game on the VR platform, it certainly ticks all the right boxes, from an expansive story that spans seven lengthy sagas to a plethora of side missions and mini-games to partake in. Players will have no shortage of things to do in the game.
This is further accentuated by the game introducing various playable characters in the form of mortal heroes that the player possesses as a higher power of the realm, giving them access to various gameplay styles and mechanics.
GAMEPLAY VARIETY
Beginning with the intrepid treasure hunter Abraxas, donning the guise of a classic sword and shield warrior, to the enchantingly nature-bound Cyrene, whose arsenal includes creatures summoned by the melody of her harp, a serrated sword, and a trusty turret; a total of four distinct characters are unveiled throughout the player’s odyssey across Egypt.
With each unveiling of these mortal heroes, it feels as though they could each anchor an entire game, with diverse environments and gameplay mechanics tailored to their unique abilities.
Players are granted the freedom to switch between unlocked characters outside of pivotal missions, providing a dynamic and varied experience.
Moreover, players encounter a menagerie of unique animals in moments of dire need, whom they can enlist as companions to aid them on their quest.
From the cunning Sabira, brandishing dual axes, to the seemingly fearless Viggo, who charges headlong into battle, each ally adds depth and strategy to the journey.
TRAVERSAL CHALLENGE
The game ingeniously incorporates the unique gameplay mechanics and styles of both mortal heroes and followers into solving the myriad puzzles scattered across the expansive open world map.
However, while this variety is commendable, it does pose some challenges. Traversal can be particularly daunting, especially for VR newcomers, with potential motion sickness from true locomotion.
Although Asgard’s Wrath 2 offers comfort options, it predominantly caters to experienced VR users who have acclimatised to motion sickness. Other issues, like the grindy nature of certain challenges, disrupt the otherwise smooth pace of the game. Players may find themselves in need of materials to craft better gear, interrupting their journey and causing frustration.
Each new character and follower unlock necessitates farming and crafting their respective equipment, adding to the game’s tedium.
But if one does overcome these hurdles, players are in for a treat as the immersive experience and the sense of adventure is unlike any on traditional platforms such as console or PC.
This sensation does not end with the climactic clash between the player and Loki who serves as the main antagonist of the game, as a rogue-lite game mode as well as a social aspect in the form of Uncharted Rifts and the Cosmic Conquest is also available for players to delve into.
Available early in the game, Uncharted Rift is a rogue-lite game mode that sees players diving head-first into a series of procedurally generated dungeons filled with monsters to slay and rewards to reap.
The Uncharted Rift takes not only the character unlocks from the main story, but also all the knowledge gained by the players to the test in an endless dive for more rewards which can be migrated to the main portion of the game to be used for crafting better weapons and armour.
A social aspect of the game can also be found in Uncharted Rift as players who eventually get defeated in the dungeon can choose to have their character along with their loadout and unlock for that run be included as a companion to help other players or a vengeful spirit that seeks to defeat other players.
As the VR market continues to grow, expand and experiment; Asgard’s Wrath 2 stands as one of the many decent attempts to marry an expansive open-world RPG with the immersive VR platform that results in a well-crafted and rewarding experience that will no doubt have an influence on other games of similar genre releasing for VR in the future. – Daniel Lim
