Action Hero VR: A Cinematic Experience in Virtual Reality

A Blend of Gaming and Cinema

Action Hero is an exciting new VR first-person shooter (FPS) that combines the innovative mechanics of Superhot with the thrilling spectacle of action cinema. Developed by Fast Travel Games, known for titles like Mannequin and Vampire: The Masquerade – Justice, Action Hero places players in the lead role of five distinct action films, offering a unique blend of gaming and cinematic adventure.

Hands-On Experience at Gamescom

The game was recently showcased at the VR Games Showcase, and I had the opportunity to experience the Adventure movie segment at Gamescom on the Quest 3. Each movie is structured into four acts, serving as checkpoints, and each act contains five scenes. Notably, the game avoids artificial locomotion, enhancing the immersive experience. Although I only experienced one movie, each promises to explore different genres, adding to the game’s diversity.

Accessible Yet Thrilling Gameplay

Action Hero is designed to be accessible for newcomers while providing an exhilarating experience for seasoned VR enthusiasts. The slow-motion gameplay mechanic allows players to strategize and explore their environment, revealing hidden weapons and resources. From pistols and shotguns to throwable wrenches and bare fists, players have a vast arsenal at their disposal, ensuring they are never defenseless, even when low on ammo.

Creative and Dynamic Action Sequences

The game encourages creative gameplay. Players can choose to engage enemies directly, disarm foes to use their weapons, or leverage environmental elements like explosive barrels for strategic advantages. Special events, such as a boulder crash followed by a dinosaur attack, add to the cinematic flair, culminating in dramatic boss battles.

Motivation Through Challenge

Failure in Action Hero means reshooting the entire act, but rather than being frustrating, it motivates players to perfect their approach. The game humorously suggests that bankrupting the film studio with costly reshoots is a worthwhile pursuit for achieving cinematic perfection. For those struggling, a golden pistol with unlimited ammo appears to assist in overcoming challenging scenes.

Refreshing Take on Familiar Mechanics

While Action Hero doesn’t drastically innovate beyond the mechanics of Superhot VR, it refreshingly adapts these elements into a campy action film setting. The slow-motion feature allows for tactical planning while maintaining the excitement of dodging bullets in real-time. The game quickly draws players in with its engaging premise.

Room for Improvement

One area for improvement is the variety of enemies. Although the action sequences are thrilling and challenging, the Adventure film’s enemies, such as dinosaurs and gas mask soldiers, lack diversity. Introducing more varied adversaries could enhance the gameplay experience.

Conclusion: A Promising VR Experience

Overall, Action Hero stands out as a highlight from Gamescom, offering an entertaining parody of 80s action films combined with the engaging slow-motion mechanics of Superhot VR. Fast Travel Games appears poised to deliver a compelling VR action experience when Action Hero launches on the Meta Quest platform later this year.