THE PERSISTENCE

It’s a case of grind-hog day in Firesprite’s PS VR shooter

Waking on board the spaceship Persistence we, begin to explore our surroundings. A soothing female voice welcomes us. Family photos suggest comfort, toys and cutlery fill the nearby shelves. Then we notice the blood splatters, the scattered furniture, and a sense of dread takes over. The cold of space enters our bloodstream. We’re light years from help on board a stranded science vessel caught in the pull of a black hole. And, it would seem, we’re not alone.

Like a resurrected Dead Space, Firesprite’s new game feels familiar, but the weight of the PS VR headset reminds us The Persistence is something new. The world is tangible and solid, vents hiss noxious gases in our virtual eyes, and the murmur of hidden horrors sets us on edge. We’re being hunted, prey for an unseen enemy out for blood.

When we do come face-to-face with our zombie stalker, a former crew mate turned walking dead by a dark matter accident, we panic. Pressing p we parry our assailant’s blows, and follow-up by holding i to fire a DNA harvester into its chest. Wires pump DNA and digits tick over – the game’s form of XP is gathered and a bar pings satisfyingly in the corner of our VR visor. The creature wails in pain and slumps to the floor. This combat feels good.

Our victory is short-lived, however, as the fight has brought us to the attention of more screaming zombies. This time panic results in death.

“THE MURMUR OF HIDDEN HORRORS SETS US ON EDGE.”