Since the game is based around multiple Dark Picture games, the enemies do get switched up a bit each time you transition to a level based on another game, but then those enemies simply remain until the next transition. Unfortunately, the enemy variety isn’t as varied and will have you fighting off the same enemies time and again. Levels are decently long, normally clocking in at anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes each, and feature a variety of locations to ride through ranging from a wrecked plane and underground caverns to houses and theaters. Limited-use weapons can only be reloaded a set number of times which is indicated by skull marks that appear on your wrist, forcing you to attempt to use them wisely and conserve the ammo for more difficult encounters. The handguns have unlimited ammo and can be reloaded by simply shaking your hand up and down, or by pressing the bottom button on either controller. In a few levels, these demon crates will also spawn special items, such as a UV light or a shock gun, which are then used to solve puzzles. You begin with two handguns but can obtain other limited-use weapons by shooting demon crates, normally conveniently located before tough sections or bosses, which will spawn either a shotgun, machine gun, or a revolver. It’s all wildly entertaining, even if it might not be groundbreaking video game design. Many of the objects in each level are breakable, allowing you to do your best Rambo impression as you destroy barrels, crates, and various miscellaneous objects in-between taking down hordes of enemies. Hitting targets accurately is surprisingly easy, and since there is no ammunition limit to worry about (aside from when using special weapons), you can just fire wildly with both guns and take out most anything with little hassle. The main draw of a game like Switchback is its arcade-style shooting and its rollercoaster premise, both of which work well here – although I do wish they had leaned into the rollercoaster aspect more often, creating more theme park thrills rather than maintaining a relatively slow pace throughout aside from a few specific set pieces. Switchback VR has very little story to speak of, aside from you being a passenger on a train before a horrific derailment after which you are thrust into levels that are based around other Dark Picture games, with every couple of levels culminating in a boss fight pulled from the series. It’s worth noting that I have never played any entry in The Dark Pictures anthology, on which this entire game is based, and those that have may enjoy this game more than the average player. Unfortunately, there are some graphical issues, a couple of slow levels, lackluster bosses, repetitive enemies, and a surprising lack of rollercoaster thrills that prevent Switchback from being the horror classic that it should have been. The shooting feels great, there are a few good jump scares, and overall the game is entertaining for the few hours it takes to complete. The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR does exactly that, so I had a blast with the game. Look, I’m easy to please throw a VR unit on my head, slap some virtual guns in my hands, and let me go town on a few enemies and I’m happy.
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