Esper – PSVR | Review

By Joe Anderson
| 5th July 2018
| PSVR, Review
| 0

Epser is an interesting PSVR game, the premise of which is to test for those with telekinetic powers, putting your through a series of tests using all manner of objects, all while sitting in a dour and generic looking government office.

It’s quite a short game, although it is very well made, with a friendly narrator guiding you through each section, while occasionally throwing in a few smart-ass remarks at the same time.

As puzzle games go it’s not too tricky, having you solve puzzles, which generally involves picking up objects and steering them through the environment them using the DualShock 4 or PlayStation Move in order to activate a switch. The game is simple to control, as you’ll use the trigger button to pick up the objects and move them using motion controls, you can then move them backwards or forwards using the face buttons or even throw them a little further using the Move button, since your telekinetic powers can’t reach too far into the distance.

The puzzles start off pretty easy, but as you would expect, the longer you play, the more the levels become increasingly challenging and on occasion will likely having you pull your own hair in frustration as you struggle to get past a certain point. The game throws all manner of obstacles in your way, such as glass which you can’t control, material which blocks you from controlling an object when it’s behind it and switches that move the environment. Of course, all puzzles are solvable eventually, you just need to stick with it. As with most things, it’s all about perseverance.

With Esper you play the game in just one room, all while sitting down. It does have the look of the sort of room you’d go in for a telekinetic test. it’s quite plain, although that soon changes when all manner of thing comes out of the walls when going through the tests. Since the game is based on one room, this has afforded the developer time to concentrate on the presentation, which is fantastic. I love the smooth animations too, which sees the room transform without a stutter. It’s very impressive on the eye for sure.

The main issue with the game is the tracking, which does on occasion cause a few issues. However, there is a big red button on the desk which will set you right should you lose track of your object.

Final Impressions

Esper may only be around two hours long, but it feels perfect for PlayStation VR. It’s tricky, but at the same time a lot of fun too. It also looks fantastic and works perfectly with either the DualShock 4 or PlayStation Move controller.

It’s fair to say if you are looking for a puzzler on PlayStation VR then you won’t go wrong with Esper.

*Code kindly provided by the publisher for review*

Developer: Coatsink Software / Publisher: Coatsink Software
Release date: 29/06/2018
Platforms: PS4
Platform Reviewed on: PS4 Pro