Stormland Gameplay Features

In Stormland, players control an android that is shattered and is trying to save other robots. The sci-fi co-op shooter puts players in a fantastical world where they explore, collect resources, upgrade weapons, find loots, and fight to survive. The gameplay is focused on player choices and according to Insomniac Games, the world will constantly change and give you reasons to come back.

When asked about the nature of the gameplay, Insomniac Games confirmed that the game will combine story missions, exploration and survival elements. The developer also confirmed that the world in Stormland is vast so you can go anywhere within the limits of the map and the world will be changing itself over time. Players will be able to explore areas with traversal which means you can reach anywhere through movements such as climbing, sliding, walking and gliding.

The core idea behind map design for Stormland is it doesn’t restrict players. If you’ve played The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, you may have noticed that there are no boundaries set for exploration as long as the player doesn’t reach till the end of the map’s premise. On top of it, there’s a bigger story in Stormland which players will follow and mission stories are separate branches of it. If you compare this game with Insomniac’s other VR games, Stormland is the biggest VR game they have developed so far.

As stated above, the world in Stormland features procedurally generated environments which means every time it will bring new areas and challenges for combats, exploration, and scavenging. There’s a satellite that watches you and it also helps you find out the best upgrades on the map.

The environment in Stormland appears to be badly affected by natural events. The gameplay featured in the previously released videos shows destruction at a large level. The collectibles are shown scattered around the map and as you glide near them, these items are automatically collected. The game allows you to explore its expansive environment where you can use explosives and add more power to your weapons to prepare yourself for combats. You can play solo and if you want, you can bring your friends on boards.

The game features a community of androids which means you can team up with other robots and join others for raids or shared missions. Players can fight in freeform style to overcome the enemy troops. Stormland also allows building up weapons and tech from scratch so you can collect items and use them to strengthen your character.

Stormland Release Date

Stormland is made from the ground up exclusively for virtual reality. It clearly means that the game won’t be available on other platforms if they don’t support Oculus Rift. According to Insomniac Games, Stormland release date is set in 2019, but the company has not confirmed anything specific about the game’s release.

When the game launches, players will control a peaceful gardener that has been lying with its shattered body for centuries. As the journey of players begins, they will be exploring the ever-changing environment and become a part of a heroic adventure. You will fight for your friends and defeat enemies, to bring the world back to its normal state.

Stormland is one of the biggest VR games backed by Oculus Studios. It is undoubtedly Insomniac’s most ambitious VR project which is coming at some point in 2019.

Staff Writer; Jay Baker

Have any Gaming Tips? News? Hit up our Video Games Guru at; JayBaker@AfroGamers.com.

To know which VR headset is the best in 2019, we started with the Oculus Rift.

Oculus Rift

This VR headset is a big player in the PC gaming world. Its design, weight, and controllers feel perfect for gaming. In its early days, the retail version of the Oculus Rift was a turnoff for many people who wanted a VR ready solution in the budget. Now with a lower price and accessories including the touch controllers, Oculus Rift is a value for money product.

Cons: If you want to experience VR gaming on any machine, you need powerful hardware and compatible software. The Rift demands the same and it’s obviously its basic requirement. So if your PC doesn’t have the capability to support Rift, it’s unfair to blame Oculus. The real problem or concern with buying Oculus Rift is its limited support for gaming devices.

Does Oculus Rift Support PS4 and Xbox One?

If you’re a PS4 user, Oculus Rift doesn’t support your console and in no way, you can use Oculus Rift with a PlayStation. But if you’re an Xbox One owner, there’s still something you can do – mirror your Xbox One games on VR screen by using the Xbox One Streaming app.

What this app does is it allows you to play your Xbox One games directly on Oculus Rift. This idea is still not a very convenient one and it doesn’t give you the same experience you have with Oculus Rift on PC.

Technical Details: The Rift offers 1080 x 1200-pixel resolution for each eye which means the final resolution is 2160 x 1200 with 90Hz refresh rates. The refresh rate here is high enough to provide a smooth gaming experience while preventing motion sickness. It also offers a 110-degree field of view, meaning that everything you see on screen appears wider and taller enough.

The Oculus Rift ships with a pair of Touch Controllers that utilize tracking technology to set up the right environment for you and enable gesture mapping. These controllers track your motion and work as your real hands when you play games.

Price: The official price of the Oculus Rift is $399 on the company’s website, but if you check the price on online retail stores, you can get the VR headset for $349.

PlayStation VR

Sony PlayStation 4 is the most popular home console and the PlayStation VR is an obvious choice for gamers who own a PS4. The VR headset comes in an impressive futuristic design with glowing lights and it feels comfortable when you wear it. The new model of PSVR comes with a complete earphone set, but the weight of the headset is still a turnoff. If we compare it with the Oculus Rift’s, the PlayStation VR is bulky as it weighs 600g excluding cables. The Oculus Rift, on the other hand, weighs 470g.

Cons: If we compare the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR, Sony’s PSVR is definitely the one with the lowest specifications. It offers 960 x 1080 pixels resolution per eye which is 1920 x 1080 overall. It is lower than what the Rift and Vive offer. The field of view is also lower on the PlayStation VR than its rivals from HTC and Oculus. One thing that makes it stand out is the frame rate. You won’t notice any input lag on Rift and Vive, but a 120Hz refresh rate on Sony’s PSVR is better than 90Hz refresh rate on Vive and Rift.

Does PlayStation VR Support PC?

Yes, it does. Unlike the Oculus Rift, Sony’s PlayStation VR can also be connected to other machines including PC. Although the solution isn’t perfect, it’s good that when you buy a PSVR headset, you’re not limited to PS4.

Technical Details: Sony’s PlayStation VR definitely rules the market in regards to content. The good thing is you only need a PS4, so there’s no need to upgrade your machine for VR games. The PS4 is already an incredibly powerful gaming system and in terms of how the games feel in VR, there isn’t any noticeable difference. It is certainly not as good as Rift and Vive in terms of overall quality, but for those who don’t want to buy and maintain a gaming PC, the PlayStation VR is a perfect combination of new technology and affordability.

Price: You can find many deals on PSVR bundles that include VR games and accessories like MOVE controllers, PlayStation Camera, and game vouchers. The hardware is available under $200 and the price of PSVR bundles ranges between $250 and $400 in the United States.

HTC Vive

Launched in 2016, the HTC Vive is a premium VR headset that requires a powerful PC. It offers higher resolution and full-motion room tracking and these features make it one of the most powerful VR headsets in the gaming world. The headset is connected to Valve Steam store and if you have the right specs on your PC and also have the budget for a premium VR experience, the Vive is a lot more powerful than the PlayStation VR and the Oculus Rift.

Cons: One thing that’s really good and unique about the HTC Vive is it offers tracking for a much larger area which is very important for game developers and players. Games developed for Vive have the potential to track in larger areas and that’s how the Vive offers more immersive premium VR experience. From a player’s point of view, the controllers are not as convenient as the Rift controllers. You have to point the controller at things and it feels like you’re using a TV remote. Controllers on the Oculus Rift feel more natural.

Does HTC Vive Support PS4 and Xbox One?

You may have seen YouTube videos where people claim that you can run HTC Vive on an Xbox One or PS4. The truth is you can’t, and even if you try to do so through tools like remote play, the experience won’t be good. The Vive hardware is not compatible with the PlayStation 4 or its upgrades version PS4 Pro. You can use Vive on a desktop but the amount of processing power Vive needs is not possible for the PS4 and it’s the same case with the Xbox One.

Technical Details: The HTC Vive has an impressive specs sheet. The VR headset offers 1080 x 1200 pixels resolution per eye which is 2160 x 1200 pixels when combined. The refresh rate is 90Hz which is lower than the PSVR, but the field of view is higher at 110 degrees. With accessories like Deluxe Audio Strap, you can enhance the overall VR experience on Vive.

Price: You can buy HTC Vive for $499. There’s a Pro version which you may not need but if you want to check it, the starter kit of Vive Pro is available for $1098. As far as the availability of games is concerned, with the Vive, you get the full Steam VR library of games.

Which VR Headset Is The Best In 2019?

Choosing the best VR headset in 2019 depends on your needs. First of all, you should keep in mind that all these VR headsets can give you almost the same gaming experience. The first thing you should focus on is the gaming system you’re planning to use. If you are ready to spend your money on an expensive PC and are ready to shell out $499 on a VR headset, choosing the HTC Vive over the Oculus Rift has many advantages. The Vive has better hardware and if you play games on PC, the Vive is more convenient to use.

For console owners, specifically the PS4 users, PSVR should be your first preference because it is developed according to the processing power of the PS4 console. If you don’t have a gaming PC or console, and you are planning to buy a VR headset, choosing a gaming system first would be the right approach. But if you want to focus on a VR headset first with a limited budget, choose the PS4 and PSVR bundle to save money. Building a gaming PC isn’t going to be easy, in case if you’re considering.

Staff Writer; Jay Baker

Have any Gaming Tips? News? Hit up our Video Games Guru at; JayBaker@AfroGamers.com.

Rebel Galaxy

Rebel Galaxy is a well-designed space exploration game featuring stunning visuals, pleasant soundtrack, and fun combat system. If you have already played this game, the good news is that a sequel to the original game is coming and it’s called Rebel Galaxy Outlaw. As we know that Star Citizen won’t come anytime before Q2 2019, the Rebel Galaxy sequel gives us hopes as it will be released in early 2019 for the PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

No Man’s Sky

After several updates, particularly the NEXT update, No Man’s Sky has truly become the game we wanted from Sean Murray and his team at Hello Games. With a bumpy start, this space exploration game is something you can never get tired of playing on PC and PS4. In Star Citizen, you will see many things that are similar to what No Man’s Sky gameplay features. Try it if you haven’t already.

FreeSpace 2

Freespace 2 is a beautifully designed sequel of the original FreeSpace game. The best thing about this sequel is that even its gameplay style is the same as the original game, the developers have added so much more in terms of gameplay mechanics and visuals to make it stand out. If you’re someone who likes space combat games, FreeSpace 2 is the game you should play.

Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos

The first game in the Independence War series was praised for its innovative gameplay and design. Edge of Chaos is set after the plot set by the original game. The game allows players to take the role of a pirate and explore the vast universe instead of limiting the gameplay to certain missions. The game is one of the most complex space flight simulators and it delivered the gameplay fans had been asking for.

3030 Deathwar

In 3030 Deathwar, the music and artwork are the real deal as they keep you entertained throughout the gameplay. The game’s story is pretty interesting and hunting down opponents is fun and doesn’t look repetitive. In short, if you are a fan of sandbox space games, 3030 Deathwar is a treat and worth playing.

EVE: Valkyrie

Eve: Valkyrie is a highly recommended game for those who love space flight simulators especially in VR. When you’re wearing the headset, the game makes you feel like you’re really flying through the space in your ship. The game certainly lacks customization options but in-game mechanics are a real treat and enough to keep players hooked for hours.

Dreadnought

The free-to-play game Dreadnought is an action-packed team-based shooter. Unlike many other top space flight simulators available for PC and consoles, Dreadnought doesn’t ask you to put money here and there, since you can play the game for free. The developers aim to make money using a free-to-play model in which you can buy certain in-game items, and in this case, there are ships which you can purchase. The good thing is, the game has very little to sell. If you’re waiting for Star Citizen release but don’t want to put money on any other game, Dreadnought is the game we highly recommend.

Rogue System

If you’re into space flight simulators and space combat then this game is simply amazing. Rough System gives you a realistic feel of your surroundings. As you take the pilot’s chair and control a well-designed ship. The early access game features tutorials and helps you get familiar with the life in space, your ship, and controls you are going to use. The gameplay is challenging and graphics look polished.

Staff Writer; Jay Baker

Have any Gaming Tips? News? Hit up our Video Games Guru at; JayBaker@AfroGamers.com.