Many individuals haven’t fully embraced Virtual Reality (VR) yet. Even though there are impressive games like “Asgard’s Wrath 2”, “Batman: Arkham Shadow”, and “Metro Awakening” that can only be played using VR, new VR announcements such as “Thief VR: Legacy of Shadow” are often received with a muted and somewhat disgruntled reaction. Perhaps a light-hearted character like Deadpool could help make VR feel more inviting and innovative.
As a diehard fan, it’s only fitting that Marvel’s Deadpool VR is set to be the star attraction for Meta Quest 3. Crafted by Twisted Pixel, the studio behind classics like Splosion Man and Gunstringer, this VR game is now under Meta’s wing. The humor-filled action-shooter, Deadpool VR, is proving to be another strong argument for investing in a VR headset. I had the pleasure of trying it out at Summer Game Fest Play Days, and Deadpool VR already feels like one of the most polished VR action games I’ve experienced, demonstrating a clear affection for the comics and characters it’s bringing to life.
In the story of Deadpool VR, you’ll find Wade Wilson, or Deadpool as he’s more popularly known, embarking on an adventure across the Marvel universe. He’s been coerced into a job by Mojo to track down villains such as Omega Red and Mephisto. During my demonstration, however, I was tasked with retrieving a stolen Helicarrier for S.H.I.E.L.D., all while encountering an abundance of characters and references from the Marvel universe. From Lady Deadpool to Maria Hill, Deadpool VR already seemed rich in Marvel lore, and the developers I interacted with appeared to be exploring territory that previous Marvel video games haven’t been able to venture into. As Phil Therien, the Lead Designer, explained to ComicBook, “Our story thrives on exotic locations and intriguing Marvel villains.
As a gamer, I’ve got to say that Twisted Pixel’s version of Deadpool is like none other, amping up the pop culture humor even further than the films and giving it a sharper edge with its snark. So far, I’m loving Neil Patrick Harris’ performance in the game. The developers I chatted with mentioned that he was the obvious choice for the role once they discussed it with him, and hearing him deliver some lines sealed the deal. “Our Deadpool is a unique story, a separate universe,” Animation Director Matt Schmitz shared, “and we wanted to make it distinctively ours. Neil Patrick Harris was the ideal fit for the job.
In terms of gameplay innovation within the VR combat genre, Deadpool VR doesn’t quite match up to games like Batman: Arkham Shadow. However, it effectively employs guns and swords, common elements found in numerous other VR games, offering Twisted Pixel ample room for inspiration. What sets Deadpool VR apart is the incredibly satisfying feel of both shooting and swordplay, which I found intuitive and effortless to perform. Unlike some VR games that require intricate reload techniques or risk losing weapons forever, Deadpool VR’s weapon handling is straightforward and reliable. Weapons are consistently assigned to specific body parts, allowing me to swiftly adapt to the game within minutes, as if I had been playing Deadpool VR for hours already.
The distinctive charm of Deadpool VR’s gameplay lies in its over-the-top style. Among the exciting weapons available, my personal favorite was a dive kick that enabled me to leap from one enemy to another, impaling their hands with my sword if I positioned it correctly. Interestingly, I didn’t experience any motion sickness during gameplay, which I attribute to the comfort settings I utilized. The developers appeared pleased with both of these aspects.
In this game, we aimed to offer the player freedom to complete the game using their preferred methods while ensuring maximum enjoyment. Since Deadpool will exploit every resource at his disposal to eliminate adversaries, we wanted to ensure players could do the same. Schmitz emphasized that the game is fast-paced with a lot of action, so it’s crucial to maintain comfort for the players. As this is Twisted Pixel’s fifth VR game, they have significantly improved comfort settings.
Instead of feeling let down by the fact that the latest Deadpool game is exclusive to VR, you’ll soon find yourself laughing out loud as you battle enemies with Twisted Pixel and Neil Patrick Harris’ take on the character. Meta has struck a balance with its first-party VR games featuring superheroes like Batman and Deadpool, making it worthwhile for comic book enthusiasts to consider investing in a Meta Quest 3 headset if they don’t already own one. Instead of worrying too much about certain franchises moving to VR, just dive into the game and enjoy the experience!
Marvel’s Deadpool VR will be released for Meta Quest 3 sometime later this year.
Read More
2025-06-14 18:42