"Synapse: a must-have for anyone with a PS VR2
29.6.2023
Translation: machine translated
"Synapse is one of the most original VR games I've ever played. The game scores points for its intuitive eye control and addictive gameplay loop. For me, it's the gaming surprise of the year.
I'm completely sweaty with aching arms and shaky legs, but I'm so close to the goal that I'm not letting up. All that's left is to eliminate a few opponents and it's won! With my last bit of strength, I make my way through the final level of Synapse and kill the enemies with my telekinetic powers.
Suddenly, countless assailants overwhelm me from all sides. Game over. I take off my helmet and give myself a break, but it only lasts a moment. Even though I've run out of energy, I start another game, telling myself that this time it's the last and I'm going to win!
When "Inception" meets telekinesis
In Synapse, I take on the role of a secret agent. This one has to infiltrate the mind of a renegade ex-commander of a military organisation who has important information about weapons of mass destruction. A nod to Inception.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic
Easier said than done. Across the ten levels, countless monsters and armed soldiers, controlled by the commander's subconscious, await me. The deeper I delve into the traitor's mind, the more the resistance intensifies.
Using my telekinetic powers, I propel objects, and even enemies, through the air. For example, I can use crates as weapons and use them to shoot down enemies from a safe distance. I can also catapult soldiers against rocks or into abysses. It's impressive and gives incredible satisfaction.
An impressive visual control
The control system for my telekinetic abilities is also amazing: I select the objects and enemies I want to levitate with my eyes. Yes, you read that right. This works using the eye-tracking cameras installed inside the PS VR2 headset.
If I want to propel a crate, for example, I focus my gaze on it and press the trigger on the left controller at the same time. I then launch it into the air with movements of my left arm.
Eye tracking is reliable, even when many objects, soldiers and monsters are very close together. Only in rare cases do I make a mistake and select the wrong object. It all feels extremely intuitive and almost magical. As Todd Howard would say: It just works.
Synapse also uses the adaptive triggers on the PS VR2 controllers. If I only half-press the left trigger, I levitate explosive objects, like oil drums. If I press it all the way down, the barrels explode.
This process forces me to be careful when aiming with my eyes and to use my telekinetic abilities with discernment. One wrong look or too strong a pull on the trigger and I waste precious explosions or put myself in danger.
Source: Capture d’écran : nDreams
As well as having telekinetic powers, I also have access to common firearms which I use with my right hand. This works differently to other VR shooters. Combined with the telekinetic abilities, they open up a range of possibilities that are both frightening and exciting, such as the power to eliminate soldiers. I often use telekinesis to lure enemies into my net, then propel them into the air and, finally, riddle them with bullets from my gun.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic.
All in all, the controls and fast-paced gameplay mixing telekinesis and ball play are great fun. The eye tracking continues to fascinate me after several hours of play, and the supernatural abilities turn every battle into a Hollywood movie scene. It's simply brilliant!
Between tradition and innovation
In order to extract the information from the commander's mind, I have to work my way through a total of ten levels. At each stage, I dive deeper into his consciousness. Synapse is a classic rogue lite game: if I die, the run is over and I start again from the beginning.
After each run, I unlock new permanent skills that make my next mission easier. During the runs, I receive temporary gameplay modifications. As a result, each run plays out a little differently.
I generally don't like rogue lite. I feel like I'm wasting my time, having to do the same thing over and over again while making little progress. However, *Synapse won me over from the very first second and hasn't let me go since. This is mainly due to the 'magical' control system and the superb unlockable skills that constantly refresh the telekinetic power. As a result, I'm constantly progressing and trying out new skills.
Source: Capture d’écran : Domagoj Belancic
Every time, I tell myself that this is my last game. And suddenly, several hours spent sweating in the PS-VR2 headset have passed. I can't seem to calm down until I've completely infiltrated the commander's consciousness.
Lack of opponents and level diversity
The only thing I have against Synapse is the repetitive nature of the enemies and the level design. Overall, there are only five different enemy types. These certainly force me to keep trying different tactics, but, after dozens of runs, I'd love to see new soldiers and monsters.
Source: Capture d’écran : nDreams
The levels are well designed, but they all look the same. The black and white scenery is only broken up by my colourful telekinetic powers and gunfire. From time to time, fire and lava effects provide at least a slight visual variation. It was certainly possible to do better graphically speaking.
Source: Capture d’écran :Domagoj Belancic
The soundscape is very stimulating, however, with the explosive soundtrack acting like an adrenaline shot. Added to this are ominous sound effects such as shrill screams and demonic laughter, which lend soldiers and monsters a menacing aura.
Verdict: a must-have for all VR enthusiasts
With its innovative controls, Synapse makes the most of the PlayStation VR2 hardware. Even after several hours of play, I'm still fascinated by the intuition with which I can select objects and enemies with my eyes.
The combination of telekinesis skills with firearms is fun and gives me a lot of flexibility when approaching chaotic battles. The structure of the rogue lite game keeps me stimulated with these exciting unlockable skills and keeps me on my toes from the beginning to the end of the game.
Despite the levels, the game has a lot to offer.
Despite the somewhat monotonous levels and limited enemy diversity, I can't recommend this game highly enough. Synapse is a must-have for all VR fans and one of the most exciting games of the year.
"Synapse" will be available from 4 July exclusively for PlayStation VR2. For the test, the game was provided to me by nDreams.
Domagoj Belancic
Senior Editor
Domagoj.Belancic@digitecgalaxus.chMy love of video games was unleashed at the tender age of five by the original Gameboy. Over the years, it's grown in leaps and bounds.
