| Developer | Publisher | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Petricore | Petricore | Meta Quest 3S-Meta Quest 3-Meta Quest Pro-Meta Quest 2 |
With the release of Mythic Realms for Meta Quest, virtual reality gaming has taken another step forward into the realm of fantasy RPGs. The game aims to provide an immersive experience, blending deep role-playing mechanics with an interactive VR world. Meta Quest 2’s wireless capabilities allow for freedom of movement, and Mythic Realms takes full advantage of this, offering an expansive adventure filled with magic, combat, and exploration.
A Triumph in Mixed Reality
At its core, Mythic Realms is a first-person RPG that allows players to step into a fantastical world where they can wield swords, cast spells, and embark on epic quests. The game features a physics-based combat system, requiring precise timing and movement for effective attacks and defense. Magic spells are cast using hand gestures, making the experience feel incredibly natural and rewarding.
The addition of a robust crafting and character progression system means that players can truly shape their journey, whether they prefer melee combat, ranged attacks, or powerful sorcery. Exploration is another key component. Players can traverse forests, dungeons, and castles, all filled with hidden secrets. Quests are well-designed, encouraging both combat and puzzle-solving, ensuring that gameplay never becomes monotonous.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Mythic Realms is how it integrates augmented reality (AR) elements with its VR experience. Players can use their physical environment in innovative ways, making interactions more tangible and immersive. This seamless blend of AR and VR is one of the game’s strongest points, elevating the feeling of presence and making the experience feel groundbreaking. Whether using real-world gestures to interact with objects or seeing in-game elements react to the physical space, this approach sets Mythic Realms apart from many other VR titles.
The Space Issue
The combat in Mythic Realms is a true highlight. Swordplay is dynamic and physics-driven, meaning that players must properly time their swings and parries rather than simply hacking away at enemies. Magic spells add another layer of complexity, as each requires specific hand movements to activate. The variety of enemies also adds to the excitement, with fine AI behaviors ensuring battles feel engaging and challenging. From hulking trolls to agile shadow spirits, every encounter feels unique and requires a strategic approach to overcome.
While Mythic Realms excels in many aspects, one significant drawback is its dependency on ample physical space. The game’s immersive mechanics are best experienced in larger play areas, which makes it difficult for those playing in a small room to fully enjoy. Many of the movement-based mechanics, such as dodging and free-form melee combat, feel restrictive when played in a small space, sometimes leading to frustrating interactions with real-world obstacles. This limitation can take away from the immersion, making it difficult to engage fully in the game’s mechanics without fear of bumping into walls or furniture.
A Disappointing Graphical Style
Where Mythic Realms truly struggles is in its graphical presentation. While VR games often make sacrifices in visual fidelity for the sake of performance, the graphics in Mythic Realms feel too dated. Character models are blocky, animations can appear inflexible, and textures lack the detail expected from modern titles. The overall aesthetic feels more in line with PlayStation 2-era games rather than a recent VR experience. This stark contrast between gameplay depth and graphical quality is disappointing, especially given how immersive the rest of the game aims to be.
Despite its graphical shortcomings and space-related limitations, Mythic Realms remains a worthwhile experience, particularly for fans of VR RPGs. Its impressive combat mechanics, deep enough role-playing elements, and innovative use of AR/VR make it stand out among the relatively few fantasy RPGs available on Meta Quest 2. While it may not be the most visually stunning title, its engaging gameplay and ambitious mechanics make it a game that VR enthusiasts should at least try.
The review code was provided by the publisher
| GAMEPLAY | ART | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| 85% | 10% | 70% |