The Highly Engaging and Action-Packed VR Game: Stride: Fates
Available On: Quest, SteamVR (coming in 2024)
Release Date: November 9th, 2023
Price: $30
Developer: Joy Way
Reviewed on: Quest 3
Gameplay
Are you ready to become a futuristic spec-ops soldier known as a Chaser? In Stride: Fates, you are transported into the sci-fi world of Airon City, where your mission as part of the SkyChasers police force is to combat various gangs. Equipped with augmented superhuman abilities, you must eliminate anyone who stands in your way in the most stylish and thrilling manner possible. The game offers a diverse range of weapons such as pistols, SMGs, shotguns, knives, and even a futuristic katana, allowing you to unleash your combat skills and take down enemies in spectacular fashion. With slow-motion bullet time reminiscent of John Wick, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in epic, physics-based interactions, making each kill a visually stunning experience.
What sets Stride: Fates apart from other VR games is the dynamic and cinematic environments in which the fights take place. Whether you prefer straightforward confrontations or more elaborate, action-packed sequences, this game offers a satisfying combat experience like no other. With thrilling aerial maneuvers, slow-motion bullet time, and the ability to hook onto drones and swing around like Spider-Man, Stride: Fates ensures exhilarating and visually impressive gameplay.
If you enjoyed the high-flying, free-running action of the original Stride, you’ll be pleased to know that Stride: Fates offers over six hours of well-designed, objective-based levels. These levels provide ample opportunities to showcase your shooting, jumping, and running skills. To increase immersion, the game encourages physical movement by requiring players to pump their arms to move faster, mimicking the character’s running motions. Additionally, Stride Arcade mode allows players to jump by thrusting their arms, adding an extra layer of physical engagement to the gameplay.
While the enemy AI in Stride: Fates may lack depth, resembling more like moving targets than formidable opponents, the game compensates for this with its focus on innovative level and puzzle design. Reminiscent of elements found in Half-Life: Alyx, the game incorporates puzzles that unlock doors and secret areas. These puzzles range from basic styles to obstacle-laden challenges, including a carnival-style game where players must guide a ball across a pipe. Collecting multi-colored packs throughout the levels provides players with incentives to thoroughly explore, as these packs can be used to unlock weapon upgrades at the end of each mission.
Speaking of weapon upgrades, Stride: Fates offers a decent range of functional upgrades such as extended mags, red dot sights, and higher caliber ammunition. While the selection may not be as expansive as desired, it adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay.
Immersion
In terms of storytelling, Stride: Fates may not win any awards for originality or execution. However, it does provide a solid framework for the parkouring experience it delivers. The game’s narrative, while trope-laden and sometimes disregarding its own kitschiness, manages to offer an enjoyable and engaging campaign-focused experience. Voice acting, although lacking in direction, doesn’t detract significantly from the overall experience.
As for level design, Stride: Fates excels in providing a variety of indoor and outdoor environments that keep gameplay interesting throughout the 12 levels. From platforming challenges to occasional stealth levels, the game offers a diverse range of experiences. However, stealth gameplay feels somewhat underwhelming, as there is no real penalty for alerting guards. Nevertheless, the game’s emphasis on fast-paced combat and the ability to utilize different weapons, including the exhilarating katana, more than compensates for this shortcoming.
Sound design in Stride: Fates enhances the immersive experience by providing audio cues for enemy engagement and eliminations. This approach minimizes the need for excessive UI elements, allowing players to focus on the natural flow of combat.
Comfort
Despite its fast-paced and physically demanding gameplay, Stride: Fates surprisingly offers a comfortable VR experience. However, individuals sensitive to artificial movement may need occasional breaks. While climbing mechanics could benefit from improvements to enhance solidity, the overall comfort level remains satisfactory. A minor gripe lies in the gunplay mechanics, which can feel slightly fussy and hinder precision aiming.
‘STRIDE: Fates’ Comfort Settings – November 9th, 2023
| Turning | |
|---|---|
| Artificial turning | ✔ |
| Snap-turn | ✖ |
| Quick-turn | ✔ |
| Smooth-turn | ✔ |
| Movement | |
| Artificial movement | ✔ |
| Teleport-move | ✖ |
| Dash-move | ✖ |
| Smooth-move | ✔ |
| Blinders | ✔ |
| Head-based | ✔ |
| Controller-based | ✖ |
| Swappable movement hand | ✖ |
| Posture | |
| Standing mode | ✔ |
| Seated mode | ✔ |
| Artificial crouch | ✔ |
| Real crouch | ✔ |
| Accessibility | |
| Subtitles | ✔ |
| Languages | English |
| Dialogue audio | ✔ |
| Adjustable difficulty | ✔ |
| Two hands required | ✔ |
| Real crouch required | ✖ |
| Hearing required | ✖ |
| Adjustable player height | ✖ |
Overall, Stride: Fates offers an exceptionally immersive and action-packed VR experience. While it may have some minor flaws, such as AI limitations and occasional comfort issues, it more than makes up for them with its innovative gameplay mechanics, visually stunning combat sequences, and diverse level design. Get ready to unleash your inner Chaser as you traverse the futuristic world of Airon City in Stride: Fates!