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0 The team from Spectral Illusions takes us on a tour of HappyFunLand, a dark, comedic VR title set in a run-down, abandoned theme park. It is available on Playstation VR2 and Steam.
Does it live up to the price of admission??
Welcome to a VR horror experience that is both darkly comedic and entertaining. You will meet a stranger named Larry in the middle of a South Florida swamp, who takes you on a perilous trip across the swamp where one of the gators previously took both his legs. explore an abandoned theme park. He does however explain that the park has a dark history of grisly events is essential.
As you explore the remains of Mort Grisly’s HappyFunLand theme park, you will uncover its dark secrets. There are no lines to wait in, but there is also no way out. It promises to be an unforgettable experience!
Gameplay
HappyFunLand is an exciting game that takes you on a thrilling adventure through an abandoned amusement park. You aim to explore the park, solve puzzles, and play mini-games to unlock new areas and attractions. You’ll even enjoy a unique golfing experience that adds to the fun.
As you progress through the game, you’ll encounter a variety of rides. While some of these rides may be a bit uncomfortable, they’re still an exhilarating experience. However, it’s important to remember that not all rides are available, and some are designed to challenge your skills and abilities. To make the most out of your experience, take breaks when needed and stay hydrated. Also, please note that once you leave a ride, you won’t be able to return to the previous areas or rides unless you restart the game. Don’t forget to collect the Randy Rodent figurines to add to your collection and unlock new biomes in the park.
At first, I found the game controls a bit uncomfortable due to the absence of smooth camera rotation. However, smooth camera rotation would make the game more natural and immersive. I wonder if developers could consider implementing this as standard in VR titles, as it could enhance the overall gameplay experience for everyone. The lack of a run or crouch button also made certain game exploration moments awkward. Despite these flaws, something about the traversal made me feel nauseous. I’m unsure if it’s just me or related to the frame rate, which never felt smooth.
The combat in the game is very unexciting and uncreative. Players are only required to continuously hit the evil animatronics of the park with a small selection of melee weapons that lack any sense of weight, making hitting enemies feel unsatisfying. The game misses out on the opportunity to use the haptic features of PlayStation VR 2. Interacting with items in the park is also underwhelming, as players need to put their hand over an object like a lever or a door handle to use it.
Graphics & Audio
The graphics of HappyFunLand mix realistic and cartoonish art styles with some amazing features. The animation of the characters is spot-on, and it’s easy to see where the inspiration comes from. The developers obviously put a lot of effort into creating unique environments, mascots, and enemies throughout the game.
The flashlight in the game is incredibly realistic and provides excellent lighting effects, adding to the immersive experience. However, occasional glitches allow the player to walk through walls or look outside the map. While these issues can be seen as opportunities for improvement, they can also be frustrating.
The audio in HappyFunLand is diverse, featuring various songs in the rides, voice acting, and sound effects. It is at these times that the character’s voice lines are particularly amusing and will have you laughing.
Longevity
To complete the game, you must reach the outskirts of the park. This usually takes 90 minutes to two hours, making it among the shorter VR titles; that said, HappyFunLand doesn’t outstay its welcome. Some collectables may mean a second playthrough, but not much would warrant a second outing, even with no queuing to get on the rides.
Final Thoughts
I initially attributed my discomfort to the fact that I hadn’t played VR for quite some time. However, even after multiple short sessions, it still made me feel queasy. The rides were particularly unpleasant, but this is a common experience when I’ve played VR. I appreciate that HappyFunLand is short, as I believe it suits this type of game well. Despite the atmosphere and certain details, my experience at HappyFunLand only merited the Bronze Thumb Culture Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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