Taskmaster VR doesn’t fairly ship on the promise of the TV present
I’m an enormous Taskmaster fan. The UK TV present pits 5 comedians (or funny-adjacent celebrities) in opposition to ridiculous duties which are then arbitrarily scored by the titular taskmaster.
On condition that the duties contain lateral considering and bodily motion, on paper, the TV present was ripe for a VR spin-off. Assume Job Simulator with added jeopardy, in-jokes and British whimsy. Sadly, Taskmaster VR doesn’t ship on the enjoyable and appeal of the present. Two factors.
After being teased (and out there to wishlist) earlier this 12 months, the sport launched final week throughout Steam, Meta Quest 2 and three, and Professional. I performed the sport briefly on Quest 2, the lowest-powered possibility, earlier than shifting to the sharper screens of Quest 3.
You’ll need to play it on a headset just like the Quest 3 or higher. The fundamental Quest 2 makes the entire thing very grainy. However that’s not the most important concern. The issue is it’s not an ideal VR recreation. Collision detection is tough, and whereas it’s not the primary VR title responsible of this, the wonderful motor management demanded of the sport’s duties makes issues a ache.
For instance, the primary recreation includes you making an attempt to make a sandwich, matching Alex’s arcane sandwich request, plating it up, and placing it on the plinth, prepared for judgment. Nonetheless, you must do all of that with a pair of spatulas. Opening a fridge with a spatula in actual life is difficult sufficient; in a digital world, it generally felt extra like luck than dexterity whether or not I received that slice of bacon into my sandwich.
In one other recreation, I used to be to launch an egg so far as I may however land it in a frying pan. I struggled to maintain a frying pan in the identical place whereas developing a poorly-considered ramp of pipes, bins and wheelie bins. The in-game physics are so simplistic that almost all object surfaces behave the identical. And my pan slid to the ground. Once more and many times. You’ll be able to crouch in Taskmaster VR – once you drop the pan once more – however the physics engine conveys a level of momentum once you press the button to face upright once more, including a ‘bounce’ to something in your hand.
Most of the video games are multi-stage and expansive, which I appreciated. Circling again to the sandwich job, some components must be cooked – and also you’ll need to activate the range burners to take action. When you’ve made your sandwich, Greg, the Taskmaster will scrutinize the end result. One slice of bread? He’ll go on a tirade about open-face sandwiches. Mistaken plate? Your rating can be dinged once more. One thing inedible? He’ll discover.
There are additionally easter egg references to the present in every single place, from the tutorial onwards. Look out of home windows; even the bushes and backyard are crammed with objects and references solely a Taskmaster fan would get. Do Individuals assume all Brits (I’m a Brit) are this whimsical? I hope so.
In one other recreation, you’ll need to rush across the whole Taskmaster property (a tiny house and backyard) looking for pet food, however solely after you’ve escaped the storage. The duties are thought-about, however I want there have been extra. The TV present is legendary for comedians’ uncommon lateral considering and options that the duty makers didn’t plan for. I haven’t seen these prospects – at the very least not but.
Why not combine up the codes for the secure featured in a watermelon smashing job? This might be particularly helpful for those who’re taking part in with different Taskmaster followers who need to attempt the duties themselves. A bit of little bit of random quantity era would work wonders. Having mentioned that, there’s a Taskmaster VR Inventive mode, the place you’ll be capable of craft your individual ranges and duties, which may add longevity if it finds an viewers.
The banter between Taskmaster and his assistant is tonally correct, benefitting from utilizing the voices of Greg Davies and (Little) Alex Horne, however their in-game fashions don’t convey the bizarre, awkward appeal of the duo. Possibly I’m only a superfan, and my expectations had been too excessive, however there’s one thing in regards to the sound high quality (with traces recorded in a sales space) that pulls you out of the phantasm of being on a model of the TV present.
I’m uncertain if I’ll ever replay the complete recreation once more. Thankfully, as soon as unlocked, you’ll be able to select to play every job standalone, which is the proper manner for me to share the sport with visiting pals.
If the staff behind Taskmaster VR can supply some new duties by way of DLC (how about replicating a job from the subsequent TV sequence?), this is likely to be extra of a draw. Their time begins now.
