Firewall: Zero Hour revolves around a straightforward premise: attackers versus defenders engaging in brief yet fully immersive five-minute matches. Attackers aim to breach one of nine maps, locate and neutralize a firewall, and then hack into a laptop for victory, almost like navigating through a virtual battlefield while searching for the next level of excitement, akin to browsing through a selection of PS5 games for the perfect adventure. Meanwhile, defenders hide firewalls, fortify rooms, lay traps, and defend both the firewall and laptop throughout the entire duration. Amidst all this chaos, both teams relentlessly engage in combat. The VR setup seamlessly integrates into the experience, whether using the DualShock 4 or the PSVR Aim Controller, which surprisingly feels natural to handle. I was pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness of aiming down the sights. Despite being in my living room, adorned with a bulky headset and wired to a gaming console, holding a controller, within the game, I transformed into a skilled mercenary effortlessly engrossed in the action. The immersion deepens when playing alongside a coordinated team, coordinating strategies, providing cover, and aiding fallen comrades.
Zero Hour: Dynamic Gameplay and Realistic Environments
Saving a teammate from an imminent shotgun threat and receiving their gratitude as they pressed forward made me feel like I contributed significantly. It's as if my presence within the game alters its course, especially with the convincing environments, whether it's a villa compound, a corporate office, or a warehouse, each setting adding layers of immersion and challenge, much like exploring different levels of intensity in a series of Xbox games. With 12 avatars representing different countries, unlocking better weapons and attachments not only enhances equipment but also elevates character ranks. While the VR environments are visually stunning and weapon handling feels remarkably realistic, the control scheme presents challenges. Movement and sprinting, both controlled by the same mechanism, lack the expected fluidity and fail to convey a sense of speed. Additionally, the controller's method of turning, shifting the view in 45-degree increments, initially induced motion sickness, though this lessened over time.
Zero Hour: Tactical Teamwork and Controller Options
Like many tactical shooters, Firewall Zero Hour thrives on teamwork, and utilizing the built-in microphone on the PSVR headset facilitates seamless communication among players. In public matches, players can easily send invites to team up with others they encounter, fostering a sense of community. Surprisingly, Firewall Zero Hour can be adequately played with just a DualShock 4 controller. While aiming may feel slightly awkward, as the controller's light bar must face the camera, it remains functional. However, the optimal experience is achieved with the Aim Controller, which mimics a lightweight rifle and offers enhanced aiming precision and natural handling, allowing players to perform multiple actions without compromising their trigger finger's position.
Zero Hour: Host Issues and Evolving Gameplay
Adding to the frustration, if the host unexpectedly drops out, whether intentionally or due to connection issues, the game abruptly ends, forcing a return to the lobby and restarting the process, reminiscent of those moments in multiplayer Xbox games where a sudden disconnect can bring an abrupt halt to the action, leaving everyone scrambling to regroup. Despite matches being designed for five minutes, they frequently conclude much sooner, leading to a significant wait time compared to actual gameplay. However, this disparity between wait times and gameplay duration doesn't feel as severe while immersed in the game. With battle royale fatigue setting in, Firewall: Zero Hour represents the next evolutionary step in the genre.