Raw Data: the best VR shooter?

Update: We have now been able to compare the PlayStation VR version of Raw Data with the PC versions. The PSVR version officially launches on 18 October in the European PSN Store. The developers have not yet been able to tell me whether the game will also reach the Swiss PlayStation Network shop at the same time. You can find the update at the end of this article.

"Raw Data" is not for the faint-hearted. In any case, you should avoid taking a VR trip before going to bed for this intense shooter. Otherwise your body's hormonal juices will have to level out for a while. "Raw Data" by Survios has been available as an Early Access title for 15 months. Even the early version offered hard-hitting shooting action against numerous robots and drones that could have come from Skynet. Another wave shooter, you might think. But the mixture of Terminator 2 arcade feeling and Matrix sensations such as time-delayed evasive manoeuvres make the whole thing a very exciting experience. The final version, which can be played both solo and co-operatively, is now available in the full release edition for the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. A version for PlayStation VR will also follow on 11 October.

Robo Recall sends its regards

When I played the early access version of "Raw Data" on the HTC Vive for the first time a good year ago, my first thought was: "Wow, that really blew my mind. Dodging and ducking behind pillars, bringing down drones, thundering back mech bullets: I've never experienced anything like it in a game at this level of intensity. So can we give the VR signpost 100 points straight away? No. At the beginning there were still a lot of tracking problems and, in my opinion, unbalanced difficulty levels. After regular subsequent deliveries of new levels and bug fixes, the development is now presented in the finished edition.

The story of Raw Data is rather thin on the ground and not that exciting, but thanks to the many cinematic cutscenes it is very well realised. In a nutshell: you are a hacker on a secret mission to get hold of data and of course have to get past lots of guard robots to do so.

What's new in the final version

Versus mode (PVP) is a great addition. This also ran quite smoothly during the closed beta phase a few months ago and is a nice change of pace for in between. However, the co-op mode is almost more fun for me, although I have also been knocked out there with a virtual friend shortly before the end of the game due to the immense number of opponents. New content has also been added, such as the tenth mission with a final boss. I don't want to spoil anything about the final boss at this point (but the final boss is quite impressive graphically). If you don't want to meet him too soon, you might want to hold back a little before completing the single-player campaign if other players want to invite you to a co-op mission. In any case, the whole Steam VR game now runs a lot more stable than before and you no longer have the constant tracking errors of weapons floating around.

Four heroes

Ten Campania missions await you, in which you have to defeat hordes of robots and make it through different phases ("waves"). As in other VR shooters, you move around using point-to-point locomotion by aiming at the ground with the Oculus or Vive controllers. There are also special abilities that you acquire over time, depending on which of the four main characters you choose. Automatic guns and shields, which you place at the beginning or in between each section of the game, also serve as your defence.

Master "Bishop" has his two pistols, which he can use to reload as an alternative to a quick hail of lightning bullets ("Bulletstorm"). Especially cool: With "Time Warp", the protoganist has a Max Payne-like secret weapon up his sleeve to dodge the bullets in slow motion. There is also a fist-strong bald man called "Boss" with a slow but effective shotgun. Also on board are the cyberninja "Saija" with his katana sword and a hero called "Elder", who has a futuristic crossbow in his bag.

The good thing about the selection: Depending on the character and difficulty level, you'll be happy to come back and play the single-player missions again. However, I would have liked a little more balance between firearms and archaic slashing tools. At least the easiest difficulty level is now really so easy that it is suitable for casual gamers. Previously, I had the impression that even the easy levels were very hard. Personally, I rarely choose the sword robot to avoid VR accidents with a wall collision, as happened to me a few times in the ninja game "Sairento VR".

Update (15/10/2018): PSVR version in comparison

After playing the HTC Vive version for a while now, I was very curious to see how well the title would work on Sony's console headset. In short: the tracking is, as usual, a little worse, but passable. The graphics impressed me on the PS4 Pro, although it does get a little spongy at long distances. You play with the two Move controllers. Nevertheless, I have to admit that slight compromises had to be made on PSVR. While the headset is tracked by its LEDs at the back of the head, the Move controllers cannot be tracked when we stand with our backs to the camera.

To this end, the developers have introduced a function that allows the perspective to be quickly rotated by 180 degrees using quarter-circle movements if required. You get used to it. However, in my opinion, the constant pop-up with the directional arrows was not needed. As expected, the PSVR only has the single player campaign without online co-operation or versus battles. All in all, I have to say that Survios' console conversion is a success. If you don't own a PC VR headset but enjoy playing PSVR shooters, you should check the PSN Store from time to time from 18 October at the earliest.

Official launch trailer: