Played: Project Wingman: Frontline 59 for PSVR2

"Project Wingman", developed by Sector D2 and Humble Games, was first released in December 2020 and is already available for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One. After a good three years now, the "Top Gun"-inspired shooter is getting its own VR campaign mode for Sony's PlayStation VR2. We have already played the PSVR2 game for you at Gamescom at Humble Games.

Many details - with some rough edges

As the development team told us at Gamescom, the Campaign Mode, which was specially designed for PSVR2, consists of six new missions that should provide PS5 players with two to three additional hours of fun, with or without PSVR2. The hand controllers were not supported, instead you have to make do with the PS5's DualSense gamepad, which didn't manage to pull me out of the immersion, especially as the position sensors and shoulder triggers are ideally designed for such genres to control the impressive airships in the ether. I quickly felt intoxicated by the richness of detail in the mountain zones in virtual reality. Especially cool: The PSVR2's eye tracking assists in targeting enemy ships. This allows you to concentrate on manoeuvres and dogfights in the skies without having to worry about countless physical aspects such as remaining fuel and numerous cockpit instruments. According to the developers, a total of over 20 aircraft and more than 40 weapons are available.

First impression

Personally, I was already sweating a little after twenty minutes on the PSVR2. Nevertheless, a certain adrenaline rush from the many railguns and missile throwing germinates. The headset also vibrates when enemy arsenals are encountered. In the final version, Humble Games should, in my opinion, tweak the controls a little or at least give the player a more delicate analogue stick sensitivity. In the preview build at Gamescom, it seemed to us that the XY axis and the acceleration mechanics were still set a bit too fast. Apart from a few manoeuvres such as somersaults and 360-degree barrel rolls, I also felt a little sick as a tester.

But once you get used to the controls and direct your gaze as straight as possible to the cockpit, there is no VR contraindication. Those who already feel a little at home in the genre should also need a little less time to get used to it than I did.

"Project Wingman: Frontline 59 will be coming to the PSVR 2 sometime in the near future, but we don't have any more information from Humble Games at this point on when exactly a release date is set. We will keep you posted.