Escape a capsizing research vessel in this underwater VR adventure that’s sure to give you a case of aquaphobia.
Originally released this past May for SteamVR and Oculus Rift/Rift S, an extended cut of FREEDIVER: Triton Down is now heading to the Oculus Quest and Playstation VR, allowing wanna-be divers the chance to step back into the shoes (flippers?) of world-class freediver Ren Tanaka and navigate their way out of a capsizing research ship before it’s completely submerged.
The game made waves at launch, earning a VR Game of the Year award nomination and praise from critics due in large part to its immersive “gestural swimming,” a locomotion mechanic in which players can swing their arms in a swimming motion in order to move in-game. A unique underwater setting also offered a fresh take on the VR adventure genre, exposing players to a game world in which the environment itself is their greatest enemy.
FREEDIVER: Triton Down Extended Cut brings that same aquatic chaos to the Oculus Quest and PSVR along with a helping of new dimly-lit areas to explore, underwater tools to use, enemies to avoid, and challenging puzzles to overcome.
Extended Cut offers an even deeper look into the lives of the Triton crew days before a rogue way capsizes the vessel, as well as a slew of new explorable locations, many of which cast in total darkness. To assist us in navigating these claustrophobic areas, developer Archiact has introduced a new chest-mounted flashlight we can access at any time.
“No matter how successful game release may be, the developers will always look back at the great content that was inevitably left on the cutting room floor and make all sorts of sad, wistful noises,” said Ken Thain, senior producer on the project. “For us, the Extended Cut is a rare opportunity for us to revisit a title loved both by us and our players, building on everything that made the original great while exploring all the wild ideas we couldn’t let go of.”
After playing a few hours in the Oculus Quest, I found myself thoroughly enjoying my time navigating the upside-down decks of the Triton despite a relatively strong hatred of the open ocean. The addition of pitch-black environments and the flashlight tool add a whole new layer of fear to an already-terrifying experience.
Whether you’re gripping the side of a door as you fight against strong currents, breaking through locks and glass partitions with an ax, or hurrying to find an open air pocket before you run out of oxygen, Triton Down never gives you a moment to catch your breath.
Whether you’re a fan of the original looking to dive back into some fresh content or a newcomer interested in a unique locomotion system and original narrative, FREEDIVER: Triton Down Extended Cut is available now on Oculus Quest and PSVR for $14.99 (European PSVR release scheduled February 27th).
Image Credit: Archiact
