MADiSON returns to the terrifying setting of Bloodious Games’ first offering. What is the verdict on this VR adaptation? Check out our review to find out:
Developers often update or adapt popular titles for VR. MADiSON is a psychological horror title that will take players through a bizarre journey. MADiSON VR is a worthy addition to our Phasmophobia VR if we only consider its atmosphere and increasing tension. What is it? : Resident Evil 4 VRA VR adaptation of MADiSON, a flatscreen first-person horror game released in 2022Resident Evil 7: Biohazard VRPlatforms: best VR horror games list and
Release Date: May 2, 2024
Developer: PC VRBloodious GamesPSVR 2Price:
$34.99https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9kPxvXNFlg
MADiSON VR, an adaptation of the 2022 horror game, puts you in the shoes of Luca, a teenager who finds himself trapped in a large manor. You can tell that there is something wrong from the start, as Luca tries to leave each chamber only to end up in another. It seems that a demon may have also possessed Luca. It’s reminiscent of 2014’s P.T. because you can explore different rooms or corridors and some furniture or background objects will move or change slightly. A light flickers to reveal the marble statue that is at the end the hall. If you look again, it appears that the statue has moved from the left to the right. Just as you begin to relax, something could jump from the corner of your eyes. The instant camera is a key feature in the MADiSONVR experience. You will be required to snap photos of certain objects. These pictures often contain clues. To use the camera, I had to pull my controller out from my back and then press a button. Then, I would use my other hand to pull the photo out and move it around until it was completely developed. The same principle applies to collecting and keeping things, even with limited storage slots (i.e. pick them up and fling them over your shoulder).Similarly, using the camera could trigger rumblings or shifts, altering some part of the house that you should check out. The camera is also used as a way to transport Luca from one place to another, whether it’s a ruined church, a dirty sewer or any other destination filled with macabre sights. The further you progress, the weirder and more bizarre the incidents and surroundings.
As someone who played the original MADiSON on PC, I had an inkling of what happens in each section of the roughly six-to-seven-hour campaign, but nothing could thoroughly prepare me for the VR experience. The thumping of the floorboards, each malicious whisper, and even every creaking in a room created an unmatched atmosphere. The haptic feedback from the PSVR 2 Sense Controllers – which kicked in whenever I bumped into an object and the PSVR 2 headset whenever Luca suffered from migraines, further added to the tension.I can genuinely state that MADiSON VR kept me at the edge of my seat for most of my playthrough, making it a truly stellar horror game that’s also bogged down by a few notable flaws.
MADiSON screenshot – flatscreen PC edition
Secondly, MADiSON VR is bound to frustrate you with its slow character movement, janky controls, and related concepts. As an example, since I play VR games mostly while sitting, I often had to adjust my playing area to accommodate items that were on the floor. To grab an object in MADiSON, I needed to push the crouching button and completely bend over. Then, stretch out my right arm until it reached the ground. The same applies if you are playing standing up. Due to furniture blocking the icon, I was forced to bend over and extend my arm to make it appear. One method to alleviate this issue is the Height Offset option, mentioned in our section regarding comfort, but the process itself felt so contrived.
Likewise, opening drawers, shelves, and doors can be downright annoying. It is necessary to grab a doorknob or latch with the dominant hand before pulling or pushing. Unfortunately, slightly nudging an object with either of your hands also causes it to close.
Furthermore, some of these contextual actions don’t really match what you’re supposed to be doing in-game. When I was climbing up or down a ladder to reach a secure, I remember pressing the grab button. The first thing I did was press the “grab” button thinking I’d have to hold railings or turn a handle (as is expected in VR games). Little did I know that I simply had to turn my hand, palm up, to make an icon appear-one press of the interact button and the action magically happened.
MADiSON VR can be played while sitting down or standing up. You can choose between smooth and snap turns, the latter of which allows you to adjust the angle at which the game will turn. You can change your dominant hand, as well as set the forward direction based on your headset or either controller.
There’s also the Height Offset slider, which can be used to change the character’s height/view relative to the ground. This is a great option if you need to reach down and pick something up on the ground. It will save you from having to kneel or stretch your arm to do so. Lastly, accessibility options include a means of reducing head movement and arm sway, as well as camera shake.
MADiSON VR Review – The Final Verdict
MADiSON VR brings the spine-tingling chills and palpitation-inducing dread that the 2022 horror game is known for. The full virtual reality experience is enhanced by haptic feedback and the headset. Obtuse and unclear puzzles that were present in the original, alongside poor contextual controls in the VR adaptation, mar what is otherwise a terrifyingly terrific outing from Bloodious Games.
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