We have gone hands-on to play the new version of the popular VR Battle Royale game, Population: One. This hands-on review will cover gameplay, graphics and sound as well as other aspects, compared to Population: One. We’ll also highlight the key differences between the two games.
Gameplay And Differences
The Phoenix Royale update for Population: One brings several exciting changes compared to the original game. The update includes:
New PhoenixMap
The new Phoenix map is one of the biggest additions in the Phoenix Royale Update. The full-sized map of the battle royale is designed with a variety of different environments that offer many opportunities for strategic play. The Phoenix map offers a variety of environments that keep the game fresh. From open fields to dense cities, it keeps gameplay exciting and engaging until the end. The map’s layout also encourages exploration and aids in tactical decision-making, creating a unique experience with each match.
Phoenix Redeploys
One of the standout new features of the Phoenix Royale update is its redeploy system. Being downed in traditional battle royales can mean a lengthy wait, or even an early match exit. Phoenix Royale introduces the new system of redeployment that allows the player to quickly get back in the action. Even if you’re downed and away from your squad, you can redeploy and rejoin your team, ensuring that the gameplay remains fast-paced and balanced.
Phoenix Supply Crates And Buy Stations
In Phoenix Royale, BigBox is introducing Phoenix Supply Crates and Buy Stations, which add a new layer of strategy to the game. The supply crates, scattered around the map, contain weapons, health products, and Phoenix Gem Bars – a new currency in-game. These gem bars can be spent at Buy Stations to purchase health items, weapons upgrades, class buffs and backpacks. This encourages players to explore the map further while making strategic decisions about where and when to spend resources.
Phoenix Loot Vaults
Every time a match starts, loot vaults randomly appear on the map. Players must defeat Towerheads to gain access to the special supply crates, which contain high-level weapons or even large amounts of Phoenix Gem Bars. This brings an element of risk and reward, causing players to decide whether or not to engage in these high-stakes encounters all for the chance to obtain some valuable loot.
Moving End-Zone Mechanic
Phoenix Royale also introduces a new moving end-zone mechanic in all of its squad-based modes. The moving end zone in Phoenix Royale keeps the game moving, forcing players to adjust their strategy on the spot. The dynamic end-zone adds an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability and discourages the dreaded zone camping that seems to occur often in many battle royale-style games.
Sprinting Mechanic
Another notable addition to Phoenix Royale is the new sprinting mechanic. The tactical sprint option allows players to quickly move. The sprinting mechanic adds a new dimension to Pop One’s gameplay. Whether you’re trying to escape the closing end-zone or repositioning for a better vantage point, the sprinting mechanic adds a new and much appreciated dimension to Pop One’s gameplay.
Graphics and Sound
As it’s always been with Population One as well as all of its other updates, Phoenix Royale boasts impressive graphics that look fantastic in the Quest 3 I used for our demo session. The game hasn’t been updated yet to fully take advantage of new graphics power, but the Quest 3 version offers developers the opportunity to show off specific improvements. Checking the textures and lighting on weapons
The Phoenix map has a stunning visual appeal, with textured environments that make this world come alive. Lighting effects in the game also create a visually pleasing and dynamic experience. The sound design in Phoenix Royale is equally impressive, with realistic audio cues that help players stay aware of their surroundings and aid in making strategic decisions.
We recently participated in a press demo for Phoenix Royale where Ian Hamilton, Henry Stockdale, and Don Hopper from UploadVR – along with other journalists from various publications and members of the BigBox team went head to head while exploring the maps and learning about the new features and mechanics. We were kept on our feet by the redeploy mechanic and changing end zone. The new Phoenix map was also a great place to fight. It was an amazing experience that showed how the game can be fun for all players. It was like going home for someone who hadn’t played Pop One since it came out, but had when it launched. We had fun exploring all the features Phoenix Royale has to offer and had some friendly competition between our offices in several of our games. In one match, I vividly remember suffering a bitter defeat at Ian’s hands in the last minutes of a crucial round, only to respawn shortly afterward dispatching Henry with my new bad-ass energy blade, and it was utterly exhilarating!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFRvcv-TcuI
Conclusion
The game’s impressive graphics and sound design, combined with all of these new improvements make it another standout update to one of the most amazing games in the VR battle royale genre. The Population: One Phoenix Royale game mode is an absolute must for any player, regardless of whether they are a veteran or a newbie to the series.