Sony’s most recent State of Play was packed full of new games, announcements, and plenty of updates onSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, but one of the more intriguing reveals was regarding nDreams’Synapse. The developer was finally able to unveil its upcoming immersive action game forPlayStation VRwith an announcement trailer and some initial details about the next-gen title. With its color palette, unique environments, character abilities, and thorny psychological premise,Synapsedefinitely brings to mind some other sci-fi shooters as well.
A handful of other games were featured for Sony’s new PlayStation VR2 as well,includingJourney to Foundation,Green Hell VR,andBefore Your Eyes, which is setting up the new VR platform as an exciting addition to Sony’s library and a substantial step up from its PlayStation 4 predecessor.Synapseseems like a solid addition to that growing lineup, and fans of titles like Remedy Entertainment’s action-adventure gameControl, 2K Games' sci-fi classicBioShock, and the innovative VR gameSuperhotshould keep an eye on nDreams' upcoming release.
RELATED:PS VR Games That Should Get Ported to PS VR2
Introducing Synapse
Synapsemade an appearance during Sony’s State of Play with a short trailer that highlighted the game’s aesthetic and action sequences, serving as both a quick but impactful introduction to nDreams' next project and a stylistic reminder of previous popular games. With its abstract art style, fast-paced dual-wielding combat, and mind-bending landscapes,Synapseis aiming to be the next chapter in immersive VR experiences. By building on nDreams' other releases likeFracked’s run-and-cover gunplayand combining this with a new sensibility and slicker gameplay,Synapsewill hopefully be a strong new phase for the studio and for VR games in general.
With the option of using weaponry in one hand and powerful telekinetic powers in the other,Synapselets players approach combat encounters with refreshing fluidity. Gamers must dive into the bizarre world ofSynapse’s mainly monochromatic environments with crackling pops of color as they invade the subconscious of another, bringing in somesurreal elements to its FPS action. Almost every inch ofSynapse’s setting is a hostile mindscape for players to explore, challenging them to overcome enemies and adapt their combat style.
Synapse’s Sci-fi Influences
Synapsecertainly looks intriguing, and it’s easy to see where players might be able to draw some parallels between nDreams' next release and a few other previous titles. One obvious comparison is withthe independent FPSSuperhot, which opened so many doors for creative VR combat. Any shooter on a VR platform might be compared toSuperhotconsidering its influential status in the genre, butSynapse’s color scheme and beautifully simplistic but high-concept settings are particularly reminiscent of Superhot Team’s title. The energetic gun-based combat also feels likeSuperhot, but instead of time-focused movement mechanics,Synapseis making use of some other powerful abilities and environmental manipulation.
Exploring the troubling corners of a corrupted mind,Synapsefully embraces its surreal aspects and seems to draw inspiration from other sci-fi stalwarts likeBioShockwhen it comes to featuring the unexpected. Instead of straightforward sci-fi action, both games add a psychological twist to keep things interesting, and the manipulation of objects and NPCs with telekinetic abilities also feels likea page straight out ofControl’s playbook.Synapsehas smartly drawn together all these elements to create a new VR experience that will likely appeal to fans of genre-crossing hits likeBioShock,Control, andSuperhot,while still crafting its own original world.
Synapseis due to be released in 2023 for PlayStation VR2.
MORE:Superhot: Mind Control Delete – 10 Ways It Changes The Franchise’s Formula
