The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure

XR Games has ensured that should your home be empty and everyone’s busy you can still play the title in solo mode. But to be honest you’re best sticking to a solid single-player adventure for those times. Save The Angry Birds Movie 2: VR Under Pressure for what its good at, all-round multiplayer enjoyment suitable for most ages and abilities.

I was captivated by the game’s charm and challenge to a degree I didn’t expect. I like how levels steadily introduce new challenges and problems to deal with that make getting the best scores a real endurance test but the difficulty does spike towards the end of the story to an almost unfair degree. If you really want to get the maximum number of stars in the game (and get a trophy for it) you’re going to need other people to tackle the complex and devious cabin designs in the late game and bonus levels. Also, having more people around to play with means more screaming and yelling while the captain cackles away in between bouts of shouting out for more plungers. How is that never not fun? This movie-based game, to my surprise, has a lot more going for it than initially expected.

Although it may look like a kid's game, The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure is one challenging and rewarding co-op VR experience that'll keep you and a few friends on the edge of your seats.

The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure ignores the traditional Angry Birds gameplay and goes for something that works more suited for playing with friends. The developers have seen what asymmetrical gameplay can deliver through VR and by merging gameplay ideas from other titles on the market gives it a solid foundation. The way the game includes a variety of mechanics that evolve with each level helps bring an impressive amount of challenge to the game, but still remains a fun and hectic cooperative experience with delightful VR thrown in for good measure to bring its own identity of madness and joy.

The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure borrows not from the forgotten heap of licensed tie-in games of the past and instead looks to mimic some of co-op gaming’s recent hits. It does so admirably and comes out as a game surprisingly worthwhile if you’re playing in co-op. When flying solo, persistent issues hamper the game, but with a flock of friends or family, it’s a happily hectic and cleverly built game for the VR player and their sidekicks alike.

This came as quite a surprise. Movie tie-ins nowadays are mostly cheap cash-ins, but Under Pressure VR takes the Overcooked formula, gives it a VR spin and, finally, delivers a fun experience that is at its best when playing with your friends.

The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure is a fun cooperative VR title. Without others to play with the controls are a bit cumbersome and the challenge very high, but with other players working together to take care of specific jobs this is one of the few games that makes VR sociable.

When a group gathers around to play ABTM2VR, it’s a great party experience. Coordinating who’s going to take on each task as things constantly pile up is a hectic experience, but it’s extremely satisfying when it all clicks. Asan asymmetrical VR puzzle game, Angry Birds The Movie 2 is a definite success only held back only by the fact that unless four people are actually in the room to play, the party won’t be as lively as it should be.

It’s a perfectly solid local co-op game that can be worth a few runs with some friends. Is it great? Nah. Does it have issues? Certainly. But don’t be like me and just turn it away because of its dubious origins. More VR games should look at catering to the local co-op crowd anyway.

Like the original franchise that spawned it, The Angry Birds Movie 2 VR: Under Pressure starts out simple enough but quickly ramps up in difficulty to the point where it where it will exclude its target audience. On its own, Angry Birds 2 is a fine Overcooked clone, but beware if you plan on playing by yourself or with little kids. At least a couple of experienced gamers are required if you want to see any of the late-game content.

If a family or group of friends is willing to weather the storm, The Angry Birds Movie 2: Under Pressure can be the smartly-designed collaborative experience that really spices up a game night, something to get everyone in the room yelling in desperation for that three-star rating and willing to replay the level until they eventually get nail it.