Game Insider - Best of 2018 Best of 2018 | Page 70

THE PERSISTENCE
PS4
Platform: PS4/PSVR Genre: Survival Thriller ESRB: Mature Publisher: Firespite Developer: Firespite
The Persistence is easily one of the best in class,
offering a unique take on the survival genre.
If there was ever a time to dive
into the immersive world of
VR gaming, that time would
certainly be now, as the current
offering of VR games are more
than satisfying. Gone are the
days where we only experienced
overhyped VR demos passing as
full games – these days VR
games are making strong
arguments to be considered
right alongside their non-VR
counterparts, and The
Persistence from developer
Firesprite is one such game
leading this charge.
As a hardcore Dead Space fan
who has thoroughly enjoyed
similar games like Alien Isolation,
as well as other intensified
atmospheric interactive
experiences, The Persistence is
easily one of the best in class,
offering a unique take on the
survival genre. Moreover, how it
all comes together in VR makes
all the difference, resulting in an
addictive reality you will not
soon forget.
While The Persistence is the
name of the massive space
vessel you find yourself aboard,
the engagement is a persistent
actuality, founded on a rather
simplistic gameplay design. You
are Zimri Eder, commissioned as
the ship’s security officer and
one of the last remaining
survivors of the ship’s
unsuccessful deep space mission.
Now, you must find your way
home. It’s that simple…Yet, not
quite!
When it comes to the games
story, it is fairly straightforward,
however despite its candor,
players are handsomely
anchored by the games ever-
changing level compositions,
myriad of weapon types and
ingenuity, varied enemy types,
level challenges and fantastic VR
immersion.
Unfortunately, The
Persistence is nearing a black
hole, which is gradually pulling
the ship closer, concluding in
duplicate clones being created
with fluctuating mutations. As a
result, these monstrosities
become your greatest threat of
death and returning home.
Not only is this black hole
causing grotesque cloning
issues, it also seems to have a
bizarre effect on The Persistence
itself, causing the ship’s
composition to randomly change
every time Zimri experiences
death. Just a heads up, you will
die often, yet you will love it, as
the challenges which are quite
manageable continue to mount
the closer you get to your
ultimate goal. With there being
four intricately fleshed out
stratums, each plain undergoes a
significant alteration, offering a
dynamically new approach to
how players must tackle their
ambitions.
From the beginning Zimri is
equipped with a device known as
the Harvester, which she uses to
rip stem cells from the necks of
enemies, also known as the
crazed clones walking about
ready to attack on sight.
Importantly, stem cells are used
to enhance players by
augmenting their bodies with
increased melee strength, stealth
and health, including the
employment of dark matter
abilities, such as the more than
useful Super Sense, enabling
player to survey their
environment by seeing through
objects to locate potential threat,
as well as enhanced movement
allowing players to quickly cover
great distances.
As players progress through
the narrative eventually you are
introduced to specific fallen crew
members, whom once you have
acquired their stem cells allows
players the option of
resurrecting within the new
cloned body of the fallen crew
members. The acquisition of
multiple bodies of deceased
crew members gives Zimri more
options of tackling the game
with a variety of unique
attributes from the varied
shipmates.
The Persistence is an intense
experience with an imposing
mood, supported by ambient
sounds of clanging metal with
the occasional hollow absence of
sound, then you will hear
groaning sounds of mutated
enemy types throughout each
level, within dark shadowy
settings, which challenge your
courage. This affair while
oftentimes intimidating and
scary is feasible. Sure, you may
not be as scared playing The
Persistence in VR as say Resident
Evil VII in VR, yet what Firesprite
has on display here is easily the
most memorable VR survival
horror of the year.
With the whole of the game
implemented with just the right
amount of enjoyable play,
balanced with an unnerving
degree of emotional tension and
straightforward narrative, The
Persistence is one of the best
games of the year and a sure
standout VR title. You may not
be singing it visual praises,
however I am certain you will not
care to much as the fun-factor
here is consistently high for most
of the ride.
8.5