PlayStation 4 Critic Reviews

Pixel Gear is another bright spot in the PlayStation VR’s lineup. This digital-only release gives players some of the best shooting action on the device so far and is great to break up RIGS play sessions for when you still want to do some shooting, but want something a bit more relaxing.

What Pixel Gear lacks in depth and length, it makes up for in fluidity, simplicity, and fun.

I can’t say I loved Pixel Gear VR. It works well enough and the shooting mechanics are fun, yet with the limited enemies and levels, I felt the repetition hitting fast and hard.

With only three levels, and a strangely designed main menu, it feels more like a proof-of-concept that never was fleshed out.

Here in the PSVR’s launch window, I could almost find myself giving Pixel Gear a recommendation, but unless players are desperate for software, it doesn’t offer anything that Rush of Blood or Brookhaven don’t already do better. That said, it’s appropriate for younger teens, which is a thing the PSVR’s other shooting galleries can’t claim.

Unfortunately, there just isn't much depth to be found here. Though there are four difficulty settings, the three available levels just don’t feel all that different from one another.

On the plus side, Pixel Gear at least scores points for getting the job done. The shooting works well, and properly timing the use of explosives and headshots can also be satisfying in its simplicity. Regrettably, the game is also lacking in content: four stages are all that’s available, the weapon selection is sparse, and there isn’t even an option to wield two Move controllers for double the gunplay. Even the music can’t be turned off, resulting in one annoying track playing the entire way through.

This is a shallow, simple shooting gallery you would expect from a motion control minigame collection, adding a VR layer to expand it to 180 degree action isn’t enough and even if you are engaged there is no way to compete against yourself, let alone the world. Thoroughly mediocre.

Pixel Gear is an example of a product that feels more like a demo than a full fledged game. The actual shooting mechanics are integrated quite well giving you a good feeling of control, but the slow pace and lack of content lead to an overall disappointing experience with Pixel Gear.

Pixel Gear gave me a little glimpse of what first person shooters can feel like in VR. While the shooting mechanics are solid, the overall game just feels bland and repetitive. In addition to that, the short length makes this a game you won’t be experiencing for very long.