Release Date: September 26, 2017
Platform(s): PSVR
Developer: Void Dimensions
Price: $14.99

Light Tracer combines platform-style movement and unique puzzles with exceptional controls and graphic style. Using two Move controllers, players lead a princess to the top of a tower to help her save her people. One controller is used to wield a Light Staff to guide the princess and the other interacts with objects and moves the camera around the world. Players will use a combination of jumping skills, precise timing and strategic attacks to complete eight chapters with five levels each.

As with most VR games, the controls in Light Tracer are a little difficult to adapt to at first, but I got used to them fairly quickly. One thing I found that I didn’t like was that I had to center the camera quite often. As mentioned before, one controller is used to move the world around and this is used quite often. Some levels require a bit of rotating the world in order to look at the path ahead of the princess to plan out your strategy or solve puzzles. Doing this causes quite a bit of re-centering the camera.

With that being said, the gameplay in Light Tracer is very fluid and immersive. The levels get more and more difficult as you go, with little messages appearing with info every now and then, such when you unlock a new ability or need to use an ability for the first time. This doesn’t make the game any easier, it just notifies you about what the princess is able to do now. Thankfully, there are checkpoints throughout the levels that you will return to if you die. Not only are these appreciated due to the rising difficulty level, they also give you a chance to take your time and explore different ways to solve puzzles and advance through the stages.

At one point, the constant rise in difficulty reaches the point where you can control gravity in an upside down world, and a world with mechanical puzzles that are even harder to beat. This all goes for the bosses as well. The first boss requires a couple of easy moves, but after that, each boss can take a few tries before conquering. The boss puzzles are fun and usually more challenging than their stages, as they usually combine recently learned mechanics with some new idea or twist that you need to really think of to identify and successfully beat each boss.

When it comes to graphics, the game is beautifully designed. The levels are fantastic and beautiful with quirky characters as enemies, and every single platform is unique. As for character design, each type of terrain has its own type of enemy and they are all cute and quirky. There are different outfits you can purchase for the princess by collecting crystals strewn about the levels. There are three dresses and one panda suit. Yes, a panda suit. The crystals are easy to get at first, but later it becomes a life-or-death choice when there are multiple moving platforms and enemies and 10 crystals to be had over a gaping hole in the center of the platform.

Overall, Light Tracer is a very fun and intuitive VR experience. The controls can take a little bit to get used to, but once you are used to them they come natural. The increasing difficulty is a plus, as it never becomes too easy or too difficult. In fact, have those ‘aha’ moments is one thing that makes you want to keep going. The only downside to Light Tracer is the camera issues, but I was able to put these aside for the most part. If you enjoy platforming puzzle games and own a PSVR, Light Tracer is a no-brainer purchase for $14.99.

Pros

Fluid and intuitive gameplay and controls.
Beautiful graphics
Unique and challenging puzzles

Cons

Camera angles can cause problems

Thank you to Void Dimensions for providing us with a review copy.

Light Tracer Review