Raw Data Hands-On Preview
I’ll admit I don’t have much experience with VR, like at all. So you’ll need to take this preview with a grain of salt. In fact, you could call me a VR skeptic. Last year I predicted this whole VR thing would be a flop. That prediction may have gone a little too far and it is way too early to tell but there is no doubt VR isn’t off to a rousing start. Regardless, my opinion when it comes to Virtual Reality has shifted a little. I can pinpoint the exact moment when my thoughts on the mater changed and that moment came when I played Raw Data at E3 in LA this year.
What is truly amazing about Raw Data is how far the development team have come along in less than a year. The demo I played was pre-alpha but just after my hands-on demo the development team took me through a more recent build which looked crisp, sharp and responsive. Raw Data is a game that shows plenty of promise. It has a single player experience but the game truly shines when playing the co-op multiplayer. I managed to give the co-op multiplayer a go with one of the members of the dev team and let’s just say it was awesome.
Unlike many VR games, Raw Data actually has a back story. The massive Eden Corporation owns the world. The elite hacker resistance movement (SyndiK8) has unearthed the sinister reality behind Eden Corp’s newest line of robotic products. As one of SyndiK8’s top operatives, your mission is simple: infiltrate Eden Tower, steal one geopbyte of data, and get out alive—bringing Eden Corp down in your wake. That is the games story in a nutshell and gives some meaning behind why you’re stuck in a world where robots really hate you.
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“Raw Data is a game that shows plenty of promise. It has a single player experience but the game truly shines when playing the co-op multiplayer.”
Right after I slapped on the HTC Vive headset, I felt like I was right inside a futuristic environment. It was trippy and wild. While the visuals were still a little rough, that feeling of immersion and being right inside the sci-fi atmosphere was incredible. With my co-op partner at my back surrounded by enemies coming at us from every direction, we were ready to take on the hordes of enemy bots. Everything from swaths of killer robots to heavy rocket mechs to flying drones, Raw Data isn’t short on the types of enemies they throw your way.
The pace of the game is relentless. There is a bullet-time mechanic you can trigger when the action becomes a little too chaotic which helps but make no bones about it, you have to think quick on your feet. Equipped with a cyber katana in one hand and pump action shotgun in another hand, blasting enemies away was a satisfying feeling. The intensity of the game ramps up as these giant life-like robots come shuffling towards you. It felt real, very real. Bullets come whizzing by your head and you have to physically move out of the way. A had a few “holy shit” moments when we were completely surrounded by robots while ducking left and right to avoid those laser bullets. Surely I looked ridiculous, but I didn’t care as I was just trying to survive in the world of Raw Data.
During the demo I used a sword, handgun and pump-action shotgun but I had the most fun using the bow. Here you simulate actually drawing and launching explosive arrows using the Vive controller. It was surprisingly accurate and fun to use. While my partner was able to unleash a significant amount of damage with his handgun, between the pair of us we were able to proceed through the many enemies with guns, using bullet-time and my trusty bow.
Raw Data exceeded my expectations in a big way and has put VR on the map for me. I cannot wait to see where the game goes from here as Raw Data is shaping into an exhilarating VR shooter experience. It was a thrill ride I didn’t want to end and worthy of our VR game of the show.
