Contractors (released into Early Access on Steam, 14th December) is a first-person virtual reality team based objective game. It’s supported by the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality. In Contractors you will experience combat like none other by using virtual reality to reload your weapons, shoot them and of course, move! You can play competitively or mess around with friends. You are able to customize your loadouts with different weapons and grenades. When you first start searching for a game it doesn’t take long for you to find one with 4 or more people in. While I played this in beta I am sure games will be found even quicker upon full release. You can also join their active discord here!
Features
- Full body tracking system
- Realistic weapon handling and control
- Able to play against bots to help improve your skills
- Gun stock calibration tool
- Being able to slide while in VR
- Objective based game modes similar to king of the hill
- Start in a shooting range so you are able to practice before going into multiplayer
Visuals and sound
The visuals are very appealing once you put on the VR headset you have. They have realistic looking weapons to give you that extra immersion. The maps are close to being realistic with a touch of a cartoon feel. I believe the maps used are also based off of real world areas . When operating the weapon of your choice it does have its own recoil. So you can’t just fire away and hope to hit something as you can in other video games. Each weapon or explosive has it’s own sound so you are able to tell what weapon is being fired and where from if you are close enough to hear it.
My opinion of Contractors
After hearing about this game and recently getting into VR, I thought I would have to try it out. I was lucky enough to be able to get beta access and play the game while it was still in its baby stages. Upon booting up the game you are greeted with the hub where I quickly learned the controls and trained myself on the shooting range. I then customized a class of my own allowing me to use my favorite weapons and attachments. Since this game has full body tracking you are able to take cover behind the environment and peak out to shoot – just like in real life!
There are a few known bugs which the developers are constantly fixing with weekly and monthly updates to the game. Even though you may have to download the new patch it is well worth it as you will feel more immersed as the bugs go away.
The maps that have been made for game are not too big and not too small. It isn’t long before you get into a fight with someone either by the objective or on your way there due to over extending enemy team. Each map is carefully thought about so you don’t get repeatedly spawn killed and it doesn’t take you long to get into combat. You will never get bored replaying this game as it is a unique experience every time you play. As you are able to use the built in microphone on most headsets to talk to your team mates.
Recommendation
I would recommend this game to anyone who loves first-person shooters. You are also able to play this FPS VR game in a small play area which is suitable for me as I am using a room that is 1m by 1m. I have already recommended Contractors to a few of my friends and one said the following.
It is a very neat game. It isn’t that expensive either and you feel like you’re in control of how the game goes. You could be the difference between a win or a loss.
Contractors sell for £15.49 but it is currently on sale on steam for £13.16. What are you waiting for? Get out there and join the Operators!
