For fans of zombie-blasting co-op shooters like Left 4 Dead and Back 4 Blood, After the Fall has a lot to offer.
Developed by Vertigo Games, a company some might be familiar with if they’ve played Arizona Sunshine, After the Fall invites players to the apocalypse. But this isn’t an apocalypse set far into the future, no. This apocalypse occurred in the 1960s. Now, some 20 years later, you’re one of the survivors, trying to eke out a future in an ice covered LA by scavenging. And as if the cold wasn’t bad enough, there are zombies to deal with.
Designed for VR, some might already be familiar with After the Fall. It’s been available via Steam, Oculus, and PSVR for a while, thrilling players on all those formats with its intense action. But now there’s another format it can be played on, PSVR 2. And for many, it might just be the best way to enjoy it.
For a start, it’s the complete edition. That means that all PSVR 2 players get more content as standard. And on top of that, there are all the benefits that PSVR 2 brings. We’re talking sharp, detailed visuals that are silky smooth, and, thanks to the new Sense controllers, accurate tracking along with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Needless to say, as you venture onto the streets of LA with a team of up to three other players, it’s all too easy to get immersed in the action like never before.
You could argue that After the Fall is pretty derivative, as it doesn’t really offer anything genuinely new. Like other games of its ilk, you head out on missions, either alone with AI controlled teammates or actual human players, and aim to make it to the end alive. Along the way, there’s loot to pick up, and a whole host of enemies to lay waste to. But it doesn’t really need a unique spin – the fact that it’s in VR is enough to differentiate it.
Moving through snow covered streets and abandoned buildings, you’ll encounter special zombies that require advanced strategies and many more bullets to overcome. You’ll also find useful consumables and items that may aid your progression if you can extract them, but you’ll have to decide which are more important to you. But more importantly, you’ll have to survive. Each mission throws you a lifeline thanks to multiple safe rooms where you can resupply, but there’s always one major encounter before you’re done, truly testing the abilities of you and your team.
Multiple difficulty levels are available, giving you a fighting chance if you’re playing alone or with an inexperienced team. And over time, you’ll be able to tackle the harder difficulties, ensuring that the action is always challenging. After the Fall even caters for those who fancy a bit of competition, thanks to a 4v4 adversarial mode. Needless to say, there’s a lot of fun to be head here; this isn’t a game you’re going to be done with after just a few hours.
Like all good VR games, After the Fall has a wealth of comfort options, and you can play it standing or seated. You’d be wise to play around with the settings on offer, too, as they can truly transform your time with the game. Due to the amount of free movement players have, however, those who are susceptible to VR-induced sickness may not have the best experience. The missions here aren’t overly long but they’re not short, either. And so it’s not ideal starting to feel ill when you’re only halfway to achieving your goal.
If you’ve got the legs for it, and love co-op shooters such as World War Z and Left 4 Dead, After the Fall is very easy to recommend on PSVR 2. You get a generous amount of content for the price, and does it ever get old blasting hordes of zombies? We don’t think so. Get a group together, and this could become a great way to waste away the hours.
After the Fall is available on PS4 with PSVR, PS5 with PSVR 2, PC and Oculus.
