Pavlov

Pavlov VR is a tactical multiplayer shooter, in which players observe the action from the first person perspective. The gameplay mechanics used in this game resemble those featured in other games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or ARMA. The game described herein, however, stands out by the fact that it was prepared for the virtual reality headgear - HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. Pavlov VR was designed by an independent studio called davevillz, also known for creating XCavalypse.

Mechanics

The action of Pavlov VR takes place on a modern battlefield. Players assume the role of soldiers tasked with eliminating enemies and completing the goals they receive during a mission. The game offers several different maps and a diversified equipment (e.g. pistols, rifles, sniper rifles).

The controls system is very intuitive as e.g. activities such as reloading, throwing grenades, and attacking enemies with a knife require players to perform appropriate gestures using motion controllers. The same goes for two-hand weapons - when moving with it, players have to keep their hands in an appropriate position to simulate holding a weapon of a given type.

Players suffering from the motion sickness can use an alternative system of movement (Out of Body) - after switching to on, the player uses the motion controller to point where he wants to go and, during the movement, observes his hero from the third-person perspective. The camera returns to the FPP view when the character finishes his move.

Game modes

Pavlov VR revolves around multiplayer matches (it is possible to play with bots, but the game thrives on the rivalry between players). The game offers two different game modes. In Team Deathmatch, players win after they eliminate the enemy team. The respawn occurs in real time, and weapons and armour can be chosen freely. In the case of Seek and Destroy, one team defends the locations where the explosives are to be placed, and the other team tries to plant and then detonate them. In this mode, players have to wait until the end of the round in order to respawn, and the selection of weapons and armour depends on the amount of money they earn by completing objectives and killing enemies in consecutive battles. In both cases, the multiplayer mode can fit from two up to ten players.

Technical aspects

Pavlov VR features quire medieocre 3D visuals. Both character models and locations deviate from the standards set by modern first-person shooters, but the virtual reality technology partially rewards these deficiencies, offering players a sense of depth and immersion unattainable for many other games. It is also worth noting that during the game players can talk to their teammamtes using voice chat.

Pavlov VR matches are hosted on dedicated servers, so players don't have to worry that the match will be interrupted should a player get bored. The game developed by the davevillz team also supports the Steam Workshop. Players can create their own maps and other modifications - many locations known from other games (e.g. Dust 2 maps from CS:GO and Rust maps from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2) have already been converted for the purpose of this game.

Last updated on January 17, 2019