In recent years, Deadpool has risen from a B-tier superhero to one of the most popular characters in Marvel’s roster. There’s a certain je ne se quais about the character’s foul-mouthed antics that have tickled audiences to their rotten cores. So when Deadpool VR debuted at Summer Game Fest, I knew I had to slap a Meta Quest on my face and become the Merc With the Mouth. I walked away with a healthy dose of motion sickness and a renewed appreciation for what is capable in virtual reality.
(Credit: Twisted Pixel)
Gameplay: Finally, an Immersive Superhero Videogame
My Deadpool VR demo opened in a unique way. Playing as Wade Wilson, I opened my eyes and realized my head was separated from my body, which I still had full control over. Posing for the camera, I walked my body over to the nearby scientist and gleefully smashed his face. It’s a cliché to say that I felt like Deadpool, but the demo did an excellent job of conveying what it’s like being a mostly invulnerable, superpowered killing machine.
Deadpool is far from the first superhero to get a video game, or even a VR game. However, there’s no hero better suited for the type of gameplay that VR games provide. Right off the bat, I had access to Deadpool’s guns and swords. I bucked my heat till the clip was spent and chucked it at a guard. I tossed my sword and impaled another guard on a wall. I juggled still more, slicing and dicing until the enemy was just a chunk of meat. Deadpool is nimble, too, capable of running across walls and dropkicking enemies before stomping off their heads.
(Credit: Twisted Pixel)
Deadpool VR’s gunplay is loose and chaotic, even for a VR novice like myself. In fact, I settled into the role pretty quickly. Grabbing weapons felt intuitive, and the constant barrage of enemies meant that I never went too long without blowing a leg off. Even on the brink of death, I used Deadpool’s own arm as a weapon, grabbing it to toss at an enemy. Body parts regenerate in splendid, gross detail.
Get Our Best Stories!
Your Daily Dose of Our Top Tech News
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Voicework: Doogie Is Deadpool
Deadpool VR nails the carnage, but the cherry on top is Deadpool himself. Played by Neil Patrick Harris, Deadpool spouts irreverent comments and non-sequiturs that would make Seth MacFarlane blush, ranging from pop culture references to dunking on gaming’s most annoying trends. As I approached a locked door, Deadpool quipped that he probably must buy DLC to open it.
(Credit: Twisted Pixel)
The merc’s fourth wall-breaking commentary bleeds into the gameplay. As I entered a locked room, Deadpool quipped to a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent that he didn’t need a key because he would just kill everyone in the room. Sure enough, a kill counter popped on screen as enemies poured into a room out to get slaughtered.
Recommended by Our Editors
As far as story goes, there wasn’t much I could glean other than Deadpool may or may not have screwed over superagent Nick Fury. As I navigated the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier, I unleashed all manner of experimental technologies to wreak havoc.
VR Headsets and Release Date
Have you ever wanted to don the skintight spandex of everyone’s favorite superhero that’s not Batman, Iron Man, or Spider-Man? Then Deadpool VR might be for you. Although I only tasted a small piece of Deadpool VR’s pie, developer Twisted Pixel appears to be having a ball bringing the anti-hero’s antics to the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S. You can expect Deadpool VR to arrive later this year.
About Zackery Cuevas
Analyst, Hardware
