Video Game Review: Covert

Covert

White Elk Studios

Stealth, Cooperative

PSVR

Local cooperative play with VR games is such a neat thing that isn’t done enough. Games like Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes are a great way to connect two or more people in a way that can’t really be done in any other way. Covert is a PSVR title by White Elk Games and allows for two players to work together to perform tons of fun heists.

In Covert, one player dons the VR headset while another uses a smartphone with the Covert app. The player with the headset will infiltrate a facility while the player with the app will act as the hacker. The game has a light story involving joining a group of thieves and stealing stuff. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s a mildly enjoyable story nonetheless.

The game stresses teamwork, as neither side can really succeed (Or even play for the matter) without the other. The infiltrator will rely on the hacker to guide them through compounds, pointing out key structures and the locations of guards. Quite a few of the hacking minigames require an effort by both parties. Not only that, but both sides will be relying on their partner to be quick and efficient. If the hacker slacks or takes too long to do their part, the thief player will quickly get shot by guards. Clearing stages without any hiccups is always satisfying.

Playing as the thief is thoroughly enjoyable. The player will walk through compounds, stealing items and sneaking past guards. Playing as the thief largely relies on stealth, as there aren’t too many ways to defend yourself from the guards. The loop is broken up sometimes by minigames that are played with the hacker. The thief can also use ziplines and interact with a few parts of the environment. The controls are a bit wonky. Covert can be played with both the move controllers and the Dualshock 4, but each comes with some flaws. Walking is cumbersome with the moves while playing with the Dualshock removes some of the immersion. The game features both snap and smooth turning to accommodate for those who might experience motion sickness.

The hacker also gets to enjoy Covert as well. The two players will constantly be communicating throughout without little downtime for the hacker. There is always something for the hacker to do, and even if the infiltrator isn’t actively asking the hacker for aid, the hacker will still be analyzing the blueprints for possible obstacles.

Covert utilizes cartoon graphics that add tons of personality to the game but it doesn’t mask its visual flaws. The characters and environments have a bit of charm to them, but everything appears to lack depth. The walls, in particular, look especially bad if the player looks at them enough. Everything feels a bit empty too. The rooms don’t have much filling them, making the game feel like its unfinished in some areas. The guard animations are underwhelming as well. Still, despite all this, Covert is still enjoyable under the headset.

Covert is one of the best local cooperative experiences on the PSVR. The amount of teamwork needed carries the game, and both roles are entertaining. It is held back by the control limitations of the PSVR, but this doesn’t stop Covert from being a fun time.