Video Game Review: VR Ping Pong Pro

VR Ping Pong Pro

One-O-One Games

Sports

PSVR

PSVR is suffering when it comes to quality sports titles.   The platform has plenty of great titles across multiple genres, but there aren’t really any spectacular sports games out yet. One sport with the potential for fun is ping pong, and One-O-One Games is hoping to take advantage of that opening with VR Ping Pong Pro. How does the ping pong simulator fare?

VR Ping Pong Pro is as straightforward as a game as possible. It’s a ping pong simulator that features realistic physics and gameplay to create the most authentic experience possible. Developer One-O-One Games promises an experience that will mimic real-life skills.  There are multiple AI difficulties that players can test their skills against. There are also a handful of environments to play that set the atmosphere for players. Some areas are relaxing like a Japanese shrine while others are a bit livelier, like the stage in the streets.

VR Ping Pong Pro uses one or two Move controllers to faithfully create an enjoyable game of ping pong. According to the developers, a player’s real-life skill will be represented in their play in the game. I’m personally not great at ping pong and found myself struggling to defeat even the beginner level AI. It took quite a bit of practice for me to figure out how to approach each hit. After hours of practice, I felt somewhat capable and could beat the AI in the two lower difficulties. Skilled players can add spin to the ball like real life, adding advanced play to the game. Getting good at VR Ping Pong Pro is satisfying, and nothing feels better than getting the ball to bounce off of the corner of your opponent’s side of the table.

VR Ping Pong Pro is a ping pong game, and that’s about all it is. There is a severe lack of modes in VR Ping Pong Pro, and for those who don’t care for the core ping pong play, there isn’t enough value in this package. There are a few arcade modes that feature objectives like hitting targets and bouncing the ball of a wall. There is also a tournament mode, which is simple and barebones. The lack of single-player modes will disappoint casual players, but the core gameplay is so solid that this will be enough for enthusiasts. More arcade modes are promised, but it is hard to say that there will be enough diversity added.

The lack of single-player modes isn’t the game’s only weakness. The multiplayer lobbies are painfully empty, severely reducing the longterm value of VR Ping Pong Pro. There just aren’t enough players playing this game. Once you wear out the AI there isn’t much else to do.

VR Ping Pong Pro is well made, and I didn’t experience any issues with tracking. As mentioned before, the physics are consistent, though once every couple of games the ball will fly in an unexpected direction. Still, this doesn’t occur enough to say that there is a problem with the engine. I never lost a game because of the physics, always because of my own play.

VR Ping Pong Pro does a fantastic job of giving players a fantastic ping pong experience. Those who love the sport will find the game’s physics delightful. There just isn’t enough content here to appeal to the casual fan. Still, this will be an enjoyable game for the right player.

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