Firewall: Zero Hour is the first multiplayer FPS I have ever played on PlayStation VR, and boy is it different to the standard couch controller or PC experience. That being said, I opted for the tutorial for a run down. Opening in a target practice room, the on-screen instructions floating in the air tell you to push the left analog stick to move forward. I did so - and my stomach decided to lurch forward too. Immediately feeling the effects of motion sickness, I removed the goggles, took a deep breath and put them back on because you, the readers, are worth me allowing my lunch to reintroduce itself later in a toilet bowl.

Aiming and shooting (you know, the sort of important mechanic in a shooter) was weird. At first, I often found myself trying to use the right analog stick to aim but soon learned to shove my hands in the air, waving the controller around like I was showing off a prized possession of sorts. Using the right analog stick did however sharply turn my view with a clunky 45 degree snap, making me feel dizzy (the readers are worth it, the readers are worth it...).



Dropping into an online game has you joining a lobby with three other players. You will be able to chat to each other here and (hilariously) watch their avatar's heads and arms move according to their real life counterparts connected to the VR system. There are a few guns available but most are locked to be earned later on. Once logged in, a countdown timer appears before launching you into a match. Firewall: Zero Hour establishes itself as a 4v4 contract game mode where the goal is to hack a computer terminal without getting shot and dying on the way (ooh, that’s why it’s called Firewall).

My first match was a disaster. My teammates tried to devise a plan while I ran ahead full force, looking in the most awkward angles as I tried to aim with the right analog stick, snapping the camera accordingly and losing all sense of direction. I found myself bending over and thrusting my hands forward with elbows locked - my controller as my mighty weapon. Wondering what L2 does, I threw a grenade at my own feet, snapped so fast with the right analog stick in panic that I just did a stomach-churning 360 to face the explosive and simply watch as it loudly gave away my position.

Firewall: Zero Hour establishes itself as a 4v4 contract game mode where the goal is to hack a computer terminal without getting shot and dying on the way.

I died quickly after that. No idea how or who did it, I just died… deservedly so. Once you die, you can watch your teammates who actually know how to play do a better job than you and cheer them on from an afterlife surveillance cam. I mean, you could be of assistance by calling out positions of enemies nearby but I was too salty for that kind of teamwork. In my second game, I was “way smarter” and decided to hide behind cover. I thought it was a little weird that i could still see perfectly over the barrier I hid behind, like it wasn’t really a fair advantage but then I felt fine because it turns out my head was sticking out just enough for a well-executed cranium shot.



A few more deaths later, I started to get the hang of things. I made my first kill and the game rewarded my efforts with hilarious moments to follow. My team mate ran right past me, taking my kill-shot as a sign to rush in. Seeing him fly across the screen like he just met John Wick around the corner had me in tears (seriously, the rag doll physics in this game are phenomenal). Afraid to tell John I didn’t kill his puppy, I opted to pop a grenade around the corner and watch him air cartwheel away majestically.

The rag doll physics in this game are phenomenal.

Firewall: Zero Hour is the kind of game that would be incredibly fun to play with friends online as it’s unintentionally goofy nature lays the groundwork for genuinely hysterical moments. That’s not to say that the game is one big joke - winning a match feels rewarding as the immersion of playing in VR coupled with the difficulty of getting used to the feel of gameplay ups the overall ante.

Staying on positive points, I experienced zero crashes or stutters during my time playing. The game’s engine seems solid and developers First Contact Entertainment Inc. have clearly put in the effort to keep the game running smoothly. Graphically, the game’s textures and lighting are really pretty decent. The 9 different play areas feel unique and well put together. That being said, VR isn’t exactly the most crystal clear image you’re going to experience so understandably there are limits in this area.



Unfortunately after a while, the lobby waits seemed to get longer and longer until I was reduced to waiting more than 15 minutes for a game. Fortunately, I discovered twisting and turning your controller in the lobby has your character pulling a Bruce Lee as he nun-chucks his gun around accordingly. It’s even more impressive and chuckle-some when you notice his bones seem to bend backwards during the trick show and his wrists spin like they are attached to well oiled bearings.

Overall, I found Firewall: Zero Hour to be charming and memorable for the potential it holds to deliver a genuinely fun time (particularly when playing with friends). It does however run the risk of getting boring after a while as there aren’t many game modes to choose from. If you decide to pick this game up, I highly recommend swapping the standard PS4 Controller for the VR gun peripheral PlayStation offers, should your budget allow. Maybe then you won’t be accidentally snapping your digital (or real) neck in 45 degree increments.