As a flat-screen experience, The Persistence is a title that I can’t help but feel is probably best played in VR, where its shortcomings are less likely to detract from the overall experience. That doesn’t mean, however, that if playing in VR isn’t possible for you, you should ignore it. Most importantly, The Persistence nails the fundamentals of the genre so well, with its compelling progression loops and vast scope for build experimentation, that it’s extremely easy to overlook any of the drawbacks.
The Persistence Enhanced
Firesprite Limited · Jun 11, 2021
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The Persistence Enhanced challenges you to survive aboard a doomed deep space colony starship in the year 2521, overrun with horrific
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- The Persistence Enhanced is still a great game, though the enhanced bit does not feel enhanced enough. There are still plenty of visuals that feel too much like they are best in VR, not having enough updated and tweaked options. That being said, apart from some performance issues, this doesn’t influence the awesome atmosphere, sound, and gameplay this game has.
- 7.0Ultimately, The Persistence Enhanced leaves you frustrated – partly because it’s hard, and partly because it’s clear that are some brilliant elements at play here, but they’re hindered by those that are less so. It truly does have a terrifying atmosphere, for example, and carefully employs jump scares to keep you on your toes. The gameplay loop is also an engaging one, but it feels like it needs some balancing to not make it feel like a such a grind.
- 7.0Our only criticism is that the gameplay hasn’t quite made the transition to pancake play perfectly; looking at objects made sense on PSVR, but is odd in a more traditional medium. You get used to it quickly, though, and from there the rewarding loop hooks you in.
- 7.0Most distressingly, PS5 players do not even get the option to incorporate any VR functionality whatsoever, but the game’s newest life does seem to be squarely planted in flat-screen territory, so it’s hardly surprising. Previous owners of the last release receive The Persistence Enhanced as a free upgrade but, for anyone who hasn’t tried it until now, this is arguably the finest way to experience it without a headset.
- 7.0For all the visual upgrades, The Persistence Enhanced is still found delivering the same roguelike experience, and that will be the defining point as to whether it attracts players, or puts them off. I wasn’t a fan of the genre initially, but through Returnal and now The Persistence Enhanced, there’s a new-found respect and fondness.
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