PGC NEWS

The Persistence, a sci-fi horror roguelite, originally designed for PS VR in 2018, has been re-released for PC by FireSprite. This version allows players to experience the game without a VR headset, offering accessibility to a wider audience. However, does this transition truly succeed? Let’s delve into this review to find out.

Harvesting Horror Aboard The Persistence

The Persistence places you in the role of Zimri Elder, a security officer tasked with restoring the titular spaceship after a catastrophic malfunction. Alongside Serena, your mission is to repair the vessel and return to Earth. Adding to the complexity, you inhabit a cloned body of Zimri, allowing for unlimited respawns after each gruesome death at the hands of the ship’s mutated crew.

Your initial tool is a Stem Cell Harvester, used to collect stem cells from these grotesque creatures, providing valuable upgrade points. While stealthily draining enemies is an option, direct combat offers a quicker, albeit riskier, alternative.

Stem Cell Harvesting in action. Stealth or brute force?

As you venture deeper into the derelict ship, enemies become more formidable. Fortunately, FAB Chips scattered throughout the ship can be used at upgrade stations to purchase a wider arsenal, from knives and firearms to serums that can charm enemies. You can even turn powerful foes like BloodHounds and Berserkers into allies, using their brute strength to your advantage.

The game’s roguelite elements come into play upon death. While your weapons are lost, collected FAB Chips and stem cells are retained, allowing for persistent upgrades and character customization between runs. This encourages a cycle of death and resurrection, gradually empowering you to overcome the ship’s horrors.

Death is not the end, just a setback.

The cycle of death and rebirth in The Persistence allows for continuous progression.

Explore the decaying corridors of The Persistence.

A Terrifying Atmosphere

The Persistence excels at crafting a chilling atmosphere. Dimly lit corridors, punctuated by the guttural growls of lurking mutants, create a constant sense of dread. The unsettling soundtrack further amplifies the tension, making each encounter a heart-pounding experience.

Beyond the initial areas, enemy variety increases significantly. Some mutants wield firearms, others explode on contact, and some possess blinding speed and devastating attacks. Learning each enemy’s strengths and weaknesses becomes crucial for survival.

The grotesque inhabitants of The Persistence.

While confronting every enemy head-on is rarely the best approach, strategic use of the environment and exploiting enemy weaknesses can turn the tide. The Listener, for instance, can only detect you while moving, while the lumbering BloodHound becomes dangerous only at close range. Each encounter demands careful planning and execution.

Each enemy type in The Persistence presents unique challenges and requires different tactical approaches.

A Rough Diamond in Need of Polish

While FireSprite successfully captures the spirit of The Persistence, the game’s non-VR adaptation suffers from some noticeable flaws.

The primary issue stems from its VR origins. Mechanics designed for VR, like focusing your gaze on items to pick them up, feel clunky and cumbersome with a traditional controller. This can be particularly frustrating during combat encounters. Character animations also appear stiff and unrefined, further detracting from the overall experience.

Navigating the environment can be cumbersome.

Additionally, the repetitive level design becomes apparent as you progress. The four main areas, while procedurally generated, often feel similar, lacking distinct visual identity.

The non-VR adaptation of The Persistence falls short in terms of controls and level design.

Conclusion

The Persistence offers a compelling blend of sci-fi horror and roguelite gameplay, wrapped in a genuinely terrifying atmosphere. However, its VR roots hinder the non-VR experience, with clunky controls and repetitive environments detracting from the overall enjoyment. While the core gameplay loop remains engaging, the transition to PC could have benefited from further refinement to fully realize its potential. Despite its flaws, The Persistence remains a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre willing to overlook its rough edges.