Features and Limitations
There are many features that should be included in order to make the first Power Rangers VR game a true experience. These are the following:
- Morphing from civilian to a ranger
- Combat against henchman as well as facing a monster
- Using special attacks, abilities, and different weapons and Power-Ups
- Fighting giant monsters in the Zords and/or Megazord
Without all these key components in the game, it’s fair to say that the ranger experience would not be complete since all these elements make up what it feels like to be a Power Ranger. It’s possible there may be one or two things that can’t directly be added to the VR game, such as walking up to your gigantic Zord and jumping up in it, but these are something that would need to be discussed and tested.
Overall, the specific features in the game will need to be selected for the best experience possible so that the game will have everything needed to make it a satisfying Power Rangers RPG, while also ensuring it still runs smoothly.
There are a few limitations to VR which affects the gameplay of a Ranger VR game. The primary two are lack of full-body tracking and limitations for finger tracking.
Certain things like jumping can be added to VR games, but kicking as Rangers do is not yet possible since most hardware doesn’t come with leg tracking included. There are ways around this, such as linking kicking to a button, however, it’s fair to say we may not be seeing actual leg tracking until it’s safe and sold as part of the package.
Finger tracking is extremely good for the Valve Index controllers, but anything too small may become difficult to use especially when clustered together. There are also VR platforms such as the PlayStation VR that does not have this feature yet. Hopefully, this will be added in the next generation otherwise, it is hard to imagine a full Power Rangers VR game coming to consoles anytime soon.
Best Selections for the First Game
Considering some of the seasons that have been released, there are a few Ranger teams that have gimmicks and exciting powers that would be great for VR. The actual game could be a mix of seasons similar to the Shattered Grid storyline many know and love, however, there are still specific ranger teams that would be best for the first game.
Certain Ranger teams that won’t be best suited for the first VR game include the seasons with items that have small-sized buttons, such as the Morphers from Power Rangers in Space or Time Force. The gear in these seasons could be difficult to make useable for players without accuracy issues. This is mainly due to the limitations with tracking for VR with most hardware as specified before.
As for best seasons that would fit, there are lots of different seasons that are compatible for the first VR game and the following are the best seasons and the summarization of why:
Power Rangers Samurai
- Combat mainly consists of the use of swords
- The Symbol Power gimmick for Morphing is fun and possible for VR
- The spin disc gimmick use on weapons would be an easy adaption to VR
- The story could be based on characters we know or the past Samurai rangers, including Jayden’s father’s team.
Power Rangers HyperForce
- Would be a fresh, exciting experience to never being seen outside of the Tabletop RPG show
- The story has lots of possibilities for use
- Morphing gimmick uses cards, which is easy to implement in VR
- Weapons, gear, and special abilities are dynamic for combat
- Visit different eras and ranger locations such as Angel Grove Park or SPD
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
- Highly nostalgic for most fans so most would love the opportunity to be one of them
- Morphing gimmick is simple
- Weapons are basic types that have already been seen in VR e.g. Sword and Bow
Power Rangers Beast Morphers
- The most recent season that many will know
- The Power Rangers exclusive use of Keys for morphing is brilliant for the VR experience
- Powers would be an amazing addition to the ranger experience.
- Various weapons that would be enjoyable to use including exclusive Weapons to Power Rangers
Power Rangers Dino Fury
- The latest season of Power Rangers
- Dominantly use swords and weapons for combat (Similar to Samurai Rangers)
- The flip key-like gimmick would work well in VR
- The various power-up that also adds armor to the ranger adds exciting gameplay
Do you play VR games? What would you like to see in a Power Rangers VR game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and follow The Illuminerdi for more Power Rangers content like this in the future!
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