Spuds Unearthed PSVR Review

We are putting potatoes back on the frontlines to save the world in this Spuds Unearthed PSVR review.

The potato is overlooked as a go-to soldier in war, but GameDust has managed to put the spotlight back on the vegetable in Spuds Unearthed.

Potatoes used to be the first line of defence in games like Plants Vs Zombies, but in this VR World, they’re also the instigators of war; taking the battle to the enemy.

Don’t go expecting an in-depth spud history in the Spuds Unearthed gameplay, as the narrative in the game is as thin as french fries rather than a meaty, rustic chip.

I’ll aim to avoid any further potato references or puns in this…

Spuds Unearthed PSVR Review

It’s an interesting title, that’s for sure.

Perhaps this is a murder mystery into the sociopathic ways of the potato, or something more mysterious?

Nope, it’s a real-time strategy game with RPG elements where you can level up your forces and throw them about at will.

Poor Will.

Spuds Unearthed - Idle hands
Idle hands throw potatoes. Source: PR

After a brief tutorial, you select from a range of planets to conquer with your legions of doom, destroying everything in sight.

You could say that this is a first-person tower defence game, only you have just the one platform, mounted with cannons.

While you arm the cannons, you can toss your spuds onto the battleground to defeat the enemy before they get to you.

Should they reach and destroy your little plateau, you dead.

Mashed Potatoes

Ok, so I’ve resorted to potato references again – I apologise.

Manning the artillery is super fun, but you need to multi-task by giving instructions to your potatoes; not the traditional way of giving orders, but chucking them in front of you.

If you add more power to your throw or change the angle, it doesn’t seem to matter too much, and you end up looking like your grandad playing Wii Sports.

For good ol’ grandad, he’s just having a bit of fun, but for us gamers, we want to progress in a game. 

This little flaw makes it hard to get anyway, and despite the warnings to check your playing environment, you still end up hitting the dog or tripping over the body rolled in a carpet coffee table.

Spuds Unearthed

Disappointing then, as it’s a novel idea, it’s just hard to execute.

New Potatoes

The visuals are great!

They reminded me of the film Robots, but with hints of the Team17 classic Worms, only the 3D reboot.

While Worms has a place in my heart, I much prefer potatoes to worms as these are pretty cool characters.

As for level design, it does feel a little samey and doesn’t offer up that much variety.

Each stage, while slightly different from the last is mostly a warehouse floor with crap thrown all over the place; it doesn’t feel like a battlefield.

They didn’t stand a chance, not when I have potatoes.

Jacket Potatoes

What adds to the game is the customisations and upgrades – from new units and upgrades to turrets, and vehicles – there’s a lot on offer.

While it’s not a puzzle as such, it’s a nice little addition to this VR world.

Unless there were a way to do it and missed it, I would have liked to have been able to get a first-person view from the vehicles – especially the airborne ones when you lob them with their respective potato pilot.

In terms of difficulty, there’s a reasonable curve as you progress.

Spuds Unearthed - Not a water pistol
Not a water pistol. Source: PR

From the level selection screen, it’s the size of the planet that reflects the difficulty; the bigger it is, the harder the challenge.

However, the challenge is mostly the interaction with the potatoes – get that right, and everything is peachy. Ish.

Spuds Unearthed gameplay is quite unique, and the interaction between levels and setting up your loadout is a pleasant experience.

Presentation-wise, it’s excellent too, and the sound effects are apt for the gameplay.

I hope that this opens up for future titles that improve on some of the controls and variety as there’s room on the market for this sort of game – especially a PSVR RTS.

A review code was provided for the game, and I can confidently state that no potatoes were harmed in the making of this Spuds Unearthed PSVR review.

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