Bringing up the name Peter Molyneux, does it stir nostalgic feelings for you as much as it does for me? Titles such as Dungeon Keeper, Theme Park, Populous, Fable, and Black & White played significant roles during my formative years, frequently reminding me of what I consider the peak era of innovative video game design.
So far, we have witnessed various ones among these titles being revived as some of the
best Meta Quest games
.
Underworld Overseer
Successfully adapted the Dungeon Keeper concept for VR, with the same development team behind the creation inspired by Populous
Deisim
into VR a few years prior.
Currently, a new developer is tackling a comprehensive follow-up to Black & White titled How to God.
you can add this to your wish list now
On the Meta Horizon store, I had an early look at the game and also spent 45 minutes chatting with the developers last week, leaving quite impressed. Being a big enthusiast of the Black & White series, I’ve been eagerly waiting for a compelling reason to merge these styles.
My gratitude for digital pets
With the precise control that only VR offers, and I believe I’ve finally discovered it.
No animals were injured during this, but you might be.
In “How to God,” you assume the role of a deity with direct control over your surroundings, capable of lifting individuals, trees, and creatures alike, along with constructing buildings and various formations instantly. However, the one aspect you
cannot
Control is the immense entity that acts as your bodily representation on Earth.
Similar to the Black & White games, this entity is driven by an AI that functions like a sentient organism, exploring and adapting to its environment through continuous learning. Much like raising a pet, your positive reinforcement or guidance can mold both its character traits and moral compass, ultimately affecting how it interacts with others in its surroundings.
The main objective of the game is to encourage humans to venerate you—either through kindness or coercion—which will enhance your divine abilities. Humans who go to shrines to pay homage to you produce prayer energy that you can gather and utilize to boost your strength. The more widespread your impact becomes, the greater the global recognition of your populace’s devotion grows.
The game doesn’t feature an expansive open world; instead, it offers a level-based strategic sandbox experience connected by a coherent narrative that ties various settings together. As you and your populace gain more power, adversaries will emerge aiming to reduce your dominance. These challenges could range from bandits appearing through the fog of war to rival civilizations intent on conflict, varying based on different scenarios.
However, although several of these elements can be spotted in other gaming experiences, the “virtual pet” segment within this title stands out uniquely amidst virtual reality offerings. It’s your creation that sets How to God apart from other Meta Quest strategy games; it lends unmatched personality and fascination to the experience.
As the owner of a living being, you have to mold your pet so that it reflects you as accurately as possible because you won’t always be able to oversee every detail. Unlike a familiar whom you call upon whenever needed, or an object you can move around freely, this entity needs to embody your essence through careful cultivation and representation in various situations.
If you have previously trained an animal, you understand that various approaches exist. While squirting your pet with a spray bottle as punishment for misbehavior is an option in “How to Train Your Dragon,” you might discover that using positive reinforcement yields better results.
With its intricate alchemy system, pet training dynamics, and elements of village construction and strategic planning, this game seems designed for players who enjoy losing themselves in gameplay for extended periods.
While nurturing your creature, remember to also attend to every villager’s requirements alongside striving for increased dominance. You have the choice either to grow your settlement and receive commendation or maintain control over the populace by satisfying your creature—thereby provoking frightened entreaties and boosting your strength—which route you take is completely your decision.
I was really fond of the game’s alchemy system as well. Similar to
Job Simulator games
, “How to” suggests that God allows you to take various components and merge them, such as combining fire and water to create steam. Although it may not appear as complex as some other titles, I am excited to delve into all the features the creators have included. I’ve heard there are numerous possible combinations waiting to be uncovered.
The game is scheduled for release over the coming months with a focus on single-player gameplay. However, the creators have suggested that they aim to add a multiplayer feature down the line. For now, however, the story mode and sandbox options will provide ample entertainment upon launch.
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