Rick and Morty is arguably one of the most entertaining shows on television right now. Whether you love it or hate it, there is no denying that the show’s popularity is apparent. So when Owlchemy Labs made a virtual reality game that is based on the titular show in 2017, it peaked my interest. Although the game was initially released in 2017 for the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, the title would make it’s way onto Sony’s head-mounted display this year.
Now that I have had the opportunity to play both versions, I can wholeheartedly say that this game is one of the better video games based on a tv show; a title worthy of bearing the Rick and Morty name, as well as a fun virtual reality game all around.
In Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-Ality players control a clone of Morty Smith, the grandson of the wacky mad scientist, Rick Sanchez. Throughout the game, Rick relays information to the player to perform mundane tasks such as doing the laundry or repairing his spaceship with the entire game split into nine levels. Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-Ality is primarily an action simulation title, but these tasks require some puzzle solving and jumping through portals that take you to other areas such as the Smith’s bathroom.
When you solve these puzzles, there are numerous tools in the garage at your disposal that will help you complete the puzzles. Some of the tools that you have access to include a Mr. Meeseeks toy, which is a Mr. Meeseeks that mimics your movements and can be activated by throwing the toy on the floor. The Mr. Meeseeks is one of the most crucial tools you will have as many puzzles require you to use it; another fun tool to use include a crafting table. This allows you to mashup two items you find inside Rick’s lab, and you can make all sorts of hybrid items.
Of course, all the items needed to complete the tasks will be found lying around Rick’s basement. Fortunately, there is a computer you have access to so you can order specific parts when needed. The puzzles themselves are not hard, nor are they too easy exploration is key to solving the puzzles (and listening to Rick doesn’t hurt either).
The controls themselves are easy to remember: you use the move button on your PlayStation Move controller to get from point A to point B. While I would have loved the option to use smooth locomotion (or even a look-based option which would give players an opportunity to use the DualShock 4), the teleportation movement is ideal for those who get queasy very easily.
Looking at the game from a graphical standpoint, the game looks fantastic. Anyone who watches Rick and Morty such as myself would (obviously) know that the show is not three dimensional. However, Owlchemy Labs has perfectly recreated the world this game is one of many testaments that shows that Owlchemy Labs is one of the best virtual reality developers in the industry.
Much like South Park: The Fractured But Whole, the game has immersed me in the world so much that throughout my entire playthrough I felt like I was a playing an interactive episode of Rick and Morty. It helped that all the voice actors from the tv show reprise their roles. The humor from the incredible minds of Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon alone is worth the price of admission.
Fans of the show will enjoy the game and all the little references that are made; Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-Ality is undoubtedly a love letter to Rick and Morty fans. Although this game caters heavily to the Rick and Morty fanbase (which is not a criticism), I would recommend this title to those who have not seen the show because I feel that this game offers enough substance to encourage those to watch the show.
While I found the game to be everything I could ever want from a Rick and Morty video game, it does have its fair share of problems. As I mentioned previously, the game itself is not very long, only lasting around nine levels and, after the completion of the game, I wanted to keep playing more. It does not help the fact that the missions featured in across all the levels are linear in design, which decreases the overall replayability. That is not to say that there is not any replayability though, albeit minor. Although, if you are looking to go back and replay the game, you will need to have an adventurous mind. There are plenty of secrets found deep within the game. But as I stated previously, if you love the tv show you won’t sufficiently value the easter eggs found in the game.
One other significant flaw I have to point out is the lack of overall exploration. What I mean by this is the clone is confined to the Smith’s garage a majority of the time if you take out portals out of the equation. As a fan of the show, I would have loved the opportunity to visit notable locations such as Anatomy Park, planet Gazopazorp or even more freedom to explore the Smith residence would have been nice. In that regard, it feels like a missed opportunity to flesh out the world even more so than it already is.
Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-Ality is not perfect, but despite all of its flaws, it is a great virtual reality title, and I hope that Adult Swim games will greenlight future Rick and Morty video games. I would love to see a first-person shooter Rick and Morty title or an action adventure title that takes place in outer space and has you exploring various planets from the universe.
For $29.99, Rick and Morty: Virtual Rick-Ality is a game worth adding to your library. It may have a linear design and a short length, but it is still a great game that stays true to the Rick and Morty IP, and I look forward to future Rick and Morty titles.