Playthings: VR Music Vacation
Playthings was made to welcome anyone to the world of virtual reality. Built for the HTC Vive, Playthings puts virtual drumsticks in your hands and sets you loose on a musical playground from another world. There’s no complicated buttons or tutorials–everyone knows how to use drumsticks. But drums are for real life. In Playthings, the instruments are made out of food: like hot dog xylophones and jelly bean harps. With the HTC Vive’s room scale motion tracking, you don’t need a joystick to explore the world of Playthings–you move around with your own two feet. Playthings transforms even the tiniest room into a tropical dreamscape that stretches forever in every direction. You can make all sorts of music with your snacks. Or, you can rearrange them with the Golden Tongs to make your own singing food sculptures. You can swing the Giant Hammers to relieve stress (or just make a big mess). There’s lots more tools and worlds to discover–all you have to do is take a look around.
Features:
5 explorable worlds full of interactive musical food that anyone can play.
3 different pairs of drumsticks with unique powers.
Intuitive, languageless, tutorial-free controls.
Secret Rhythm Game mode! (shhh)
Features an original soundtrack written by Jon Baken (of George & Jonathan)
Guest performance by Jesper Mortensen (aka “Junior” of Junior Senior) on the Playthings theme song, “C’mon Everybody! (Playthings Rap)”
Game Discussion
Steam User 3
Experienced on the Oculus Rift and Windows Mixed Reality
You can view my review & gameplay here:
There really isn't much to this game. However, the visuals are absolutely joyous and colorful. You get to mess around with musical instruments, which can be anything from Donuts, Hamburgers, Hog Dogs, Gummy Bears, or Jelly Beans. You can use drum sticks, tongs (to move items around), or a huge hammer (to play more stuff or far away stuff).
There isn't much content. You have 5 different environments, which includes 3 food themed environments, a teleport room, and a locked music video type room where you can finally drum along to this happy song. I really enjoyed the included song. I just wish they had done more of these.
The game is running on the Unity Engine. I had variable frame rates on my 1060 GTX with frame rates starting usually at 90 frames per second, but dropping to as low as 20 fps, especially when lots of instruments were being played. This game could be better optimized.
There is no locomotion. You do have to play within your play space. Unfortunately, that can be quite the challenge as some of the objects and teleport portals are pretty far away. I recommend a huge play space before you buy this game. However, I was able to do it with a small play space and reset room space with Steam VR.
For only .99 cents, this game is an easy recommend. My understanding is that was a huge price drop from the original price upon release. I think some of the negative reviews are from the old price. I would say you'll probably enjoy this for 10-30 minutes. IF you have kids or friends / family you normally invite for VR, then could be much longer.
Rate 6.5/10. Puts a smile on your face, especially with the end play-a-long music video, for just .99 cents. I would say it's worth it.
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Steam User 1
What a wonderful, wonderful thing you created! Thank you so much, guys!
This game is just a little experience to play around with, for good-hearted people open to fresh peaceful wonderlands. But what a polished and cute one! I love the fact that it's just a simple thing, with no score, no nothing, just a *game to have fun*.
It needs a bit of space (or to tweak your playspace with SteamVR Advanced Settings), but it really goes well with the controllers and head tracking to give you a real VR feeling (once again, a short one).
Thanks again to the creators! Love you guys!
Steam User 0
There's not a whole lot of substance to this game, and it's honestly nothing special in terms of actually being able to make much music with it, but I did have a decent amount of fun with this regardless and would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a unique and colourful experience. It's an older VR title now, but the environment that they made is stylized in a way that allows it to stand out from other VR titles from the original burst of similar-length VR games in 2016. Really enjoyed the feeling that staring into the portal gives you, especially the final end portal. Neat!
Steam User 0
Such a great time. It's more of a musical toy than a game. It's only a few minuets long if you don't stop and play some songs.
But once I get a grove on I don't want to leave. You got to get that hamburger bass going. Line up some hotdogs and gummey bears with you other hand... Oh man, good vibrations...
Steam User 1
Wonderful game. Yes, it's short, but lots of musical possibilities, First played this at Tribeca Film Festival and was so glad to see it on steam. Great for all ages and no violence.
Steam User 1
This game is really great, especially for first time VR users. It's a quick play through, but the possibilites are infinite since the game is focused on music/aduido. But i'm not musician and it's still really fun to play. The graphics and stylization of the levels are trippy, beautiful and very unique. I think the vivid colors and textures are among the best that i've seen in VR yet. Top notch!
Did i mention you get to play hot dogs, burgers and candy as musical instrument? Well you do, and it's awesome.
The final level is addictive and requires a bit of rhythm. Super fun and left me wanting more.
This game is all about exploration, self expression and creativity, which is the fun of VR. If your the type of gamer that likes hand holding, then might not be for you.
The game is great with a decent sized space. I play in a space of 8x5',But if you have a smaller place then remap your area for this game. It's quick and easy to do and It's worth it.
Steam User 1
Although the game is extremely short, it can just be used as a casual musical playground. especially playing the hamburger drums can be entertaining for a long time.