The game’s levels, split into Decks, are procedurally generated. I’m not scared of the dark in real life, but in The Persistence it’s terrifying because the dark is the unknown, and the unknown could send your arse back to the start in a matter of seconds. It’s not the best looking game on the system, but the design is just about good enough to draw you in and force your to fear the unknown. Creeping forward, I’d often find myself holding my breath and losing my temper if I was nudged by the Mrs. Knowing you can get ahead easier by taking the stealth approach forces you into tenser moments in an already tense game.

Moving in for a silent kill will net you more precious currency than just bashing Dave’s head in or shooting him in the face. Your enemies are the mutated clones of your crewmates (because of a blackhole or something – it’s a video game) and so they’re susceptible to being outsmarted. Well, to be fair, it’s not as grindy as the games it takes inspiration from, and it even helps you out if you take your time and play tactically. Like with any decent rogue-like, there are a good number of upgrades to be acquired and a lot of grinding to get them. As a printable clone you can be tweaked to help you better survive a little longer. Collecting Stem Cells (another other bits and bobs) will allow you to come back better and stronger than before. And another go is what you’ll always need.ĭeath doesn’t have to be for nothing in The Persistence, and so while you’re alive you’ll harvest Stem Cells from the game’s claustrophobic rooms and corridors, as well as from the ugly sods calling the spaceship home. It might seem a little against the rogue-lite philosophy, but I honestly found it to be pretty great and it kept me engaged and ready for another go. If you die during a level, you only go back as far as the level you’re on. Once you beat a level, you move onto the next. Do rogue-lites normally have ends? Either way, The Persistence does have an end, so the game is divided into levels. Most rogue-lites are difficult enough that I don’t make it to the end – if there even is one. But it’s not a pure rogue-lite, and for that I’m grateful.

You play, you die, you come back stronger, and you do it again and again. So death is a popular state in The Persistence, but the good news is that you’re in-game character is able to knock up a new meat sack whenever it’s needed.

Is it always fair? No, but when would we gamers ever admit to the game beating us fairly? Every death is “cheap” and we know better. Given that The Persistence is a rogue-lite survival horror game, expect to die. Thankfully, then, The Persistence is a bloody good game. A game can’t get by on decent controls alone. Controls are never an issue here, and they’re intuitive enough that you’ll barely need a second glance at the control mappings.īut that’s by the by. I’d say I’m disappointed, but after playing the game it does make sense, and the developers managed to make the most out of the DualShock 4 and PSVR headset combo. You won’t, however, need your PSVR Aim controller as the game relies exclusively on the DualShock 4 controller for user input. If that sounds scary, just wait until you play the damn thing.Īs a PSVR exclusive game, you’re going to need a PlayStation VR headset. The game, in turn, aiming to beat you, is ever persistent on killing you. To beat the game, you’re going to need persistence. Never has a game’s name been more fitting. The Persistence by name, The Persistence by nature.

The persistence enhanced review