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Gorilla Tag
Gorilla Tag
Reject modernity. Embrace tradition.
Become gorilla.
Introduction
Introduction
Gorilla Tag is a multi-player tag game featuring the classic version of tag that we all know and love. Alternatively, the game features an infected mode where infected players must catch all survivors or survivors maneuver around the course in an attempt to escape. What makes gorilla tag different from other tag based games is the movements required. Players must swing their arms as if they are swinging or climbing up trees and mountains. The game is low pressure so players can also just hang out with their friends in private rooms or jump into a public room with other random players. Maneuvering is simple to learn and fair for all skillsets. Players can experience the game via desktop or in a wide open VR space.
"Gorilla Tag On Oculus Quest Is Free & HILARIOUS" by Virtual Reality Oasis
Gameplay
Gameplay
Gorilla Tag offers up an interesting set of game mechanics that players can easily pick up and start playing right away. As mentioned before, users must swing their arms in a "walking motion" to get around the field. In the video by Virtual Reality Oasis, we can see that the users have quite a bit of range in fine motor details and can grab items as expected but also make different hand gestures (Be warned that the gestures in VRO's video may be seen as offensive to some viewers).
To climb various parts of the field, the user must squeeze the sides with both controls and release before quickly grabbing the sides again. Other climbable objects like slides or tree steps can be climbed in a typical alternating grabbing motion. Players can also swing both of their arms down, essentially punching the ground, to jump vertically.
The game features two forms of tag: normal tag and infected tag. Normal tag features the players as differently colored gorillas. If a player sees a gorilla that is not their color, that is who they go after. In the infected version of the game, infected gorillas are lava colored and must infect the rest of the players.
Infected Gorilla. Thumbnail image from "lava monke discrimination😬 / gorilla tag" by JayTrisha ✔ on YouTube
Who Can Play This Game?
Who Can Play This Game?
This game is tailored to fit any skill set, and players need not be an expert gamer to succeed in Gorilla Tag. The game is simple enough for anyone to pick up and play right away. During matches, the user that is "it" receives a speed boost while fleeing players are slowed down. However, as the match progresses, the speed of the fleeing players gradually increases. Users can play this game seated, standing still, or in a large play area.
Is This a Good Use of VR?
Is This a Good Use of VR?
Any VR experience should be immersive, and Gorilla Tag gets this right with the movement mechanics. Having to physically move to escape being tagged truly puts the player in the environment and throws them back into their childhood with an earnest game of tag. There are no complicated controls to bog down the user that, if forgotten, can take them out of the experience.
"Discussing VR Game Design with Gorilla Tag's Developer" by mizizizizLive
VRO holding up the "surf's up" gesture in game
Video: "Gorilla Tag On Oculus Quest Is Free & HILARIOUS" by Virtual Reality Oasis
As seen in the video, the VR technology available in this game allows users to manipulate not only the arms of their gorilla self, but each of the (albeit only three) individual fingers on each hand. This is done using the three inputs on the VR controls.
Surf's up!
What Are the Downsides?
What Are the Downsides?
Gorilla Tag is currently only online so users that prefer to play alone will not have the option to play with any CPUs. However, as the game grows in popularity, more and more players are online, and most users report never having seen an empty game room so there are plenty of opportunities to play.
The game presents some more physical risks than a typical VR game. One of which users have noted was primarily about accidentally damaging equipment or items in the real world as they play this game due to the constant swinging of their arms. Unlike a point and shoot game where users might turn a few times, they are typically in one spot or a small range of space with little risk or hitting something. Whereas in this game, the user is constantly swinging their arms and turning around frantically as in the gameplay footage above. If your play area is not properly blocked off or you move out of your play area in the excitement of the game, you are very likely to damage something. While this is a risk in any VR game, users have noted it to be much more prominent during Gorilla Tag.
As with any VR game, users may experience nausea and dizziness. Gorilla Tag may be more dizzying as players are constantly turning around. Additionally, many users have reported injuries from all of the frantic movements that the game requires. When playing this game, it is imperative that users block off plenty of space and then a bit extra in order to accommodate the game.
"Explaining the 'Tag Lag' in Gorilla Tag" by Jozzalla
There is a way to configure the game in the hollow tree where players begin the game where players can use the thumb sticks maneuver around, but some have reported bugs during this or even a complete lack of functionality with the thumb sticks at the time of writing. Furthermore, there is a well-documented tag lag where players do not immediately see the effects of tagging another player or do not see the effects at all. Details are explained in the short video to the side.
Lastly, while not necessarily a downside, nearly every user has reported having sore arms after excessive use during this game. Gorilla Tag is lauded as a fantastic workout while still being exceedingly fun to play. Users should consider how deeply they want their arms to ache when playing Gorilla Tag for long periods of time.
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Ready to Play?
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