Advertisement Review: 'Water Bears VR' is a cute VR puzzle game Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The best virtual reality experiences are those designed specifically for the medium. Fortunately for "Water Bears VR," developer Schell Games seems to understand what makes a VR game great.The premise behind "Water Bears VR" is very simple. Players walk around a multi-tierd structure and attach pipes to water spouts with the goal of moving the water to different water bears. Players can choose a number of predetermined pipe pieces -- straight and curved pipes, T-intersections, and some specialty items later on -- from a handy palette linked to the left motion controller. Placing them is possible with the right motion controller, which gives the game a very satisfying tactical feel. In addition, being able to walk around the puzzle itself, squatting down to see each level and peeking around corners brings an entirely new level of interactivity to the puzzle genre. It's a joy to see your progress in three dimensions and finagle pieces of pipe with the Vive motion controllers, and all of it feels natural and responsive."Water Bears VR" introduces some complexity in later stages, notably when players are required to combine different water colors, separate others, and use fewer and fewer blocks in each level. Schell Games does a fine job introducing new gameplay mechanics at a relaxed pace, allowing players to settle into the new rules before introducing more complexity. Unfortunately, that pace can be too slow, and by the last stage, the game is begging for more mechanics. It would have been nice if the developer continued to flesh out the game's solid foundation.The lack of difficulty means that adults will only find a few hours of enjoyment, even if those few hours are a heck of a lot of fun. Children, on the other hand, will be more likely to find the puzzles challenging and their completion rewarding.As fun a game as "Water Bears VR" is, however, some people may not be able to play it. Of the dozens of room-scale games I've played on the HTC Vive, "Water Bears VR" is among the most demanding. The title requires a minimum of 7.5 by 6.5 feet to play effectively, and while I got by with a room setup that wasn't quite that large, there were many times when my back was against the wall or my neck was craned underneath a shelf. Those with little space should think twice before giving "Water Bears VR" a spin.Even if "Water Bears VR" is a short and overly simple experience, it's a cute, kid-friendly game that is able to provide a few hours of quality entertainment. At $10, it's worth experiencing a quality puzzle game in VR, but don't expect much long-term enjoyment.7/10