When a game with a title like "Sugar Mess - Let's Play Jolly Battle" appears on the scene, you might assume that the developers have had too much sugar and too little sleep. The name sounds like a product from a child-friendly sugar-coated universe that probably doesn't think it can do much more than offer colorful graphics and cheerful music. But those who get involved will discover that there is more to the sweet appearance than just fluffy calories.
A VR adventure full of colorful excesses
The adventure begins as soon as the VR headset is put on. Instead of a dark sci-fi world or a dramatic fantasy realm, you are whisked away to a children's room full of color and glitter - a veritable sugar rush that could steal the show from even the cheesiest Disney film. But amidst the explosion of color, the story of a prince whose kingdom is invaded by enemy cakes unfolds. And yes, the plot is just as crazy as it sounds.
Admittedly, you might wonder how serious a game in which cakes act as villains is supposed to be. But this is exactly where the charm lies. The game knows how to play with its absurdity and never takes itself too seriously. The focus is not just on destroying cake monsters, but on experiencing an over-the-top but well thought-out VR adventure.
Shoot, load, survive: The fun begins
The actual gameplay begins in the so-called level hub - a children's room that serves as the starting point for all missions. Here there is an easy-to-understand tutorial and a weapon store that makes you feel like you are in a toy store for adults. The currency earned in the game can be used to upgrade weapons, which gives the game a pleasant progression.
The actual task is simple: with one weapon in your hand and the other hand free for reloading and power-ups, you shoot at the cake monsters, which fly towards you with pink balls or crash into your face as little kamikaze cakes. The controls are a little unfamiliar at first - on your first attempt, you might die just as quickly as the next best cake - but as soon as you get into the rhythm, the gameplay becomes fast-paced and thrilling.
Colorful variety instead of monotonous levels
As a rule, VR shooters tend to quickly become repetitive, especially when the controls and game mechanics are the sole focus. But "Sugar Mess" surprises with a creative variety that ranges from fairground shooting ranges to roller coasters and interactive puzzles. The fairground level, for example, is reminiscent of a classic shooting gallery experience, but instead of shooting at static targets, you have to deal with dynamic enemies falling from the sky.
This is followed by a track section where you sit on a rollercoaster and - who would have thought it? - shoot down opponents again. The gentle driving style ensures that you keep an overview without getting seasick. And best of all, the enemies appear in a pleasant rhythm so that you are constantly on the move and never feel stuck in the game.
In addition to the shooters, there are also a number of puzzles in the game that challenge the player to use the environment and mechanics in new ways. While these puzzles aren't the most in-depth, they make a nice change from the shooting sections and give you the feeling that the game is really trying to offer more.
Creativity in the choice of weapons and boss battles
Another plus point of "Sugar Mess" is the choice of weapons. At the beginning, the handgun may suffice, but the further you progress, the more you will appreciate the more powerful machine guns and shotguns. The chain gun, for example, requires the player to hold the device with both hands - which not only intensifies the gameplay, but also increases the feeling of immersion.
Particularly impressive are the boss battles, which really add an extra dimension to the game. Rather than simply shooting at a giant cake, these battles require you to hit the enemies' weak points while skillfully dodging and using teleport targets to escape attacks. The boss battles are cleverly designed and provide a welcome challenge, despite their somewhat lengthy duration.
An addictive VR experience - but not without its flaws
But despite all the positive surprises, the game is unfortunately not without its flaws. After around 1 to 2 hours, most of the main game is already done, which can be a little disappointing considering the price. The limited number of enemy types quickly makes you feel that the replay value falls by the wayside - especially if you have just struggled through the game to reach the "S" grade in each level. However, a free DLC has now been released that compensates for this shortcoming somewhat. After all, there is a playable demo in the PlayStation Storewhich anyone can use to convince themselves in advance.
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