Null of Hope Demo

Although there are hundreds of retro video games released every year, it’s pretty difficult to experience the same feeling by playing them, especially when you do so on a 27” LED screen and a computer powered by current-gen technology. VR promises to change many things, on the other hand, and one of these things might have something to do with how we enjoy retro gaming.

Null of Hope is a classic first-person RPG that features everything from sewer rats, to magic potions and cheesy dialog, all of which are vital ingredients in a retro dungeon crawler. However, the biggest innovation about it is the fact that the game is meant to be enjoyed with a VR set, because you are actually controlling another guy playing the game.

Thanks to this layered environment, it’s actually much easier to trick your mind into believing that you traveled back in time twenty years, especially since the game renders a whole room for you. Thus, you can see the whole TV set instead of just the screen, and you can also look around to observe things like a bed, some posters, and a few other things that are usually found in a teenager’s room.

The actual game is quite simple and to the point, although it is pretty amusing. Hence, you play the name of a character by the name of Null, who escapes from his cell and is about to go on a quest to acquire his freedom. A friendly rat joins your quest, and there are a few other party members planned for the full version. The combat is turn-based and a bit more active than you might be used to, but it’s still pretty fun.

Another great thing about the game is that some of the events in the dungeon have an effect on your VR room as well, such as when it fills with poop after you mess with the sewer pipes. Not only that, but some creatures can even pop out of the screen and give you a bit of a scare, at least the first time around. All of these elements have a tremendous impact on the atmosphere, so it’s definitely going to take you back.

Null of Hope is shaping up to be a great way to put your VR equipment to good use, even if it still has a few quirks and glitches. As long as the gameplay doesn’t get too repetitive in the full version, it should be a blast for everyone aching to experience some retro gaming. Note: You can support the developers by participating in their Kickstarter campaign, and by voting for the game on Steam Greenlight.