Shibainu – VR Katana Simulator (Steam VR)

System: Valve Index & HTC Vive
Price at Time Of Review: £9.29
Comfort Rating: Green (No Movement)
Genre: Action
Input: Tracked Motion Controllers
Best Playing Position: Standing, Room-Scale
Multi-Player: No
Age Rating: PG

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Description: ShibaInu is a virtual reality (VR) Katana simulator. This game mainly focuses on proper Katana handling, physics interactions and cutting mechanics. Precise and controlled cuts are performed on Tatamis (traditional Japanese floor mat) rolled into a cylindrical shape.

Review: ‘Shibainu – VR Katana Simulator’ is pretty much what its name suggests it is. This is a Japanese mat Katana simulator in which you will be slicing accurately and learning the basics of Japanese sword fighting in the form of mini-games. The good news is the sword looks amazing and feels responsive in the hands making it feel surprisingly realistic. Despite mostly standing in one place I also found it pretty psychical as you lean and arc your body into each cut.

Despite this game doing and being what it aimed to do I can’t help but notice how board I got as the gameplay never really changes. This is not for the average gamer, it is for people who want to practice their Katana movements and learn the basics of sword martial art. I’ve never done any form of Iaido or Battodo before so I can’t comment on how accurate it feels. But what I can comment on is how much fun it is and if it offers value for money. To the right person this game will definitely be worth it, but for the average VR gamer I think most of us will be bored within a very short space of time, but in a sale, it is also the right price to give it a go.