Beat Saber Review (Admiral Cassandra Shiroibara)
As someone who has invested around 300 hours into Beat Saber both on and off Steam, I can confidently say that it is one of the most exhilarating and immersive VR experiences available. The core gameplay is simple yet incredibly addictive: slash through blocks to the beat of the music using your VR controllers as sabers. The precision, rhythm, and physicality involved create an unmatched, engaging workout that's also incredibly fun.
However, while Beat Saber shines as a proof of concept and a foundation for rhythm-based VR gaming, it does feel quite bare-bones without mods. The base game, although polished and satisfying, quickly reveals its limitations in terms of content. The included stages and songs are limited, and after a few hours, the variety starts to wane. This is where the modding community truly elevates Beat Saber from a great game to an exceptional one.
Mods add an incredible depth and breadth to Beat Saber. From additional songs across countless genres to custom stages and even personalized sabers, the modding community has expanded the game's content far beyond its initial offerings. This extensive mod support transforms Beat Saber into a platform for endless enjoyment, allowing players to constantly refresh their experience with new content.
Understanding the developers' need for music licensing, it’s clear why the base game might seem limited. Licensing popular music can be a complicated and expensive process, which restricts the number of songs available officially. This isn't a fault of the developers, but rather a necessary limitation due to the legalities involved in music licensing.
Despite this, it does result in a game that feels somewhat hollow without the enhancements provided by mods. The base game, while an excellent demonstration of the concept and mechanics, doesn't offer enough variety to sustain long-term engagement for many players. However, with mods, Beat Saber becomes an ever-evolving platform, capable of providing a unique and exciting experience every time you play.
In conclusion, Beat Saber is an outstanding game with a rock-solid foundation that excels as a VR rhythm experience. Its core mechanics are flawless, offering an engaging and immersive gameplay loop. However, the true potential of Beat Saber is unlocked through mods. The additional songs, custom stages, and various other modifications fill the gaps left by the base game, delivering a rich and varied experience that can keep players hooked for hundreds of hours. If you're willing to dive into the modding community, Beat Saber transforms from a fun VR game into an essential, endlessly entertaining experience.