Quell 4D

Quell 4D is a VR first-person shooter that pays homage to classic 90s games like Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, and Duke Nukem. Players control a character riding a slime-like creature, using a unique "carrot on a stick" locomotion system to navigate colorful, retro-styled levels filled with sprite-based enemies. The game offers a nostalgic experience with simple but charming graphics, a fitting soundtrack, and a challenging gameplay loop emphasizing movement and dodging over cover.

While many players appreciate the game's style, atmosphere, and satisfying gunplay, the locomotion system is a divisive feature. Some find it innovative and fun, while others experience motion sickness or frustration due to the movement mechanics and lack of alternative options like teleportation. The game is considered polished and complete compared to many VR titles, with a full campaign lasting around 5 hours, but some criticize the absence of checkpoints and occasional difficulty spikes. Overall, Quell 4D is praised as a rare, full-fledged VR FPS with retro charm and solid gameplay despite some control and comfort issues.

Highlights

Players widely praise Quell 4D's nostalgic retro art style and sprite-based graphics, which evoke classic 90s shooters. The soundtrack and sound design receive positive mentions for enhancing the immersive throwback atmosphere. Gameplay mechanics, especially the unique locomotion system and satisfying gunplay (notably the shotgun), are highlighted as fun and engaging. Level design is commended for its complexity and variety, with clever use of keys and triggers. The game's challenging difficulty and full campaign length also stand out as strong points, offering a complete and polished experience rare in VR titles.

Criticisms

The most common criticism concerns the locomotion system, which some players find causes motion sickness or is cumbersome to use. The lack of alternative movement options like teleportation negatively impacts comfort and accessibility. Some reviews mention awkward aiming and gun mechanics, especially with the shotgun and machine gun. The absence of a checkpoint or save system leads to frustration with repeating long levels after death. Visual issues such as enemy corpse sprites blocking vision and occasional frame rate drops were noted. Finally, a few players feel the game could benefit from more polish, varied environments, and additional features like multiplayer or mod support.