Do you know how long it’s been since we’ve started playing Psyvariar 2? And, for that matter, how many of you actually remember Psyvariar 2? This “shmup” series has been around for some time, but had yet to see some form of continuation. Finally, though, that day has arrived, as Psyvariar 3 arrives this week. If you’re a fan, you know what kind of party you’re in for. And if you’re new, there’s no better time to join.
This game is tough as nails – as a good “shmup” should be – but it’s packed with content. You have seven great ships to choose from (including Cotton!), as well as a cool “buzz” system where you can really pick up your score. Not only that, but you can also select from various modes, including a packed Mission pack with nearly 50 challenges in all. Oh, and did I mention the coolness of the Roll Mechanic?
The only drawback here is that rookies will need to get used to everything. Fortunately, the game’s Practice mode is a lovely place to start, and you can ramp up to different modes from there. Plus the more difficult route you take, the more extras you can acquire, including some wicked boss battles.
Psyvariar 3 rewards patience and, for that matter, perseverance. But it’s also fun to play and looks and sounds pretty good, despite some blemishes. Plus it’s priced just right for the amazing amount of content you get.
In Psyvariar 3, It’s Time To Save the Galaxy (Yes, Again)
Man, Earth just can’t catch a break, can it? Years after what happened in the last Psyvariar, you’ve got aliens going at it again, demanding to overtake the planet. It’s up to a handful of brave pilots to take to the skies and fend them off before it’s too late.
The game features a variety of ships to choose from, each with special shot types, along with particular “buzz” and bomb systems. You can play around with them in Practice mode and see who’s to your liking. For good measure, the good witch Cotton guest stars, though, sadly, no Tea Time. Dang it.
From there, you’ll venture through seven stages of chaos, surviving the best you can with the help of the “buzz” techniques and the Roll Mechanic, which helps you dodge incoming fire. I’ll warn you, this game is hard. Just like Psyvariar 2 was. But you can take part in the Practice mode and see how you fare, then dive into the many other modes.
The gameplay is tough, but rewards those who keep at it with skillful bonus scoring and chain techniques. The more talented you become, the more you’ll rack up. Plus if you take on a higher difficulty setting, you’ll access extra boss encounters, which is a nice touch. It’s like “thanks for graduating to another level, now prepare to die.”
I can’t fault the gameplay, it’s great. It just takes a bit to get into the groove unless you’ve played Psyvariar games beforehand. And there’s a lot to do here, between seven pilots, loads of techniques (love the Roll Mechanic) and a variety of modes. These include Arcade, Arrange, Practice, Caravan, Endless (oh, yeah) and the awesome Mission mode – another plus for newcomers with its 49 short tasks.
Psyvariar 3 looks daunting, but the truth is it’s actually good fun once you understand its gameplay systems. Plus you can really ramp up your score and see what the game has to offer after a few playthroughs. Don’t give up – it’s just as much of a gem as Psyvariar 2, if not more so!
So How’s Psyvariar 3’s Presentation?
I’ll be honest – Psyvariar 3 performs much better on the Nintendo Switch 2 or new-end hardware. On the original Nintendo Switch, it can run a bit slow, even in Performance mode; and the audio’s a bit lacking.
But on new hardware, I didn’t mind. The game has a mostly smooth frame rate and some slick details (particularly with Cotton). I also enjoyed the fact you can switch between Quality and Performance, an option you don’t see much in shooters. Plus some of these bosses are insane, unloading gunfire on you like loose change from a purse.
The audio’s…okay? The voice acting is a bit squeaky in some parts, but the bullet effects are outstanding. And the music is pretty good as well, definitely fitting the Psyvariar mold.
You May Not Know Psyvariar 3 Yet, But You Should
While Psyvariar 3 doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue with other “shmup” favorites like, say, this week’s release of R-Type Dimensions III, it’s still a strong entry in the series. It improves what worked so well with Psyvariar 2, but also throws in new content aplenty. And it’s not too bad on the eyes, depending on the platform you play it on. Did I also mention the very reasonable $20 price tag? For all you’re getting there, that’s more than fair.
My hope is that this game gains quite a few players, and that assures we won’t have to wait long for a Psyvariar 4. This saga deserves to continue on, especially at the pace it’s going.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Many thanks to Red Art Games for the review codes! Psyvariar 3 is available now for Nintendo Switch, PC/Steam, Xbox and PlayStation!
