I'll be honest, I didn't know what this was for a very long time. This past Christmas, when my brother and I asked for a PlayStation VR, the main thing we wanted out of it was a bundle that had all the accessories we needed out of the box: the headset, the camera, and the two PlayStation Moves. And while certain game bundles seemed enticing, we weren't picky about the particular games in the bundle, because it's good to try new things (that, and the games we did want were cheap, so no sweat if they weren't included). "Blood & Truth" was one of the two games that came in the bundle (the other being "Everybody's Golf VR," which as a non-golfer didn't really appeal to me), and instead of letting it sit around, I decided that I would give it a fair shake. Honestly, it was a pretty solid experience.
"Blood & Truth" is an exhilarating title: the game slingshots you into the action early and often, with plenty of chase scenes and action set pieces that make the game a pretty wild ride. The action is very well-executed, and there's some very nice pace-breaking moments that actually can make doing mundane tasks pretty interesting. And while the revenge thriller story is probably nothing you haven't seen before, I do think it's decently executed with some solid characterization and great settings. Graphically, this isn't the best-looking PlayStation 4 game, and I'm sure corners had to be cut when making it VR, but while the models leave a bit to be desired, the game's London setting is brilliantly realized and stunningly beautiful. Also, this is just a minor thing, but the sound design and music selection is pretty strong, too. The music flows perfectly with the action, and maybe this is just me, but being thrown into shooting sequences while being backed by grime music was honestly amazing.
I do have a few qualms with the game that really hold it back for me: for starters, like many PSVR games so far, the frustrating motion tracking can lead to a lot of imprecise aiming, to the point where a lot of the deaths in the game can feel rather unfair. Beyond that, I kinda got the feeling at several points that this game could've been totally fine if it wasn't in VR, and I kinda struggled with understanding what made the use of the PSVR necessary here. Sure, it did keep me on my toes at points, and some of the character interactions scared me, but there were some points where I felt like I was just playing a rather standard FPS game, and that I just so happened to be wearing a giant headset while doing so.
Also, this is something I want to mention as a point of contention, because I'm not sure if it'll affect you as much as it did me: this is probably one of the most dizzying VR games that I've played up to this point. Usually, I can use a VR headset for a good amount of time without feeling any of the after-effects, but "Blood & Truth" was the exception. The game centers a lot around character movement, and there are plenty of times where your character will need to walk, climb, or even jump from high heights, while you as the player stand still and keep your feet planted. I know the game recommends you sit down, but the combat often feels easier when standing, even though the movement left me at times lightheaded and heavy in my legs. I'm kinda getting dizzy just thinking about it. That's my forewarning: if playing a VR game where your character moves while you don't makes you feel like you could get dizzy, this might not be the VR game for you.
Even so, "Blood & Truth" is a nice FPS game that does make some clever use of the PlayStation VR's technology. Sure, it's rough around the edges, and there's a chance the game could've worked completely fine if it wasn't a VR title, but if you have a PSVR and are searching for a fun shooter that isn't called "SUPERHOT VR," or you want to see how the VR could handle story-focused games, “Blood & Truth” might be worth checking out. It won't reinvent the wheel, but it'll be fun while it lasts.
Final rating: 7 out of 10 "Good"