Final Cut: An Enjoyable Upgrade Hindered by Outdated Components

Arashi: Castles of Sin Gets a Second Shot with Final Cut Release

When Arashi: Castles of Sin first released two years ago as a PSVR exclusive, it struggled to gain popularity due to the outdated headset and rumors of the upcoming PSVR 2. However, the game managed to provide an entertaining stealth experience, despite its limitations. Now, Skydance Interactive and Endeavor One are giving Arashi a second chance with a new release called Castles of Sin: Final Cut. This updated version, set to release on PSVR 2, Quest 2, Quest 3, and PC VR this fall, aims to bring the game to a wider audience with refinements and upgrades.

The Clear Upgrades

The Final Cut release of Arashi: Castles of Sin features several improvements that enhance the overall experience. First and foremost, the visual upgrades are immediately noticeable. The game looks much better on PSVR 2, with improved texture quality, lighting, and overall presentation of Feudal Japan. One particular improvement is the adorable companion wolf, Haru, whose fur looks more realistic and detailed.

During a hands-on demo at Gamescom, it became apparent that the Final Cut release offers a highly enjoyable experience. The open-ended levels and the fantastic portrayal of Feudal Japan still stand out, granting players a sense of freedom and immersion. Even the combat, which was criticized in the original release, has been improved. The boss fights now offer more dynamic and engaging battles, with aggressive enemy AI and multiple phases to keep players on their toes.

Sitting in the Shadow of Last-Gen

While the Final Cut release of Arashi: Castles of Sin brings significant upgrades, it also disappointingly retains some aspects of the original game that could have been improved. One notable example is the lack of support for eye tracking, a feature that has been widely adopted in many other VR titles. Instead, the game still relies on a center-locked reticule that requires players to physically move their head to make selections, which feels outdated and breaks immersion.

Furthermore, the control scheme and button mappings in the Final Cut release don’t feel fully optimized for motion controllers. Some actions, such as sheathing weapons, are mapped to counter-intuitive positions, and interactions with climbable surfaces could have been more intuitive.

Despite these shortcomings, Arashi: Castles of Sin Final Cut remains an entertaining game that offers a chance for those who missed the original release to experience it on modern headsets. The improvements in visuals and gameplay enhancements make it worth considering, and with some further adjustments before its final release, it has the potential to be a more polished and memorable experience.

In conclusion, Arashi: Castles of Sin Final Cut aims to redeem the game’s missed opportunities and provide an upgraded version for a wider audience. While it excels in visual upgrades and gameplay improvements, some aspects remain unchanged and don’t fully take advantage of modern headset features. Nevertheless, it’s an exciting release that deserves attention from both VR enthusiasts and newcomers to the Arashi series.

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