There’s been a spate of games that rely on you accomplishing “normal” situations with absurdly awkward controls. QWOP has you go into the Olympic Hurdles with four buttons controlling thighs and calves. Surgeon Simulator 2013 has you attempt to perform various operations in a decidedly convoluted manner. Recently-released Octodad: Dadliest Catch has you dealing with household situations… but you’re an octopus. And now, Probably Archery hands you a bow, stands back, and giggles.
You have to manually control the wrists, elbows, and shoulders in order to successfully aim a bow. This is more difficult than it sounds, not least because of the manner of challenges. To name three: shoot a hangman’s noose, skewer an apple resting on someone’s head, and knock flying eggs out of the air in a china shop, without breaking the china. And thanks to the controls, you’re more likely to hit your own foot. Or possibly something slightly behind you.
I have some experience with the freebie version of this, as it has full Oculus Rift support. Amongst other things, this commercial release includes a slew of multiplayer modes. Team Deathmatch has you trying to shoot others before they shoot you, a Horde mode has you and your friends chipping away at the wave of charging enemies, and “Zoccer” mode is, uh… football. With zombies. And a revolver and a cricket bat. Yeah.
Probably Archery is 25% off on Steam for launch, dropping it to £7.49. It’s maybe worth it.
