A Delightful Mess or Simply Sweet and Tasty?

Sugar Mess has been sitting on my playlist radar for quite some time, and I finally got around to trying it out. A big draw was their clever move to release a demo well before the official launch. Any developer putting out a demo before the full game hits the shelves clearly believes in the quality of their product. This strategy helps create buzz, especially in the niche PSVR2 market, where early demos are a rare treat.

While I had fun with the demo, I wondered how it would stretch into a complete game since it boiled down to two levels of a pretty straightforward shooting gallery – pleasant visuals, but not much else.

Sugar Mess charms from start to finish with its delightful presentation. It goes the extra mile with a story and menu system that looks like a children’s pop-up book, complete with page-turning to move the narrative along. The team behind the game’s graphics and user interface have nailed it, creating a bright, sugar-coated arcade vibe you’d expect to find in a theme park.

As for the music, it’s upbeat and catchy, setting the perfect mood right as you start. Some tunes are so infectious you’ll find yourself humming along in no time.

The game’s tutorial is crafted with care, easing players into the experience with a sweet touch. Weapons look and feel distinct, and enemies, which essentially are cakes, alongside power-ups, boast vibrant designs. It’s a visually enticing package reminiscent of a flashy, game-night-worthy Candy Crush aesthetic.

But here’s the kicker – Sugar Mess isn’t just a run-of-the-mill shooting gallery. As someone who dives into games sans spoilers, I was pleasantly surprised to discover it’s actually a compilation of mini-games. By level three, I found three diverse mechanics at play, adding layers of variety that took me by surprise.

From single-screen shooting galleries to music mini-games and puzzles, Sugar Mess keeps things interesting. There’s even a mini-game on an arcade machine, bringing a charming retro feel. Though brief, each segment is a well-executed nod to gaming pastimes.

Early on, I did wonder if the level select map seemed suspiciously small, and I was right – the game wraps up fairly quickly.

The game may be on the short side, but for trophy hunters, there’s some replay value to be found, even if squeezing every last drop of content won’t take too long. Going for that S+ ranking might add an hour tops for seasoned players.

Playing on the in-game arcade is a highlight, presenting a basic platformer where you hop through levels, dodge foes, and collect candy. But the decision to stick with arcade machine controls ends up a bit clunky. Analog sticks could’ve made the experience feel more natural.

Still, the arcade portion is fun, thanks in part to a great CRT filter that delivers a touch of nostalgic realism. A few tweaks here and there could refine the experience further.

As for my final thoughts, Sugar Mess – Let’s Play Jolly Battle VR is perfect for a casual spin with family or those new to VR, offering plenty of laughs and colorful sights and sounds. However, it lacks depth and extra features to keep players coming back long-term. At its current price on PSVR2, it’s a touch steep, although a 30% discount would sweeten the deal significantly. While it’s a hit with kids, I left feeling it had the potential for more. With added content or a lower price, it could bump up to an 8 out of 10 from its current 7.

Currently, Sugar Mess – Let’s Play Jolly Battle VR is accessible on most VR platforms. Whether you’re grabbing it for Meta Quest, adding it to your Steam wishlist, or checking it out on PICO, consider giving the PSVR2 version a try.