The Persistence is a 2018 virtual reality survival horror video game developed and published by Firesprite for the PlayStation 4. It was originally released for the system's virtual reality headset PlayStation VR. A version with support for conventional controls was released for Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One in May 2020; an Enhanced version of the game was released for Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S in June 2021. It is the only game developed by Firesprite to appear on Nintendo and Xbox consoles, as the studio was closely associated with Sony Interactive Entertainment, who later acquired the studio as part of PlayStation Studios.
| The Persistence | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Firesprite |
| Publisher(s) | Firesprite |
| Director(s) | Stuart Tilley |
| Designer(s) | Alex Moore |
| Programmer(s) | Tom Vernon |
| Artist(s) | Lee Carus |
| Writer(s) | Chris Bateman Niki Smith |
| Composer(s) |
|
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | PlayStation 4 24 July 2018 Windows, Switch, Xbox One 21 May 2020 Enhanced 4 June 2021 |
| Genre(s) | Survival horror |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editThe Persistence is a first-person survival horror game. The game is set onboard The Persistence, a stranded spaceship in the year 2057. The player assumes control of a clone of security officer Zimri Eder. He is tasked to reactivate the ship's stardrive in order to escape while fighting mutated clones which have occupied the ship. Stealth is encouraged, though the player also has access to several weapons, including a taser gun named the Harvester, a gravity gun named the Gravometric Hook, as well as items such as Ivy Serum which temporarily turns an enemy into an ally.[1] The game also features elements commonly found in roguelike games. The player needs to complete tasks on each of the four ship decks, though the ship layout, which is procedurally generated, changes whenever the player uses a teleporter.[2] As the player explores the ship, they will find FAB chips, which can be used to unlock weapon upgrades, and stem cells, which can grant the player passive perks such as increased health or enhanced strength. Whenever the player dies, they will respawn as another clone of Zimri Eder.[1] A companion app for iOS and Android was released alongside the game, which allows up to four players to influence how a game play out by either helping or hindering a player's progress.[3]
Development
editThe game was developed by UK-based developer Firesprite. The studio was inspired by sci-fi classics including Alien, as well as games such as Dead Space and System Shock.[4] Stories of Your Life and Others, a collection of short stories by American writer Ted Chiang, was also a major source of inspiration. Development of the game first started in early 2015. The studio used their experience developing The Playroom and The Playroom VR to understand how social play and interaction worked when they were developing the companion app.[5] Firesprite chose Unreal Engine 4 as the game's engine because it allowed the team to prototype and experiment with different gameplay mechanics quickly.[6]
Firesprite officially announced the game in March 2017.[7] It was initially released for virtual reality headset PlayStation VR exclusively on July 24, 2018.[8][9] A modified version of the game, which allows players to play the game without using any VR headset, was released on 21 May 2020 for PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.[10][11] The Persistence Enhanced was released for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S on 4 June 2021. Players who owned the game on PS4, Xbox One or PC will be able to upgrade their game at no additional cost.[12]
Reception
editAccording to review aggregator Metacritic, the PC version of the game received generally positive reviews based on 4 reviews, while the PlayStation 5 version received "mixed or average" reviews based on 5 reviews.[13][14] Ian Higton, reviewing the PSVR version, described the game as "an ideal purchase for VR horror fans", and remarked that the game, with its roguelike elements, "offers way more in terms of gameplay" when compared with other VR titles in the market.[1] Sammy Barker from Push Square, reviewing the PS5 version of the game, also liked the roguelike elements and the game's sense of progression, though noted that some of the systems "feel odd outside of VR".[15]
References
edit- ^ a b c Higton, Ian (24 July 2018). "The Persistence review - a tense Sci-Fi Roguelike that's perfect for VR". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Hurley, Leon (14 March 2017). "The Persistence looks a lot like a PSVR Dead Space (where your friends can help or betray you with a companion app)". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Sinha, Ravi (18 July 2017). "The Persistence Interview: The Joys and Sorrows of Dying". GamingBolt. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Parijat, Shubhankar (25 May 2020). "The Persistence Interview – Turning A VR Experience Into A Non-VR One". GamingBolt. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ O'Neill, Jamie (19 July 2018). "Interview: Firesprite Discusses PSVR Jump Scares, Sci-Fi Influences, and Stealth vs Action in The Persistence". Push Square. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Making it in Unreal: freeform FPS VR movement in The Persistence". PCGamesN. 10 November 2020. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ Sharouda, Islem (13 March 2017). "The Persistence announced for PSVR". Gamereactor. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Tilley, Stuart (31 January 2018). "Firesprite shares five tips to help you survive a malfunctioning ship populated by mutated clones of your former crewmates". PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Romano, Sal (31 January 2018). "First-person horror roguelike The Persistence for PlayStation VR launches July 24". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Lyles, Taylor (9 March 2020). "The Persistence will finally be playable without a VR headset". The Verge. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Romano, Sal (23 April 2020). "The Persistence for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC launches May 21". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Borger, Will (29 April 2021). "The Persistence Enhanced Launches June 4th". GamingBolt. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ "The Persistence for PC reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "The Persistence for PlayStation 5 reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ Barker, Sammy (21 June 2022). "Mini Review: The Persistence Enhanced (PS5) - Survival Horror Roguelite Still Rocks". Push Square. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.