I’ve got VR babe…
You’re stuck in a time loop as Phil Connors, Jr., back in Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day in this virtual reality sequel to the iconic hit movie. Don’t worry, Ned will show you the way. But watch that first step — it’s a doozy! So why don’t you stay here a while?
The original Groundhog Day film is nothing short of a classic, so I was surprised to hear it was getting a sequel of sorts in a VR game that takes place years after the original and you play as Ned’s son Phil as he returns to Punxsutawney for a unveiling of his father’s statue to honour him after his passing. Upon arriving, everything seems more or less normal…although the relationship between father and son was strained towards the end. Phil Jr has become a social media star and livestreams the memorial ceremony, but soon enough fire breaks out and the whole town is in chaos before suddenly you hear the faintest version of Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” before waking up in his bed as if nothing happened. Yup, Phil is stuck in a loop just like his dad.
This of course, gives you a chance to change the incoming events and get out of the endless cycle that cursed Bill Murray. The game handles like a typical VR game with hands on-screen that let you interact with objects and you switch camera views with buttons on the Move controllers to face wherever you need to. I didn’t face much difficulty reaching or interacting with objects like I have with other PSVR games in the past and I was ultimately surprised by how good the game itself is, while staying true to the film as well. Some might argue that some things are best left untouched, but I disagree…Like Father Like Son is a superb follow-up and worthy of the Groundhog Day name.
The art style is cartoony in design, but it works with what’s going on and works well overall. I didn’t come across any framerate issues or bugs, while the voice-acting and soundtrack are well done. The trophy list is also imaginative with ones like cooking a full breakfast for your family to even drinking so much that you are sick, FYI I got that last one without even knowing it was a trophy…
The Verdict
Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son is a great sequel to the original film in VR form. It works well in VR and is more accurate than most with it’s controls. Definitely one for fans of the film and even if you haven’t seen it, then this will more than likely give you reason to give it a watch.