Firewall: Zero Hour is a virtual reality first-person shooter game developed by First Contact Entertainment and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was released for the PlayStation 4 via the PlayStation VR on August 28, 2018. A sequel, Firewall Ultra, was announced in September 2022 for the PlayStation VR2.

Firewall: Zero Hour
Official box art
Developer(s)First Contact Entertainment
Publisher(s)Sony Interactive Entertainment
EngineUnreal Engine[1]
Platform(s)PlayStation 4
ReleaseAugust 28, 2018
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Gameplay

edit

Firewall: Zero Hour is an online, or offline via training, virtual reality tactical action shooter where players called contractors take on contracts issued from agents who are known as mother and father. Each contractor has a different passive skill for use on the field which can help support the player fend off the enemy team from completing their objective. There are 12 contractors players can choose from all with a set primary skill and a secondary skill you can edit. Weapon loadouts are also customizable where players can pick a primary weapon, secondary weapon, one lethal equipment and one nonlethal equipment. Taking on contracts players will receive experience for certain actions they complete, as well as earning in-game currency known as "Crypto" where both can be found scattered around the map or completing the contract.

Training

edit

Players can practice their tactics against AI enemies that scale with rank either solo, or in a 4-player squad which either can be private or public matchmaking.

Contracts

edit

In this mode players are against other players formed into two teams of four in which the attacking team will have two objectives to complete in order to fulfill their contract. Attacking team "Mother" would have to first break a firewall in a location hidden from their wristband until a team member comes in contact with one then secondly hack a laptop in order to fulfill their contract earning experience points and crypto. Defending team "Father" can either move to the firewalls and defend or defend their main objective laptop.

Development

edit

The game was announced during PSX 2017 at the Anaheim Convention Center.[2]

Reception

edit

Initial reviews for Firewall: Zero Hour were positive and the game was praised as being a major step forward for virtual reality gaming.[7][8]

Accolades

edit
Year Award Category Result Ref.
2018 Golden Joystick Awards Best Co-operative Game Nominated [9][10]
Best VR Game Nominated
The Game Awards 2018 Best VR/AR Game Nominated [11][12]
2019 New York Game Awards Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best Virtual Reality Game Nominated [13][14]
National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards Control Design, VR Nominated [15][16]
Direction in Virtual Reality Nominated
Sound Mixing in Virtual Reality Nominated
The Independent Game Developers' Association Awards Best Social Game Nominated [17]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Bott, Amanda (September 12, 2018). "Unreal Engine developers converge at Gamescom 2018". Unreal Engine. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  2. ^ Jagneaux, David (August 29, 2018). "Firewall Zero Hour Review: The VR Shooter We've Been Waiting For". UploadVR. Archived from the original on May 28, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  3. ^ "Firewall: Zero Hour for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  4. ^ Barker, Sammy (January 29, 2020). "Firewall Zero Hour Review (PS4)". Push Square. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Higton, Ian (September 2, 2018). "Firewall Zero Hour review - intense, team-based gunplay is a highlight for Playstation VR". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  6. ^ Plessas, Nick (September 4, 2018). "Firewall Zero Hour review". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  7. ^ Tuffclub (August 29, 2018). "PSVR Shooter Firewall Zero Hour Is Out Now And Is Probably Very Good". TheSixthAxis. Archived from the original on September 6, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  8. ^ Lang, Ben (August 29, 2018). "Firewall Zero Hour Review: Tactical Multiplayer Action Comes to PSVR". Road to VR. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  9. ^ Hoggins, Tom (September 24, 2018). "Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  10. ^ Sheridan, Connor (November 16, 2018). "Golden Joystick Awards 2018 winners: God of War wins big but Fortnite gets Victory Royale". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  11. ^ McWhertor, Michael (November 13, 2018). "The Game Awards 2018 nominees led by God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2". Polygon. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  12. ^ Grant, Christopher (December 6, 2018). "The Game Awards 2018: Here are all the winners". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  13. ^ Keyes, Rob (January 3, 2019). "2018 New York Game Awards Nominees Revealed". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  14. ^ Meitzler, Ryan (January 23, 2019). "The New York Game Awards Reveals 2019 Winners; God of War Earns the Top Prize". DualShockers. Archived from the original on January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  15. ^ "Nominee List for 2018". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. February 11, 2019. Archived from the original on February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  16. ^ "Winner list for 2018: God of War breaks record". National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. March 13, 2019. Archived from the original on March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  17. ^ Stephenson, Suzi (September 19, 2019). "TIGA Announces Games Industry Awards 2019 Finalists". The Independent Game Developers' Association. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2019.