Scaling the Heights: An Early Look at SumaLab’s Vertigo Rush
SumaLab, the independent studio previously celebrated for their nostalgic, light-gun arcade tributes like the Crisis Brigade/VRigade franchise, has officially entered the Early Access arena. Their latest project, Vertigo Rush, is currently playable on both Steam and the Meta Quest platform, marking a bold departure from their previous shooting-gallery roots.
A Fresh Take on High-Speed Competition
Rather than leaning into the well-worn tropes of high-octane racing-which typically involve sleek supercars or gritty street-racing aesthetics-Vertigo Rush pivots toward a bizarre, imaginative premise. The developers have essentially mashed up dieselpunk industrialism with high-stakes parkour. Players take control of mechanical, bipedal robots piloted by bobble-headed characters, navigating environments that prioritize extreme verticality over traditional track layouts.
The core gameplay loop relies on an arm-swinging locomotion system. Instead of relying on thumbsticks, you are physically propelling your character forward, mimicking the motion of running to scale massive urban structures. It is a physically demanding mechanic that aims to immerse the player in the dizzying heights of the game’s world.
The Current State of Play
While the concept is undeniably inventive, the execution currently feels like a work in progress. Much like the early days of VR locomotion experiments, the game struggles to find a consistent flow. While the visual style is undeniably charming and the premise is refreshing, the mechanics haven’t quite achieved the level of polish required to make the movement feel intuitive rather than cumbersome.
As of 2024, the VR market has seen a surge in “active” gaming, with titles like Gorilla Tag proving that arm-based movement can be a massive draw when tuned correctly. Vertigo Rush is clearly aiming for that same sense of kinetic satisfaction, but it currently lacks the refined physics and rhythm that turn a “good idea” into a “must-play” experience.
Quick Breakdown: What is Vertigo Rush?
* Genre: Vertical parkour-racing hybrid.
* Locomotion: Active arm-swinging mechanics designed to simulate climbing and sprinting.
* Setting: A dieselpunk-inspired urban landscape defined by extreme height and complex geometry.
* Availability: Currently in Early Access on Quest and Steam.
