Jolly Roger is a charming but shallow VR adventure

Image: Split Light Studio

In our short review, Pirates VR: Jolly Roger offers a visually appealing virtual world, though the game isn’t without its shortcomings.

Pirates VR: Jolly Roger drops players into a visually striking island world, though it comes with its share of rough edges. The Caribbean setting alternates between sun-soaked beaches, dark caves, and mysterious prison cells.

The outdoor environments shine with lush vegetation and effective lighting, while torch-lit caverns create an eerie atmosphere enhanced by solid audio design. However, occasional technical issues like pop-in and blurry textures detract from the otherwise cohesive island environment.

A mixed bag of quality

The adventure begins in a dimly lit cave, where a chatty parrot picks you up and guides you through the gameplay basics along a beach and rocky coastline. The bay views are stunning, while I navigate by climbing marked cliff edges, swimming through Caribbean waters, swinging on (unfortunately static) vines, and zip lining through dense palm forests.

The view of the bay is beautiful, and the interplay of lighting and sound design makes for an atmospheric introduction to the VR pirate world. | Image: Split Light Studio

Pirates VR borrows tried-and-true VR adventure mechanics, with climbing and swimming systems similar to games like Horizon Call of the Mountain and Hubris, though they don’t quite match those titles’ polish. Climbing can feel imprecise even with correct hand movements, while swimming and shooting lack feedback, making it feel hollow.

From the very first few meters in the jungle, I realize that I’m not alone on this island. | Image: Split Light Studio

In the dungeons, Pirate VR keeps players busy with skeleton pirate shootouts (though combat lacks impact) and various puzzles ranging from trial-and-error to more complex challenges. The difficulty stays manageable, making it accessible for VR newcomers.

My verdict on Pirates VR: An entertaining but shallow journey

While Pirates VR: Jolly Roger succeeds in creating an inviting world worth exploring, it falls short in storytelling depth. The witty parrot companion delivers some laughs, but the basic treasure-hunting plot never develops into anything more substantial. At four to five hours long, the adventure moves from one pirate trope to another without breaking new ground. More concerning is the complete absence of comfort options – there’s only artificial movement but no vignette or teleport functionality.

Pirates VR: Jolly Roger launched on Steam on January 14, 2025, priced at $20, with a PSVR 2 version planned for release in Q2 2025.

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