I remember when Exploding Kittens launched its Kickstarter back in 2015. The idea was that the deck would be full of cute feline artwork to be played with friends as an intense tabletop game. I loved the idea, but due to having nobody to play with, I ultimately never experienced it.

…until now, that is! Thanks to Saber Interactive, I would not be able to experience the game using the magic of virtual reality. I adore cats as it is, but the fact I could finally experience the game is what sold me on the idea!

But, was it worth the almost decade long wait?

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ADORABLE EXPLOSIONS
For the uninitiated, Exploding Kittens is effectively a tabletop version of Russian Roulette whereby players take turns drawing cards (or in the case of the VR version, items) from the pile whilst trying their best to avoid the titular exploding kittens. These moggies carry a pile of explosives that will eliminate the unlucky player unless they’re able to defuse it first. The chances of drawing one starts off relatively low, but as players start removing the other items, the risk starts increasing.

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Luckily these other items can help you stave off elimination. Whether it’s a pair of glasses that can see the next few items that will be drawn, skipping your turn (or forcing the next person to take double), or even combining many of the weird cats into a makeshift magnet to items from other players, there’s plenty you can do to help stay alive.

It’s a simple gameplay loop, but it works well due to how simple it is to understand. It may take you a game or two to appreciate what most of the key items do, but you’ll soon be ready to go. Of course, with the game heavily reliant on luck rather than skill, it may not have enough depth for avid tabletop fans (and non-fans may conversely find it a little slow) but it’s still a great adaption that feels more exciting than playing with a handful of cards.

What really helps to make it work in VR is the game’s gorgeous presentation. And boy, they really did wonders at turning a card game into a world of fun. Instead of diving right into the game, you enter a hub full of tables where you can play the classic game or one of its variants; however, it’s this hub world that really makes the game stand out for me. Not only does it look jaw-dropping with its bright cel-shaded visuals, but there’s just so much to do here. Whether it’s playing around with the fireplace, or using your hard-earned coins to play arcade games (like a fantastic Whack-a-Cat game!), there are just so many little things to keep you busy in between games. What’s more, you can win tickets with these machines that can be spent on cosmetics, thus incentivising you to engage with all these little side-games.

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I came away feeling rather impressed with the game. Whilst the classic game doesn’t have as much strategy to it to encourage extended game sessions, all the extra stuff in the hub will certainly provide you with enough downtime to give yourself a break before the next session. The core game by its very nature may not appeal to everyone, but you can’t deny that Saber Interactive did a fantastic job at bringing it into VR!

VERDICT
Fans of the tabletop card game should absolutely love this VR adaption. Not only does it faithfully bring the cards into the ‘real’ world, but everything looks stunning in this cel-shaded style. Lots of love has been poured into the game and it shows. Maybe it’s time to put that deck away and start playing the game with your friends in the virtual world instead!