The Boys is the best show still on “TV”. As someone who has followed since the beginning, I’ve been craving a video game based in its universe. To experience The Boys in virtual reality is a dream come true. It’s faithful to the show, with fan service to a maximum. The Boys: Trigger Warning isn’t perfect, but for anyone who adores the characters and the story, there’s very little here that is going to disappoint those waiting to face the likes of Homelander one-on-one.
The Boys: Trigger Warning is an original story set in the same universe. You play as Lucas Costa, a father pushed to new limits after a family trip turns incredibly sour. After a visit to Voughtland with your two daughters, Lucas is sent into a downward spiral following a tragedy. Luckily, Butch and MM are there to pull you from the brink and pump your veins full of Compound V. The Boys’ own version of the Fantastic Four, the Armstrongs, are every bit as fucked up as you’d imagine, and you witness it within 15 minutes of booting it up.
You’re fuelled by revenge. Hellbent on killing each member of the family with newfound superpowers. It’s a story peppered with that familiar drama, but it’s the shock and awe the show is known for that keeps you hooked. I was so excited to see familiar faces like Butch, Kimiko, and Mother’s Milk. As cool as that was, though, nothing could have prepared me from coming face to face with Homelander. Easily the greatest tv character of the last 10 years, and easily the most terrifying due to his unpredictability and unnerving calmness.
I first saw him at Vought Tower, but it wouldn’t be the last time. There are various encounters and meetings with other characters that I won’t spoil, but Avore Immersive Games has built something for the fans. If you don’t know much about The Boys, there’s not going to be the same appeal. However, if you love what Eric Kripke has done with the comic book series, The Boys: Trigger Warning is going to be something you need in your life. I mean, who doesn’t want to know what it feels like to be a supe?
You’ll gain various powers throughout The Boys: Triger Warning thanks to Temp V. By keeping your syringe full, new powers can be injected into your veins. This gives you opportunities to do all sorts of damage to the various enemies throughout the game. You’ll be able to pound enemies with crystallised monster blades and fire lasers from your eyes to name a few. The main superpower at your disposal, however, is telekinesis. It’s something that you use to launch objects, snap necks, and float from platform to platform.
One of the earlier segments sees you travelling through Vought Tower via ventilation and elevator shafts. You’ll be able to teleport from low to high platforms, as well as drop down from higher areas without fall damage. Perhaps the most fun is taking out Vought security. Sneaking up behind them allows you to lift them in the air before snapping their necks. Not only that, you can throw everything from knives to fire extinguishers at them in an effort to kill them. It was frustrating at first not being able to just punch the crap out of them, but it soon subsides.
Making the most of your surroundings is what a majority of The Boys: Triger Warning is about. Sure, you can try and take everyone out with your powers. Sometimes, though, it’s better to be quiet. Stealth is often an option that feels more rewarding. Yeah, you’re now a big and powerful superhuman, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be overwhelmed. Guards can swarm you and kill you quickly if not careful. It’s always annoying to succumb to a plethora of bullets, but strategic movement and a clear kill makes it worth it.
When it comes to the gameplay, The Boys: Trigger Warning does a pretty good job. Sometimes, trying to evade enemies and fight can get too much. It takes practice using telekinesis while running. Boss fights are also intense, especially when getting attacked while trying to inject yourself with Temp V. Despite this, I still had a blast fighting, running away, and playing it smart. By placing your hands next to your head, you can see enemies, threats, and routes scattered around various locations, helping you to make movement and fighting that little bit easier.
The Boys: Trigger Warning is a faithful and fun entry into The Boys universe. With various actors returning to voice their respective characters, and new cast members like The Armstrongs make it every bit as wild and graphic as the show. Movement and combat can be intense at times, and some boss fights are overwhelming, yet I enjoyed the crap out of it. It’s a must for fans, but as a VR game, it gets a lot right. Various settings are available for those sensitive to fluid movement, making it more accessible to everyone.
