Vigor Review — Survival of the Fittest

Vigor Review — Survival of the Fittest

Aug 15, 2020 0
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A review copy of Vigor was provided for Nintendo Switch by Bohemia Interactive Originally released on Xbox One, Vigor is a free-to-play shooter with an emphasis on looting for the sole purpose of building a shelter in a post-war Norway setting. Developed by Bohemia Interactive, Vigor provides players with a cabin-like hub area that they can upgrade to improve survivability and sustainability when participating in the various game modes. This year, Bohemia Interactive ported Vigor to Nintendo Switch, bringing along both advantages, and setbacks.  In an era when battle royals have all but solidified their place as a genre amongst gamers, there are few that can come out and surprise players with fresh mechanics that alter the way one approaches each battle to the death. With the likes of Fortnite and Apex Legends maintaining dominance over the battle royal scene for multiple years now, one can only wonder if there will ever be a new kid on the block to dethrone these champions. Over the years the video game industry has seen titles both challenge these giants and innovate upon their mechanics. The core systems found within battle royals are no longer exclusive, but are beginning to be creatively worked into other playstyles to enhance various experiences.  To call Vigor a battle royal would be incorrect, to say the least, but not entirely inaccurate. There are no large-scale battles with 99 additional players all trying to steal the loot and extract. Instead Vigor opts for a more intimate approach, where players will compete with a handful of others to gather the necessary resources for survival and leave before the introduction of a greater threat. 
Vigor Nintendo Switch

Vigor Nintendo Switch

Vigor contains multiple game modes that can scratch the itch of different gamer needs. First is Encounter, a pseudo battle royal simulator that serves as the main game mode for Vigor with players competing for resources to upgrade their base and weaponry, with the desire of being extracted before the radiation surrounds them. The second mode is Shootout; essentially a free-for-all until the timer runs out. Finally, there is Elimination, where two teams face off in a deathmatch that ends with the first team to reach five victories.  Clearly influenced from the mechanic found within other battle royal games, Vigor contains an impending threat that forces players to act swiftly before an allotted time has been spent looting. Known as radiation, each match in the Encounter game mode will feature this mechanic, encouraging players to make their exit from the stage or lose everything they have gained up to that point. A welcome mechanic that aids in the flow of battle but can often feel like it exists simply because a version of it does in other battle royal titles. With only a handful of players in each game, the radiation does not encourage tighter, more focused looting, but rather, exiting the map as quickly as possible.  Continuing to showcase its battle royal influences, Vigor incorporates a system that rewards survival more than just achieving a victory above other players. The goal of Vigor is to build up the cabin/base by upgrading it with resources collected and scavenged in matches. The caveat is that players will need to survive the game in order to have their collectibles and resources transfer over to the hub world. This is where strategy comes into play, and Vigor becomes less of a battle royal and more of a scavenger game. Players have the freedom to be the best there is by becoming the sole survivor, but there is arguably a greater incentive to get in, gather what you need, then get out via extraction. 
Vigor Nintendo Switch

Encounter

Since Vigor is a free-to-play title it includes a similar monetization strategy found in other titles of similar design. Players can customize their avatars with items purchased from the shop using the in-game currency. The currency is obtained by playing matches and can purchase gestures that can be displayed in game, weapon skins to add personalization to your guns, and titles for notoriety. Vigor also features its own battle pass option that has tiered rewards depending on if players own the battle pass or are on the free tier. Vigor has additional services that reward players for completing objectives within their matches, as well as ranking up in the battle pass. Featuring a lootbox system that is reminiscent of the more recent battlefield games, players can obtain and open them to receive in-game items and currency. Some of these rewards can be beneficial to players who want to utilize the in-game crafting system to enhance their experience and playstyles. Unfortunately for new players, the crowded crafting U.I. creates a system that is slightly robust and difficult to understand.  On the Nintendo Switch, controls are easy to grasp and use, for the most part, however playing a competitive shooter with the Switch Joy Cons remains a significant issue since the console’s release. The formfactor of the Joy Con itself adds an extra layer of difficulty when aiming, leaving many gunfights to be lost simply due to inadequate controls. Even on the Pro Controller, there was always an issue with aim calibration, despite tampering with every sensitivity setting provided. 
Vigor Nintendo Switch

Deathmatch

Unfortunately, Vigor’s issues on the Nintendo Switch do not stop there, as the port is plagued with technical bugs that are too obvious to overlook. Players will immediately notice insanely long match ques and load times when trying to play one of three game modes. Some instances can be attributed to the difficulty in finding players, but the prolonged wait times make dying mid-match even more frustrating. Losing one’s gear due to a death and having to load a new match with a fresh character is one thing, but the frustration intensifies with having to wait five to ten minutes before a new match can even begin. In an online focused looter-shooter such as Vigor, long load times and match ques can make or break the user experience and force them to question whether their time investment is even worth playing further.  Additionally, the Switch port is plagued with horrendous lag that can directly impact the player’s enjoyment and experience when playing any game mode. On handheld, the frames are noticeably below 30 fps, and get even worse when docked. Docked play with Vigor can see the frames drop into the low teens, providing an experience that is sub-adequate. For a title that emphasizes constant movement for looting and online gunplay, framerate issues should be a priority when preparing for a 1.0 launch.  Despite all of the positives Vigor tries to bring to the table with its looter-shooter, battle royal hybrid, there are many issues that will surely test the title’s sustainability in the long run. In theory, bringing the experience that Vigor offers to the Nintendo Switch is a positive for those involved. In practice, however, Vigor highlights the continuous flaw of porting ambitious titles to the Switch. The result brings into question why some developers continue port games onto the Switch, despite the proper resources available to them, if the outcome is a subpar experience due to hardware restraints.  As a concept, Vigor should work. Players looking for an alternative to traditional battle royals with a crafting spin might not be disappointed with trying out Vigor for themselves—just not on Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, this version of Vigor is another example of a game boggled down by the Switch’s swiftly aging hardware. For more NXL content, check out our previous review on Destroy All Humans!
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About author

Daniel Pereira

From a young age I've loved video games and the power they possess in bringing different kinds of people together. I have forged many good friendships through this medium that would not exist without it. I love experiencing a new genre for the first time and finding out it resonates with me. Also, Conker's Bad Fur Day is one of the greatest games of all time. Fight me.

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