Thank the Meta Quest for resurrecting another Peter Molyneux classic
When you hear the name Peter Molyneux, does it bring back a wave of nostalgia? It certainly does for many, reminding them of iconic games like Dungeon Keeper, Theme Park, Populous, Fable, and Black & White. These titles marked a golden era of creative video game development, a time fondly remembered by fans.
Several of these classic games have already made a comeback as some of the finest experiences on Meta Quest. Underworld Overseer effectively adapted the Dungeon Keeper essence to VR, while Deisim, inspired by Populous, found its way to the same platform a few years prior.
Currently, there’s a burgeoning excitement as a new developer crafts a fully-fledged spiritual successor to the beloved Black & White, aptly named How to God. This intriguing title is already available for wishlisting on the Meta Horizon store. Recently, I had the opportunity to preview the game and engage in an insightful 45-minute discussion with the developers, leaving me thoroughly impressed. As a devoted fan of the original Black & White series, my longing for a game that melds my love of virtual pets with the unparalleled immersion of VR seems finally fulfilled.
In How to God, players assume the role of a deity with the power to manipulate the world by moving people, trees, animals, and constructing various structures. However, they can’t directly control the colossal creature that embodies their presence on the planet.
This game’s giant creature, much like its predecessor, is driven by sophisticated AI, behaving like a sentient being exploring and learning from the environment. Your guidance and discipline shape its personality and moral compass, directly impacting the surrounding populace.
The central objective is to inspire human devotion—be it through benevolence or coercion—to amplify your divine powers. As your followers worship at shrines, they generate prayer power, which you can harvest to expand your influence. As your presence grows, so does your population’s prestige on a global scale.
Rather than a sprawling open world, How to God offers a level-based strategy sandbox interwoven with a coherent storyline. As you and your followers rise in prominence, you’ll encounter adversaries intent on diminishing your stature. Each scenario presents unique challenges, whether it’s battling insidious bandits or clashing with hostile civilizations.
Though many games offer comparable features, the “virtual pet” aspect sets How to God apart within the Meta Quest universe. Your creature is the game’s heart and soul, making it distinctively charismatic and captivating.
Managing this “living” creature entails nurturing it to best represent your divine persona. You can’t micromanage it constantly; instead, you must guide its growth. It’s not merely a summonable entity or something you can maneuver at will; it requires shaping to reflect your divine essence.
For those who have trained pets, you’ll recognize the diverse approaches to shaping behavior. Whether you choose to reprimand using squirts of water or rely on positive reinforcement, How to God allows for varied training methods to mold your creature.
Simultaneously, tending to villagers’ needs becomes crucial as you strive to amass greater power. You can choose to expand and earn praise or instill fear through your creature, provoking prayers and generating power based on your approach.
An additional highlight is the game’s alchemy system. Similar to the Job Simulator series, players can interact with elements to craft new substances, such as creating steam by combining fire and water. While not as elaborate as other games, the promise of myriad combinations piques curiosity.
Slated for launch in the upcoming months, How to God is a single-player experience. There’s anticipation that multiplayer may be introduced later, but for now, the campaign and sandbox modes are expected to provide ample engagement upon release.
This highly anticipated title seems poised to rekindle the magic of Peter Molyneux’s classics while embracing the immersive potential of modern VR.
