Jupiter & Mars

Few games are as laid back and stress free as this ecologically focused one. Jupiter & Mars' titular dolphins don't have much to worry about as they explore their ocean. They may run into the occasional stinging sea anemone or jellyfish, but contact simply pushes them back a few yards so they can try moving past them again. Outside of these incidents, they spend the bulk of their time enjoying the ocean, a vivid and stylized blue world with Tron-like light accents and a lush underwater soundscape consisting of upbeat music, bubbling and sonar effects, and the melodic sounds of sea creatures. And if any of these animals are found to be in distress, they can typically be quickly and safely helped with a quick blast of Jupiter's sonar ability. The adventure is founded on the admittedly dark notion of humanity's self-caused extinction, but it's clear that the disappearance of people is a boon for sea life.

Interested players should be aware, though, that a game as chill as this one demands an equally chill attitude. Exploration is a slow and sedate activity, and the sameness of your surroundings means you're bound to circle back to familiar areas, perhaps while searching for a frustratingly elusive final collectible in a set. And while a game focused on activities other than violence always makes for a refreshing change of pace, a greater diversity of activities would have been nice. Saving sea creatures, finding treasure, and gradually earning the ability to swim deeper and against stronger currents is fun, but it would have been nice if there was a little more to do. Still, Jupiter & Mars is generally a pleasure, has a great message, and provides a safe virtual reality experience for families looking for a PSVR game with minimal violence.