Accounting+ is a re-release of the HTC Vive title Accounting initially released in October 2016. The new version, made specifically for PlayStation VR (PSVR), has been expanded to include some new content and in doing so now comes with the modest price tag of A$17.95.
The game is the first title from the VR focused studio Squanch Games (formerly Squanchtendo) and was developed by Crows Crows Crows. Squanch Games was founded by Ricky & Morty creator Justin Rolland and as a result any title it releases comes with very large (and probably unfair) expectations.
You play the game’s protagonist, an unnamed, new employee of a small business who, I assume, is there to do the books. It begins with the phone ringing on the desk in a warehouse like building. Picking it up your would-be employer is on the other end and instructs you to grab a copy of the accounting software, pop it in the computer and then put on the in-game VR headset to apparently crunch some numbers in three dimensions.
It’s about now things go terribly wrong and instead of loading the latest copy of MYOB VR edition you’re thrusted into a woodland environment and find yourself standing between a generator, a tree stump and a wooden phone booth.
From here it’s a series of mishaps, disembowelments and general Ricky & Morty like adventure as you progress deeper and deeper into the VR world, virtually putting on another headset to escape the horrors of the one you find yourself in. Think of it as Inception but with VR headsets and little toy lawyers that pop out of a box and look like eggs with legs.
The game itself is largely an on-rails-experience more than what most would consider a “game”. Each world you visit is relatively small and movement is limited to only a small number of teleportation points. It’s the writing or comedy of the game that makes it an enjoyable experience and while there are small puzzles to solve they’re more a part of the story telling mechanic than a brain teaser.
It’s narrative, whilst the best part of the game, is also it’s biggest set back too in that as it relies on it so heavily for momentum and comic relief it can often seem quite slow and paced poorly with large gaps between dialogue and progression. It’s certainly doesn’t ruin the play through and Ricky & Morty fans will certainly not be disappointed but you can’t help but want a little more freedom and for things to move much faster than they do.
It also falls victim to the same problem many Hollywood films have today. Watching the trailer for the game essentially shows most, if not all, of the game’s interesting characters and their interactions.
The PSVR handles the game with no problems. It does (and always will) fall victim to some tracking issues on the archaic Move controllers but that’s not the fault of the developers at all, that’s on Sony. I played through on an original PS4 and had no issues with frame rates, tearing or otherwise.
All in all Accounting+ is a fun way to spend a couple of hours inside your headset exploring and interacting with some interesting, oddball characters. Rolland’s voice and talents can be clearly seen throughout the whole thing but if I’m being honest it’s The Mighty Boosh’s Rich Fuller that steals the show and made it worth the $18.
Accounting+ is available now exclusively on the PlayStation Store.