I hung out final week watching outdated, Japanese PlayStation recreation adverts after puzzler Humanity referenced them in its personal trailer. Amongst these adverts had been several for Fantavision, a little-loved colour-matching puzzle recreation about firework shows from 2000.
Think about my shock when as we speak Fantavision confirmed up on Steam.
It seems Fantavision obtained a re-release final month as a launch recreation for PSVR2, below the identify Fantavision 202X. Whereas the unique was developed by Sony’s now-shuttered Japan Studio, and revealed by Sony themselves, the 202X launch on Steam is credited as being developed and revealed by Cosmo Machia, who beforehand dealt with Steam ports of PS2 shmup Fortress OF Shikigami and its sequel.
Which makes it rather less odd that it has appeared on Steam now – however it’s nonetheless odd. Fantavision is a real-time puzzle recreation during which gamers match flares with completely different colors and symbols, by controlling the route of a beam. As soon as you have matched three or extra flares, you’ll be able to detonate them, inflicting them to blow up like vibrant fireworks. Developed by a small crew as a PlayStation 2 launch recreation, Fantavision was designed partially to indicate off the PlayStation 2’s particle results.
Its particle results nonetheless look pleasing 23 years later, even when they’re not technically spectacular. I would think about they appear fairly good with a VR headset, too.
Except for VR, Fantavision 202X additionally helps 4K resolutions and has a replay mode. It prices £15/$20 from Steam.