Gamescom 2016: Star Wars Battlefront X-Wing VR Mission Almost Made Me Weep

Upon first hearing that Star Wars Battlefront will be getting an X-Wing VR Mission for PlayStation VR, my initial reaction was to shrug. I love Star Wars, but it could so easily be a thrown together gimmick; a way to dupe fans into blindly purchasing virtual reality hardware for their PS4. I don't think I've ever been proven more wrong in my entire life. Star Wars Battlefront Rogue One: X-Wing VR Mission (to give its full title) is sublime; a work of true beauty that actually puts you into the Star Wars universe.

Our demo begins in a sparse X-Wing hangar, our red R2 unit beeping and booping as it wheels around the the bay, waiting until I climb the ladder into the Rebel fighter and make my first voyage into battle. Sat in the cockpit, grinning like a goon, developer Criterion Studios guide me through the various sights surrounding me, including a little red button that opens your wings into attack position. Yes!

Once I've had ample time to soak in the confines of the X-Wing cockpit, it's time to head off on my first space flight, rendezvousing with the Rebel fleet above a blue-green Earth-like planet, moments before an Imperial ambush sends a swarm of TIE Fighters flying into the vicinity. Controller in hand, X-Wing VR Mission plays exactly like Battlefront's Fighter Squadron mode using the left stick to adjust the balance between thrust and weapon power, while the right stick manoeuvres your ship. L2 locks on to your target, and then you can blast your enemy with lasers and proton torpedoes.

As far as mixing up the gameplay goes, X-Wing VR Mission isn't really pushing the boat out all that much, but then Fighter Squadron doesn't really need altering, especially as it's familiar and immediate pick up and play fare. Within seconds we're shooting down TIEs like Luke Skywalker channeling the Force having had loads of coffee and his favourite breakfast cereal. Looking to the side at our targeting computer, we think how little we need it. No wonder Luke turned it off.

Spinning my head round a little further, I shoot my R2 unit a glance as the next wave of TIE Fighters swoop in to attack the fleet once again. Soaring past a Rebel transport and a Corellian Cruiser, while dispatching more TIEs, we take a second to look up, our jaw dropping as a Star Destroyer ominously glides overhead. We're really in the thick of it now, and I find myself starting to get a little emotional, as the VR Mission's power of wish fulfilment finally hits home. For all intents and purposes, I'm in Star Wars; a Rogue One pilot defending the Rebel fleet from the evil Empire.

Look down towards your feet and you'll see hands clasped around the X-Wing's joystick, your avatar (you) decked out in the fetching orange flight uniform worn by the Rebellion's pilots. I've barely played 10-15 minutes of a single mission, and I find myself unbelievably smitten by X-Wing VR Mission. The detail on show serves to make the entire experience feel entirely authentic, making for a slice of virtual reality Star Wars that's guaranteed to have every full-blooded Star Wars fan's Stormtrooper underwear in a twist. For the record, I actually own Stormtrooper underwear. Perhaps that's a little too much information.

To think that there's even more of this on the cards for the full DLC add-on when it launches later this year is exciting. Take into account the fact that it'll now include additional Rogue One content, and Star Wars Battlefront Rogue One: X-Wing VR Mission makes a compelling argument for picking up a PlayStation VR headset and if you don't have it already, a copy of Star Wars Battlefront for PS4. This truly is set to be a definitive Star Wars VR experience, and even if you're only a casual fan, you're going to want to play this. Seriously.

Star Wars Battlefront Rogue One: X-Wing VR Mission will be available as a free DLC on PS4 when it launches this holiday.