What the Bat? [Quest 2] | REVIEW

Developer Triband showed how silly sports can be when they released What the Golf? in 2020, which showcased golfing antics in zany, unpredictable, and utterly bizarre ways. It wasn’t your typical golf game, but that’s what made it SO much fun to play. Now they’re back again with another sport, with What the Bat? tackling baseball in a very, very, VERY unique and outrageous way.

It also just so happens to be a virtual reality release, which doesn’t only help make the experience feel more enjoyable and immersive, but also ensures that the silly antics involved in the gameplay feel refreshing following on from Triband’s previous release.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you had baseball bats for arms? Well, wonder no more, because What the Bat? answers that question by putting you through a series of everyday tasks (and some utterly anarchic ones) using nothing but your baseball bat arms. Yes, it’s a f*****g ridiculous concept, but it’s one that makes for a ton of laughs as you improvise and stumble though each activity the game throws your way.

Whilst a lot of tasks simply revolve around hitting items in different ways with your baseball bat arms (you’ll even have to hit balls at times which is convenient), players will also have to get a bit creative to work through some of the enigmas presented to them. See, whilst What the Bat? has a ludicrous concept, it still manages to utilise it in a clever way to ensure players are continually tested and forced to improvise at any given opportunity. It might feel impossible to re-produce an electric current, play pinball, fry eggs, go fishing, go bowling, and so forth with bats for arms, but believe me, there’s ALWAYS a way to solve the game’s many problems. I’ve barely scratched the surface of the game’s absurdity there too, with more ridiculous and complex situations to find yourself in the longer you play – whilst the things you do seem simple enough to begin with, it doesn’t take long before they go crazy.

“Yes, it’s a f*****g ridiculous concept, but it’s one that makes for a ton of laughs as you improvise and stumble though each activity the game throws your way.”

There are plenty of creative scenarios to face in the game that have to be handled in varying ways, with the player continually doing something different. You might not think that baseball bat arms would be particularly versatile, but What the Bat? proves otherwise. Thanks to its blend of physics-based action, clever puzzling, and outright insanity, just about everything you do in the game is a LOT of fun. A lot of this is owed to the extra immersion offered in virtual reality, with the motion controls making using the bats a lot more intuitive (and, of course, more comical). Be warned, though: there’s a fair bit of movement involved, so make sure you make some space around you and warn your loved ones to steer clear if you’re about to go on a swinging spree… don’t make the same mistake I did.

It’s tricky to talk about what makes the game so good because I don’t want to spoil any of the tasks you have to complete – especially since it has a fairly short runtime, with my playthrough lasting around three hours or so. That might feel a little bit too short to some players, but at the same time it ensures that the game doesn’t run out of ideas or feel stale. ‘Short but sweet’ would be the best way to describe it, though the £18.99 price tag might leave a sour taste with some players.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Still, with the number of laughs players will get out of the game and the sheer absurdity of the tasks you complete, it’s hard to complain too much. It’s a genuinely comical experience that made me laugh out loud on the regular, whilst the simple yet vibrant visuals feel befitting of the game’s silliness. The quick-paced style of the game makes it perfect for quick ten-minute romps on your Meta Quest 2, whilst its accessible nature makes it ideal to show newbies to the platform. It’s perfect for the holiday season, though having to explain to relatives why they have baseball bats for arms might not be as simple…

Developer: Triband
Publisher: Triband
Platform(s): Meta Quest 2 (Reviewed), PC VR
Website: https://www.whatthegames.com/bat