Exploding Kittens VR [Meta Quest 3] | REVIEW

For those unaware, Exploding Kittens is a card game where your objective is simple: to avoid the exploding kitten. Don’t worry, it’s a bit of a tongue-in-cheek title, with no gruesome cat massacres taking place in the game – instead, it essentially acts as bomb disposal with a feline twist, with no kitties harmed in the process. With Exploding Kittens VR, the game has been reinvited for the virtual reality platform, and believe me, it’s a TON of fun to play and easily stands out as one of my favourite social experiences on the Meta Quest 3.

Check out some screenshots down below:

With up to five players joining in on the action, Exploding Kittens VR sees players taking it in turns to tap the button on an ominous box. A ball will then drop out of the box, with it being one of three things: an item to use, a kitten to collect, or a bomb. If it’s a bomb, you’re given the chance to dispose of it provided you have a wire cutters in your inventory, which will then allow you to place the bomb back into the box in a position of your choosing. But if you don’t? Boom, you’re eliminated from the game, with the winner being the last player standing. It’s a simple gameplay loop that’s easy for players of all ages to grasp, though there are some additional mechanics at play that ensure there are elements of strategy to the experience.

For one, players start each game with a random assortment of items (one of which is always a wire cutter to disarm a bomb), with each able to be used (and then disposed of) on their turn to varying effects. For example, the fly swatter acts as an attack card and allows you to skip your turn, all whilst making the next player have to take two turns instead. Alternatively, you can use tokens, which also allow you to skip your turn – they’re not quite as punishing for the next player as the fly swatter, but at least they keep you safe. You can use the glasses to help determine whether or not you’ll even want to skip your turn, with these showing the player the next three balls that will come out of the box, allowing them to act if it’s a bomb or alternatively take their turn safely if its an item or kitten. And if it is a bomb? You could use the special key, which allows you to shuffle up the balls to randomise their order and add even more unpredictability to the game. This might not always work in your favour, but it will potentially mess up the plans of players who took a turn before you, especially if they specifically placed the bomb back to try and cause problems for certain players. Finally, there’s the slingshot, which forces another player to give you one of their items, though they get to choose which one it is.

Oh, and if another player has a hammer in their inventory? They can use it when a player is using an item, forcing them to cancel their item use and lose said item, but here’s a quick tip: the hammer can be cancelled out by a player using ANOTHER hammer, which just adds to the unpredictability. It might sound like a lot, but the items are clear to understand and easy to use, with each complementing the chaotic and random nature of the gameplay.

Besides items, players will also collect kittens when playing, with these coming in multiple forms. My personal favourite was the hairy potato kitten because why wouldn’t it be, but with six varieties on offer (which can be interacted with by grabbing them), they’re always cute to come across. They also have a use of their own: if you have two of the same kittens, you can fuse them together to give you the power to steal a random item from an opposing player of your choice. Believe me, there’s nothing worse than seeing an opponent steal your wire cutter when it’s your turn next, with the random nature of these instances easily seeing your chances of success fall apart.

“Exploding Kittens VR is a ton of fun, with the chaotic yet exciting gameplay loop and entertaining social aspects making for a brilliant virtual reality experience.”

It all comes together wonderfully to make for an experience that’s accessible for players, but deceptively strategic thanks to the robust selection of items on offer. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a big element of luck at play too, but it’s possible to target specific players on your turn or simply try to ensure you’re prepped to deal with any shenanigans that others might try to pull. And when things go completely wrong for you? It all adds to the fun, with Exploding Kittens VR constantly keeping me laughing when playing. It makes for a fantastic experience and fits the virtual reality platform perfectly.

Of course, a lot of your enjoyment will come down to who you play with, with Exploding Kittens VR a social experience where it’s always better with friends. I’ve played a ton of games with three of my friends, and honestly, we’ve had an absolute blast, with the random yet strategic nature of the gameplay ensuring it doesn’t lose its allure over extended play sessions. And hey, with the winner getting to show off a sparkly crown upon their victory, the stakes are high.

We were also joined by other players online, with the Exploding Kittens VR community fairly active at the moment. I’ve played on three separate occasions so far and there have always been others to join in, which is always promising in a multiplayer-driven experience. Of course, there’s pressure on the game to sustain a player base, but with the option for AI players too, you’ll always be able to find a game (even if it’s going to be infinitely more enjoyable with real-life players).

Outside of the main gameplay, there’s a full social hub for players to explore, with different tables available for different groups of players to have multiple games playing at once. These offer different game modes too, with Duel allowing players to face off in one-versus-one encounters and Blitz giving the game a quicker pace. The coins you earn from levelling up in-game or winning matches can also be used to play arcade-style mini-games, with a feline-themed take on Arkanoid and Whack-A-Mole on offer. These allow you to earn tickets, which can then be spent on new cosmetic items for your character. There are also daily challenges that offer simple objectives that’ll reward you with tickets, as well as a lucky wheel to gamble your coins to earn up to twenty tickets per turn, so there are plenty of ways to earn goodies.

Check out some screenshots down below:

It all comes together to make for a brilliant (and very silly) experience where fun really is at the forefront. Besides the core gameplay loop of Exploding Kittens VR being addictive and enjoyable, the socials aspects of the experience also offer a cool space to simply hang out with others. It looks like there’s room for expansion too, with an additional playing space teased as well as extra cosmetic items – it’s something I’m genuinely excited to see, especially since I plan on coming back for more Exploding Kittens VR action for a long, long time.

Developer: Saber Interactive
Publisher: Saber Interactive
Platform(s): Meta Quest 3 (Reviewed), Meta Quest 2
Website: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/exploding-kittens-vr/8200376096660353/