Overall Impressions
Right off the bat, what stood out most was the raw thrill of swinging massive fists and smashing bots in a grimy, neon-soaked world. This isn’t your slow-paced cozy title—UNDERDOGS throws you into fast, punch-heavy brawls where every hit lands with purpose.
Compared to other VR fighters, it nails the impact with a satisfying weight that few others match. Although a few rough edges pop up—like some loading hiccups during a boss fight on my wireless setup—the overall experience is impressively polished. What’s more, its consistent dark-punk vibe pulls you deeper with every run.
Gameplay Mechanics
From the moment you grip your mech’s controls, UNDERDOGS delivers intuitive, tactile gameplay. You’ll grab the floor to steady yourself before launching a haymaker into a swarm of enemies—and yes, it’s as thrilling as it sounds.
What makes each run exciting is the mech customization. Whether you prefer flails, nailguns, or sledgehammers, building your ‘Rilla with different weapons keeps things fresh. For example, one run had me stunning enemies with a nailgun before landing brutal blows; another time, I went all-in on speed with a pair of vibro-blades. Each loadout changes the feel significantly.
Additionally, the rogue-lite layer gives you a compelling reason to return. You’ll earn scrap to unlock new gear and buffs, gradually building stronger setups. Around my fifth run, I hit a wall—yet after swapping in a heavier weapon and adding a shield module, I blasted through two more acts. Even better, the mini board-game style map between fights adds light strategy. Choosing allies or shady deals can swing your run in unexpected ways.
Standout moment: I had just been stomped by a spider-like mech boss for the third time. But on run seven, I snagged a rare magnetic hammer upgrade. The next wave of enemies? Vaporized. That jolt of sudden power is exactly what makes each session so addictive.
Story and Characters
While you shouldn’t expect a sprawling sci-fi epic, UNDERDOGS still brings effective world-building. Through snappy 2.5D comic-style cutscenes, you’ll meet underground arena crews, shady fixers, and quirky bots with bite.
Although the story is simple—climb the ranks and uncover who’s running the blood sport—it’s delivered with enough flair to stay interesting. In fact, I often found myself curious about the next twist. Plus, the consistently dystopian tone keeps even brief dialogue snippets feeling cohesive and punchy.
Visuals and Graphics
Visually, UNDERDOGS excels at immersing you in its dirty, cyberpunk underworld. Rusty steel textures, flickering neon signs, and puddles of oil-slick reflections make every arena feel grimy in the best way.
Not only are the mech and enemy designs distinct, but they’re also easy to recognize—even during chaotic battles. I did experience the occasional frame-drop, especially during boss encounters using a wireless headset. However, for the most part, the graphics remained crisp, detailed, and totally on-brand with the gritty theme.
Sound and Music
Here’s one of my favorite parts: the soundtrack slaps. It’s a gritty fusion of industrial beats and chunky guitar riffs that pulse with the rhythm of the action. Every time you land a heavy punch, the metal-on-metal thud is deeply satisfying.
Moreover, enemy bots screech and spark in ways that keep tension high. While there’s no full voice acting, the text dialogues paired with occasional voiceovers give each character just enough personality—without dragging down the pace.
Difficulty and Replayability
Crucially, UNDERDOGS VR strikes an impressive balance between accessibility and challenge. The early stages are approachable, allowing new players to learn movement mechanics and combat systems without overwhelming pressure. This smooth onboarding phase ensures that even VR newcomers can get comfortable before the intensity ramps up.
As you progress, the difficulty increases at a rewarding pace. Unlocking tougher mech parts and encountering more aggressive enemies creates a natural progression curve. This makes each victory feel earned and each encounter more thrilling, while still maintaining a fair challenge that never feels cheap.
Failures That Fuel Success
Importantly, failure in UNDERDOGS isn’t frustrating—it’s motivating. Every time you fall short in a run, the game encourages you to reflect, adjust, and improve. Whether it’s swapping out your weapon loadout or experimenting with new tactics, each loss becomes an opportunity to grow stronger and smarter. This replay loop is at the heart of what makes the game so engaging and addictive.
Replayability That Keeps You Coming Back
Beyond the main campaign, UNDERDOGS offers a variety of game modes to keep players returning. Endless Mode is perfect for leaderboard chasers who crave high-stakes, continuous combat. Meanwhile, community-made maps add new layers of creativity and challenge, extending the game’s longevity well past its core story. Additionally, the Sandbox Gym allows you to freely test every part you’ve unlocked, making it ideal for strategizing your next build.
Personally, I’m already planning a weekend VR session just to experiment with a flamethrower and hammer combo. The mix-and-match possibilities are vast, which gives the game exceptional depth for both casual and competitive players.
Trivia & Dev Notes
UNDERDOGS was crafted by One Hamsa, a small yet bold indie studio that developed and published the game entirely in-house. Built in Unity, their team focused heavily on next-gen VR physics to recreate that “real steel” feeling.
Interestingly, right after launch, they rolled out a free Arena Pack DLC, adding even more content. They also maintain a tight connection with players—crediting Discord community members for feedback that influenced weapon tuning and overall game feel. That level of community involvement deserves praise.
Final Thoughts
To my surprise, UNDERDOGS turned every VR-mech fight into a primal, exhilarating experience. While it’s not a cozy pick, it delivers an intense, satisfying workout wrapped in a grungy, stylish package.
The game’s intuitive controls, crunchy impacts, simple yet solid storytelling, and killer soundtrack make it a standout in the VR space. Aside from the rare performance hiccup, it’s a smooth, hard-hitting ride.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
If you’re up for a sweaty, creative, mech-punching showdown, this underdog might just earn a top spot in your collection.
