Firewall: Zero Hour – Everything You Need To Know About The PSVR-Exclusive Shooter - Swiss Society of Virtual and Augmented Reality

Firewall: Zero Hour is just around the corner with only a few weeks remaining before launch. In preparation for the game we’ve rounded up all of the information we’ve got so far on this highly anticipated release. Once Firewall is out on PSVR, you’ll already be locked and loaded to jump in.

So here’s everything you need to know about PSVR-exclusive shooter, Firewall: Zero Hour!

What Is It?

Firewall: Zero Hour is a PSVR-exclusive tactical, team-based first-person shooter. In the game you pick one of 12 different contractors, form a team of up to four total players with AI bots filling in empty slots, and fight against another team of four.

Gameplay is slow-paced and methodical, similar to non-VR game, Rainbow Six Siege, or PC VR-exclusive shooter, Onward. There are no respawns during matches and the objectives are more complex than simply “kill the other team” to encourage teamwork and strategy.

We’ve gone hands-on with the game on multiple occasions, so you can read more about why we think this could be the next great VR shooter right here and right here.

How Many Game Modes?

In Firewall: Zero Hour there is only one single game mode: Contracts. In this game mode two teams of four fight against each other on a single map. The objective is for the Attacking team to locate and steal sensitive information by hacking a firewall and retrieving intel off of a laptop inside the level. The Defending team’s goal is to prevent the Attacking team from getting the information. Either team can also win by killing all members of the other team.

What makes matches extra intense is that there are no respawns at all. Once you’re dead, you’re out until the next match.

The main way of playing this game mode will be through competitive 4v4 online multiplayer, but that isn’t the only way of playing. You can also fill in empty team slots with AI bots or even play purely cooperatively as a team of 4 players against 4 bots. These are all considered “Training” modes.

Both Contracts and Training will be playable in either Public or Private varieties, however, you only earn XP and rewards for playing Public matches. All game modes require an internet connection to play.

What About Single Player?

There will be a single player option in Firewall: Zero Hour, but it’s just another “Training” mode focused on the same objectives as Contracts multiplayer. The only difference is that all seven of the other contractors are all AI bots.

This means that there is not a structured, narrative campaign. If you’re looking for a story mode similar to DOOM VFR or Farpoint, then you should look elsewhere.

Even the single player Training mode requires an internet connection to play.

How Do Contractors And Progression Work?

There are a total of 12 different Contractors in Firewall: Zero Hour. Visually each of them look different and have their own personal background stories informing their voice over style, name, and abilities. Although all 12 play the same mechanically in terms of actual controls on your controller, they differ in strategy. If you’ve ever played Rainbow Six Siege, this should sound very familiar.

Every contractor has a single special ability unlocked from the beginning of the game, such as faster reloading for certain types of weapons. As you continue to play as a Contractor and earn XP, you’ll unlock a second ability and additional weapon customization options for your loadout. There will also be a ranking system in place.

It’s also our understanding that there will be different outfits, face paint, and other forms of customization for each Contractor as well.

What About Maps?

Firewall: Zero Hour will launch with nine maps. So far we’ve only seen three in action between PSX 2017 and E3 2018: a large, multi-floor house surrounded by large, open spaces, a shipping warehouse, and the offices of a social networking company. From screenshots and videos we can gather that the remaining six maps feature a good mixture of outdoor and indoor environments with varied layouts.

When you play a match in Firewall, the objective is placed in a different spot each time. So even if you play the same map over and over, it will yield a slightly different experience for both the Attacking and Defending team.

What About Weapons?

When you select a Contractor in Firewall: Zero Hour, you will also pick a loadout that is catered toward a specific playstyle. Every Contractor has different loadout options that include a variety of guns and accessories.

We don’t have a full list of weapons yet, but from what we’ve seen everything you expect from assault rifles and handguns to shotguns and grenades are all represented. It’s also our understanding that there will be upgrades and customization options for your gear as well.

Can I Use PS Aim Or PS Move Controllers?

Every demo that we’ve had for Firewall: Zero Hour has been with the PS Aim Controller. While using this peripheral, you move your character with the analog sticks on the controller itself and physically aim and shoot your gun with the plastic rifle. It feels similar to Farpoint and DOOM VFR, but it’s a bit slower-paced.

We have not demoed the game using the standard DualShock 4 yet. However, Adam Orth, former Creative Strategist at First Contact, has gone on record multiple times saying that he personally prefers to play with the DualShock when given the choice.

Firewall: Zero Hour only supports the standard DualShock 4 and the PS Aim Controller — there is no support for the PS Move controllers. The main reason for this is that the lack of an analog stick on the PS Move controllers make it difficult to map all of the buttons and actions you need during a game.

When And Where Does It Launch?

Firewall: Zero Hour is releasing exclusively for the PSVR on August 28th. There is a PS Aim Controller bundle for sale if you don’t have the gun peripheral yet and want to use it when playing Firewall. If you want to pre-order the physical version of the game, you can do that from Target, GameStop, and Best Buy.

Or, you can pre-order the game digitally on the PSN Store. All digital and physical pre-orders for Firewall will receive the same pre-order bonuses: