VEV: Viva Ex Vivo bringing microscopic exploration to PS4, PlayStation VR

Developer Truant Pixel’s VEV: Viva Ex Vivo is bringing PS4 survival games down to the cellular level.

In Viva Ex Vivo, you pilot a microscopic organic vehicle, the titular VEV module, through biological expanses on a quest for energy. The game’s scale turns drops of blood and water into massive environments, replete with microbes and cells and proteins.

Truant Pixel fancies VEV a survival game, but also “a decidedly laid-back experience,” as Truant Vice-President Souha Al-Samkari puts it on the PlayStation Blog. The game’s biggest threats are its ever-ticking clock and the encroaching risk of entropy.

“Gameplay progression in Viva Ex Vivo is straightforward: explore your environment, find food, and avoid predators,” Al-Samkari said. “Your ultimate goal is to gather the maximum amount of potential energy possible, and maximize your VEV’s functional lifespan within the time limit.”

There is no combat in Viva Ex Vivo (evidently, blasters wouldn’t fit on the VEV), but there are threats: immune systems and indigenous life which will treat you as they treat all invaders and gobble you up. Best avoid them.

Viva Ex Vivo’s soundtrack is as peculiar as its premise. Its songs change and evolve based on the status of your VEV and the proximity of threats, mixing up otherwise ambient, Metroid-reminiscent beats with thumping drums and bass.

The game was also designed with virtual reality in mind. Truant Pixel won’t be bringing Viva Ex Vivo to the Vita, but the studio has big plans for Playstation VR.

“Viva Ex Vivo has been designed from the ground up for easy transition to VR,” Al-Samkari added. “This includes everything from the control scheme to the 3D interface which is presented to the player at all times. VR mode will be offered as a free upgrade once it is available.”