Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission is a short-form, on-rails shooter that reviewers often describe as an enjoyable arcade throwback, but its brief, limited campaign and occasional control or polish complaints make it a better fit for players seeking immediate action than for those expecting a deep shooter. Reviews differ by release: the standard game and the VR edition have separate critic samples and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Is Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission worth playing?
It may be worth playing if you want straightforward rail-shooter action with an ’80s action-film feel. The main appeal is its quick, nostalgic arcade loop: aim, shoot, and move through action sequences rather than explore a large world or build a character over a long campaign. Reviewers who enjoyed it tended to value that direct homage; those less impressed pointed to short or shallow content, limited replay value, and—in some VR reviews—awkward controls or rough polish.
The game is a 2023 remake or reinterpretation of Taito’s 1987 arcade shooter, developed by Virtuallyz Gaming and published by Microids. Microids calls it a remake, while Nintendo describes it as a reinterpretation with a new design. Both identify the same arcade original as its source: Microids’ official game page and Nintendo’s US store listing.
What do the reviews say?
The available critic coverage is small and version-specific. Metacritic’s standard-version page lists two PS5 reviews; its separate VR page lists seven PS5 reviews. Those snapshots offer useful context, not a definitive verdict across every platform or edition.
#1 Best Overall
- Operation Wolf Returns - First Mission
| Release and source | Review snapshot | Recurring impressions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard/non-VR, PS5 critics | Two reviews listed on Metacritic: IGN Adria scored it 70/100 on October 4, 2023; GameOver.gr scored it 65/100 on October 12, 2023. | The listed summaries characterize it as a fun or well-delivered blast from the past, while noting its short duration and limited replay value. Metacritic standard-version critic page |
| VR, PS5 critics | Seven reviews and a 65 Metascore, labeled “Mixed or Average”: three positive, four mixed, and none negative. Scores range from 50 to 80. | Positive reviews emphasize the arcade homage and fun; critical reviews raise short or shallow content, dated or generic design, cumbersome controls, and polish issues. Metacritic VR critic page |
| Steam player reviews | Steam showed 72% positive among 74 purchaser reviews in the snapshot accessed October 8, 2026. | This is a changeable Steam user-review measure, not a critic score or an all-platform consensus. Steam listing |
The contrast between the two critic samples matters more than the small numerical gap between their scores. The standard-release sample contains only two reviews, while the VR sample contains seven; neither establishes how every player will respond. The standard reviews also should not be used to dismiss VR-specific control criticism—or the VR reviews to judge the standard game’s controls.
What kind of game is it?
This is an on-rails shooter: the action advances along a set route while the player aims and fires at targets. Its tone draws on 1980s action films, and official descriptions emphasize continuous action rather than a story-heavy or exploratory structure. The Nintendo listing names an Uzi, shotgun, and grenade launcher among the weapons, and lists both a solo or two-player campaign and a Survival mode. Those modes offer options beyond a single solo run, but they do not negate reviewers’ broader concerns about limited content or replay value.
Rank #2
- Remake of the iconic action game released for arcade in 1987
- New artistic direction
- Addition of voices in a parodic style
- Gameplay with endless action
- Campaign playable in solo or duo
Is the VR version different from the standard game?
Yes. They are distinct release contexts, with different input experiences and separate review listings. Microids dates the VR release to July 13, 2023, and its physical and digital editions to September 21, 2023; Nintendo lists September 21, 2023 for Switch. Steam lists the PC release on July 13, 2023 and identifies regular and VR modes. These are historical release details, not confirmation of current availability in a particular store or region.
The publisher said the VR version was available on Steam VR, Meta Quest 2, PlayStation VR 2, Pico 4, GOG, and Epic Games Store in its announcement. Check the current store listing for your platform and region before buying, since availability can change. The VR critic sample’s comments about cumbersome controls are specific to that review context; they should not be generalized to the standard release.
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![Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission - Rescue Edition [PS5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MdjkLonVL._SL160_.jpg)
- With Operation Wolf Returns: First Mission, the original 1987 arcade title returns as a reissue of the genre-defining Rail Shooter
- New designs and music that transport us directly into the pop culture of the 80s and 90s
- A game course with infinite action
- Campaigns for one or two players
- Arsenal of a wide range of weapons (uzi, rifles, grenade launchers...)
Platforms, players, and content rating
Nintendo’s US listing identifies the Switch version as playable in TV, tabletop, and handheld modes, with a listed download size of 2.8 GB. It also lists solo and two-player campaign play and Survival mode. The ESRB rating is Teen for Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, and Violence; Nintendo’s US listing shows the same descriptors. See the ESRB rating for the rating details.
Microids confirms physical and digital editions, and Nintendo provides an official Switch listing. Prices and present-day stock are not established here, so check the storefront or retailer serving your region for current purchase options.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Remake of the iconic action game released for arcade in 1987
- Survival Mode: Confront waves of enemies
- Campaign playable in solo or duo
- Gameplay with endless action
- Arsenal of various weaponry (Uzi, Rifle, Grenade Launcher…)
Rank #4
- Remake of the iconic action game released for arcade in 1987
- Survival Mode: Confront waves of enemies
- Campaign playable in solo or duo
- Gameplay with endless action
- Arsenal of various weaponry (Uzi, Rifle, Grenade Launcher…)
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