Steel Wool Studios has become a virtual reality (VR) developer to keep an eye on, with it’s growing library of immersive titles. This year the developer has released Quar: Battle for Gate 18 and Mars Odyssey, along with securing $5 million USD in a Series A funding round from HTC. Last month the studio announced its next videogame for HTC Vive, a puzzler called Bounce, and today that experience has now arrived on Steam.
A physics-based puzzler, Bounce requires players to help robot companion D1G-B through a labyrinth of rooms. To do this players must utilise various panels, ramps, chutes and launchers to roll, sling, shoot and bounce the ball shaped robot.
Rooms range from simple layouts with little in the way, to complex areas filled with moving objects, laser grids, bottomless floors and more.
Rather than giving players set objects in which to solve the puzzles, the various items can be selected via an options menu on the controller. This allows players to construct suitable solutions anyway they please, allowing a unique approach to the solution.
“What I love about Bounce is that there is not one fixed way to solve any level, and you’re really tasked with using your own personal creative ability to use the tools at your disposal to help transport D1G-B to her destination. For every player, it means near-endless variation for solving each puzzle level”, said Jason Topolski, co-founder at Steel Wool Studios. “Everyone looks at problems differently, and it’s the same for player-solutions to Bounce. We’re excited to see how players solve the puzzles we’ve prepared for them, and look forward to seeing some new faces on the in-game leaderboards!”
Bounce is very reminiscent of another HTC Vive title, Grav|Lab by developer Mark Schramm. Currently on Steam Early Access Grav|Lab is another puzzler that involves creating a pathway for balls to take to a goal, although Bounce does feature a stronger narrative.
VRFocus will continue its coverage of Steel Wool Studios, reporting back with any further announcements.