PlatformaVR may have started out in location-based entertainment (LBE) but it has recently begun making inroads into the home virtual reality (VR) market. That started last month with its early prototype Wave Circles for HTC Vive. Today, the studio has revealed a far more polished looking title set to launch on Steam Early Access next month, arcade experience Mace and Grace.
In what looks like a mashup between Gorn, The Morrigan and Beat Saber, Mace and Grace is a bloody wave-based action title (with cute cartoon graphics). Players just so happen to be a giant tasked with clobbering medieval knights vaulted at them via trebuchets, pulverising them to pieces with a selection of medieval weapons.
To being with, the early access experience will have two gameplay modes to enjoy, Classic – survive as long as you can fighting waves of knights – and Arcade – limited time, score as much as you can. At your disposal are some brutal main weapons like the Morningstar, Mace, Axe, Spear and naturally, your bare hands. Kill knights in pairs and you’ll unlock a rage mode for extra points, plus you can even burn your enemies to ash when you unlock the fire breath bonus. As well as knights to kill there will also be bombs to evade to keep you on your toes.
PlatformaVR expects Mace and Grace to be in early access for around six months. In that time the team plans on adding more weapons, gameplay modes, characters and levels, mentioning: “Crossbow, flails, ninjas, rhythm-based mode, Darth Maul mode, are on our short list.” The studio will also be looking towards the Steam community for suggestions on how to expand and improve the videogame ahead of an official launch.
Originally a Russian startup which opened its first free-roaming location in Moscow in 2017, PlatformaVR has since then expanded, going international by adding a location in Orlando, Florida in collaboration with MindQuest Escape Games. Most recently, the company was at CES 2019 in January to open its second US-based free-roaming centre at Bally’s Las Vegas.
Mace and Grace is due for release in May, supporting Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Windows Mixed Reality headsets. As further details are released, VRFocus will keep you updated.