Author: Oliver Townsend

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Wizards and Wave Shooters

Here are five new virtual reality (VR) titles to look forward to over the next week. Featuring a mixture of new AAA experiences, indie games and re-releases, this week’s list features content for every headset. Make sure to check out the accompanying YouTube video for more information on each title.

Lies BeneathLies Beneath – Drifter Entertainment

Previously just released on the Oculus Quest, Drifter Entertainment’s well-received action-horror survival videogame is now getting the Oculus Rift treatment. Set in the town of Slumber, Alaska. College student Mae is on a mission to save her father from the townsfolk and creatures who have infected her hometown. Featuring various levels of comfort and difficulty, you are tasked with fending off hordes of monsters using various unique weaponry such as shotguns, knives and explosives while solving various puzzles along the way.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Rift
  • Launch date: 14th April

Dragonride VR – TypeEh Studios

Following a delay, indie studio TypeEh Studios is finally releasing dragon-flying experience next week. Race through the skies of three different interactive fantasy worlds. Featuring a range of different comfort modes while travelling, users can complete time challenges, shoot targets and cast magic spells while flying through stunning landscapes.

DragonRide VRDjinni & Thaco: Trial By Spire –

In this first-person VR tower defence title, you take on the role of powerful magical spirit Djinni, who has been sent by the wizard Thaco to defeat the armies sent by enemy King Crambone. Featuring over 30 hours of gameplay, use hand gestures to perform spells to take on the hordes of strange enemies, such as knights, pixies and giant clock robots.

The Under Presents – Tender Claws

Previously released for Oculus Quest in November 2019, The Under Presents is a theatrical VR experience featuring pre-recorded and live actors in a multiplayer hub as well as a solo mission called Timeboat! Brought to you by LA-based studio Tender Claws, you enter a dimension that exists outside of time and space, encountering a mysterious being known as “The Under.” You interact with both other VR users and scripted film characters in an experience described by the studio as a place where “immersive theatre meets VR gaming.”

KongfusionKongfusion – ZMVR

In this single-player indie action VR Kung Fu title, you are faced with taking on hordes of numerous incoming Kungfu enemies which you must work quickly to dodge. Featuring two game modes, ‘Arcade’ and ‘Endless,’ the enemies fly in to block the player’s progress. You must use your fighting stick to fend off any enemies in your path, along with other obstacles and traps that stand in your way.

That’s all for now folks. Make sure to subscribe and follow VRFocus across all our social channels and be the first to see all the latest news, updates, reviews and updates on all things VR and AR.

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The VR Games Launch Roundup: Earthquakes, Obelisks and Oral Hygiene

VRFocus presents a brand-new list of five virtual reality (VR) titles being released over the next week. This week’s list features at least one videogame for the owners of all major headsets, including a host of long-awaited re-releases. To help give you a preview of each title you can check out the accompanying YouTube video at the bottom of this article. Make sure to keep following VRFocus to get further news on each one including possible updates, expansion packs or possibly re-releases for other headsets.

FORM-VR-Screenshot-02Form – Charm Games

Canadian game studio Charm Games first released puzzle experience FORM in mid-2017. Set in a secluded research facility in Alaska, you take on the role of physicist Dr. Devin Eli, who, as a result of childhood trauma, possesses the unique power of geometric visualisation. In an attempt to discover more about a mysterious artefact, The Obelisk, you must explore this doctor’s memories to unlock the secrets it contains. Unlock a series of puzzles within your own mind, which are built to be solved using tracked motion controllers. VRFocus previously awarded the original HTC Vive version a 4/5, describing it as a “mesmerising experience from start to finish.”

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 7th April

Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories – Granzella

Previously only available in Japan, this action-adventure survival game will be available to PlayStation VR users next week. On a seemingly ordinary summer day, your trip to this city turns into a disaster as a gigantic earthquake terrorises you and your surroundings. You must team up with fellow survivors and fight your way out as collapsing buildings and unstable ground surround you. Your decision-making abilities could be the difference between life and death in a city on the brink of collapsing completely.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 7th April

Virtual BattlegroundsVirtual Battlegrounds – CyberDream

Built from the ground up for virtual reality and set in this war-hungry dystopian island, in Virtual Battlegrounds you must fight to become the last one standing. Featuring an array of physics-based weapons, you can run, swim and jump your way to victory both on your own or with friends in solo and quad modes and also featuring AI bots. VR users can play while standing or seated, with a host of other comfortable playing options available.

Ironlights – E McNeill

In this VR duelling game, utilise a series of physics-based weapons to take on your opponents in both single and multiplayer modes. Choose from several fighting styles including Knight and Ninja. Users can even play a single-player game while waiting for a match! Replay features allow you to watch a playback of your fight, which you can export share to the world.

IronlightsVirus Popper – Starcade Arcade

This educational title aims to help people learn about the importance of personal hygiene. Wash your hands and make use of powerful disinfectants and sprays to fend off viruses, while avoiding touching your face. Indie developer Starcade Arcade, states that they aim to “make a fun and friendly way to share important messages without adding to the fear and panic in the world right now.”

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Combat Boredom With These new Titles

VRFocus brings you another list of virtual reality (VR) videogames for users of all leading headsets to enjoy over the next week. Make sure to check out the accompanying video for a preview of each title’s gameplay and make sure to follow all our social channels to get further updates including reviews, re-releases and possible expansion packs.

Orders Of Magnitude – Ouroboro Soft Inc.

In this educational virtual reality science experience, learn about the whole observable universe at multiple scales. Explore everything from a tiny atomic nucleus to the whole Milky Way, all there to be explored. Featuring data taken from various scientific databases, users can visualise galaxies and stars as well as delving deep into human brain and DNA atoms.

Lies Beneath – Drifter Entertainment

From White Door Games, the studio behind Robo Recall: Unplugged and Gunheart, this new horror survival videogame is set in the town of Slumber, Alaska. College student Mae is on a mission to save her father from the townsfolk and creatures who have infected her hometown. You must fend off hordes of these monsters with your arsenal of various weapons, including shotguns, knives and explosives while solving various puzzles along the way. Also coming to Oculus Rift 14th April.

Good GoliathGood Goliath – Knocktwice Games

In this wave-based arcade-action title, you play as a weaponless gentle giant who has woken from a slumber and must defend himself using any surrounding objects. Throw, catch and dodge any obstacles thrown at you in this storybook-style comical world featuring a full campaign.

Final Assault – Phaser Lock Interactive

Quick thinking is essential in this World War 2-themed action title, where you must command your troops as they enter into massive battles on land in tanks and in the air with dog fights. Previously released in 2019 on other leading headsets, VRFocus awarded the PC edition a 4/5.

  • Supported Platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch Date: 31st March

Final AssaultGuns’N’Stories: Bulletproof VR – MiroWin

This action-packed western-style shooter fully immerses you into a Wild West setting as you encounter and fight off a series of cartoonish enemies. Duel wield various classic and modern weapons and move quickly avoiding incoming bullets in a series of detailed and varied locations.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Time to Combine Those Resources

VRFocus compile another list of virtual reality (VR) titles to look forward to over the course of the next week. Make sure to watch the accompanying video at the bottom of this article to preview the gameplay of each one. Be sure to also follow us across our social media accounts to receive further news on each videogame, including full reviews in the near future.

Paper BeastHalf-Life: Alyx – Valve Corporation

Valve’s latest videogame is set between the events of two acclaimed titles: Half-Life and Half-Life 2. In this new epic, the inhabitants of City 17 have been taken over and it’s down to father and daughter team – Dr. Eli Vance and Alyx, to lead a resistance and reclaim the land.

Paper Beast – Pixel Reef

In this unique new title by Pixel Reef, you interact with amazing paper wildlife big and small. From the designer of popular titles Another World and From Dust, Pixel Reef describes Paper Beast as being filled with “decades of lost code.” This wilderness represents the huge memory of a data server “a complete ecosystem, born from the hidden confines of big data” with no text or dialogue throughout.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 24th March

Down The Rabbit HoleDown The Rabbit Hole – Cortopia Studios

Serving as a prequel story to Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, you play through the videogame as a girl who has found herself in Wonderland before Alice herself. In this interactive story, you must find your way home while solving puzzles and encountering a series of familiar faces from the Alice In Wonderland universe. Also featuring a range of hidden collectables and a unique VR locomotion system.

The Room VR: A Dark Matter – Fireproof Studios

Following a police investigation into the disappearance of an Egyptologist from The British Institute of Archaeology, you must use a range of gadgets to explore a range of locations and unearth the truth while encountering otherworldly forces.

The Room VR: A Dark MatterB-Team – Twisted Pixel Games

Finding yourself in the midst of an alien invasion where the world’s greatest forces have already been defeated, it is up to you and your team to sort the mess out. Featuring four different characters with unique abilities to play as, you are tasked with using a range of special weapons to fight through the land, solving puzzles in hope of defeating of this war-hungry alien race.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 26th March

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How to Edit Insta360 Video in Adobe Premiere Pro

Here at VRFocus, our work takes us to gaming events all over the world and we are always keen to find new and simple ways to capture our surroundings wherever we go. We recently decided to experiment with capturing 3D footage and turned to Insta360, one of the most well-known companies manufacturing 360-degree cameras.

Insta360 Pro 2As the video editor here at VRFocus, I had no previous experience with any form of 360-degree editing and found the Insta360 process surprisingly easy, discovering that a basic 360 panorama can be created entirely through Adobe application Premiere Pro thanks to Insta360’s custom plugin. This article will outline how I achieved this using sample footage shot on Insta360 Pro 2 to experiment editing with.

What you will need:

  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Insta360 Stitcher App
  • Insta360 footage
  • YouTube access

Here are the steps.

  1. Head to insta360.com/download to download the latest version of Premiere Pro plugin. Enter the serial number provided to do so.
  1. Once downloaded, start the installation process and on the Installation Type section, make sure to keep the Premier Pro Plugin option box ticked and finish the installation.
  1. Now open Premiere Pro and create a new timeline. Head to Window and then Extensions below that, where you will find the newly imported stitching plugin, named Insta360Pro Importer. Click on this and the stitcher will open as a new window within Premiere Pro.
  1. Select Import and head to the location of the folder containing the unstitched files. Clicking on the folder itself will stitch together the individual videos into a completed 360 clip while they are being imported. You will then see the stitched clip in the project.
  1. Now you can edit the length of the stitched file like any other Premiere Pro clip. Then it’s time to render, by using the usual Premier Pro exporter. When doing so, go to Export Settings, then Video and then Basic Video Settings make sure to tick the one box stating the video is VR.
  1. Now upload the video to YouTube as usual, where you will be able to navigate around the 360-degree footage on both on desktop and within a VR headset.

 

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Fix Time and Fight off the Mafia

Once again, VRFocus brings you another list of both triple-A and independent virtual reality (VR) titles to look forward to over the course of the next week. Owners of every major headset can look forward to a new videogame to add to their collection. Make sure to check out our accompanying video to get a preview of each title.

Timeless Paradox VRTimeless Paradox VR – John Jiang

This single-player story-based VR action game is set in a “timeless world.” Playing alongside companion Estel and featuring 9 different boss battles and a unique sword attack system, it’s up to you to restore the flow of time by fixing all “time fragments.”

Separation – Recluse Industries

Travel across land and sea, exploring various derelict structures and ruins in search of the elusive Temple Of Sorrow. Hear the echo of your own footsteps as you follow faint sources of light on your lonely quest through mysterious lands solving puzzles. Also featuring an original ambient soundtrack by electronic music artist Vector Lovers.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 3rd March

SeparationSpacewalk Defender – Droidtech

In this sci-fi VR shooter, you must duel wield a host of unique weapons to fend off an endless wave of enemies as they spawn. Featuring enemy waves increasing in difficulty as they spawn, it’s down to you to beat your personal best, or play and compete with players around the world as you climb the leader boards.

Fighting Clans – XOCUS

In this VR street-fighting game, you find yourself in debt to the mafia and must survive by fighting your way out of trouble. You receive a date and place for your fight, along with instructions on how to survive. Coming face-to-face with a host of unsavoury characters, it’s up to you to perfect your fighting abilities in this urban environment.

XSOverlay – Xiexe

VR Desktop overlay application XSOverlay is an application for software development kit OpenVR and it helps users to access and interact their desktop or individual applications using custom controls in VR. Featuring support for left, right, middle-clicking and dragging abilities, and window movement and scaling. Users can control their media with window editing and help to improve their productivity in VR.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Kinda Strange and Kinda Funky

VRFocus presents a list of 5 brand-new virtual reality (VR) titles to look forward to over the course of next week. Featuring both AAA and independent videogames, be sure to check out the accompanying YouTube video for a preview of each title’s gameplay.

Soul AxiomSoul Axiom Rebooted – Wales Interactive

Previously released on all traditional gaming formats in 2016, Wales Interactive has now added VR support to this story-driven adventure puzzle game with vast improvements over the original release. Set in a cyber-world known as Elysia, users can collect and build up their powers and with the game featuring multiple possible endings, it’s up to every user to control their own destiny.

Covert – White Elk Studios

In this co-operative videogame, you and a friend must work together to carry out a successful heist. Featuring cross-play, the gameplay features one player on a mobile device and one in VR, as either a thief in VR or a hacker on a mobile.

Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! – Grounding Inc.

Take a trip into the 25th century in this easy-to-learn dance VR title suitable for the whole family. You are on a mission to defeat an evil alien race known as the ‘Moralians’ – by outperforming them on this galactic dance floor!

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 25th February

Hero Index – Fingertip Games

In this superhero-inspired flying adventure made exclusively for the Valve Index, wearing your H.E.R.O (Humanoid Exo Robotic Outfit), you take off from your battleship and make use of your deadly laser weapons arsenal to destroy all objects in your path.

  • Supported platforms: Valve Index
  • Launch date: 28th February

Space Channel 5 VRDawn Of Art – Atlas V, Novelab

Take a trip back to 35,000 BC to discover the very first pieces of artwork ever created by man. Discover the mysterious paintings on the wall of the cave in this immersive film, featuring interactive exploration elements. Narrated by Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley, users can discover the mysteries surrounding the origin of art itself.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: A Giant Shot Into the Blue

VRFocus brings you another brand-new list of VR titles to look forward to over the course of the next week. Make sure to check out our accompanying YouTube video to get a preview of each title’s gameplay.

Ghost GiantGhost Giant – Zoink!

Previously released as an PSVR exclusive title, developer Zoink are now releasing this VR puzzle adventure on Oculus Quest. In this family-friendly title, you play as the titular friendly ghost known only as Ghost Giant. Viewable only to Louis, a lonely boy, the story involves Ghost Giant bonding and helping Louis to overcome the struggles of everyday life.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 20th February

Scraper: Gauntlet – Labrodex, Inc.

In this new standalone instalment to the Scraper Universe, you are set with the task of infiltrating a secret AI-filled facility to seek a secret weapon blueprint. Filled with weapon customisation, this VR role-playing wave shooter sees you defending the megacities of the world from the threat of Humech Forces.

Scraper: GauntletOhShape – Odders Lab

Inspired by the hit Japanese TV show, Hole in the Wall, this rhythm VR game sees you move your whole body to go through or avoid walls to the beat of the music. Compete with friends or against players from around the world for the best score with the World Leader boards. Studio Odders Lab has worked with professional choreographers to perfect 12 immersive dance levels. Also featuring content provided by users within the community who have shaped custom maps using the level editor.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 20th February

Buggy Bump – MoonShine Games

This fast-paced VR racing game features moment-to-moment racing in a racing event known as the Buggy Bump Festival. Beat your own time in offline single player, battle against AI vehicles in Time Trail Mode or set a new record in an online 4-player game. Featuring 19 tracks, 9 in the day, 9 and night and a bonus surprise track.

OhShapeSea Fishing Simulator – Dangerous Derk Interactive

Set in the North Sea, select your bait and fish from a boat or the shore from at any time of day, and battle challenging weather conditions as you search for over 20 different fish species. This aquatic title is brought to you by UK-based studio Dangerous Derk Interactive, known for their successful previous fishing-themed title, Carp Fishing Simulator in 2015.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: A Fantasy-filled February Quinet

VRFocus bring you another list of virtual reality (VR) titles to look forward to over the course of next week. This time around, owners of every major headset can look forward to a new videogame to add to their collection. Make sure to check out our accompanying video to get a preview of each title.

Orion13Parameter – Yabyte

Built from the ground up and featuring simple touchpad movement, this VR puzzle adventure game features a wide range of deadly traps dotted all over the various environments for the user to avoid and overcome throughout 3 different levels.

  • Supported platforms: HTC Vive
  • Launch date: 10th February

Orion13 – Metro VR Studios

In this kinetic VR combat videogame, you play as the title character, Orion13, a newly built robot. You must fight your way through this mysterious robot land to reach your home, making use of various swords and shields to attack any foes you encounter on the way. Featuring a complete story and interactive puzzles, users can also face other players via an online leader board.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Rift
  • Launch date: 13th February

TheWandererVR – TheGoo

In this VR archery shooting game, users must work to defend themselves against various oncoming enemies, both in plain sight and hidden around you. Also featuring shields and scopes to perfect your attack and defence methods.

Gloomy EyesGloomy Eyes – Jorge Tereso & Fernando Maldonado

This is a 3-part animated VR love story features a romance between a zombie boy, Gloomy, and mortal human girl, Nena. This Tim Burton-style animated film is narrated by Colin Farrell and first premiered at several film festivals including Sundance. This VR animation is now set for a general release to VR users worldwide.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 14th February

Warden Of The Isles – Beardlings LLC

You must use your powerful throwing arm to command troops to fight all surrounding enemies in this medieval single-player adventure. Assign tasks and lead your army to victory in this original story featuring over 15 hours of unique gameplay.

  • Supported platforms: HTC Vive
  • Launch date: 14th February

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Master Throwing and Metal Forming in VR

Another Friday means another roundup of new and exciting virtual reality (VR) titles being released on each major headset over the first week of February 2020. Make sure to check out the accompanying YouTube video to get a full preview of each videogame.

Throw Anything – Visual Light

Fight this onslaught of brain-hungry, wall-climbing zombies by throwing any object around you at them – including humans! A mysterious individual known only as “Scientist X” has taken over the world, wreaking havoc on mankind by releasing a deadly zombie virus. It’s up to you to stop this endless cycle of pain in this 6-stage challenge which takes place across various destructible environments. Also featuring rewards for users in the form of powerful weapons.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 6th February

Master Bladesmith – Elixir Games

This unique RPG features a combination of both first- and third-person gameplay in VR. Mine for materials and from raw ore materials, shape your own powerful custom swords and protective armour. Featuring full freedom of movement, VR users can put the swords and armour through their paces with a special chamber while building up a personal stash of money and precious artefacts along your journey.

Abelana's Atom MakerStraylight – Dr Bloc

In a mechanic built exclusively for VR, experience deadly new worlds in this new VR platforming experience, Straylight. Users must make a deadly journey, avoiding deadly obstacles as you fly, swing and soar through increasingly difficult cosmic worlds, with the simple sole aim of reaching the very end of this universe.

Abelana’s Atom Maker – Abelana VR

Users can perfect their understanding of atom composition in this educational VR experience by visualising and putting them together step-by-step in this immersive 3D environment. Learn about the ordering, configuration and grouping of elements within the Periodic Table, along with the history of each element.