Author: Oliver Townsend

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Spiders, Dragons & Ship Exploration

Here are four brand new indie virtual reality (VR) titles due for release over the final week of January 2020. Make sure to check out the accompanying YouTube video to get a full preview of each videogame. All CES-related content will continue to be released over the course of next week, featuring exclusive interviews and insights of various new and exciting VR and AR products from many of the industry’s best and brightest innovators.

Spider FearDragonride VR – TypeEh Studios

Zoom through the skies of three different interactive fantasy worlds in DragonRide VR. With a range of different comfort modes, users can complete time challenges, shoot targets and cast magic spells while exploring land, sea and air. Developed and published by indie game company TypeEh Studios.

Spider Fear – Tinarastic Game Studio

Developed and published by indie studio Tinarastic Game Studio, Vive and Index users can grab a sword to fight and defend themselves from the fangs of these vicious arachnids as you brave your way through various dank and uninviting locations.

Ship SurveyorShip Surveyor Through the Ages – VR – Volume Ltd.

Published by The Lloyd’s Register Foundation Heritage & Education Centre – a UK-based maritime archive, you act as a surveyor to explore various ships throughout history in VR. Against the clock, users must navigate through faithfully recreated environments to identify various faults onboard three different historical vessels.

StellarX – OVA

New from indie studio OVA, users can work to create any VR learning or training simulator from scratch. Without any coding skills required, create scenarios by simply dragging and dropping components into place to build up and personalise any space with a library of different objects and features. Also coming soon, is the ability to share your spaces in multiplayer mode.

  • Supported platforms: HTC Vive
  • Launch date: 25th January

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The VR Games Launch Roundup: Knights, Zombies & Daleks

Here are a series of new virtual reality (VR) titles to look forward to over the next week of January 2020. Make sure to check out our accompanying video guide discussing these various new videogames. All our CES-related content will continue to be released over the course of next week, including interviews and showcases of various new and exciting VR and AR products.

Shadow LegendShadow Legend VR – VitruviusVR

Designed exclusively for VR, this medieval crusade-themed single-player RPG sees you take on the role of Grand Master of the Knights Templar in the realm of Anaria. Fight and explore the densely filled kingdom for hidden treasure.

Featuring defences such as swords, bows and various new and imaginative magic weapons all stored within a unique inventory system. Also including voice-recognition abilities and interactions as simple as feeding surrounding animals and sharpening objects to taking on large scale boss battles, this is a highly immersive fantasy universe.

  • Supported platforms: Playstation VR
  • Launch date: 21st January

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Skydance Interactive

The Walking Dead: Saints and Sinners is the first VR adaptation of the hit AMC series to arrive in 2020. Featuring a full campaign mode with an original story, risk your life to protect yourselves and others as you fight your way through the flooded ruins of New Orleans. Fend off various threats from both the living, dead and the various deadly diseases around you while equipped with an arsenal of classic and makeshift weapons. You have the option of stealth gameplay, where you make use of your surroundings to hide and disguise yourself, or choose to go in all in guns blazing. Developed by game studio Skydance Interactive, part of an American production company, Skydance Media, this is the studio’s second VR title after 2017’s Archangel.

Doctor Who: Edge of TimeDoctor Who: Edge Of Time – Maze Theory

Previously only available for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Vive Cosmos users, Oculus Quest users can now experience Maze Theory’s VR adaptation of the popular BBC TV series as well. With the Doctor stranded at the end of time and space, she communicates with you through intercoms and other communication methods to guide you through a series of challenges.

Featuring two-speed walking methods and short-range teleportation, grab a Sonic Screwdriver as the 13th incarnation of The Doctor, assists you on your travels through time and space. You must work to fend off new and original monsters, including two of The Doctor’s deadliest and iconic foes – the Weeping Angels and the Daleks.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 23rd January

Model Kit Simulator VR – Chun Y.

New from indie developer Chun Y, known for regular indie titles since early 2017, this creative simulator has been described by the creator as a “casual simulation.” In a throwback to classic Airfix building, users can complete a series of model kits in VR. This game features multiple kits for VR users to experience the whole build process, as well as coming up with new and original colour designs for the completed kit.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Adventures In Time And Space

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

The VRFocus team has spent the last week at CES 2020 in Las Vegas to cover all things VR and AR, so make sure to follow our various social media platforms and be the first to receive our content from this event, including interviews, reviews and insights into new products and technology from this event.

BBC Doctor Who: The RunawayDoctor Who: The Runaway –  Passion Animation Studios

You become the 13th Doctor’s assistant and work against the clock to return Volta, a mysterious ball of energy, back to his home planet. With Volta primed to explode any minute, armed with your sonic screwdriver it’s up to you to assist the Doctor and save the day in this 13-minute interactive VR film.

ControlRoom – Persp3ctive

New from software company, Persp3ctive, ControlRoom uses the power of VR to completely transform the way you access your digital audio workstation. Compatible with both PC and Mac, you can now navigate through the tracks in your session in VR, featuring a Spatial Mixer and custom MIDI tools.

Taurus VR – Nusakan Studios

Fight your way through an alien world in this VR space-shooter, using your body movement to control the spaceship while wielding an arsenal of weapons and shields to use, and drones to control. Compare your score with others on the global scoreboard. Currently in Early Access, the game has 5 different spaceships to fly across 4 different alien worlds.

Cloudlands 2 – Futuretown

The sequel to the award-winning Cloudlands: VR Minigolf, Cloudlands 2 reaches new heights in the building and customising of levels. Featuring a Level Editor containing over 100 components to make use of, users can upload and share their custom creations for others to enjoy as well as being able to play all existing Cloudlands 1 holes. Play with up to 4 players in multiplayer complete with in-game voice chat.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: A Festive First-person Selection

As Christmas approaches, VRFocus brings you another list of virtual reality (VR) titles being released over the course of the next week. In a good week for first-person shooter (FPS) fans, VR users everywhere can enjoy five new or reworked experiences. Make sure to check out our accompanying YouTube video to get a mini-preview of each title’s gameplay.

Radial-G: Proteus screenshot

Radial-G: Proteus – Tammeka Games

In the first VR title from newly founded publisher, Things3D, battle against online leader boards in this single-player futuristic anti-gravity racing adventure. Originally released as Radial-G: Racing Revolved in 2016, this Oculus Quest reworking now features brand-new cel-shaded art design.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 17th December

Terminal – REMANIC

Planet Earth is going down, as a combination of extreme weather and a deadly virus poses a threat to all humans. Survivors must group together to make use of night vision and time-slowing abilities as you brave extreme these extreme conditions to fight hordes of infected humans and nature itself in this deadly first-person experience. Currently, in Early Access, new Shootout and Arena modes are expected in the full release.

Winter Fury

Winter Fury: Longest Road – SpiderMonk Entertainment

In this new WW2-themed VR first-person wave shooter, play as a lone soldier in a solo battle against Axis Forces. Battle for survival as you utilise a weapons arsenal filled with handguns & sniper rifles, drive an M-4 Sherman tank & work to unlock a series of additional weapons.

Pavlov VR – Vankrupt Games

A reworking of Pavlov’s title previously released for main headsets in 2017. This first-person multiplayer title is unique on this list, as it is a 100% free release. Featuring a Search and Destroy game mode, along with an offline practice mode for beginners, it serves as a great introduction to new VR first-person shooter players, or to those new to VR altogether.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 19th December

Scraper: Gauntlet

Scraper: Gauntlet – Labrodex Studios

In this new RPG wave shooter, set in the ruins of abandoned New Austin city Refugio, you take on the role of an HRF (Human Resistance Force) member. You must retrieve vital information that could save a vast force from dominating major cities around the world, featuring boss fights and numerous upgrading and customisation of your weapons arsenal.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Five Fantastic Fantasy Titles

VRFocus brings you another list of virtual reality (V)R titles being released over the course of next week. Following on from last week’s mainly Oculus Quest-focused list, this week users can look forward to every leading headset having at least one new title. Make sure to check out our accompanying video to get a mini-preview of each title’s gameplay.

Fujii - PSVR

Fujii – Funktronic Labs

From the developers of Cosmic Trip and Starbear Taxi, comes a new VR adventure. Funktronic Labs present Fujii, a new musical gardening universe where players collect seeds to grow musically activated rare plants. Explore magical organic outdoor landscapes, all accompanied by an interactive soundtrack by French artist Norman Bambi.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 10th December

Boneworks – Stress Level Zero

Boneworks is a VR adventure developed and published by Duck Season team Stress Level Zero. Using a variety of weapons and tools, take down enemies and try to solve various puzzles which are all based on hyper-realistic physics. Designed to fully make using of VR’s immersive technology, Boneworks encourages you to play and interact with the world and its many possibilities.

Boneworks

Vacation Simulator – Owlchemy Labs

Welcome to the vibrant, colourful world of vacation island. A sequel to the hit 2016 title, Job Simulator, Owlchemy Labs released this sequel, Vacation Simulator, back in April 2019. Previously only available on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR users, next week Oculus Quest owners can also join this world run by robots to enjoy the ultimate vacation experience. In a total opposite environment experienced in Job Simulator, users can interact with almost anything around you in a videogame featuring endless mini-games.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 12th December

Budget Cuts 2 – Neat Corporation & Fast Travel Games

Neat Corps and Fast Travel Games have teamed up to create a sequel and self-contained follow up to the much-loved VR title Budget Cuts. In Budget Cuts 2: Mission Insolvency, it is your mission to stop robots taking over the human workforce and forcing humanity out of existence. Featuring brand new environments, enemies, gadgets and challenge types.

Budget Cuts 2Food Factory VR – TOMATOVR

A VR videogame revolving around all things to do with food, compete with users around the world in over 8 different stages of food-themed minigames. Currently, in Early Access, TOMATOVR is looking to feature more stages and additional features for the final version, involving the VR gaming community with the use of a public Trello board and Steam Community forums to get feedback from as many users as possible.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Reaching new Heights in VR

VRFocus rounds up all titles being released across virtual reality (VR) headsets over the course of next week. In a good week for Oculus Quest users, next week will see a total of 3 VR titles from 2016 reworked for the standalone headset. Make sure to check out our accompanying video to get a preview of each title’s individual gameplay.

Glyph

Glyph – Bolverk Games

In this third-person adventure, work to direct this mechanical and spherical scarab through a series of non-linear desert settings, picking up various relics as you go. The scarab can fly small distances and must bounce off of other objects in the environment to keep going. Compete with friends online or work to beat your personal best speed.

Stardust Odyssey – Agharta Studio

In this fantasy spaceship shooter, race across 14 levels in both solo and co-op modes. Scavenge through merchant ships searching for hidden treasures and work to upgrade your ship to protect yourself from bosses, parasites and traps that surround you.

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

The Climb

The Climb – Crytek

Previously released 2016, German developer Crytek is now giving their immersive climbing experience the Quest treatment. Experience and perfect free solo climbing across four different locations. Explore caves and work the best routes and shortcuts while trying to earn over 100 achievements. Race and compete with others in multiplayer and online modes, featuring varying difficulty modes such as “Tourist Mode” for beginners in VR.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 3rd December

Waltz of the Wizard: Extended Edition – Aldin Dynamics

Revisit the magic in this new Oculus Quest version of the 2016 title, Waltz Of The Wizard. Learn what it’s like to have magical powers as you combine ingredients into a boiling cauldron to create new and extravagant creations. Dodge guards and traps that surround you, play a series of minigames and look for artefacts and Easter eggs along the way.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 5th December

Arizona Sunshine - Oculus Quest

Arizona Sunshine – Vertigo Games

In another reworking of a title from 2016, in this Oculus Quest re-release of Arizona Sunshine, you once again must fight through hordes of zombies in a desperate attempt to make contact with the last remaining signs of human life. Set in this post-apocalyptic Grand Canyon setting, you set off on a dangerous mission after hearing the faint sound of human life on your radio. Utilise over 25 weapons and make a journey across huge deserts, mines and canyons, also featuring multiplayer modes for up to 4 players.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 5th December

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Snowballs, Sailors and Seascapes

VRFocus brings you another roundup of all the virtual reality (VR) titles due to come out over the course of the next week. This week’s selection features a series of independent titles and re-release titles. Make sure to check out our accompanying video to get a short preview of each videogame.

Snowman

Snowman – XOCUS

Test your hand-eye coordination in this icy, wave shooting experience. Protect your camp from hordes of incoming frosty aliens who have invaded earth. Utilise a number of weapons and team up with a combat robot who will cover your back while you quickly build a wall to protect your base. Play online against friends and set new records with a worldwide leader board.

A Fisherman’s Tale – InnerspaceVR

Previously released January 2019, InnerspaceVR’s mind-bending puzzle adventure is now receiving the Oculus Quest treatment. Featuring the options of room-scale, standing or seated playing, users can shrink and grow in size as you play as this wooden puppet fisherman in this seemingly never-ending highly interactive lighthouse setting.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 27th November

Affected: The Manor - Oculus Quest

Affected: The Manor – Fallen Planet Studios

UK-based developer Fallen Planet Studios has announced an Oculus Quest version of its popular horror VR title, Affected: The Manor, boasting new interactivity features to make use of the headset’s features. First released in 2016, experience this haunted house setting with two different routes and four different alternative outcomes for players, now featuring new manually opening door features to add to the realism.

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 27th November

Fullchoke – Listo Games

Use a double-barrelled shotgun to perfect your clay target shooting abilities in winter, greenfield and desert settings. Compete with others around the world with an online leader board. Featuring the ability to adjust displays and resize targets to assist beginners.

Oceans We Make

Totalling in only 5 minutes in length, you have little time to explore the whole of this ocean environment. An ideal starter videogame for new VR users of any age, the player will discover the impacts of plastic pollution on the marine environment in this playable educational VR experience.

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Mid-November Madness

VRFocus brings you another list of virtual reality (VR) titles being released over the course of next week. Be sure to check out our freshly made roundup video made to accompany this article and stay tuned to check out all individual game reviews as soon as each title is released.

The VRFocus team have been busy covering the events of VRDays in Amsterdam. So make sure to stay following our various social media feeds to get up-to-date information on this event along with all other things VR as usual.

BoxVRBoxVR– FitXR

This fitness app has everything you need for a VR high-intensity boxing workout. Featuring workout routines advised and regularly updated by various actual professional fitness instructors, activities can range anywhere between 3 to over 20 minutes long. Users can record workouts to track progress and beat personal records and enhance workouts with the help of music from a range of different artists.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 19th November

The Under Presents – Tender Claws

First previewed during the Sundance Film Festival, The Under Presents is a new interactive theatre experience by Tender Claws where users interact with both other VR users and scripted film characters. Entering a dimension that exists outside of time and space, you encounter a mysterious being known as “The Under.” Featuring two unique settings of a theatrical stage show and a survival mission, the title has been described as an experience “where live immersive theatre meets VR to bring live actors into your living room.”

  • Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch date: 19th November

The Under Presents

DEEMO -Reborn- – Rayark Inc.

First released in 2013, Rayark Games are back with a VR updating of their popular rhythm videogame, Deemo, now featuring brand new elements and an extended story. Once again, having fallen from the sky, a young girl finds herself in a mysterious unknown world. She discovers a castle and is welcomed by the mysterious Deemo. She discovers a small tree that grows whenever Deemo plays the piano. If the tree grows enough, the girl can reach the sky and return back home, will she make it back? New sheet music is unlocked for the user by exploring the castle and solving various puzzles and activating switches. Featuring the new “Exploration Mode” to accompany the “Music Mode,” this enchanted musical adventure is back and better than ever.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 21st November

Vader Immortal: Episode III – ILMxLAB

Coming soon from ILMxLAB comes the third and final adventure in the Star Wars spin-off series, Vader Immortal. In Vader Immortal: Episode 3, you are joined by your droid companion, ZO-E3, and must stop Darth Vader from returning to his castle and activating a deadly Bright Star artefact. If activated, life on Mustafar could be wiped out forever. It’s up to you make use of the classic lightsabre, the force and any blaster you find to break into the castle and stop the activation taking place, eventually coming face-to-face with the iconic Sith Lord himself.

  • Supported Platforms: Oculus Quest/Oculus Rift
  • Launch date: 21st November

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Guns, Golems & Galaxies – Start new Adventures this November

As the run-up to Christmas begins, the virtual reality (VR) offerings are at an all-time high, with first-person shooters (FPS) and rhythm-action titles particularly popular this week. Make sure to check out our accompanying video and keep following our various social media feeds to get all the latest VR news and updates.

AudicaGalactic Rangers VR – DGMA

In this first-person space adventure, immerse yourself into an epic space battle fight your way through endless hordes of enemies and asteroids as you venture deep into space. Made in the spirit of many classic arcade cabinet games, this fast-paced VR extravaganza features a range of different weapons and powerups to assist your adventure.

Audica – Harmonix Music Systems

A mixture of Beat Saber and the classic Shoot ‘em Up’s, set in a huge galactic arena, you fire at different oncoming targets to an original soundtrack. Currently, in early access, the videogame in its present form features 24 tracks of Harmonix’s award-winning music gameplay. This VR “rhythm shooter” features an online leader board, a range of difficulty levels, practice mode and additional environments and weapons.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 5th November

Into The Radius

Into the Radius – CM Games

Mobile game studio, Creative Mobile (CM Games) presents its first VR title in the form of Into the Radius. In this single-player shooter, utilise a range of realistic guns with equally realistic mechanics to survive in this cold, open-world, post-apocalyptic, ex-soviet setting featuring both a campaign and ‘free-roam’ mode. Currently, in Early Access, the final game is to have over 15 hours of playable storyline.

Pistol Whip – Cloudhead Games

The newest addition to the ever-growing rhythm-action genre for VR comes Pistol Whip. New from Cloudhead Games, the studio behind The Gallery series, this is an action-rhythm first-person experience where users shoot, melee and avoid targets to your own choice of song. Designed as a ‘pick up and play’ title, Pistol Whip features a simple control scheme and each scene features its own unique soundtrack. Challenge and compete with your opponent’s thanks to online leaderboards and with top-notch comfort-first game design, you are guaranteed an enjoyable experience without the risk of motion sickness.

Pistol Whip

Golem – CM Games

In this new PlayStation VR exclusive, you play as an injured child, Twine, who has developed an extraordinary ability. While completely bedridden, you have the power to see the world through the eyes of stone golems. You are able to control their movements, as you explore the ruins of an abandoned city and collect artefacts on your travels. First announced back in 2015, this long-awaited title also featuring a new original soundtrack from Destiny and Halo composer, Marty O’Donnell.

  • Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch date: 8th November

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The VR Game Launch Roundup: Puzzles, Horror and More in Store

As September draws to a close, VRFocus brings you a roundup of the last videogames of the month along with a few from early October. Make sure to check out our accompanying video compilation at the bottom to see the titles in action. The VRFocus team has spent the last few days in the US getting all the latest VR news first-hand from the Oculus Connect 6 (OC6) event. Stay tuned into the site and all our social channels for various news and coverage from the event.

Carly and the Reaperman – Escape from the Underworld – Odd Raven Studios

Offering both single-player and local co-op multiplayer Carly and the Reaperman – Escape from the Underworld is a puzzle adventure which follows the story of Carly and the Reaperman as they take on the Underworld. With over 50 levels and 10+ hours of gameplay, you can either control both characters by yourself, with the giant Reaperman picking up and moving platforms for Carly to run across, or grab a friend.

  • Supported Platforms: PlayStation VR
  • Launch Date: 2nd October

Cartoon Network Journeys VR – Paper Crane Games, TwinSky Games, Cartoon Network Studios

In Cartoon Network Journeys VR, join Gormlorm the wizard of this multiverse as he guides you into an adventure into new enchanted worlds. This is a VR collection of three minigames developed by Cartoon Network Studios and featuring new and original characters and locations.

Cartoon Network Journeys VR

Drums of War – Grind Core Games

Featuring warfare, orcs, village burning and… drums? In what has been described as a cross between Overlord and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, in Drums of War, you must drum along to an original metal soundtrack while battling dwarves with the aim of achieving the coveted title of King of the Mountain. The odds are against you, and you must fend off hordes of fantasy beings to achieve your goal.

Dreadhalls – White Door Games

In Dreadhalls, you find yourself trapped in a dungeon completely unable to defend yourself in any way. You must have your wits about you to detect any slight movement around you as you navigate through endless, winding and dimly lit corridors with only a flickering candle to assist your journey. Previously released in 2013, the game was released for Samsung Gear VR then as an Oculus Rift launch title, this stealth-filled title is now getting the Oculus Quest treatment. For existing owners of the Oculus Rift title, cross-buy will be offered for the two titles.

  • Supported Platforms: Oculus Quest
  • Launch Date: 3rd October

Drums of War

HyperStorm – MotionHouse

In HyperStorm, pilot futuristic fighters in this arcade shooter that sees you launch all the way from earth to space. Zap your enemies throughout landscapes all over the Earth as well as those in the deepest depths of outer space in this immersive, high-speed adventure developed and published by up-and-coming Korean studio MotionHouse.