Replaced is the Hellblade 2 of pixel art games
Replaced does for pixel art what Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 did for photorealistic Unreal Engine 5 graphics.
Critically Acclaimed City Builder ‘ISLANDERS’ Coming to VR Next Month
The teams behind the popular island-themed city builder ISLANDERS (2019) announced they’re releasing a dedicated VR version next month.
ISLANDERS: VR Edition, which is all about building cities on colorful islands, is being created by original developers Coatsink, GrizzlyGames, and Stage Clear Studios.
The minimalist strategy game is also set to be published by Coatsink, the pioneering VR studio known for VR games Shadow Point and the Esper series, and having published Onward and Jurassic World: Aftermath Collection.
Here’s how the studios describe Islanders: VR Edition:
In Islanders: VR Edition, you begin with a blank canvas and a small set of minimalist buildings. Your goal is to populate and enrich each island with your creations, unlocking new buildings as you go by achieving a maximum score. Points are earned by carefully placing each building, being mindful of their surroundings like providing clear access to natural resources and making sure entry isn’t blocked.
Islanders: VR Edition is set to launch September 28th on Quest, where it’s now available for pre-order for 10% off.
The game is also headed to SteamVR headsets, although the studios haven’t released launch date info for platforms besides Quest at this time.
In the meantime, check out a brief bit of gameplay below:
Coatsink’s PSVR 2 Game Could Be Co-Op Survival And/Or More Jurassic World
It looks like Coatsink’s previously-confirmed PSVR 2 project could be a co-op survival title and/or more Jurassic World content.
An Interim Report from studio owner Thnuderful confirms that the team is currently working on two VR projects. One is codenamed ‘Jaffa’ and uses the Jurassic World IP. It’s set to launch in the second half of this year on VR and console. There’s a decent chance that this is simply a port of the studio’s existing game, the Quest-exclusive Jurassic World: Aftermath, to other headsets and consoles, though it’s somewhat odd to use a codename for an existing project.
Earlier this year Coatsink brought another one of its Quest games, Shadow Point, over to PSVR so there’s precedent for another such port. Either that or the company is working on a new VR game set in the universe.
The other title, codenamed ‘Date’, is a VR co-op survival game that’s coming only to headsets and set to launch in 2023. Given the speculation that PSVR 2 could be launching in 2023, it’s possible that this is the game Coatsink currently has in the works for PSVR 2 (though it’s just as possible it’s also bringing Jurassic World to the new headset). You can follow along with everything we know about PSVR 2 right here.
Elsewhere in the report Thunderful also confirms its working with an undisclosed external developer on a new ‘Arcade Style Shooter’ for VR, set to release in the second half of this year.
What do you think these VR games could be? Let us know in the comments below!
Quest Launch Title Shadow Point Is Coming To PSVR
Coatsink is bringing its Quest launch title, Shadow Point, over to PSVR this month.
The game, which also came to Rift, will launch on Sony’s headset on March 22nd for $19.99. Check out the PSVR announcement trailer for the game below.
Coatsink PSVR Released
Shadow Point sees players search for a missing schoolgirl that has stumbled upon fantastical other worlds. As you play through the game, you’ll solve observation-based puzzles that play with the space and light around you. Sir Patrick Stewart, meanwhile, lends his voice to one of the game’s main characters.
We enjoyed Shadow Point when it first released back in 2019, though thought the game never quite reached its full potential. “Shadow Point is another solid entry into Coatsink’s catalog of hopelessly charming VR productions,” we said in our review. “It’s got just enough of the right sort of puzzle-solving to overshadow (pun intended) the late game’s more exhausting trials and its sweeping score and art direction make it a joy to spend time in.”
Either way, it’s great to see new PSVR games releasing this year with PSVR 2 still seemingly some ways off and the headset now well into its fifth year. Hopefully there’s more to come for the device this year. Elsewhere, Coatsink is confirmed to be making a PSVR 2 launch title. We don’t know exactly what it is yet, but we’re hoping to see more of its games reach a wider number of platforms.
Are you going to be picking up Shadow Point on PSVR? Let us know in the comments below!
Story-Driven Puzzler Shadow Point Coming to PlayStation VR in March
A couple of weeks ago gmw3 reported on British developer Coatsink having several virtual reality (VR) projects in the works which included a PlayStation VR2 launch title. Also mentioned was Shadow Point, a story-driven puzzle title that was originally an Oculus Quest launch game. Today, Coatsink has confirmed that Shadow Point is coming to PlayStation VR later this month.
Shadow Point gained a lot of notoriety early on all thanks to the participation of Sir Patrick Stewart, who narrates throughout reading the journal of Edgar Mansfield. A theme Coatsink has continued through most of its VR videogames harking back to the early days of Esper which featured the vocal talents of Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead). Most recently the studio is known for Jurassic World Aftermath.
The PlayStation VR launch will feature all 80+ mind-bending puzzles that require gravity manipulation, playing with your own shadow, peer into alternate realities and more. As the title suggests, playing and manipulating light to create shadows is Shadow Point’s core mechanic, finding the right angles and depth to complete the puzzles.
To enable as much freedom as possible Coatsink has ensured Shadow Point is compatible with the PlayStation Move controllers as well as being suitable for seated or standing gameplay.
Reviewing the Meta Quest version of Shadow Point gmw3 found the videogame to be: “a suitably well-accomplished puzzle experience…there’s enough here to provide a good few hours of entertainment without breaking a sweat”
Coatsink will release Shadow Point for PlayStation VR on 22nd March 2022 retailing for $19.99 USD, £14.99 GBP, €19.99 EUR. Check out the new trailer below and for further updates keep reading gmw3.
‘Jurassic World Aftermath’ Studio is Developing a PSVR 2 Launch Title
Jurassic World Aftermath studio Coatsink is currently working on a launch title for PSVR 2, the upcoming next-gen VR headset for PlayStation 5.
Thunderful Group, Coatsink’s parent company, released a quarterly report that maintains Coatsink is “now working on a launch title for PSVR2, PlayStation’s next-generation VR console.” The news was first spotted on Reddit.
The report states that Coatsink is currently in development of two VR titles. The first is a sports action game, codenamed ‘Salted Caramel’, which is slated to release in the second half of 2022.
The second is a VR co-op survival game, codenamed ‘Date’, which is set to release sometime in 2023. Both games are said to be based on IP developed in-house. The studio is also concurrently developing two other non-VR titles.
It’s not clear how comprehensive the report is, and whether theses two prospective VR games point to a launch window for the newly unveiled PSVR 2. It’s thought that PSVR 2 will release sometime in late 2022, which may possibly coincide with the holiday season, however that hasn’t been confirmed by Sony. If so, that
Coatsink, a British studio and publisher founded in 2009, has developed a number of VR titles over the years including: Esper (2015), Esper 2 (2015), Onward (2016), A Night Sky (2017), Augmented Empire (2017), They Suspect Nothing (2018), Shadow Point (2019), and Jurassic World Aftermath (2021).
The post ‘Jurassic World Aftermath’ Studio is Developing a PSVR 2 Launch Title appeared first on Road to VR.
Coatsink has 3 VR Projects in the Works, Including PlayStation VR2 Launch Title
British developer Coatsink has a long history in virtual reality (VR), from early titles such as Esper through to more recent offerings like Jurassic World Aftermath. And it seems as though the studio is continuing that trend, with parent company Thunderful Group’s 2021 year-end report revealing several VR projects are in the works including a PlayStation VR2 launch title.
Internet sleuths over on Reddit discovered the official confirmation that Coaksink is developing a videogame for the launch of PlayStation VR2, although it doesn’t state what it could be. Just as important is the fact that Sony Interactive Entertainment still hasn’t revealed when the headset is likely to arrive.
However, delve a little deeper into the report and you’ll see in the “Ongoing Development and Ongoing Releases” section Thunderful Group list 17 projects, three of which are VR titles all under Coatsink’s direction. Surprisingly, Oculus Quest launch exclusive Shadow Point is reappearing during the first half of 2022, likely a port coming to either PC VR or PlayStation VR.
Then there are two codenamed Salted Caramel and Date. Salted Caramel is listed as a “Sports Action” game that’s slated to arrive in the second half of the year. But Date is even more intriguing, a “VR Co-op Survival” title listed for 2023, could that be the PlayStation VR2 launch project previously mentioned? With SIE still struggling to build enough PlayStation 5’s to quench demand due to supply issues, this is the main reason gmw3 would expect PlayStation VR2 to arrive next year.
Thunderful Group also publishes games by third-party developers and there’s a final VR title in there too. Again, not many details to go on at present, the project is codenamed, Cinnamon, its an “Arcade style shooter” and its currently earmarked for a 2022 (2H) release. Plus there isn’t any mention of who’s developing the VR game.
Very few videogames have been revealed for PlayStation VR2 at this time, with Horizon Call of the Mountain the most well known currently. Others have been mentioned though, including Maze Theory’s Engram, Pavlov Shack by Vankrupt Games and the anime-inspired Runner. SIE has now finally revealed what the PlayStation VR2 looks like.
For continued updates on Coatsink’s VR projects, keep reading gmw3.
Jurassic World Aftermath Dev Working On PSVR 2 Launch Title
Longtime VR developer Coatsink is working on a PSVR 2 launch title.
As spotted on Reddit, a recent financial report for parent company Thunderful mentions that the team is “now working on a launch title for PSVR2, PlayStation’s next-generation VR console.”
Coatsink Working On PSVR 2 Launch Title
There’s no other world on exactly what the game could be for now, nor any indication of what PSVR 2’s launch window actually is. We’ve still got our fingers crossed for a 2022 launch, though the ongoing component shortage might hamper that.
Though it also develops and publishes flatscreen games, Coatsink has a long history with VR, getting started with the Esper series on Gear VR roughly 10 years ago now. It’s since contributed to significant titles like Onward and recently published the second part in the Jurassic World Aftermath game on Quest.
Could the studio be bringing one of its older titles to PSVR 2? Jurassic World and Quest launch title Shadow Point certainly seem like good candidates, though the studio could just as easily be working on something new.
Yesterday Sony revealed a first look at the PSVR 2 headset itself for the first time. So far we’ve only seen one actual PSVR 2 game in action in the form of Horizon Call of the Wild, whilst the indie studios behind Runner, Low-Fi and Samurai Slaughterhouse have all confirmed they’ll bring their games to the headset too. We’re keeping track of all the confirmed and rumored PSVR 2 games right here.
What do you think Coatsink could be working on for PSVR 2? Let us know in the comments below!
First Major Update for Sniper Elite VR Adds Custom Difficulties & bHaptics Support
One of the big AAA virtual reality (VR) titles to arrive this year for major headsets was Rebellion’s Sniper Elite VR. It’s now a couple of months since launch and the development teams – which includes Coatsink and Just Add Water – have released the first major update for the shooter adding new features and plenty of refinements.
The new patch has arrived today for Oculus Quest, PlayStation VR and PC VR headsets, rolling out quality-of-life improvements that players have been requesting. Some of the standout additions include custom difficulties allowing snipers to select options to turn on and off aim assist, bullet drop and bullet wind.
New vignette options provide refined tweaking whilst the ability to adjust weapon alignment means that players should find a setup that suits their particular play style. On the subject of guns Sniper Elite VR now has official support for ProTubeVR gunstocks plus if you want to make the gameplay even more immersive bHaptics’ Tactsuit X40, Tactosy for arms and Tactal for head all work.
PC players also get a range of visual improvements with extra graphics options added for FXAA, MSAA, SSAA and Lens Flares. These will all affect performance so you’ll need a high-end PC to use them. To see all the improvements the changelog can be found over on Steam.
Reviewing Sniper Elite VR back in July, VRFocus said: “So was Sniper Elite VR worth the anticipation and wait? Most definitely. It’s not without issues trying to find that balance between being a fun experience for all whilst giving VR veterans a videogame they can really get stuck into. When you do get into it though, Sniper Elite VR becomes a thoroughly engrossing VR shooter.”
VRFocus will continue its coverage of Sniper Elite VR, reporting back with further updates.
Jurassic World Aftermath: Part 2 Roars Onto Oculus Quest in September
Coatsink launched Jurassic World Aftermath as an Oculus Quest exclusive late last year, offering a short yet suspenseful experience. Always planned as a two-parter, now the studio has confirmed that the second instalment will arrive at the end of September.
Without spoiling too much Jurassic World Aftermath ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, with you trying to survive the chaos on Isla Nublar. For part two, Coatsink will drop you in new locations to explore, new puzzles to solve and more dinosaur encounters to be very wary of. You’ll discover Dr. Henry Wu’s opulent office as well as delving into a secret vault deep beneath the facility.
“Jurassic World Aftermath: Part 2 lets you experience what it’s like being on Isla Nublar, and you’ll need your wits, quick reflexes and a cool head to stay alive,” said Coatsink Narrative Designer, Jon Davies in a statement. “Continuing the story from Jurassic World Aftermath, Jurassic World Aftermath: Part 2 is a white-knuckle adventure that’s full of surprises – especially for fans of the film franchise.”
Thanks to an official collaboration with Universal Games and Digital Platforms, Jurassic World Aftermath has seen contributions from franchise stars Jeff Goldblum and BD Wong. They reprised their voiceover roles as Dr. Ian Malcolm and Dr. Henry Wu. The story takes place two years after the event of Jurassic World, where you and your team are sent back to the island to retrieve the highly valuable research materials left behind. Things go wrong and you then have to find a way to escape.
Reviewing part one of Jurassic World Aftermath VRFocus said: “Coatsink is well versed in VR and knows what works and what doesn’t, and that’s plain to see in Jurassic World Aftermath. The title expertly builds the tension and those occasional moments stepping back into the ops room are genuinely relieving. Yet the scope for being inventive during the sequences is limited because of the lack of interactive elements.”
Jurassic World Aftermath: Part 2 is scheduled to launch on 30th September 2021 for Oculus Quest, priced at $14.99 USD, £10.99 GBP, €14.99 EUR. If you’ve not played part one it’s currently available as a Daily Deal with 20% off for 24 hours only. For further updates, keep reading VRFocus.