Code51: Mecha Arena Out Now for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift

Mech combat titles are really starting to come into their own in virtual reality (VR), thanks to recent additions like Archangel: Hellfire for example. One title that US PlayStation VR owners have been enjoying for several months is Smellyriver’s  Code51: Mech Arena. Fans of the title will be pleased to know that from today, not only will European PlayStation VR owners be able to join in, so will HTC Vive and Oculus Rift players.

Code 51

A purely seated experience designed to mimic being sat inside a giant mech Code51: Mecha Arena provides both single-player and multi-player modes – although the main focus is on the multiplayer side.

The story takes place in the not too distant future where World War III has decimated the planet and new factions have formed around a new energy source which can power giant mechanised machines. These are used to fight over the precious resources that are left, unfortunately bringing mankind ever closer to a new conflict.

As the names implies Code51: Mecha Arena is an arena style combat experience with gameplay viewed entirely from the mech cockpit. Designed to offer a comfortable experience for all, developer Smellyriver has included nine different types of mech to choose from, each with two skills to alter gameplay. Additionally, mechs can be armed with a selection of ten different weapons, from mini-guns to rocket launchers.

Code 51

Todays launch sees Smellyriver also include a day one patch adding improvements to the original title including turning and speed optimisations to make the combat more seamless. And for the first time there’s cross-play support between all three headsets, opening up the multi-player matches to a greater number of opponents.

To mark the Steam launch players can make use of a limited time discount knocking 20 percent off Code51: Mecha Arena.  Until 4th September the title will retail for £12.39 GBP rather than £15.49. Keep reading VRFocus as we’ll have a review for Code51: Mecha Arena coming soon.

Time to Get In the Cockpit As Code 51: Mech Arena is Out Now

After noting the regrettable dearth of good mech combat titles available in virtual reality (VR), Chinese developer Smellyriver have arrived to fill that particular niche with new title Code 51: Mech Arena, which is available now on PlayStation VR.

Code 51: Mecha Arena takes place in a world that has been ravaged by a devastating war. As humanity attempts to pick up the pieces, a new conflict arises, this time involving new and more powerful weapons of war – the Code 51 mechs.

Code 51

The backstory concerns the devastating aftermath of a way, where survivors exploring the abandoned American military base at Area 51 find documents relating to a mysterious and powerful energy source called Code 51. This energy source allows for the creation of the mechs, but reignites the conflict that almost ended the world.

Different mecha types will be available to let pilots choose one to match their preferred fighting style, with different specialities like speed, defence or attack. The player can also choose their weapons loadout, with different weapons such as machine gun, missile launcher or railgun available to add to your mech of choice. Each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses so careful choice could mean the different between victory and defeat.

A variety of arena settings are open for players to battle in. The Area 51 military base is one such location, as players struggle to secure the source of the information about Code 51. Pilots can also fight in the frozen wastes of Siberia, a decrepit warehouse, a chemical factory and the mysterious and overgrown ‘Relic’ map.

Pilots can engage with the story-driven single-player campaign, or practice mech combat versus an AI bot to get to grips with the controls, or test out some fancy moves ready for battle against other players in multiplayer.

Code 51

Code 51: Mech Arena is out now on PlayStation VR. A version for HTC Vive and Oculus rift are expected for later in the year. VRFocus will keep you updated on its progress.

Code51: Mecha Arena erscheint nächste Woche für PlayStation VR

DeerVR Games und Smelly River haben ein neues gemeinsames Projekt vorgestellt, das bereits in der kommenden Woche für die PlayStation-VR-Brille erscheinen soll. Unter dem Namen Code51: Mecha Arena schicken die Teams ein Mech-Spiel ins Rennen, welches MechWarrior-Fans begeistern könnte.

Code51: Mecha Arena

Wie das Video mit Gameplay-Material zeigt, handelt es sich bei Code51: Mecha Arena um eine sehr ansehnliche Ballerei. Diese spielt im Jahr 2040. Wie bereits der Zusatz Arena vermuten lässt, liegt der Fokus auf Multiplayer-Schlachten. Hier wird es jedoch nur zwei Modi geben: Deathmatch und Team Deathmatch. Dafür gibt es aber immerhin neun verschiedene Mechs mit unterschiedlichen Werten für Power, Angriffsstärke und Geschwindigkeit. Ausgetragen werden die Gefechte zunächst auf drei verschiedenen Karten. Diese Angaben sprechen nicht unbedingt für eines der abwechslungsreichsten Spiele, aber wenn die bestehenden Inhalte funktionieren, ist dies zum Start auch überhaupt nicht notwendig. Sollten die Gefechte spannend sein und sich genügend Spieler auf den Servern tummeln, könnte die Eintönigkeit der Maps schnell in den Hintergrund geraten.

Code51 Mecha Arena

Am 24 April 2018 soll Code51: Mecha Arena exklusiv für die PlayStation 4 und die PlayStation-VR-Brille erscheinen. Ob es auch zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt eine Version für den PC geben wird, ist aktuell noch unklar. PC-VR-Nerds können sich aber auf Vox Machinae freuen, welches sich derzeit in der Beta befindet.

(Quelle: Upload VR)

Der Beitrag Code51: Mecha Arena erscheint nächste Woche für PlayStation VR zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

Mech Combat Title Code 51: Mech Arena Reveals Release Date

Originally Greenlit on Steam in summer of 2017, Code 51: Mech Arena is the results of an effort by Chinese developer Smellyriver to fill the mecha-shaped hole in the virtual reality (VR) videogame line-up.

The developer has now announced that Code 51: Mech Arena will be launched on PlayStation VR on 24th April, 2018, with the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift version to follow at an unspecified later date.

Code 51

The developers describe the title as a ‘wasteland-style mech arena title’. The player takes the role of a mech pilot, allowing for seated VR play, and engages in battle with hostile enemy mechs. Code 51: Mech Arena is set to allow for single player or multiplayer, with a single-player story mode, or players can practice battling against an AI bot.

The story takes place after Earth has been through a devastating war that has meant the deaths of much of mankind, done untold damage to the ecosystem and led to a severe lack of resources. Searching desperately for something to help rebuild, and find documents relating to the mysterious ‘Code 51’ energy scattered throughout the world.

This new energy source could be used to create new and powerful forms of technology, including the mechs, which not only reignited the war, but meant the remains of humanity were sent scrabbling to hunt down the remaining Code 51 energy sources.

Different types of mecha will be available so pilots can pick what suits their play style, as each has different specialisations, including speed, defence or attack. The weapons loadout can also be customised with different weapons, like a machine gun, missile launcher or railgun. Four arenas have been confirmed, with Area 51 military base, a warehouse, Siberia and a chemical factory all planned to feature.

Code 51

Further information on the title can be found on the official website for Code 51: Mech Arena. VRFocus will be sure to bring you updates as they become available.

Mech Warfare Title Code51 Coming to PlayStation VR in December

This past week certainly hasn’t been a disappointment if you’re a fan of PlayStation VR. Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE) Paris Games Week (PGW) press conference had plenty of titles on display, some due this year and some due next. Obviously there are more videogames in development for the headset than those shown, one of which is Code51 by Chinese studio Smellyriver. Now the team has announced that the mech-based battler will be released in December.

Earlier today the studio released a short gif via its twitter feed which showcased some of the gameplay action from an overhead viewpoint. At the end the PlayStation VR release date was revealed as 19th December 2017. That wasn’t all, as Code51 will also be coming to Oculus Rift and HTC Vive in the near future.

From the details released so far Code51 is a purely online multiplayer arena battler, where players jump into massive robotic war machines to fight it out. As with any online multiplayer, gamer numbers are important to get consistent matches, so in virtual reality (VR) this usually means cross-platform support due to the technology still being fairly niche. While Smellyriver hasn’t yet confirmed if Code51 will support cross-platform play, the fact that it will eventually see a release on every major headset is a good sign.

If you want to see more of the awesome looking title head on over to Smellyriver’s YouTube channel for plenty of videos. All the narration is in Chinese, but for those that don’t speak Mandarin the visuals still look suitably impressive. There looks to be several arenas to wage mechanised warfare in, and there are separate videos for each of the nine war machines available. Some are designed for stealth, or speed, whilst others prefer distance or just brute strength and armour.

For further updates on Code51, keep reading VRFocus.