Category: Degica Games

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Hatsune Miku VR to Add Support for PlayStation VR

When it comes to dancing Japanese characters in virtual reality (VR), Hatsune Miku tends to sit near the top of that tree. Hatsune Miku VR saw a PC VR launch via Steam in 2018 for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive,  followed by Oculus Store a couple of months ago. Soon it’ll be the turn of PlayStation VR, with developer Crypton Future Media making the announcement today.

Hatsune Miku VR screenshot2

Currently, support only seems to cover PlayStation VR in Japan with the studio making the videogame available to demo during the Magical Mirai 2019 event in Osaka this week (10th-11th), as part of the VR Game Experience Corner.

If you’ve not come across Hatsune Miku VR before it’s a rhythm action title featuring loads of Japanese pop songs, with Hatsune Miku singing and dancing on stage. You then can the melody symbols flying out of the speakers at the back of the stage to score points.

Assuming the PlayStation VR version will be the same as the PC edition, there will likely be 19 songs available and two difficulty modes to choose from. 7 dance stages compliment the songs plus the videogame features an enhanced music video mode, so you can watch any song from multiple angles with a choice of stages and outfits. Some of these songs are:

  • Stella (by KotsubanP, illustration by KEI)
  • Ievan Polkka (by Otomania, illustration Yukino Tamago)
  • Singularity (by keisei, illustration rsk)
  • Amagoi Miseinen (by Wada Takeaki ‘Kurage P’, illustration MONQ)
  • Sharing The World (by BIGHEAD, illustration apapico)
  • Senbonzakura (by 黒うさＰ)
  • SLoWMoTIoN (by PinocchioP)

Hatsune Miku VR

Hatsune Miku VR isn’t to be confused with Hatsune Miku: VR Future Live, a free title which has been available for PlayStation VR since 2016. While it still features the same high-energy, eternally happy Hatsune Miku, the interactive element is far more restrictive. This time you’re simply part of the audience watching her sing and dance. You do have a glow stick which can be waved in time with the music, as the intensity of the crowd reaches its peak players will then be transported on stage for a one-on-one performance with the singer.

When a release date for Hatsune Miku VR on PlayStation VR has been confirmed VRFocus will let you know.

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Feel the Rhythm When Hatsune Miku VR Steps Onto Oculus Store

Hit Japanese rhythm action videogame Hatsune Miku has seen several iterations arrive for virtual reality (VR) headsets, the most recent being 2018’s Hatsune Miku VR. Originally released on Steam for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift, developer Crypton Future Media and publisher Degica Games are now bringing the title to the Oculus Store. 

Hatsune Miku VR screenshot1

The rhythm action genre has always been popular amongst gamers and has found a natural home on VR headsets thanks to titles like Beat Saber, Audica and Hatsune Miku VR. The latter is somewhat different from the other two and more akin to Dance Central, with players dancing along with Hatsune, catching the melody symbols as they fly from the speakers at the back of the stage.

The Oculus Store version will feature the same content as the one on Steam, with 19 songs available and two difficulty modes. Songs include:

  • Ievan Polkka (by Otomania)
  • Singularity (by keisei)
  • Amagoi Miseinen (by Wada Takeaki ‘Kurage P’)
  • Sharing The World (by BIGHEAD)
  • Senbonzakura (by 黒うさＰ)
  • SLoWMoTIoN (by PinocchioP)

Hatsune Miku VR screenshot2

There will be a total of 7 dance stages to compliment the songs as well as an enhanced music video mode, so you can watch any song from multiple angles with a choice of stages and outfits. Supporting multiple languages including English, Japanese and Chinese, the launch of Hatsune Miku VR on Oculus Store will also add the new Snow Miku outfit, a Negi glowstick and new backgrounds. The Steam version will also get these additions in an update.

Hatsune Miku VR will arrive on Oculus Store on 6th June 2019. For further updates on the franchise, keep reading VRFocus.

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Hatsune Miku VR Coming to HTC Vive & Oculus Rift Next Week

Japanese videogame Hatsune Miku VR has been available in various forms for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR over the last couple of years, with releases such as Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X HD and Hatsune Miku VR Future Live. Last month VRFocus reported on Degica Games and Crypton Future Media announcing Hatsune Miku VR for PC virtual reality (VR) users, today confirming a release date.

Hatsune Miku VR screenshot2

For those unaware of the Hatsune Miku videogame series, it’s a rhythm action title where you’ll dance and hit notes in the brightly coloured, neon lit world of titular character Hatsune Miku, a fictional Japanese pop star.

Using motion controllers players have to catch melody symbols that fly from the speakers at the back of the stage as Miku sings and dances away to some of her most iconic songs. Things start to get difficult when long riff symbols and other challenges are introduced, making it harder to hit those perfect high scores.

Song list:

  • Ievan Polkka (by Otomania)
  • Singularity (by keisei)
  • Amagoi Miseinen (by Wada Takeaki ‘Kurage P’)
  • Sharing The World (by BIGHEAD)
  • Senbonzakura (by 黒うさＰ)
  • + 3 songs

Hatsune Miku VR

Just like the other versions of the rhythm videogame Hatsune Miku VR comes with eight songs to begin with. Further songs will be added in the future usually through DLC add-on packs.

In addition to the announcement Degica Games is running a giveaway competition, with participants able to win tickets to the USA & Mexico Miku Expo 2018 concerts as the top prize, Hatsune Miku figures and Hatsune Miku: Magical Mirai 2017 Blu-ray DVD are also on offer. Head to the Hatsune Miku VR Giveaway page to enter and find out more.

Degica Games has released quite a few VR titles on Steam in the last couple of years, with titles like: Sayonara Umihara Kawase, Destroyer, Head It!: VR Soccer Heading Game, Hop Step Sing! Kimamani☆Summer vacation (HQ Edition) and several more.

Hatsune Miku VR will be released on Steam for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive next Thursday, 8th March, 2018. For any further updates from Degiva Games, keep reading VRFocus.

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VR Sports Adds Table Tennis to its Growing Roster of Events

Japanese Developer SAT-BOX launched VR Sports back in March for HTC Vive, and it came with seven different events to play through, Bowling, Homerun Derby, Soccer, Basketball, Clay Shooting, Japanese Archery and Boxing. Then in May kart racing was added to the roster. This sees the ninth sport making its way to the title, table tennis.

To make the simulation a realistic as possible, SAT-BOX – along with publisher Degica Games – brought in a table tennis coach from the Japan Sports Association to make sure the experience is as close to the real thing as you can get.

VR Sports table tennis

VR Sports can be downloaded through Steam for £9.99 GBP. Table Tennis and its predecessor Karts are both DLC addons, but while the latter was free the former has to be paid for. The studio is running a limited time promotion, with a 10 percent discount available until 19th July. This drop the cost from £3.99 down to £3.59.

Also on its way is VR Sports – Golf, but as yet there’s no released date or confirmation of price.

SAT-BOX has been a reasonably prolific virtual reality (VR) developer releasing Voxel Shot, Samurai Sword VR and VR Sports. It currently has a Steam VR bundle available with all three videogames plus the table tennis DLC for £25.97, knocking 16 percent of the regular price.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of SAT-BOX, reporting back with any further updates.

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VRFocus Tries its Hand at Surviving Voxel Shot VR’s Zombie Apocalypse

If you enjoy shooting  zombies – and who doesn’t, they’re basically cannon fodder – then you might want to keep an eye out for SAT-BOX’s next virtual reality (VR) title coming later this week, Voxel Shot VR.

A cartoon, voxel designed wave shooter for HTC Vive, Voxel Shot VR, it’s all about scoring as many points as possible in an allotted time on each level.

My gameplay video runs through the majority of the title, showcasing the four levels and the weapons on hand to kill the hordes. There’s a training mode to test your skills out and an endurance mode for those that want the zombie slying to go on as long as possible. If you want to know my full opinion on the title head over to my review to see what’s what.

Checkout the gameplay video below and come back tomorrow for another of VR gaming from VRFocus.

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Review: Voxel Shot VR

Everyone likes shooting stuff in videogames, right? And zombies have become a massive phenomenon because everyone seems to enjoy seeing or blowing their heads off. So mixing the two together should be a safe bet for videogame success. Well that’s not always true, zombies are so prevalent in videogames that for one to be good it needs to be very good at everything, while hopefully offering something unique and engrossing. Well Degica Games has has created Voxel Shot VR, a voxel themed first-person shooter (FPS) with – you guessed it – zombies. And while it is charming, it doesn’t quite hit its target.  

First and foremost this is a waveshooter (most experienced virtual reality (VR) players will likely stop reading at this point), so you’ll find yourself fixed to one position with enemies coming at you from most directions depending on the level. In terms of levels there are only four, plus an additional Endless mode and training area. These four locations are City (easy), Desert (medium), Base (hard) and Airport (hard), offering different weapons and enemies so you can mix up tactics somewhat.

Voxel Shot VR image 1

The weapons on offer are your standard affair, pistols, sub-machine guns, assault rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers, sniper rifle, a minigun and grenades. For some reason only the pistol and sniper rifle are reloadable, the other weapons have to be thrown away when emptied – but they do respawn on crates located around you. So while this mechanic does mean you get to mix your weapon choices, if you start to get overrun then it tends to become a ‘dead-mans click’ scenario as you then look for another weapon.

And some are only available on specific missions. The minigun for example can only be found on the Base level, while the sniper rifle is just for the Airport (see the image below). This is because Degica Games has added certain elements to each area for those particular guns. In the City you’ll find yourself in middle of a street mowing down waves of undead with normal weapons, while in the Desert you’re in the back of a truck with a tank to deal with so you’re provided a rocket launcher. While the levels do show some variety they tend to be over way to quickly, usually just as you’re getting into your stride.

Again, trying to add that mixture of difficulty, each level has standard shambling zombies, then as you progress these turn into giant boss zombies, or there are helicopters and tanks to watch out for. It’s all just a bit rudimentary FPS 101 gameplay, it all works nice enough but you might play for 30-40 minutes and then be done with it. Sure there are scores and a global leaderboard but that’s not nearly enough to keep players coming back.

Voxel Shot VR image 2

Voxel Shot VR feels like it’s playing on its novel, quirky characteristics. It can be fun to begin with – and younger players will certainly like it – but for HTC Vive gamers who’re used to titles like Raw Data, Space Pirate Trainer, Island 359, Serious Sam, Zombie Training Simulator and many more, Voxel Shot VR just doesn’t offer enough.

60%

Awesome

  • Verdict
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Voxel Shot VR to Bring a Cartoon Apocalypse to HTC Vive

Japanese studio SAT_BOX has announced its latest virtual reality (VR) title for HTC Vive in the form of Voxel Shot VR, a zombie-themed first-person shooter (FPS).

Featuring some retro-themed voxel graphics, Voxel Shot VR, is a lighthearted take on the undead apocalypse with some (not that scary) zombies to mow down. Armed with a selection of devastating weaponry, including a Minigun, Uzi, Sniper Rifle, Assault Rifle, Rocket launcher and a plethora of grenades, there are four stages to work through, City, Desert, Base and Airport.

Voxel Shot VR image 2

A solely single-player experience, its not just the average shambling corpse players have to deal with, giant zombies, helicopters and tanks are also thrown into the mix for good measure. For unlimited gameplay value an Endless Mode is included, and there’s a global leaderboard for players to compare their stats.

Voxel Shot VR will be SAT-BOX’s third VR release on Steam with its previous releases being VR Sports and Samurai Sword VR. All three have been published by Degica Games which is behind Sayonara Umihara Kawase, Head It!: VR Soccer Heading Game, Destroyer and Muv-Luv VR.

At launch on 19th May, Voxel Shot VR will retail for $12.99 USD on Steam with a 25 percent discount.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of SAT-BOX and Degica Games, reporting back with all the latest updates.

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Become a Samurai on HTC Vive

Tokyo-based Degica Games has today launched its first virtual reality (VR) videogame, Samurai Sword VR. As the name implies, Samurai Sword VR is a sword-based action videogame, but there’s more to it than just hacking-and-slashing.

Samurai Sword VR screenshot 1

Samurai Sword VR puts players sword-fighting skills to the test in seven stages representing different environments from ancient Japan. Players will be able to acquire flame and lightning effects for their katana as they progress, as well as engaging in additional challenges such as kunai and shuriken levels, as well as a boss battle in a Japanese castle.

Playable on the HTC Vive, Samurai Sword VR is compatible with roomscale technology but can also be seated. Samurai Sword VR does not currently support other head-mounted displays (HMDs), however Degica Games hasn’t ruled out the possibility of ports to other formats in the future.

Available via Steam now, Samurai Sword VR benefits from a launch-window discount of 20%. Degica Games’ VR debut is priced at £5.59 GBP until 6th February 2017, when the price will increase to £6.99. VRFocus will keep you updated with any future additions to Samurai Sword VR and other VR titles from Degica Games.

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Head into Ancient Japan When Samurai Sword VR Hits HTC Vive this Month

The HTC Vive’s motion controllers are a natural fit for melee – particularly sword – gameplay, which lots of developers have explored in different ways. Later this month Japanese studio SAT-BOX will be releasing its take on titles such as Fruit Ninja VR, Zenblade and Beat Ninja with Samurai Sword VR. 

Just as the previously mentioned videogames, player have to build their points up by slicing through as many objects as possible, but there’s no fruit involved. Instead the objects all represent traditional Japanese culture (in most respects), with bamboo, masks, vases, and even fish popping up to get sliced, basically if its there you can split it in two.

Samurai Sword VR screenshot 1

Published by Degica Games (Sayonara Umihara Kawase), Samurai Sword VR includes seven stages to work through, such as an ancient Japanese town, a cherry blossom lined field, a bamboo forest, and more. As well as those levels two kunai and shuriken only levels to test players throwing skills are also included.  Just to round it all of the developer has added an boss battle in a Japanese castle.

Checkout the first trailer below prior to Samurai Sword VR’s release on 30th January via Steam.

For all the latest releases on Steam, keep reading VRFocus.