FORM – Page 3 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

August 27, 2017

Something for the Weekend: Discounts on Steam

For those who may find themselves looking for something now to play over the next week on their HTC Vive, Oculus Rift or OSVR, we have just the thing. VRFocus has delved into Steam’s library of virtual reality (VR) titles to find discounts for the budget-conscious.

Assetto Corsa

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, OSVR

For those who don’t fancy waiting for Project Cars 2 or Gran Turismo Sport, there is another option. Driving simulator Assetto Corsa is available at a 60% discount, reducing it to just £9.19 (GBP). Alternatively there are DLC or Season Pass bundles available for £11.99 or £5.16, a saving of 60% and 71% respectively.

Elite Dangerous

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, OSVR

Elite Dangerous doesn’t really need an introduction. A vast multiplayer space opera where players can get control of a small spaceship and then proceed to do… pretty much anything they fancy. The base version of Elite Dangerous is on sale for £13.39, a 33% discount. Or you can buy the Elite Dangerous: Commander Deluxe Edition for £26.79, also a 33% discount.

FORM

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift

Adventure-puzzle title FORM is offering surreal exploration for a discount. The sci-fi puzzler by Charm Games is available for £8.99, a 40% discount off the usual price of £14.99.

Chroma Lab screenshot1

Chroma Lab

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift

For those who miss the gold old days of trippy WinAmp visualisations, this particle physics simulator might just be for you. The recently launched title is being offered for £3.59, a 10% discount on the usual price.

The Sniper VR

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift

As you would expect from a videogame with that title, The Sniper VR is all about cutting down foes from a distance. There’s even a stabilisation system for those who don’t have the steadiest of hands. The Sniper VR can be bought for £8.24, a 25% discount.

Dead Effect 2 VR screenshot

Dead Effect 2 VR

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift

The latest addition to the popular Dead Effect franchise by Badfly Interactive brings the first-person shooter into VR. The title is available to buy for £11.99, a discount of 20% on the usual price.

Final Soccer VR

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift

One for the Football fans (Soccer to our readers in the US). Experience what it is like to be a goalkeeper or striker, hone your skills with animations made my motion capture of real football players. Final Soccer VR is available for £7.49, a 50% discount. Or you can by the VR Arcade bundle with four titles for £24.56, a 56% discount.

A Legend of Luca

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift

A VR rogue-like RPG using Greek/Roman mythology as a basis. Players can pick up one of the ‘weapons of virtue’ and enter procedurally generated dungeons to hunt down evil. A Legend of Luca is available for £7.49 at a 50% discount, or can be bought along with the soundtrack for £9.49, also a 50% discount.

VR Regatta – The Sailing Game

Compatibility: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift

If you’ve ever wanted to go sailing, but live too far from the water, fear not, there is an answer. In VR Regatta – The Sailing Game, players can learn the intricacies of running a sailing yacht without ever getting wet. The title is available for £7.25, a discount of 34%.

Aeon

Compatibility: HTC Vive

A VR shooter title that discards intricate story in favour of fast-paced action. Players start out with a pair of swords and two guns and then are charged with cutting down the enemy, with a bullet-time slow motion mechanic to make things easier. Aeon is available for £15.19, a 20% discount.

August 26, 2017

‘FORM’ Developers Confirm Work on New VR Project

Image courtesy Charm Games

It’s been a good week for fans of FORM: the game has made its way to the Oculus store (and received Rift support on Steam), and now the developers have confirmed work on a new VR project.

Form is the impressive first VR title from developer Charm Games, a first-person puzzle game which immerses players in fantastical, dream like architecture and complex geometric details. The game launched earlier this year on Steam for the Vive, and has been well received with a 93% positive user rating. This week the game also got proper Oculus Rift support on Steam and launched on the Oculus store, with a discount on both.

Now the developers say that, in addition to continuing to support Form, they’re already working on their next VR project.

“[Form] was a true passion project for us,” the developers wrote on the game’s Steam page, “and your encouragement is what keeps us energized to continue supporting FORM and working on new VR experiences.”

We reached out to see if they’d tell us any more on what’s next for the studio:

“Right now our focus is on FORM, but we are in early concept development for our next title,” the studio told Road to VR. “There’s not much to say yet except that it will be another puzzle adventure title and fans of FORM will like it. However, it is not a sequel to FORM.”

We’re hopeful that the studio’s next project will bring with it the same polish as their first title, plus an expanded scope and more challenging puzzles. We’ll be watching closely for when the studio is ready to share more about their next project.

The post ‘FORM’ Developers Confirm Work on New VR Project appeared first on Road to VR.

August 25, 2017

FORM Hits Oculus Rift, Developer Adds new Cortex Mode

Earlier this month VRFocus reported on Charm Games announcing that its HTC Vive puzzle title FORM would be coming to Oculus Rift . That’s now happened, and with it a new gameplay mode and trailer.

FORM now features Cortex Mode, interactive soundtrack where players can relax while listening to the music from FORM in four different ambient spaces.

FORM-L-Screenshot-06

FORM’s story is set in a remote Alaskan research facility, where Dr. Devin Eli is trying to uncover the secrets behind a recently discovered ancient artifact, The Obelisk. Eli is a brilliant physicist who has superhuman powers of geometric visualization – the unintended consequence of a childhood trauma. Delving into the doctors memories, you have to assemble puzzle pieces, unlock doors and open rifts to alternative realities as you try to unlock the secrets of the artifact.

Over the next week, FORM is available for the special price of $11.99 USD, and following the discount the game will be $14.99 on both Oculus and Steam. Charm Games also plans on releasing the title for PlayStation VR in 2018.

Checkout the new trailer for FORM below. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Charm Games, reporting back with further updates.

August 25, 2017

Acclaimed VR Puzzle Game ‘FORM’ Now Available for Oculus Rift

Image courtesy Charm Games

Release in June, FORM is a VR puzzle game which has received top marks for its imposing, dream-like architecture and geometric puzzles. Now the game is available for Oculus Rift via both SteamVR and the Oculus store with a discount for the next week.

Form launched initially on SteamVR in June supporting the HTC Vive. Now developer Charm Games has updated the SteamVR version with proper Oculus Rift support, and also launched the title on the Oculus store. The game also picks up a new “Cortex Mode” which lets players listen to the game’s soundtrack withing the game’s stunning environments. For the next week the game is discounted to $12, and will return to a newly lowered $15 price point thereafter.

Form may be the first VR title from Charm Games, but the clearly talented Vancouver-based studio produced an impressive work which Road to VR’s Scott Haden called a “truly VR-native experience that you’ll have a hard time forgetting.” The game has also managed to hold down an impressive 93% positive user rating on Steam.

Good news for Form fans: the studio says they’re “working on new VR experiences.”

The post Acclaimed VR Puzzle Game ‘FORM’ Now Available for Oculus Rift appeared first on Road to VR.

August 9, 2017August 25, 2017

Rätselspiel FORM für Oculus Rift ist da, Preisaktion [Update]

Das einzigartige Rätselspiel FORM von den Indie-Entwicklern Charm Games erschien offiziell am 1. Juni 2017 auf Steam für die HTC Vive. Dort begeisterte es bereits die größte Zahl der Spieler, wie die vielen positiven Bewertungen zeigen. [Update] Nun ist das Spiel für die Oculus Rift erschienen und günstiger zu haben. Dazu gibt es einen neuen Trailer.

Löst das Rätsel um ein antikes Artefakt in einer surrealen Welt

Inzwischen ist das Rätselspiel Form für die Oculus Rift erschienen. Statt regulär knapp 20 Euro lässt sich das Spiel bis zum 31. August für 11,99 Euro bei Steam oder im Oculus Store erwerben. Nach der Preisaktion kostet der Titel rund 15 Euro. Außerdem haben die Entwickler Form einen neuen Vortex-Modus spendiert, bei dem man den Soundtrack in der surrealistischen Umgebung genießen kann. Das Studio Charm bewirbt die Oculus-Rift-Version mit einem neuen Trailer:

FORM von Charm Games unterscheidet sich von typischen Rätsel- und Puzzlespielen wie GNOG deutlich. Denn die meisten Spiele des Genres sind farbenfroh und laden den Spieler in eine bunte Comicwelt ein. Dagegen bietet FORM eine surreale und dunkle Welt. Im Spiel dreht sich alles um das Rätsel hinter einem antiken Artefakt, das den Spieler an die Grenzen des menschlichen Verstandes bringt.

Ihr schlüpft in die Rolle von Dr. Devin Eli, einem brillanten Wissenschaftler, der bei einem globalen Technikkonzern in einem abgelegenen Labor in Alaska arbeitet. Dabei entschlüsselt er ein Signal, das von einem geheimen Artefakt – dem Obelisken – ausgeht. Dies wäre normalerweise nicht möglich, doch der talentierte Wissenschaftler besitzt durch ein Kindheitstrauma übermenschliche Fähigkeiten: Er ist in der Lage, geometrische Formen zu visualisieren. Diese Fähigkeit hilft ihm bei der Erforschung des Rätsels um den Obelisken, da er dadurch das Signal verfolgen und die entstehenden traumähnlichen Erinnerungen in seinem eigenen Geist entschlüsseln kann.

FORM-Oculus-Rift

Während der Erforschung zeigen sich ihm dabei die Grenzen des menschlichen Geistes auf und es erschließen sich einzigartige Anblicke und Momente. FORM führt den Spieler in eine surreale und einzigartige Umgebung und bietet ihm hierbei auch genug Zeit, um diese zu erkunden. Damit setzt das Spiel auf maximalen Komfort und eine angenehme immersive Erfahrung.

Ab dem 10. August ist FORM für die Oculus Rift erhältlich. Derzeit kostet das Rätselspiel 19.99 Euro auf Steam für die HTC Vive.

[Pricemesh]

(Quellen: VRFocus | Steam | Video: Charm Games Youtube)

Der Beitrag Rätselspiel FORM für Oculus Rift ist da, Preisaktion [Update] zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!

Charm Games Confirm Surreal Puzzler FORM for Oculus Rift

At the start of June, indie developer Charm Games launched its first virtual reality (VR) title onto HTC Vive, a puzzle videogame called FORM. Now the studio has revealed that support will be coming to Oculus Rift in a few days time.

FORM’s story is set in a remote Alaskan research facility, where Dr. Devin Eli is trying to uncover the secrets behind a recently discovered ancient artifact, The Obelisk. Eli is a brilliant physicist who has superhuman powers of geometric visualization – the unintended consequence of a childhood trauma. Delving into the doctors memories, you have to assemble puzzle pieces, unlock doors and open rifts to alternative realities as you try to unlock the secrets of the artifact.

FORM-L-Screenshot-03

VRFocus reviewed FORM, giving it four stars, saying: “Charm Games has created a visual and audible treat for HTC Vive players with puzzles that interlock and expand the world around them.” Or checkout VRFocus‘ gameplay video for an in-depth look at the title.

FORM will be releasing on Oculus Home this Thursday, 10th August, Charm Games confirmed on Twitter. There’s no confirmation of price for this release but as it retails for £14.99 GBP/$19.99 USD on Steam its likely to be similar.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Charm Games, reporting back with further updates.

The Best HTC Vive Games of 2017 so far – FORM & Battlezone

So what has VRFocus got in store for its last two videogames that all HTC Vive owners should have in their libraries? One is a fantastical puzzle experience that’s a visual and audible treat, while the other is one of the best action titles available, they are FORM and Battlezone.

FORM

Puzzle titles are ten a plenty on HTC Vive, ranging from the cute and cuddly to the weird and wonderful. Charm Games’ FORM definitely falls into the latter category, mixing up sci-fi elements with surreal visuals.

Set on a remote Alaskan research facility, you play the role of Dr. Devin Eli, a physicist with superhuman powers of geometric visualization, taking a journey to uncover the secrets behind a recently discovered ancient artifact, The Obelisk. As you explore the strange environments built from Dr. Eli’s memories, dreams and fears you’ll have to assemble puzzle pieces, unlock doors and open rifts to alternative realities.

FORM is one of those videogames that seems short – it’s not a massive RPG by any means – but that’s mainly due to its engrossing nature. It’s completely linear, with one puzzle unlocking the next, but it looks and sounds that gorgeous that you probably won’t care.

Just like Syren it didn’t receive VRFocus‘ top marks in our review, sometimes however that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t try it out, and that definitely goes for FORM.

FORM-VR-Screenshot-02

Battlezone

Lastly VRFocus had to include Rebellion’s tank-based battler Battlezone. It featured on the Oculus Rift best of feature and quite frankly had to appear on here. It’s the only one on the list that’s a dedicated seated experience, requiring a gamepad to play rather than the HTC Vive’s bundled motion controllers but that’s no bad thing.

VRFocus has covered Battlezone quite extensively since it first launched on PlayStation VR last year. If somehow you’ve managed to miss all the coverage, the videogame is a homage to the original 1980 title by Atari where you take control of a heavily armoured tank. Featuring procedurally generated maps that can be made small, medium or large, you’ll have to fight through other tanks, mine layers, gun emplacements, UFO’s and more to succeed.

To aid your destructive onslaught there are a range of tanks to choose from – light, medium and heavy – all with the usual attributes you’d expect for each class. Along the way you’ll be able to collect credits that can be used to swap your weapon load outs, upgrade the tank or by extra lives should you need them.

To say VRFocus enjoyed Battlezone is an understatement. The review gave it five stars and said: “Battlezone is arcade VR action at its finest, with options galore allowing players to uniquely hone their combat strategies. With both extensive single-player and multiplayer modes there’s enough here for countless hours of gameplay, so you can comfortably sit cocooned inside these rolling machines of destruction and never get bored, because quite frankly, it’s too much fun.”

Battlezone image 1

Best HTC Vive Games of 2017 So Far

Enter the Strange and Fantastical World of FORM

Last week Charm Games released its first virtual reality (VR) title for HTC Vive, a bizarre puzzle experience called FORM. Today VRFocus has decided to bring you one of our awesome gameplay videos showcasing what this experience is all about.

FORM is set in a remote research facility with Dr. Devin Eli trying to uncover the secrets behind a recently discovered ancient artifact, The Obelisk. What this means for players is a mind bending journey into his mind, with strange puzzles to solve and memories that slowly reveal the doctors story.

In VRFocus’ recent review FORM was given a 4 star rating, and stated: “Charm Games has created a mesmerising experience from start to finish.”

Checkout VRFocus’ gameplay video below, and for the latest and greatest VR updates from around the world come back everyday.

Review: FORM

Virtual reality (VR) puzzle experiences can offer some of the most engaging and thought provoking challenges, providing a real sense of immersion with gameplay mechanics that truly get players engrossed. Charm Games’ latest title FORM has this in spades, alongside a beautifully surreal visual aesthetic that makes the experience a joy to play.

FORM is an amalgamation of science fiction and the otherworldly possibilities of the mind where you play Dr. Devin Eli, a scientist trying to unlock the secrets of The Obelisk, a recently discovered ancient artifact that could hold clues to life, the universe and everything in between. In unlocking its secrets you’re transported to a plane of existence inside the doctors mind, where his memories are interwoven with abstract puzzles that unlock evermore weird and wonderful imagery.

FORM-VR-Screenshot-02

Charm Games has created a visual and audible treat for HTC Vive players with puzzles that interlock and expand the world around them. The actual puzzle challenges themselves aren’t horrendously difficult by any means, they can range from aligning shapes, or forming patterns, to memory challenges involving music. By taking careful note of your surroundings and the tools presented none of the puzzles should leave you stumped for any length of time – to complete the entire videogame for this review took around an hour.

That might be off putting for a lot of people, if an experience can be completed within such a relatively short length of time, as that can air on the side of a tech demo – previous VRFocus reviews have chastised videogames for being to short – but by the time you’ve finished FORM you’re likely not to be that annoyed with this particular shortcoming due to the quality of the entire experience. In fact you’ll probably start playing it through again just to see if you’ve missed anything – during one segment a small golden present can be found.

FORM makes you feel like you’re inside the puzzle more than anything else, and if you’ve played Fireproof Games’ series of puzzle titles The Room you’ll feel right at home as the first challenge is a puzzle box of sorts – it doesn’t stay that way for long though. As you progress through the videogame you’ll come across snippets of Dr. Eli’s thoughts and memories, fleshing out the backstory somewhat. These thoughts appear as bubbles which become clearer when picked up and elude to a much bigger story arc.

FORM-L-Screenshot-03

As with any decent VR title audio has a primary role to play in the festivities. While subtle and ambient at first, the latter stages unleash into a full crescendo of music and sounds, interplaying with the puzzles for maximum effect. FORM is one of those experiences that makes you realise what a good set of headphones can provide, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

While FORM isn’t perfect, it sure comes close. Yes it’s a bit too easy, and could do with an extra hour or two of gameplay (the latter is really just a moan because you’ll just want more to play), but Charm Games has created a mesmerising experience from start to finish.

80%

Awesome

Verdict

Surreal Puzzler FORM for HTC Vive Arrives with New Launch Trailer

Today, Charm Games will release its first virtual reality (VR) for HTC Vive with FORM, a surreal puzzle experience. And to mark the occasion the studio will be offering a limited time discount as well as a new launch trailer to feast your eyes on.

Set in a remote Alaskan research facility, FORM casts players in the role of Dr. Devin Eli, a physicist with superhuman powers of geometric visualization, taking them on journey to uncover the secrets behind a recently discovered ancient artifact, The Obelisk. As players explore surreal environments built from Dr. Eli’s memories, dreams and fears they’ll have to assemble puzzle pieces, unlock doors and open rifts to alternative realities, delving ever deeper into Dr. Eli’s mind to discover a path towards the doctors true destiny.

FORM-L-Screenshot-01

“FORM is driven by the game’s robust narrative that makes people think more than just how to solve complex puzzles,” said Alan Jernigan, Co-founder of Charm Games. “Story is often an afterthought in VR so we brought it to the forefront in FORM for an even greater emotional experience. However, FORM is still a game at its core so we’ve intertwined our narrative between challenging and, more importantly, entertaining puzzles that we’re sure VR gamers will enjoy.”

For today’s launch FORM has a 25 percent discount available through Steam, dropping the price from $19.99 USD down to $14.99. This offer will only be available until 8th June.

After releasing on HTC Vive, Charm Games will bring the experience to Oculus Rift and Touch in the summer and Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE’s) PlayStation VR in 2018.

Checkout the new trailer below, and for any further updates keep reading VRFocus.