Gungrave VR Confirmed for 2017 Japanese Launch on PlayStation VR

In May Korean publisher Blueside announced a partnership with developer IGGYMOB to create a virtual reality (VR) version of PlayStation 2 title Gungrave for multiple headsets. Now Blueside has revealed that the PlayStation VR version will be released by the end of 2017 – in Japan at least – with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive versions to follow.

Originally developed by Japanese studio Red Entertainment, Gungrave VR will be an optimized version of the original 2002 title – sort of like Rez Infinite – keeping its worldview the same whilst extending the story beyond the sequel, Gungrave: Overdose reports 4Gamer.net.

In a translated statement IGGYMOB’s business general manager Director Shin Aung-chung said: “I am extremely pleased to announce the latest work of Gungrave, which has been loved by many fans, as a game for VR. The dynamics peculiar to the original and brilliant action. We are doing our best to be able to experience it with an amazing immersive feeling unique to VR. I will collaborate with South Korea’s Blue Side, also known as Kingdom Underfire, N3 etc in Japan. We hope to be able to serve with quality that is satisfying to our users.”

Gungrave VR will incorporate what the developers call “full break action” through a third-person perspective and “dynamic shooting” from a first-person perspective. To aid development some of the original team has come on board such as illustrator Yasuhiro Naito and Tsuneo Imahori who was in charge of music.

As yet there’s been no word on a worldwide release, if that does happen VRFocus will let you know.

IGGYMOB’s Gungrave VR Coming to PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive

Today Korean publisher Blueside has announced its collaboration with developer IGGYMOB on a virtual reality (VR) version of Gungrave, a third-person shooter originally developed by Japanese studio Red Entertainment and released for PlayStation 2 in 2002.

For Gungrave VR, IGGYPOP has turned the title into a first-person shooter (FPS) but will still feature elements from the original, with destructible items, stylised action sequences (switching back to third-person) and frantic shooting.

Blueside Gungrave VR

Gungrave VR’s storyline will continue after Gungrave’s sequel Gungrave: Overdose from 2004 reports 2p.com. The title is set to make it public debut in a few weeks, on 16th May in South Korea.

Arayas Seigen, director of business at Ki-mob, said to Ruliweb, (translated from Korean): “I am very pleased that many fans have loved Graves’ latest work as a VR. We are doing our best to experience the unique dynamics and splendid action of VR in the amazing immersion. We are expecting to show satisfactory quality and service as we are collaborating with famous BlueSide of Korea in Japan with ‘Kingdom Under Fire’, ‘N3’ etc, which is based on famous developer such as Netmarble, Sega and Gravity.”

IGGYMOP will launch for PlayStation VR first with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive versions due at a later date. While there’s no confirmation on whether Gungrave VR will see a release outside of South Korea, Blueside has signed the global publishing rights.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of Gungrave VR, reporting back with the latest announcements.