helm systems – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

December 20, 2019

The SoulKeeper: Chronicles Is A New Open-World Dark Fantasy VR RPG

The SoulKeeper game universe from Helm Systems [official website] is something we’ve been covering for over three and a half years and now, a new game is rising in the ashes of its predecessor as SoulKeeper VR is being retired in favor of The SoulKeeper: Chronicles, an open-world dark fantasy RPG playable in both VR and non-VR.

According to the President and Founder of Helm Systems, Myron Mortakis, The SoulKeeper VR is being “discontinued/retired” at the time while it’s still in Early Access. However, the team is building upon that foundation and taking its work into The SoulKeeper: Chronicles. If you already own the current VR version in its Early Access form you’ll receive a free copy of The SoulKeeper: Chronicles when it releases. Reportedly, it’s being planned as a “full game” that is “considerably larger than SoulKeeper VR was ever planned to be” and it will be playable both in third-person non-VR and first-person VR.

If all of this SoulKeeper talk is confusing to you, then I don’t blame you. I’ve re-read the email and press kit information a few times and it’s still a little baffling to me.

Basically, there were always plans for a non-VR SoulKeeper RPG with the VR edition functioning separately. Now, it seems they’ve decided to meld them together as the same game with two different ways of playing the same stories.

The SoulKeeper: Chronicles will feature three single player campaigns that each have a different protagonist with different gameplay and intertwining storylines in three large-scale open world areas. To be honest that format sounds strikingly similar to Asgard’s Wrath, the epic VR RPG from Sanzaru Games and Oculus Studios earlier this year.

Admittedly, this is a bit awkward. We featured The SoulKeeper VR in our E3 VR Showcase earlier this year, but it looks like that specific title is never seeing the light of day. Since it has been in Early Access limbo for so long and is now being discontinued it’s frankly a bit difficult to put faith into The SoulKeeper: Chronicles as something that will ever actually see the light of day — regardless of how impressive it looks visually.

Nevertheless, here’s a big gallery of new The SoulKeeper: Chronicles screenshots, some of which compare the VR and non-VR perspectives:

There’s no release date yet for The SoulKeeper: Chronicles, so let’s hope they’re able to stay on track and bring this project across the finish line this time. It’s a PC-only release witch planned support for all SteamVR PC headsets. Let us know what you think down in the comments below!

The post The SoulKeeper: Chronicles Is A New Open-World Dark Fantasy VR RPG appeared first on UploadVR.

December 20, 2019

The SoulKeeper: Chronicles is the Next Fantasy Adventure From HELM Systems

Florida-based developer HELM Systems has been working on its virtual reality (VR) fantasy adventure The SoulKeeper VR since at least 2015, with a Steam Early Access launch taking place in 2017. Still in early access at present, today the studio has announced its next VR project, expanding that universe further with a whole new experience, The SoulKeeper: Chronicles.

The SoulKeeper: Chronicles

Set to offer a dark open-world role-playing game (RPG), The SoulKeeper: Chronicles will feature three single-player campaigns with interwoven storylines. Each protagonist will feature their own gameplay mechanics inside their own lands to explore.

There’s the Lavordian monk named Isoropos who uses magic, a Bethandrian ranger named Edwyn and Ulvar, a raider hailing from the frozen Baknochtarn north. The world of The SoulKeeper: Chronicles is set in Gerindak and while each character has their own story arc to follow, these will eventually cross over when they need to deal with the dark foe blighting the land, Baron Von Krenaard, a dragon-riding overlord.

HELM Systems has already confirmed that players will have access to fully controllable dragons, horses and ships, both for travel and combat. All interactions also have consequences regardless of the level of importance, so being good or needlessly killing will affect the experience.

The SoulKeeper: Chronicles

Just like the original title The SoulKeeper: Chronicles’ visuals are already gorgeous to look at, with rich open landscapes and detailed interiors with very moody lighting.

“Combining the experience gained with The SoulKeeper VR’s Early Access in 2017, with all the prior non-VR experience dating all the way back to our very humble origins as a total conversion multiplayer mod for Unreal Tournament 2003, we have found a way to properly implement our vision of The SoulKeeper IP as an open-world RPG both for VR and non-VR PC gamers,” says Myron Mortakis, president & founder of HELM Systems in a statement. “We are very excited about this project, because we bring the IP back to the traditional non-VR format, something which many within our following wished for a while now, all while continuing with where we left off with the VR format.”

To mark the announcement of The SoulKeeper: Chronicles, HELM Systems has revealed that if you own the original The SoulKeeper VR – or purchase it by 10th January 2020 – then you will receive a free copy The SoulKeeper: Chronicles upon release. After that January date, The SoulKeeper VR Early Access is being retired.

“We appreciate all those who have been supporting us throughout the early access stages of The SoulKeeper VR and that’s why we will be giving them a free copy of The SoulKeeper: Chronicles upon release. After all The SoulKeeper: Chronicles is a continuation of the story we had started with The SoulKeeper VR but a lot more refined,” adds Mortakis.

There isn’t a release date for the new videogame, so when further details are available VRFocus will let you know.

June 10, 2019

E3 2019: New SoulKeeper VR RPG Gameplay Highlights Impressive Unreal Engine Visuals

We first covered SoulKeeper VR here at UploadVR over three years ago. In that time we’ve seen tons of updates expanding the game’s scope, improving its visuals, and refining the gameplay to a polished balance between action-packed combat and large level exploration. Now today, during the E3 VR Showcase, we showed off a brand new trailer for the dark, Gothic-themed VR RPG epic that makes the game look better than ever.

In the past we’ve compared it to Skyrim and Dark Souls and while some of those comparisons might seem a bit lofty, that’s very much the scope that this time seems to be aiming for. Since we first saw SoulKeeper VR other VR RPGs have hit the market such as Shadow Legend and the upcoming Asgard’s Wrath, but the dark tone is still what helps set SoulKeeper VR apart.

In today’s gameplay trailer you can see a host of new tidbits that we’d never seen before such as horseback riding with mounted combat, riding around on the back of a dragon, and lots of varied environments. It all seems to be coming together well.

However, even though it’s over three years later this still has a strong “work-in-progress” vibe that seems difficult to shake. The game is available in a very rough, Early Access state on Steam currently, but as you can see from the footage today it does look better now.

SoulKeeper VR is being developed with the Unreal Engine by Helm Systems and even after all these years is still one of our most anticipated VR releases.

Tagged with: e3, E3 2019, E3 VR 2019, helm systems, soulkeeper, SoulKeeper VR

The post E3 2019: New SoulKeeper VR RPG Gameplay Highlights Impressive Unreal Engine Visuals appeared first on UploadVR.

December 13, 2018

VR RPG The SoulKeeper VR Will get a new Open World Campaign in 2019

HELM Systems’ virtual reality (VR) role-playing game (RPG) The SoulKeeper VR has had a bit of a mixed response since it launched into Early Access on Steam in 2017. Applauded for its visual quality, the title has suffered from numerous bugs, some of which have slowly been ironed out. Now, the studio has announced plans to release a second version onto Early Access during 2019.

The SoulKeeper VR

Essentially a major update for The SoulKeeper VR, its seems like HELM Systems is giving the title a major overhaul, adding a new open world campaign as well as new mechanics. While improvements are always expected in Early Access titles, the studio has created these new mechanics from scratch, essentially making The SoulKeeper VR almost a new videogame. Whether this will work in its favour remains to be seen, as the title could lose the fans it already has.

Detailing what to expect in a new synopsis, the studio states: “For this second major Early Access release, players will assume the role of Edwyn the Nameless, member of the Nameless Order, a lone warrior on a quest to defend those who cannot defend themselves, venturing in a variety of environments, including towns, castles, dungeons and forests, all filled with exciting adventures.”

Being a VRRPG, The SoulKeeper VR will feature plenty of melee-based combat, with improved physics and AI enemies to deal with. As well as all the hardcore melee weapons you’ll also be able to engage enemies at range with crossbows and traditional bows. There will also be plenty of puzzles to wrap your brain around so that The SoulKeeper VR isn’t just about wanton carnage.

The SoulKeeper VR

HELM Systems hasn’t given a concrete date or launch window for version two to be released in 2019. When those details are released, VRFocus will let you know.

August 11, 2017

The SoulKeeper VR Prepares for Early Access Release With a New Trailer

Way back in 2015 HELM Systems released a very early demo for its fantasy virtual reality (VR) title The SoulKeeper VR for the Oculus Rift DK2 headset. Then last month the studio finally announced that the videogame would be seeing an Early Access release for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive next Tuesday, 15th August. Just to build anticipation even further, today it has now released a new trailer.

Featuring plenty of cinematic’s along with gameplay footage the video isn’t some teaser trailer. Coming in at over two minutes there’s plenty to see and get excited about. From colossal ruins with giant dragon like creatures to confined dungeons and castles with all sorts of magical enemies, The Soul Keeper VR has plenty going on for those who enjoy fantasy style role-playing games (RPGs).

Set in the magical world of Gerindak, players aren’t just one character, playing through the intertwining stories of various characters. They start off as Isoropos, a member of an ancient monastic order called the Lavordians, who must embark on a dangerous quest to investigate rumors surrounding the Mardonians, their hated rivals.

Players will be able to engage in melee combat, cast spells, or shoot arrows, as they try to survive towering beasts and deadly traps. There’s even a chance to get some dragon riding in.

Checkout the trailer below. As for further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

June 23, 2017

‘The SoulKeeper VR’ Gets August 15th Early Access Release Date, New Trailer

Since our preview with the graphically impressive VR RPG The SoulKeeper VR back in April, we’ve been looking forward to the launch of the game. Developer HELM Systems has finally announced that the game will launch in Early Access on August 15th, and have a new trailer to accompany the announcement (heading this article).

The SoulKeeper VR Gets Early Access Release Date

Much-anticipated action RPG title The SoulKeeper VR has finally announced when it will be released on Steam Early Access for HTC Vive and Oculus Rift owners to experience.

Fans of RPGs have been waiting for the title to become available since the first demo back in 2015. Now developers HELM Systems have announced that the title will be launched on Steam Early Access on 15^th August, 2017.

Previously honoured by being presented with an Unreal Developer Grant from Epic Games back in May, The SoulKeeper VR is an action RPG inspired by titles such as The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. Set in a dark fantasy world called Garindak, the player must engage in combat using either melee weapons or spells, solve puzzles, take on powerful boss monsters and explore dungeons, avoiding traps along the way.

There has been some debate in virtual reality (VR) circles recently over the merits of various systems of locomotion in VR titles. Wishing to present players with more choice and offer player comfort to those more sensitive to motion sickness, the developers are planning to include multiple locomotion methods, including controller-based movement, room-scale movement and teleportation, all of which will be available as options so the player can pick whichever suits their preferences.

The Early Access version is planned to contain three large areas, each with 2-3 levels within for a total of eight levels. The Early Access version is planned to be available until Q3 of 2017 so the developers can collect feedback and ideas from the community before turning attention towards the full version.

A release date for the full version of the title is currently uncertain, and a price-point has not yet been set. The developers have indicated, however, that the full version of the title will contain considerably more content, and will therefore have a slightly higher price point that the Early Access version.

An announcement trailer for The SoulKeeper VR is available to view below. Further information can be found on the official Steam page.

VRFocus will continue to bring you news on The SoulKeeper VR once is becomes available.

May 25, 2017

Epic Games’ Latest Unreal Dev Grants Include 7 VR Studios

Epic Games’ Unreal Dev Grants began back in 2016 as a $5 million USD initiative awarding developers with funding for contributions to the Unreal Engine community. In this latest round, 17 projects have received a total of $275,000, seven of which are virtual reality (VR) related.

The projects cover a range of genres – mostly videogames – with film and community support also included. Ape Law’s psychological horror title Albino Lullaby is the first on the list. The first episode arrived for HTC Vive last year, with Oculus Rift support added afterwards. Episode two is scheduled to release later this year.

The Soulkeeper VR

Cooperative Innovations’ Raiders of Erda is a VR role-playing game (RPG) experience that was announced earlier this year. The videogame features a complex combat system and an alpha is expected in 2017.

The Soulkeeper VR by Helm Systems is an episodic dark fantasy RPG that’s due to arrive on Steam Early Access. It will offer a variety of combat styles and mechanics, including melee, spell casting, combat with staff and ranged.

From New Reality Co comes Tree, a VR experience shown at VRLA, the Tribeca Film Festival, and Cannes that uses sight, sound, touch and smell to explore the lifecycle of a rainforest tree from a seedling to full-grown state to unfortunate human consumption.

A studio to be directly award is New Zealand-based realityvirtual.co. The company specialises in new media, including drone UAV cinematography and VR, with its most recent project MANA VR currently touring several events.

Lastly there’s MGS Studios, a developer behind the creation of several Robo Recall mods, such as a locomotion mod that changes how the game is played and a Star Wars mod.

VRFocus will continue its coverage of the Unreal Dev Grants, reporting back with the latest VR recipients.

April 2, 2017

Visually Stunning RPG SoulKeeper VR Continues to Impress With Latest Updates

There aren’t a whole lot of big, massive, graphically powerful roleplaying games (RPGs) in the works for VR systems right now. We’ve gotten a handful of teases about what an RPG might look like in VR, such as with Vanishing Realms, but none that have tried to establish a massive, sprawling world with AAA-quality visuals powered by something as robust as the Unreal Engine. As a result, that’s exactly what HELM Systems are aiming to create with SoulKeeper VR.

I’ve written about the game twice before when it was announced almost a year ago and from an updated demo back in November. From what I’ve seen up until this point it certainly has the visuals and world-building down. Until now though, I wasn’t sold on how the mechanics would fit into an actual game. You’ll notice the footage below looks a little blurry, but that’s mostly due to the developer lowering the settings a bit to ensure the cleanest footage. The demo I tried looked much sharper and closer in quality to the screenshots included throughout this article.

Previously the versions of the game I played were mostly just glorified tech demos. I got to walk around a room at first, shooting spells and fighting a few dumb enemies, then eventually shot down some baby drakes while exploring a tower. But now — with this latest pre-Early Access build of the game — it’s starting to actually come together. There is an inventory system, I solved puzzles, I fought different types of enemies, combat involved strategy, and there was more than one environment to see.

SoulKeeper VR is actually starting to look like a real game. It’s nowhere near the scale seen in AAA productions outside of VR, but it offers the type of polish and visual splendor we don’t see in VR experiences much yet.

At the core of SoulKeeper VR is the balance between your spells, staff, and sword. You can reach back and equip your sword in your right hand and do the same with your staff in your left hand. If a hand is empty you can either draw a rune in the air (L is a fireball, \/ is lightning bolts, /\ is a slippery ice floor spell) to equip the corresponding power. Either hand can cast spells if it’s free. With the staff, you have to find runes in the world to slot into the handle that imbue it with different powers, such as massive firestorms. All in all you’ve got a lot of options in combat.

Movement is a lot easier now as well, as you can freely move around with full locomotion using the left trackpad or teleport by pointing and using the grip button. I found that I used free locomotion while exploring and maneuvering in battle but would often resort to teleporting if I got cornered by enemies or needed to deftly evade projectiles.

It’s also worth stressing that this is definitely a full 360 game that takes full advantage of the entire play space. When you’re engaged in melee combat enemies will sidestep around you, block attacks, and try to find an opening. They don’t just stand there, dumb, waiting for you to swing. The lack of real feedback and resistance when you swing and hit armor or hit their sword will forever limit the satisfaction of melee combat in VR, but SoulKeeper does about as good a job as any game I’ve played in a headset thus far.

That being said, the animations do still need some work. They’re definitely improved over what they were when the game was first making the rounds last year and the ridiculous ragdoll effects on death are knocked down a few notches, but it still comes across as a bit silly. And while the A.I. is certainly better on the enemies I fought, some units just stood around without moving still. However, this is still in an alpha state, pre-Early Access, so all of that stuff is being actively worked on.

This isn’t going to compete on the same scale as games like Fallout 4 VR or with the likes of Dark Souls and The Elder Scrolls, but it evokes a similar feeling. It’s a more tightly crafted adventure with smaller rooms and more focused mechanics, but the awe-inspiring world that surrounds you is still there, begging to be explored.

If SoulKeeper VR sounds appealing to you then there are plenty of other projects I can recommend you keep an eye on. Both OrbusVR and Redemption’s Guild offer a more light-hearted co-op approach with whimsical visuals while Raiders of Erda and Karnage Chronicles both deliver a more realistic tone with co-op gameplay as well. Then there is of course The Mage’s Tale, a classic-style dungeon crawler with lots of content, although an admittedly slower-paced tile-by-tile movement system.

And while SoulKeeper VR is squarely focused on delivering a big single player world to explore, the diversity already available in the market proves the interest for VR RPGs is certainly alive and well.

HELM Systems is currently planning on releasing SoulKeeper VR into Early Access within the next few months during Spring 2017 for both HTC Vive and Oculus Rift with Touch. Among the features I haven’t gotten to see yet that will presumably be in the game upon Early Access’ release include more spells, more items, more enemies, more levels, and actual dialogue with NPCs.

Is SoulKeeper VR on your radar of upcoming games? Let us know what you think down in the comments below!

Tagged with: helm systems, SoulKeeper VR