One of VR’s earliest archery games makes its way to Quest. What do we make of it? Find out in our Holopoint Oculus Quest review!
Holopoint is one of those games I’ve really been holding out for on Oculus Quest. I’ve always enjoyed the PC VR version of this archery wave shooter, which supplants its simplicity with a demanding workout, but its true enemy was the wire running back to your PC.
It threatened to tug and trip as you rapidly span on the spot, hitting holographic targets with precision and then throwing yourself out of the way of return fire. In fact, it was a big enough obstacle to occasionally cost you entire runs through the 30-wave structure, ruining your high scores. On Quest, however, there’s no more room for excuses.
Only now are you finally free to play Alzan Studios’ beast of a bow and arrow game the way it feels intended. But Holopoint’s Quest version does also arrive well over four years on from its initial release, and is undeniably on the simple side, with arcade roots pushing you towards high scores rather than any sense of story or progression.
So, yes, Holopoint remains as straight-forward as its ever been. Its initial batch of waves start out slow, with floating cubes forcibly making you duck and weave when they spit attacks back at you. Gradually, you’re introduced to new challenges, like targets that leap into the air when shot and will fire back if they hit the ground before a second arrow strikes them, or an army of holographic samurai that march in for the kill.
But it prides itself on never letting up; there are few VR games that will make as aggressive demands of you as this, ordering immediate spins on the spot, getting you to throw yourself left and right. Get hit three times and it’s all over, making a full 30-wave run one of the biggest challenges inside a headset (I’ve made it to wave 15 so far). Certain checkpoints will let you start over at set waves, though you’ll lose the chance to really maximize your place on the scoreboard.
15 minutes of Holopoint will leave you both sweaty and, in all likelihood more than a little dizzy. I get – with ease – a better workout out of it than some fully dedicated fitness VR apps, in fact. But it’s absolutely a game to be played in short, intense bursts; towards the end of one 30 minute session one wave saw me spin in one direction for 10 consecutive targets. I had to take my Quest straight off and go lay down for a while after that.
Even with the benefits of the Quest, though, Holopoint still feels like a game that will get progressively much more handle-able as headsets continue to get lighter and more comfortable. I want to get fully rid of that lurch in my stomach after 10 minutes of jolting my head back and forth, and it doesn’t feel like we’re quite there yet. Until we are, this is definitely one to play sparingly.
Holopoint Oculus Quest Review Final Impressions
Holopoint isn’t the deepest VR game out there, but its punishing challenge and exhausting physicality make it a worthy addition for any fitness-minded VR fans. Just take caution to pace yourself and find a big play space, because the game has little concern for neither limited room nor your sense of balance. If you’re looking for a VR workout that does a suitable job of gamifying its challenge and making it addictive enough to return time and again, this is a solid choice.
Holopoint: Oculus Edition is available now from the Quest store. For more on how we arrived at this score, check out our review guidelines. Like out Holopoint Oculus Quest review? Let us know in the comments below!
Our VR fitness prayers have been answered; a Holopoint Oculus Quest version is coming soon.
The game was recently listed in the ‘Coming Soon’ section on the Oculus Quest store. Developer Alzan Studios hasn’t shared an exact release date, but games that reach the Coming Soon section are usually just a few weeks out from release. Check out the trailer for the PC VR sequel, Holopoint Chronicle, below.
Holopoint Oculus Quest Confirmed
Holopoint first came to PC VR headsets years back and offers one of the most physically demanding experiences you’ll find in VR. You wield a bow and arrow and must shoot holographic targets in a dojo. But, once you hit a target, it will fire back at you before disappearing. You’ll need to lean out of the way, and there’s only limited room for error. Plus, any targets left to linger too long will also fire at you.
This makes for an incredibly intense experience that has you spinning on the spot and ducking out of the way over and over again. To this day it remains one of the most exhausting VR games and we’ve long wanted to see it on Quest, where the lack of wires should give players the confidence to do all those spins.
Indeed, the description for the game notes that it was “designed so that only a few determined archers will reach the last wave.”
We reviewed Holopoint’s surprise sequel on PC early last year. “Holopoint Chronicle is a fitting follow-up to a VR fitness gem with some welcome additions,” we said. “This remains one of VR’s most engaging active games even if it requires a strong stomach (in more ways than one).”
Will you be picking up Holopoint Oculus Quest? Let us know in the comments below!
The cord-free, standalone Meta Quest system is one of the best options for VR fitness, exercise and workout routines. Here are our picks the best Quest 2 fitness and exercise apps to get your blood pumping.
[This article was originally published in March 2020. It was edited and updated in March 2021 and again in February 2022.]
The following list is in no particular order, however there are two general categories of apps on the list.
The first category is apps that are specifically designed for working out in VR — usually with specifically designed sessions that you follow for a workout session.
The second is incidental workout apps — apps and experiences that weren’t designed specifically for working out, but can be used in such a way because they get the blood pumping enough when played at a high intensity.
Despite all these new additions, the basic premise has always remained the same — it’s features rhythm-based boxing, dance and HIIT routines that gives you points for speed and accuracy. In July last year, the app also added a bunch of notable artists to its music catalog, including Calvin Harris and Tiesto.
FitXR is free to download on the Quest Store, with a subscription-based service in place for access to workouts. There’s a 7-day free trial for new users.
Let’s not beat around the saber – initially, Supernatural started out as a fitness-focused Beat Saber clone. Notes fly at you in time with music, which you have to hit in-time using bats and occasionally you’ll be forced to squat to avoid obstacles. However, the service has since added new boxing workout as well, expanding its offering of guided coach workouts.
Every 24 hours, there’s a new workout playlist/routine for you to run through. The aim is to get you sweating with big arm swings and quick squats. The better you perform, the harder the routine will get, thanks to Supernatural’s adaptive difficulty.
Supernatural is free to download on Quest, but is only currently available in select regions. Access to workouts uses a subscription pricing model, with a free trial period for new users.
One of the newer entries on the list, Les Mills Bodycombat is an attractive option for those looking to avoid a subscription model.
The app is brought to you by the Les Mills brand, which has gyms globally as well as a substantial online workout offering. The Quest Bodycombat app adapts one of these online workout classes into 30 boxing workouts for VR, available as a one-off purchase.
You’ll be punching and squatting to the beat of the music, with the option to select a playlist between five and 20 minutes. It’s not the most original VR workout option, but it gets the basics right in a polished experience available for a one-time price.
If you’re looking to pair a physical fitness machine with a virtual workout, then Holofit is one of two apps that lets you do so. The app pairs your headset with compatible bikes, elipticals and rowing machines, allowing you to use your physical machines in a virtual location.
However, even without any machines, the app also has HIIT, fat burn and time-attack programs that see you recreate skiing, running or cycling using movements with the Touch controllers.
Holofit is available on Quest via a yearly or monthly subscription model with a 7-day trial for new users.
VZFit
Another option for connecting physical machines and fitness trackers, VZFit uses Google Street View to let you virtually exercise anywhere you want. The app has Strava and Fitbit support, alongside connectivity with “most smart bike devices and trainer sensors.”
There’s also full body workouts and support for an optional cadence sensor, which you’ll have to buy separately, that allows you to connect a stationary exercise bike that’s missing smart bike functionality.
VZFit is available for Quest with a 7-day free trial and $9.99 monthly subscription.
Beat Saber was definitely never intended to be used as a workout app, but there’s a significant amount of people who use it for just that. A couple of levels on Expert or Expert+ in Beat Saber will get your heart rate pumping like there’s no tomorrow.
Beat Saber is available for Oculus Quest for $29.99.
Synth Riders is, yes, another VR rhythm game and while it takes some visual notes from Beat Saber and other entries in the genre, the gameplay is quite different. You’ll hit floating spheres to the rhythm of the music, and move your hands in circular or curved motions to follow tails that fly off each sphere. It’s similar in concept to other rhythm games, but with its own spin.
The game has implemented a variety of fitness-focused features, such as a calorie counter and a fitness update that arrived earlier this year and included live VR workout sessions, guided by a trainer.
Jamie described this game as “Beat Saber for your body” and said it was a “genuinely authentic fitness game.” It’s not a workout in the traditional sense, but it will get your blood flowing as you throw your body around to the music, fitting and moving yourself into all different shapes.
With the intensity ramped up, you might end up burning calories faster than some of the other fitness games on this list.
Pistol Whip might seem like a strange entry for a VR exercise list at first, but play a couple of the levels on harder difficulty and you’ll quickly see how Pistol Whip could qualify as a workout. The ducking and constant quick movements will have your glutes and quads burning after a long session.
While not designed as a fitness app, Until You Fall is a VR roguelike that will have you hacking and slashing in heart-racing melee combat. At its most intense, the game should offer you something comparable to a light upper body workout. That being said, its roguelike mechanics means it’s more game-y than other entries on this list. If you’re looking for something fun to play that also gives you a bit of a workout along the way, Until You Fall might be best.
There are a number of boxing games available on the Quest, but The Thrill of the Fight uses mechanics that aims to be more of a true-to-life simulator in a boxing ring, as opposed to a workout-first approach to VR boxing. A few rounds in the ring and you’ll be sweating profusely. We definitely prefer this one over Creed VR on Quest.
Oculus Move isn’t a VR workout app, but rather a feature that will let you track your progress, workouts and calories burned while in VR. It was announced in 2020 at Facebook Connect and should work Quest-wide on all of your apps. It’s a good option to natively track your fitness and workout sessions in VR across all activity on Quest.
Oculus Move can be enabled in the Quest system settings.
What are you favorite Quest exercise apps that keep you active in a VR workout session? Let us know in the comments.
Many years ago, virtual reality (VR) was simply a fantasy. One of the first times it was ever described was back in 1936 by a science fiction writer. But now, many people use VR headsets tethered to smartphones, gaming consoles, and PCs. In fact, research firm KZero estimates that there could be over 171 million people who will use VR software and hardware next year.
When it comes to playing games, nothing can beat the experience of virtual reality gaming. With VR headsets and other gear, you are not just playing a game, but it feels like you are IN the game. There are a lot of games you can play with your VR and among them are indie games created by independent developers or sometimes, a small team of developers. Here are the best indie games you should definitely play on PC with your VR:
Holopoint
Developed by Alzan Studios, Holopoint is for gamers who are into archery. Real life archery can be expensive or perhaps your schedule does not permit you to play the sport. Instead of going to an archery range, you can just play Holopoint. This indie VR game gives you the chance to fire away one arrow after another whenever you want.
Holopoint is an action-packed game where you play the hero. Your task is to fight several waves of enemies with your bow and arrow. The waves get harder as you complete each of the levels. This indie VR game is for you if you want some archery madness coming your way.
Raw Data
Raw Data is an indie game that is actually quite successful. It was the first VR best-selling game on Steam. It is a hit sci-fi game that quickly got the attention of VR gamers. Raw Data by Survios is a strategy or shooter game set in a futuristic world.
As the player of the game, you will be given two choices on which hero to play, whether it is Saija the Cyber Ninja or Bishop the Gun Cleric. Once you have selected the hero you will play as; you will have to infiltrate the evil Eden Corp. Your mission, which is to steal data to destroy the company, is not easy because you have to be prepared for the many enemies waiting for you.
Vanishing Realms
Here is another great indie game that you can play with your VR headset on PC. Vanishing Realms is a fun RPG game that is developed by Indimo Labs. The game has good motion controls that allow players to explore a different kind of world where they can also test their battling skills. The enemies include life-sized monsters, which you will have to beat while you continue with your given tasks.
You do not have to be an RPG fan to like this game. It is a single-player game where you get to travel various locales in the virtual world and fight monsters as you go along. It is like a mash-up of Skyrim and The Legend of Zelda with highly responsive controls for your adventure.
The Brookhaven Experiment
The Brookhaven Experiment is from the developer Phosphor Games. If you are a fan of horror games or you are brave enough to face any horrific scene on VR, this game is recommended for you. In The Brookhaven Experiment, your goal is to survive the game. Some weapons and tools will help you live through the whole game, but it is up to you how you use them against the monsters.
The game also gives the players a chance to discover how the unfortunate event happened where zombies have started appearing in town. Aside from that, you could even stop the strange events from happening if you figure out some important things in the game. Just like Vanishing Realms, The Brookhaven Experiment is a single player game. It is certainly not for the faint-hearted because of the graphics and the realistic sound. If you are a horror-junkie though, you should definitely add this game to your collection.
Hover Junkers
If you are looking for a first-person shooter game, Hover Junkers may be what you want to play what your VR today. Developed by Stress Level Zero, Hover Junkers is set in a futuristic time and place where everything on earth has degraded. In the game, you will play as one of the junk hunters where you will find as many scraps as you can.
There are almost 20 ships that you can choose from. They range in size from small to really huge ships. You will use these ships when you go to the multiplayer arena of the game where you will need to fight against enemy players. Your chosen ship can be fortified using the scraps that you have found, which is why it is important that you keep looking for them.
Redefine your way of playing indie games with the help of your VR equipment. Connect your VR to your PC and start playing the games above.
Vanishing Realms