It’s a busy time to be a PSVR fan! There’s a healthy amount of games on offer for Sony’s headset this week, and some of them are really worth checking out. If you’re a fan of shooting things then we’ve got plenty to check out. If you’re a fan of wall-crawling… well maybe still skip Spider-Man VR.
If you missed the previous entry of this list you can see those new releases here. UploadVR has launched the ‘UploadVR PS VR Community’ on PlayStation 4! Join up, find other gamers to play with, and engage in discussions with them.
Also, don’t forget to check out our list of the 9 Best PlayStation VR Games if you need any extra inspiration.
Arizona Sunshine, from Vertigo Games and Jaywalkers Interactive
Price: $39.99 (currently discounted)
If you’ve been craving another full FPS following Farpoint then Arizona Sunshine is here to answer the call. Wake up in the middle of a zombie apocalypse in the heat of the Arizona desert and make your way through its canyons as you fend off hordes of the undead. Supports PS Move, DualShock 4, and the PSVR Aim Controller.
Recommendation: The game’s definitely watered down from its PC release, but it’s still a lot of fun. Grab it.
Ancient Amuletor, from Ti Games
Price: $19.99 (currently discounted)
A tower defense game where you are the tower. Choose from a handful of classes and defend a series of crystals from incoming enemies using guns, spells, or a bow and arrow. Cooperative multiplayer for up to four people gives the game a social edge and the PlayStation Move controls put you in the experience more completely.
Recommendation: Amuletor is fun, though it’s a little light on content.
Spider-Man: Homecoming VR Experience
Price: Free
It’s finally time to put on the webs and become Spider-Man for the first time in VR. This tie-in experience to the upcoming Homecoming movie gives you just a taste of what it’s like to be Peter Parker, letting you fire off different types of webs and have a close encounter with the villainous Vulture.
Recommendation: Sadly, the Spider-Man experience isn’t really worth checking out even though it’s free. It’s short and uninspired.
Cavernous Wastes, from Pounching Kitten Games
Price: $9.99
This one’s probably going to slip under your radar, but if you like six degrees of freedom (6DOF) shooters then it may be worth checking out. Jump into a vehicle and explore maze-like caverns, fighting off enemies. Visually it’s not very impressive but its gameplay could be a winner for the right person.
Recommendation: Fans of the 6DOF shooters should check it out.
This week’s collection of new releases isn’t as overwhelming as last week, but there are a couple gems to be found. First up you’ll be clean out a monster-infested ship in intense sci-fi shooter Dead Effect 2. On the other side of the scale, you can run your own rice bowl dish shop in Counter Fight: Samurai Edition as you cook and serve food as quickly as you can.
We also have a top list of the absolute best HTC Vive games — which is updated every few months with the latest and greatest options.
New HTC Vive Releases on Steam
Reaping Rewards, from Limitless Ltd
Price: Free To Play
Reaping Rewards is a narrative-driven experience where your emotional choices will propel the story forward. You play as an apprentice Grim Reaper on your first day of training and your choices will shape who you become.
Recommendation: Definitely give this a go for zero dollars.
Vehicle VR, from Nick Helweg
Price: $1.79 (Currently Discounted)
Vehicle VR is a motor-powered puzzle game that aims to be rage inducing. You complete levels by getting your vehicle to the finish box at the end and must use quick reflexes and awareness to do so. Can you get the fastest time in the world?
Recommendation: Unique puzzle game at a cheap price.
69 Ways To Kill A Zombie, from Wadup Games
Price: $19.99
69 Ways gives you over 60 tools including guns, explosives, traps, swords, bows, and spears to use as you grind through hordes of zombies. The game uses LOCOmotion which has you swinging your hands to move around the virtual space.
Recommendation: The game has some bugs to get worked out, but keep an eye on it and possibly grab it during a sale.
Operation Baba Yaga, from Bravewitches VR Production Committee
Price: $15.29 (Currently Discounted)
Operation Baba Yaga welcomes the Brave Witches to VR where you fly high above Eastern Europe and defeat your enemy. This is more of a passive movie with interactive elements than an all-out game.
Recommendation: Worth a look for fans of the series it’s based on.
ObserVRtarium, from NSC Creative
Price: Free To Play
ObserVRtarium is an immersive virtual museum with a collection of objects centered on outer space. The developers want to provide an experience that works well in homes but can also be used at brick and mortar museums and attractions.
Recommendation: It’s in Early Access, but definitely check it out for free.
Ski Jump VR, from Pixel Perfect Dude
Price: $4.99
Ski Jump is a VR extension of the mobile game by the same name. The current version includes 2 hills and 3 jumping modes with realistic physics, but the final game aims to include 10 hills by release.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on this one during Early Access.
Caelum: Into the Sky Volume 1, from Digital Realms Ltd
Price: $5.94 (Currently Discounted)
Caelum is an adventure game where you journey through a world of wonder and treasures. There are many secrets to be uncovered, puzzles to complete, and mysteries to unravel once you explore the secret laboratory. The game will feature 6 episodes in its final form.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on the visually impressive puzzler as it evolves throughout Early Access.
Dead Effect 2 VR, from BadFly Interactive, a.s.
Price: $17.99 (Currently Discounted)
This sequel brings back some fresh and intense sci-fi shooting. You have single-player missions along with co-op and you have a character you develop with various weapons, gear, and body implants to utilize as you clean out a monster-infested ship.
Recommendation: This is a polished and visually appealing title you should add to your collection.
Battle Dome, from Bad Bird Studios
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Battle Dome is a virtual shootout where you take on other players individually or as a team. Engage in 5v5 sci-fi action where you must get to the opponent’s base and destroy their core before they do the same to yours. With 23 weapons and 15 maps, you’ll have quite a bit of content to keep yourself entertained.
Recommendation: Definitely check this one out. It’s been around a while and is now out of Early Access.
Virush, from Arcturus
Price: $5.39 (Currently Discounted)
VIRUSH is an arcade-style experience with a high-energy electronic soundtrack accenting your defense against viruses. You’ll move like a classic snake game as you collect data packets by running over or encircling them before time expires and they become infected.
Recommendation: In need of classic style play? Grab this one.
Bubble Labs VR, from Kishan Emens, Tavius Woods
Price: $2.99
If you’re looking for a simple way to introduce someone to VR gaming mechanics and immersion, Bubble Labs VR is for you. In it, you create and experiment with liquid particle physics and vibrant colors.
Recommendation: This is a good entry for the uninitiated or children.
Darknet, from E McNeill
Price: $9.89 (Currently Discounted)
Darknet is a puzzler where you play as a hacker within a virtual space that represents the Net. Use viruses, worms, and exploits to steal the data before you get tracked.
Recommendation: One of VR’s first great puzzle games on Gear VR is now on Vive. Recommended!
Toy Plane Heroes, from Oasis VR
Price: $7.49 (Currently Discounted)
In Toy Plane Heroes you and a few friends engage in a unique dogfighting game where you pilot toy planes. There’s a great sense of scale as a toy plane in a large room.
Recommendation: It’s a cool little game worth playing for flight fans. Lots of potential for future growth.
VR Theme Park Rides, from EnsensSoft
Price: $3.99 (Currently Discounted)
VR Theme Park Rides is a collection of twelve mini-games centered on theme park attractions. There’s a Castle of Terror, Roller Coaster, Bumper Cars, and a more for you to try out.
Recommendation: There’s potential for motion sickness, but it’s a decent and visually solid collection of experiences for the price.
VR Slugger: The Toy Field, from Poly Poly Games
Price: $10.79 (Currently Discounted)
VR Slugger is a robust batting experience inspired by the Japanese board game Yakyuban. There’s a puzzle mode where you must hit the ball to a specific target and a time attack where you hit as many home runs as you can in 30 seconds in order to climb the leader boards. There are also 8 unique bats for you to use and unlock.
Recommendation: Take a look at this if your other batting experiences have gotten boring.
Airtone, from historia Inc
Price: $24.89 (Currently Discounted)
Airtone is rhythm action where you move your hands to match the markers moving toward you and then shake, trace, or the pull the triggers to catch them in time. As you progress you’ll interact with your android friend Neon and unravel the story.
Recommendation: This is a high-quality rhythm game that stands out from others. Give it a go.
Power Solitaire VR, from Parkerhill Reality Labs
Price: $4.99
Classic Klondike Solitaire comes to VR in Power Solitaire VR where you play alone, against an intelligent robot, or online against up to three others. There are a few surprises along the way as well.
Recommendation: It’s a very solid solitaire experience to add to your library, but nothing new.
Counter Fight: Samurai Edition, from Tricol Co., Ltd.
Price: $7.99 (Currently Discounted)
Ever want to run your own rice bowl shop? Well now you can in this fast-paced experience where you must cook a variety of dishes and get to them your eccentric customers as quickly as possible. There’s an endless challenge mode and a timed 5-minute challenge as well.
Recommendation: It’s a fun experience that gets a bit of a sweat going. Check it out.
Disco Time 80s VR, from Indiecode Games
Price: $1.99
Want to bust a move? Turn on Disco Time 80s VR and hit the dance floor. This game includes nine 80s style tracks and a disco dance floor. You can also listen to your own music.
Recommendation: Pass on this one.
Verto Studio VR, from Verto Studio LLC
Price: $20.09 (Currently Discounted)
Verto Studio is a fully-capable 3D modeling studio that you can run entirely while in VR. Import FBX, OBJ, DAE, or other formats and configure every detail of display down to the individual polygons. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll be able to manipulate and create 3D scenes from scratch using a plethora of tools.
Recommendation: There’s a really pointed interest required for this experience but, if you’re into it, it’s a robust tool for you to create with.
Lathe Safety Simulator, from [Too Many Names to List Here]
Price: Free
Lathe Safety Simulator teaches you how to operate industrial lathe with a lower chance of injury. You’ll be guided through the operation while also learning the major parts and pieces that make it work.
Recommendation: This could serve as another example for industrial companies that promotes the use of VR for training. Check it out.
The Existence Abstract, from Soukdee Games
Price: $12.99
The Existence Abstract is a procedurally generated shooter that adopts rogue-like elements for its gameplay. You’ll navigate a grid-like maze, dodge traps, utilize over 70 items, and take down enemies as you explore the Abstract.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on it and grab it during a decent sale.
VR Sushi Bar, from mikai inc.
Price: $9.99
VR Sushi Bar is a sushi chef simulator where you must prepare and plate sushi, pour the tea, and serve your customers with no errors or delays.
Recommendation: Pass on this one.
New HTC Vive Releases on Viveport
Cabinet Model Room, from Fuqing City
Price: Free
Cabinet Model Room is an effort to curb the costs of setting up such a project by giving you a virtual template to customize before spending money on materials and labor.
Recommendation: If you have a similar project coming up, definitely give this a go.
We’ve got ourselves a cross-platform party this week. There’s only a few games out on Oculus Home for Rift, and they both appear on Gear VR too. Gear also has a number of other interesting releases this week that we’ve highlighted below.
Witchblood, from Hidden Path Entertainment
Price: $7.99 (Rift, Gear)
Here’s a surprise new release from Oculus Studios and Hidden Path Entertainment, the developers of the upcoming Brass Tactics. Witchblood is described as a Metroidvania game done for VR, which has us very intrigued. It’s a throwback to the gamepad on Rift, too.
Recommendation: Definitely work taking a look at this one.
Zero Days, from Scatter
Price: $2.99 (Gear) $9.99 (Rift, Currently available for free)
This is an interesting companion piece to the Zero Days documentary that was nominated for an Oscar. It explores the future of modern warfare in ways you might not expect, focusing on cyber attacks. This could be quite a scary watch but it sounds intriguing all the same.
Recommendation: Definitely grab it while it’s free.
Hello Mars, from UCCVR Experience Lab
Pirce: $4.99 (Gear, currently discounted to $2.99)
You can never have too many Mars VR apps, and Hello Mars looks like a well-polished one for Gear VR. Take a trip to the red planet and get a glimpse of its surface in this well-made app.
Recommendation: If you haven’t been to Mars in VR yet, now’s a good time to jump in.
Titantic, from Unimersive
Price: $9.99 (Gear)
It feels like this accurate recreation of the legendary vessel has been a long time coming, but it’s finally here. Explore the Titantic like never before inside the Gear VR. Leonardo DiCaprio not included.
Recommendation: For history buffs.
Rocket Carz Racing, from OKIGAMES
Price: $1.99 (Gear)
Old meets new in this retro sci-fi racer where classic cars get a tune up like never before. Race down highways with third-person gameplay. It can be controlled with your touchpad or the new controller.
Recommendation: Racing fans give it a go.
New Oculus Rift Releases on Steam
Reaping Rewards, from Limitless Ltd
Price: Free To Play
Reaping Rewards is a narrative-driven experience where your emotional choices will propel the story forward. You play as an apprentice Grim Reaper on your first day of training and your choices will shape who you become.
Recommendation: Definitely give this a go for zero dollars.
Vehicle VR, from Nick Helweg
Price: $1.79 (Currently Discounted)
Vehicle VR is a motor-powered puzzle game that aims to be rage inducing. You complete levels by getting your vehicle to the finish box at the end and must use quick reflexes and awareness to do so. Can you get the fastest time in the world?
Recommendation: Unique puzzle game at a cheap price.
69 Ways To Kill A Zombie, from Wadup Games
Price: $19.99
69 Ways gives you over 60 tools including guns, explosives, traps, swords, bows, and spears to use as you grind through hordes of zombies. The game uses LOCOmotion which has you swinging your hands to move around the virtual space.
Recommendation: The game has some bugs to get worked out, but keep an eye on it and possibly grab it during a sale.
Operation Baba Yaga, from Bravewitches VR Production Committee
Price: $15.29 (Currently Discounted)
Operation Baba Yaga welcomes the Brave Witches to VR where you fly high above Eastern Europe and defeat your enemy. This is more of a passive movie with interactive elements than an all-out game.
Recommendation: Worth a look for fans of the series it’s based on.
ObserVRtarium, from NSC Creative
Price: Free To Play
ObserVRtarium is an immersive virtual museum with a collection of objects centered on outer space. The developers want to provide an experience that works well in homes but can also be used at brick and mortar museums and attractions.
Recommendation: It’s in Early Access, but definitely check it out for free.
Ski Jump VR, from Pixel Perfect Dude
Price: $4.99
Ski Jump is a VR extension of the mobile game by the same name. The current version includes 2 hills and 3 jumping modes with realistic physics, but the final game aims to include 10 hills by release.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on this one during Early Access.
Dead Effect 2 VR, from BadFly Interactive, a.s.
Price: $17.99 (Currently Discounted)
This sequel brings back some fresh and intense sci-fi shooting. You have single-player missions along with co-op and you have a character you develop with various weapons, gear, and body implants to utilize as you clean out a monster-infested ship.
Recommendation: This is a polished and visually appealing title you should add to your collection.
Battle Dome, from Bad Bird Studios
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Battle Dome is a virtual shootout where you take on other players individually or as a team. Engage in 5v5 sci-fi action where you must get to the opponent’s base and destroy their core before they do the same to yours. With 23 weapons and 15 maps, you’ll have quite a bit of content to keep yourself entertained.
Recommendation: Definitely check this one out. It’s been around a while and is now out of Early Access.
Toy Plane Heroes, from Oasis VR
Price: $7.49 (Currently Discounted)
In Toy Plane Heroes you and a few friends engage in a unique dogfighting game where you pilot toy planes. There’s a great sense of scale as a toy plane in a large room.
Recommendation: It’s a cool little game worth playing for flight fans. Lots of potential for future growth.
VR Theme Park Rides, from EnsensSoft
Price: $3.99 (Currently Discounted)
VR Theme Park Rides is a collection of twelve mini-games centered on theme park attractions. There’s a Castle of Terror, Roller Coaster, Bumper Cars, and a more for you to try out.
Recommendation: There’s potential for motion sickness, but it’s a decent and visually solid collection of experiences for the price.
Power Solitaire VR, from Parkerhill Reality Labs
Price: $4.99
Classic Klondike Solitaire comes to VR in Power Solitaire VR where you play alone, against an intelligent robot, or online against up to three others. There are a few surprises along the way as well.
Recommendation: It’s a very solid solitaire experience to add to your library, but nothing new.
Counter Fight: Samurai Edition, from Tricol Co., Ltd.
Price: $7.99 (Currently Discounted)
Ever want to run your own rice bowl shop? Well now you can in this fast-paced experience where you must cook a variety of dishes and get to them your eccentric customers as quickly as possible. There’s an endless challenge mode and a timed 5-minute challenge as well.
Recommendation: It’s a fun experience that gets a bit of a sweat going. Check it out.
Disco Time 80s VR, from Indiecode Games
Price: $1.99
Want to bust a move? Turn on Disco Time 80s VR and hit the dance floor. This game includes nine 80s style tracks and a disco dance floor. You can also listen to your own music.
Recommendation: Pass on this one.
Verto Studio VR, from Verto Studio LLC
Price: $20.09 (Currently Discounted)
Verto Studio is a fully-capable 3D modeling studio that you can run entirely while in VR. Import FBX, OBJ, DAE, or other formats and configure every detail of display down to the individual polygons. Once you’re comfortable, you’ll be able to manipulate and create 3D scenes from scratch using a plethora of tools.
Recommendation: There’s a really pointed interest required for this experience but, if you’re into it, it’s a robust tool for you to create with.
There might be plenty of new PlayStation VR (PSVR) games being announced at the moment, but there’s not much actually being released. There’s one new game for Sony’s headset this week and it isn’t that impressive. Sony’s E3 conference next week will hopefully provide a lot more to be excited for.
If you missed last week’s list you can see those new releases here. UploadVR has launched the ‘UploadVR PS VR Community’ on PlayStation 4! Join up, find other gamers to play with, and engage in discussions with them.
Also, don’t forget to check out our list of the 9 Best PlayStation VR Games if you need any extra inspiration.
Special Delivery, from Meerkat Gaming
Price: $9.99
This is meant to be an unofficial re-imagining of the classic Paperboy in VR. Now in first-person, you ride down a street on a bike, throwing out papers to houses and avoiding threats like rolling tires, falling crates and, uh, tornadoes. Okay so it’s not exactly the same. It supports PSVR’s new Aim Controller too.
Recommendation: While the idea is sound, the execution leaves a bit to be desired.
Sorry for the absence, our release lists are back now! This week’s collection of new releases for the HTC Vive is quite dense and includes a solid handful of titles for you to consider adding to your library. Tales of Glory is the first highlight from the bunch, throwing players into huge battlefields with over 100 NPCs at a time. Throttle Powah is a trick racing experience with unique locomotion where each controller serves as a motorized wheel. Lastly, Star Trek: Bridge Crew is arguably one of the most notable VR releases since the debut of immersive headsets with an incredibly fun multiplayer experience that demands teamwork and coordination.
We also have a top list of the absolute best HTC Vive games — which is updated every few months with the latest and greatest options.
New HTC Vive Releases on Steam
Far Space, from Alexey Glinskiy
Price: $1.19 (Currently Discounted)
Far Space is an immersive trek with a gripping story and shooter elements. Your team is exposed to something unexpected while repairing an orbital station and now you must figure out how to survive. Choices you make throughout will determine your life and the lives of your companions.
Recommendation: It’s an interesting concept that’s poorly executed. Pass on it at the moment.
StratoBash, from Phr00T’s Software
Price: $3.59 (Currently Discounted)
In StratoBash you’ll race up floating islands along the stratosphere while solving puzzles and throwing bashers at your enemies. Each island presents a unique set of obstacles including natural disasters, traps, and more. There’s also a mode to construct your own levels.
Recommendation: Not much to it, pass on this one.
UNTITLED, from Bean Boy Games
Price: $2.54 (Currently Discounted)
UNTITLED is a collection of puzzle courses to test your ingenuity and spatial awareness. There are over 100 trials and a wealth of tools to help you progress.
Recommendation: Decent addition to your puzzle genre library if that’s your thing.
BARBAR BAR, from Bartoš Studio, TEDI Games
Price: Free
BARBAR BAR is an…um…bar simulator if you couldn’t figure that out from the name. In this sci-fi dig you’ll be memorizing orders from customers and mix them as they’re requested. There are 4 levels for you to conquer and you’ll have to mix faster and faster.
Recommendation: It’s a free memorization game, more or less.
Operation Warcade VR, from Ivanovich Games
Price: $13.99 (Currently Discounted)
Warcade channels classic arcade on-rails shooting for an exciting VR experience. There’s a classic mode with 6 levels and final boss, but there’s also an immersive mode with 108 mission across 36 levels.
Recommendation: Recommended for fans of rail shooters. It’s like stepping inside of an arcade cabinet.
4D Toys, from mtb design works, inc.
Price: $14.99
4D Toys takes hold of your inner youth by giving you a virtual box of toys to play with. There’s an extra, unique dimension to tool around with and it affects the natural way the toys operate. There are over 100 interactive scenes with more to be added.
Recommendation: A bit pricey for what you get.
Microcosm, from paulstraw
Price: $14.99
In Microcosm you have the tools to build voxel worlds. Use solid, transparent, and glowing voxels to create scenes and sculptures with intuitive controls. There’s also a custom soundtrack by composer Kevin Jachetta to serve as background music while you create.
Recommendation: May not inspire a purchase if you already have one of the other creative apps but, if you don’t, this could be a cool addition to your library.
Streetball VR, from Indiecode Games
Price: $4.99
In Streetball VR, classic arcade streetball returns but with a VR twist. Across 3 maps you can take on opponents in 1 on 1 b-ball with a Hip Hop soundtrack to raise the energy. There’s a practice mode and a time mode for you to experience.
Recommendation: There are better basketball experiences to be found elsewhere, but the visuals are really nice.
VRun, from Phoenix3, Mr. L, Mr. T
Price: $4.99
VRun is an addictive VR endless runner inspired by Temple Run and similar titles. The running and obstacle traversal is enhanced with some gun play and the developers will be adding more content over time.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on it to see how it grows.
Recommendation: A free and visually impressive journey. Give it a shot.
Escape The Gray, from QRA-CS
Price: $1.99
Escape The Gray is an escape experience where the rooms and their unique puzzles are randomized with each playthrough. The devs will be adding new rooms in the future as well.
Recommendation: The randomized nature could offer a fresh escape experience. Give it a go if you’re not tired of these games already.
Riley Short: Analog Boy – Episode 1, from boxmyth
Price: $3.99
In Analog Boy, you play as Riley Short who shorts out any electronics he touches. Sadly, he exists in a futuristic world where just about everything is electronically operated including hovering cars and sentient refrigerators.
Recommendation: It’s a bit silly and has low production values, but worth a look if you’re into the wacky.
FORM, from Charm Games
Price: $14.99 (Currently Discounted)
FORM welcomes players into a world with puzzles built by surreal dreams and memories. There’s an ancient artifact at play and your goal is to solve the mystery of it while the world transforms around you.
Recommendation: Surreal and stimulating environments make this puzzler stand out. It’s a bit short, but it’s well-made.
Stunt Kite Masters VR, from HandyGames
Price: $3.99 (Currently Discounted)
Stunt Kite Masters VR brings a one-of-a-kind kite simulation experience that lets you take your custom kite models out into a collection of locations.
Recommendation: This is a virtual escape of a different, and fun, kind. Grab it.
Woeful Woebots, from Hello Bard AS
Price: $11.99 (Currently Discounted)
In Woeful Woebots your metal creations have turned against you. Grab your weapons and defend yourself before they toss you into the trash heap.
Recommendation: This is a stylish shooter with personality at a relatively low price. Add it to your library if you’re not tired of shooters yet.
Slice&Dice, from VRotein
Price: $7.99 (Currently Discounted)
In Slice&Dice your objective is to manipulate a collection of puzzles so that you can get the die into the goal. The cubes move at your desire as you push through this complex physics puzzler.
Recommendation: Need some new blood for your puzzle library? Take a look at this one.
The Murder Room VR, from Bellcat
Price: $10.99
The Murder Room is an escape experience with high stakes. Solve your puzzles as quickly as you can as what you perceive begins to unravel around you.
Recommendation: If you have a ton of escape games, not sure if this is a required buy for you.
Armor Clash II – VR, from Windforce
Price: Free
This DLC requires the base game Armor Clash II and adds VR functionality to the game. Armor Clash is an intense military RTS and VR is a natural transition for managing huge battlefields.
Recommendation: RTS fans should definitely give this a go.
BeanVR, from Shenzhen BeanVR Technology Co. Ltd
Price: Free
BeanVR is a social application with highly customizable profiles, multiple spaces, and interactive elements to engage in. The platform welcomes talk-show and cam-girl experiences as well.
Recommendation: It’s free, so definitely take a look and see if it stands out to you.
Relax Walk VR, from Indiecode Games
Price: $1.99
Relax Walk is a virtual escape that takes you to 6 photo-realistic environments: Mars, Forest, Ocean, China Temple, Oasis, and Apocalypse.
Recommendation: There’s not a ton to do, but the price coupled with the impressive visuals make it worthwhile for fans of eye candy.
Crystal Vibes feat. Ott., from Benjamin Outram
Price: Free
Crystal Vibes is a candy-colored psychedelic experience. Spatial 3D audio provides music synesthesia with production from Ott.
Recommendation: Check it out.
Ripple Effect, from Well Played Studio, Inc.
Price: Free To Play
Ripple Effect is another virtual escape for this week and includes 4 environments along with 5 games to play. The developers are promising a new game each week and you’ll also be able to play with friends. The games included are Spear Toss, Night Flight, Hammer and Shield, Sky Roots, and Mountain King.
Recommendation: Considering it’s free, give it a go. If the developers execute on their promises, this could be a premier VR experience. More info here.
Vanguard V, from ZeroTransform
Price: $14.99
Vanguard V is a VR flight adventure title where you’re the sole defender against the Parasites. The game channels the energy and excitement of classic space shooters and has developers with great pedigrees behind it.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on this during early access. Could be an impressive project.
Castle Wars VR, from Arrible
Price: $13.49 (Currently Discounted)
Castle Wars gives you control of the full battlefield with 3 different factions to use and fight in this real-time strategy romp. Combine different combat groups with faction units so you can conquer the enemy in online multiplayer or across 9 single-player missions.
Recommendation: It’s Early Access currently but looks quite promising. Lots of content already.
Tales of Glory, from BlackTale Games
Price: $29.99
Write your own destiny and lead your troops in Tales of Glory, a medieval combat experience. The battlefield will hold over 100 NPCs at a time with over 2,000 total soldiers continuously spawning. As it evolves, there will be more than 20 weapons, horse riding, and a growing number of battlefields.
Recommendation: This is a game you most certainly should keep an eye on. There’s massive potential here for a game that is already a lot of fun in its current form.
Country of One, from Roman Revzin
Price: $6.02 (Currently Discounted)
Country of One drops you into a virtual sandbox modeled after island fantasies. You can hunt and/or tame animals, build dwellings using a precise construction tool, and even create electro-mechanical devices using the environment around you. In the future, the developers will be adding a survival mode, air/land/water vehicles, co-op, and more.
Recommendation: Solid attempt at VR sandbox and survival play. Give it a go at this price.
Crowe: The Drowned Armory, from The Rogue Initiative
Price: $14.99 (Currently Discounted)
Crowe: The Drowned Armory is an inventive shooter with room-scale puzzles, tactical bow and shield combat, and cinematic visuals to boot. The game’s setting blends science-fiction and fantasy on the planet of Jayde, a place that has remained hidden for 1,000 years. In the first chapter, you’ll team with an Artificial Maintenance Intelligence (A.M.I., a techno-fairy) to restore power to an underwater reactor core.
Recommendation: Definitely consider this. Could be a great introduction to a vibrant world that will get more episodes down the line.
Galaxis Wars, from Clear Ink Studios
Price: $10.79 (Currently Discounted)
Taking place in the year 2120, Galaxis Wars tells the story of humans facing an extinction-level threat in the war with the Galaxis. The players progress through different scenarios in their simulation chamber, each inspired by arcade shooters.
Recommendation: There are many similar experiences with a bit more to offer, but give it a look if you really need something new.
Giant Cop: Justice Above All, from Other Ocean Interactive
Price: $24.99
As the Giant Cop, use your size to explore, find hidden objects, and uncover the criminal plot taking place in Micro City. There’s a story with plenty humor, reactive NPCs, and plenty missions with a 70s aesthetic.
Recommendation: We likened it to more of a tech demo in our review and it’s a hard sell at this price point.
Throttle Powah VR, from Diego F Beltran, Mauricio Tunes, Luiz Zaiats
Price: $8.49 (Currently Discounted)
Using each controller as a motorized rocket wheel, Throttle Powah thrusts you into a unique style of racing in VR. Utilize the original locomotion style to freestyle tricks, race, and jump all over the imaginative environments.
Recommendation: This unique title deserves your attention. Grab it and hit some sick tricks if you don’t get motion sick.
Star Trek: Bridge Crew, from Ubisoft
Price: $49.99
Star Trek: Bridge Crew puts four players in the role of Captain, Helm, Tactical, or Engineer as you control the U.S.S. Aegis or U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701. You’ll need to coordinate well as a crew while making strategic decisions to complete your missions, which are procedurally generated in the “Ongoing Missions” mode in addition to a structured storyline.
Recommendation: Bridge Crew got an 8 out of 10 from our team and is a must-have for your VR library especially if you have friends to play it with. Here is the review.
Poker Show VR, from Kogei
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Poker Show VR blends realistic poker with real-life fashion models who remove clothing as they lose. You’ll have 3 models as opponents for the classic five-card draw style of poker. The models may even text or send selfies after your match.
Recommendation: Judge for yourself. It’s pre-recorded 360 videos with light interactivity over the top.
BREACH IT, from Domas Sabockis
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
BREACH IT is a team-based tactical attack/defend shooter with realistic shooting and environment destructibility that can be harnessed as you tackle the objectives. Defenders can reinforce walls or board doors while attacks can take a hammer or explosives to obstacles.
Recommendation: Seems like it could become the Rainbow Six Siege of VR, so check it out.
Dustoff Heli Rescue 2, from Invictus Games Ltd.
Price: $14.99
Dustoff Heli Rescue 2 is a classic-style sidescroller with voxel visuals and lots of explosions. You’re tasked with taking out enemies in different areas en route to rescuing hostages at prisoner of war camps. The game includes 35 unique missions, 9 different helicopters, 3 bonus vehicles, 11 weapons, and more.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for intense, side-scrolling action, this is your game.
IKEA VR Pancake Kitchen, from IKEA Communications AB
Price: Free To Play
This culinary experience lets you make some virtual pancakes with the help of IKEA’s kitchen specialist. You’ll learn the key aspects of a kitchen and make the perfect pancakes.
Recommendation: You can’t eat these pancakes, but hopefully the skills will translate. Check it out.
RoadkillerZ, from Black Room Games
Price: $3.39 (Currently Discounted)
RoadkillerZ is a vehicular combat game where you battle beneath the world’s cities in a secret world of violence. Your goal is to win the Scumball Derby and you have a couple vehicles (a couple more will be added) to complete your task. Also, run over zombies to get yourself a few power-ups.
Recommendation: Jump into this one early and hold on for dear life.
VeeR Pong, from Ian Slattery
Price: $7.49 (Currently Discounted)
Need a place to practice your beer pong skills? VeeR Pong is the experience for you. The game has realistic physics top to bottom so you can show off your shot and even team up with a friend. Or play against them if you’re feeling especially competitive.
Recommendation: Pass on this one.
The Glade, from Kelly Studios
Price: $2.99 (Currently Discounted)
The Glade is survival wave shooter where you face off against giant spiders while earning points to upgrade your weapons.
Recommendation: Decent inexpensive wave shooter. Check it if you wish.
Primal Reign, from Immersive VR Limited
Price: Free
It’s Egypt 1943 and Primal Reign has you exploring ancient tombs where Nazi’s tampering with time has ended with devastating, prehistoric results. You’ll face 10 increasingly difficult waves of enemies with your WWII sub-machine gun, automatic rifle, and grenades.
Recommendation: It’s free so test it out. If it does well, the devs want to add a lot more content.
True Blades, from Gemerizon Studio Inc.
Price: $29.99 (Currently Discounted)
True Blades delivers cutting edge (heh) medieval sword fighting on an island of over 240 acres. Knights, men-at-arms, goblins, orcs, warlocks, and more are your assailants with a realistic combat system for you to take them down with.
Recommendation: Hold off to see what this game becomes in Early Access before investing. There’s certainly potential.
Prevent The Fall, from D.W.S.
Price: $12.74 (Currently Discounted)
Prevent The Fall is a hardcore RPG/dungeon crawler with semi-procedurally generated dungeons and tons of items to acquire. Characters max at level 20 and you can tackle the game with a friend in online co-op where the number of monsters scale.
Recommendation: It’s a little rough around the edges currently, but keep an eye on this as it progresses through Early Access.
New HTC Vive Releases on Viveport
Virtual Sports, from Vive Studios
Price: $19.99
Virtual Sports gives you space for some realistic and immersive ping pong or tennis. You can play with friends or take on a career mode against opponents in various venues. There’s also a Fun Mode for you to practice and learn in.
Recommendation: A decent addition to your library through your Viveport subscription if you like ping pong enough.
Sorry for the absence, our release lists are back now! It’s a light week here on the Oculus front as developers make room for Star Trek: Bridge Crew. That’s a smart move seeing as this is one of the biggest VR games to date, but thanks to Steam you’re not without choices if you’re not really a Trekkie.
Star Trek: Bridge Crew, from Red Storm
Price: $49.99 (Rift)
The long-awaited multiplayer tie-in game to one of the biggest sci-fi franchises on the planet finally arrives. For the first time ever feel like you’re really sitting on the bridge of a U.S.S. starship and issue orders as the captain or help maintain the mission as a crew member.
Recommendation: It’s got it’s issues, but we’re big fans of Bridge Crew. Here is the review.
Shooter’s Alley, from Shovel Tools
Price: $1.99 (Gear)
Well this is the weirdest thing we’ve seen in a while. Shooter’s Alley is a bowling alley where you… shoot stuff. With guns. I’m not entirely sure what the point of any of it is. Sadly the game doesn’t support aiming with the Gear VR controller, which feels like a missed opportunity.
Recommendation: Easily missed.
Agent Hawk, from Tapps Games
Price: $1.99 (Gear)
If you’re the sort that enjoys hidden object games them Agent Hawk looks like a pretty polished take on the genre. Explore multiple rooms looking for various objects. It’s hardly the most thrilling use of VR but it probably appeals to a certain niche.
Recommendation: If this is your type of game then go for it.
New Oculus Rift Releases on Steam
Far Space, from Alexey Glinskiy
Price: $1.19 (Currently Discounted)
Far Space is an immersive trek with a gripping story and shooter elements. Your team is exposed to something unexpected while repairing an orbital station and now you must figure out how to survive. Choices you make throughout will determine your life and the lives of your companions.
Recommendation: It’s an interesting concept that’s poorly executed. Pass on it at the moment.
BARBAR BAR, from Bartoš Studio, TEDI Games
Price: Free
BARBAR BAR is an…um…bar simulator if you couldn’t figure that out from the name. In this sci-fi dig you’ll be memorizing orders from customers and mix them as they’re requested. There are 4 levels for you to conquer and you’ll have to mix faster and faster.
Recommendation: It’s a free memorization game, more or less.
Operation Warcade VR, from Ivanovich Games
Price: $13.99 (Currently Discounted)
Warcade channels classic arcade on-rails shooting for an exciting VR experience. There’s a classic mode with 6 levels and final boss, but there’s also an immersive mode with 108 mission across 36 levels.
Recommendation: Recommended for fans of rail shooters. It’s like stepping inside of an arcade cabinet.
4D Toys, from mtb design works, inc.
Price: $14.99
4D Toys takes hold of your inner youth by giving you a virtual box of toys to play with. There’s an extra, unique dimension to tool around with and it affects the natural way the toys operate. There are over 100 interactive scenes with more to be added.
Recommendation: A bit pricey for what you get. Just stick to Toybox on Home, it’s free already.
Streetball VR, from Indiecode Games
Price: $4.99
In Streetball VR, classic arcade streetball returns but with a VR twist. Across 3 maps you can take on opponents in 1 on 1 b-ball with a Hip Hop soundtrack to raise the energy. There’s a practice mode and a time mode for you to experience.
Recommendation: There are better basketball experiences to be found elsewhere, but the visuals are really nice.
Recommendation: A free and visually impressive journey. Give it a shot.
Stunt Kite Masters VR, from HandyGames
Price: $3.99 (Currently Discounted)
Stunt Kite Masters VR brings a one-of-a-kind kite simulation experience that lets you take your custom kite models out into a collection of locations.
Recommendation: This is a virtual escape of a different, and fun, kind. Grab it.
Slice&Dice, from VRotein
Price: $7.99 (Currently Discounted)
In Slice&Dice your objective is to manipulate a collection of puzzles so that you can get the die into the goal. The cubes move at your desire as you push through this complex physics puzzler.
Recommendation: Need some new blood for your puzzle library? Take a look at this one.
BeanVR, from Shenzhen BeanVR Technology Co. Ltd
Price: Free
BeanVR is a social application with highly customizable profiles, multiple spaces, and interactive elements to engage in. The platform welcomes talk-show and cam-girl experiences as well.
Recommendation: It’s free, so definitely take a look and see if it stands out to you.
Relax Walk VR, from Indiecode Games
Price: $1.99
Relax Walk is a virtual escape that takes you to 6 photo-realistic environments: Mars, Forest, Ocean, China Temple, Oasis, and Apocalypse.
Recommendation: There’s not a ton to do, but the price coupled with the impressive visuals make it worthwhile for fans of eye candy.
Crystal Vibes feat. Ott., from Benjamin Outram
Price: Free
Crystal Vibes is a candy-colored psychedelic experience. Spatial 3D audio provides music synesthesia with production from Ott.
Recommendation: Check it out.
Ripple Effect, from Well Played Studio, Inc.
Price: Free To Play
Ripple Effect is another virtual escape for this week and includes 4 environments along with 5 games to play. The developers are promising a new game each week and you’ll also be able to play with friends. The games included are Spear Toss, Night Flight, Hammer and Shield, Sky Roots, and Mountain King.
Recommendation: Considering it’s free, give it a go. If the developers execute on their promises, this could be a premier VR experience. More info here.
Vanguard V, from ZeroTransform
Price: $14.99
Vanguard V is a VR flight adventure title where you’re the sole defender against the Parasites. The game channels the energy and excitement of classic space shooters and has developers with great pedigrees behind it.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on this during early access. Could be an impressive project.
Tales of Glory, from BlackTale Games
Price: $29.99
Write your own destiny and lead your troops in Tales of Glory, a medieval combat experience. The battlefield will hold over 100 NPCs at a time with over 2,000 total soldiers continuously spawning. As it evolves, there will be more than 20 weapons, horse riding, and a growing number of battlefields.
Recommendation: This is a game you most certainly should keep an eye on. There’s massive potential here for a game that is already a lot of fun in its current form.
Galaxis Wars, from Clear Ink Studios
Price: $10.79 (Currently Discounted)
Taking place in the year 2120, Galaxis Wars tells the story of humans facing an extinction-level threat in the war with the Galaxis. The players progress through different scenarios in their simulation chamber, each inspired by arcade shooters.
Recommendation: There are many similar experiences with a bit more to offer, but give it a look if you really need something new.
Dustoff Heli Rescue 2, from Invictus Games Ltd.
Price: $14.99
Dustoff Heli Rescue 2 is a classic-style sidescroller with voxel visuals and lots of explosions. You’re tasked with taking out enemies in different areas en route to rescuing hostages at prisoner of war camps. The game includes 35 unique missions, 9 different helicopters, 3 bonus vehicles, 11 weapons, and more.
Recommendation: If you’re looking for intense, side-scrolling action, this is your game.
IKEA VR Pancake Kitchen, from IKEA Communications AB
Price: Free To Play
This culinary experience lets you make some virtual pancakes with the help of IKEA’s kitchen specialist. You’ll learn the key aspects of a kitchen and make the perfect pancakes.
Recommendation: You can’t eat these pancakes, but hopefully the skills will translate. Check it out.
VeeR Pong, from Ian Slattery
Price: $7.49 (Currently Discounted)
Need a place to practice your beer pong skills? VeeR Pong is the experience for you. The game has realistic physics top to bottom so you can show off your shot and even team up with a friend. Or play against them if you’re feeling especially competitive.
Recommendation: Pass on this one.
The Glade, from Kelly Studios
Price: $2.99 (Currently Discounted)
The Glade is survival wave shooter where you face off against giant spiders while earning points to upgrade your weapons.
Recommendation: Decent inexpensive wave shooter. Check it if you wish.
Prevent The Fall, from D.W.S.
Price: $12.74 (Currently Discounted)
Prevent The Fall is a hardcore RPG/dungeon crawler with semi-procedurally generated dungeons and tons of items to acquire. Characters max at level 20 and you can tackle the game with a friend in online co-op where the number of monsters scale.
Recommendation: It’s a little rough around the edges currently, but keep an eye on this as it progresses through Early Access.
The Oculus Rift gets a long-anticipated game this week, but it’s Gear VR that’s the real star of the show. There are several interesting projects for Samsung’s headset that have appeared from out of nowhere, many of which use the new motion controller. Dive in.
Battlezone, from Rebellion Entertainment
Price: $33.99 (Rift)
The PlayStation VR launch game finally makes its way to Rift and Vive this week. Battlezone is a reworking of the original arcade tank battler, brought to life in VR. Jump in the cockpit of your tank, team up with friends online and then blast away enemies in procedurally generated levels. A fun time for all.
FlowForBreathVR, from CoreReboot
Price: $1.99 (Gear)
This is a pretty interesting idea. You’re meant to center your thoughts inside VR with this app, tracing shapes. It’s apparently a researched and proven method of claiming your mind using breathing exercises. If that sounds like something you’re in need of this could be for you.
Recommendation: Worth checking out.
Space Battle, from Samsung
Price: Free (Gear)
Apparently this cockpit battle game is made by Samsung itself, which is surprising seeing as it’s being released with little fanfare. It only lasts for a few minutes, though, and takes you over a city environment and snowy landscapes in that time.
Recommendation: A brief distraction, should you need it.
Now this looks interesting. Althora is set on a strange planet that you’ll explore, uncovering fantastical sights and solving puzzles. It looks a little like Gear VR’s answer to Eclipse, though it’s on the other end of the color spectrum. If you need serious games on your Gear, don’t miss this.
Recommendation: Absolutely pick this one up.
Stickar, from Cubicle Ninjas
Price: Free (Gear)
Entirely different from Guided Meditation, Cubile Ninjas’ new VR app looks like a curious mix of something like Snapchat’s AR filters with the power of VR. Featuring over 150 images to plaster over your friend’s face, this app allows you to share your creations through Facebook streaming and more.
Recommendation: This is unlike anything else on Gear, so check it out.
Gravity Quest, from Alexandr Krivozub
Price: $2.99 (Gear)
Reminding us a little of the amazing Neverout, Gravity Quest is a mind-bending maze game that bends the laws of physics to create challenges unlike anything you’ll have ever previously seen. It looks like a compelling and beautiful experience with a lot of time put into it.
Recommendation: This really looks worth a try.
Sayonara Umihara Kawase VR, from Studio Saizensen
Price: $5.99
The artwork for this strange new game suggests you might be getting a Japanese RPG, but it turns out this is a 2.5 platformer starring a young first that faces fish-like enemies that (I think) she wants to cook. Okay, it makes absolutely no sense at all, alright?
Recommendation: I have no idea. Does it appeal to you? Then go for it.
Daedalus, from Vertical Robot
Price: $4.99
Daedalus looks like a pretty inventive exploration game in which you explore a fantastical new world using slow, comfortably traversal. Platforms bleed into the world and strange objects are around every corner. It looks really unique and interesting.
Recommendation: Another one for gamers to check out for sure.
New Oculus Rift Releases on Steam
Freeze Climbing, from Bottino.Games
Price: $2.99
Plan out your hand placement strategically in Freeze Climbing as you work your way up an icy dreamscape. Throw yourself across gaps and climb quickly, but be careful not to fall.
Recommendation: Look into this one but be careful if you’re quickly susceptible to motion sickness.
Star Dust: The Book of Earth, from SKYLENS TECHNOLOGY
Price: $5.99
In Star Dust, 21st century humankind concocted a plan to explore into the furthest reaches of space. Science and technology blossomed, but we weren’t ready for our first contact with alien life. Your role in this space action shooter starts after the homeland has been left in ruins and a new star fleet has been built.
Recommendation: Great visuals, but relatively boring gameplay. Worth a shot if you want something pretty, though, at that price.
Domain Defense VR, from Inclusion Studios
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Domain Defense is a table top tower defense with dynamic weather, a table you can walk around fully, special abilities, and bosses that expand outside of the play area. The game includes a few different modes such as an endless rush and an immersive experience where all data is handled on the game board.
Recommendation: Clever premise for fans of board games.
Void Rangers, from Martin Senovsky
Price: $9.59 (Currently Discounted)
Grab yourself a couple blasters and immerse yourself in Void Rangers, an intense shooter with endless waves, weapon upgrades, and a leader-board to be conquered.
Recommendation: This is VR bullet-hell. In a really good way. Purchase this even if you’re bored of wave shooters.
Dark Mechanism, from Field Of Vision
Price: $1.19 (Currently Discounted)
In Dark Mechanism, take on an infinite amount of levels and obstacles to the tune of upbeat music. Styled after infinite runners, your reaction speed and focus will be put to the test.
Recommendation: If you have an affinity for infinite runners, this is right up your alley.
Speed and Scream, from iNFINITE Production
Price: $4.99
Speed and Scream is a collection of high-speed experiences that take you from the surface of the moon to the realm of the dead. You and your friends can strap in enjoy the virtual rides of your life.
Recommendation: Don’t buy any more VR coasters.
Blastercell, from Robot Games
Price: $0.84 (Currently Discounted)
Blastercell drops you into the cold reaches of space for a twin-stick shooter experience. Shoot down asteroids and other ships, restoring your fuel and raising the score for as long as you can.
Recommendation: Arcade excitement but not an immersive experience. Super inexpensive though for retro fans.
Red vs Blue 360, from Rooster Teeth
Price: Free
Experience the classic Red vs Blue series and watch the chaos in Blood Gulch unfold in 360-degrees.
Recommendation: This first episode is part of the Steam 360 beta program. Check it out.
A CHALLENGE, from Brigantine Films, LTD.
Price: Free
Shot with OZO, A Challenge is a VR thriller is a captivating look into the realities of Stockholm Syndrome.
Recommendation: Another entry for the Steam 360 program. See if it’s to your liking.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) in THE HUNGER GAMES.
The Hunger Games 360, from Lionsgate
Price: Free
In this 360-degree Hunger Games experience, you’ll be able to journey through key moments in Katniss’ battles across all four films.
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of the franchise, check it out for zero dollars.
The Blank Canvas – Hacking Nature, from The Blank Canvas, Lobo
Price: Free
The Blank Canvas is a 360-degree film experience that uses the immersive medium to better express the ideas of some of the most brilliant minds. Some concepts are difficult to express but creators believe this format to be a better way to explain.
Recommendation: Definitely check this one out.
Lego Batman ‘The Batmersive Experience’, from Warner Bros.
Price: Free
The Lego Bat is the best Bat in the business. The Batmersive Experience gives you a 360-degree look into the Lego Batcave and how it feels to be his esteemed sidekick. You’ll also encounter some of his friends and Gotham’s rogue gallery.
Recommendation: It’s Batman. Come on.
Under the Canopy, from Jaunt, Inc.
Price: Free
Under the Canopy is an immersive documentary about the world’s greatest rainforest and how it is under threat. Soar over treetops and plunge into rivers around the Amazon and learn of one of the planet’s greatest and most beautiful treasures.
Recommendation: This is a different flavor for the Steam 360 launch. Watch it.
Pixvana 360 Production Series, from Pixvana Productions
Price: Free
The Pixvana Production Series collects a broad range of content for the 360-degree medium that shows off unique ideas and techniques. Currently, you get soccer, dance, and an inside look into a Seattle artist studio.
Recommendation: Give it a go.
Cyberdrifter, from UziGames
Price: $9.99
In Cyberdrifter you take on the role of Jack Torrents and take on a rogue AI in a virtual world. The retro design of the game has you infiltrating, shooting, and dodging as you work toward your goal.
Recommendation: Still in Early Access, but not bad so far.
This new week of HTC Vive releases welcomes a few deviations from the usual formula. There aren’t as many new games as usual, but this week signals the launch of the Steam 360 library. Give it a go and you can check out Lego Batman, the Amazon rain-forest, and more.
A highlight game for the week is the critically well received Battlezone. It released on PS VR last year as one of its best launch titles and is now available for HTC Vive (and Rift), giving PC players a high-octane tank shooter to experience.
We also have a top list of the absolute best HTC Vive games — which is updated every few months with the latest and greatest options.
New HTC Vive Releases on Steam
Freeze Climbing, from Bottino.Games
Price: $2.99
Plan out your hand placement strategically in Freeze Climbing as you work your way up an icy dreamscape. Throw yourself across gaps and climb quickly, but be careful not to fall.
Recommendation: Look into this one but be careful if you’re quickly susceptible to motion sickness.
Dali 17 – VR Museum Tours, from Greenfield Workshop
Price: $19.99
Embrace your cultured elements as you explore 18 suites in the virtual museum that is Dali 17. Immerse yourself into the mind of the legendary Salvador Dali via 280+ works. You can also take in the surroundings of the place where Dali lived and worked in the 1940s.
Recommendation: If you’re an art enthusiast, this is for you.
Star Dust: The Book of Earth, from SKYLENS TECHNOLOGY
Price: $5.99
In Star Dust, 21st century humankind concocted a plan to explore into the furthest reaches of space. Science and technology blossomed, but we weren’t ready for our first contact with alien life. Your role in this space action shooter starts after the homeland has been left in ruins and a new star fleet has been built.
Recommendation: Great visuals, but relatively boring gameplay. Worth a shot if you want something pretty, though, at that price.
Domain Defense VR, from Inclusion Studios
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Domain Defense is a table top tower defense with dynamic weather, a table you can walk around fully, special abilities, and bosses that expand outside of the play area. The game includes a few different modes such as an endless rush and an immersive experience where all data is handled on the game board.
Recommendation: Clever premise for fans of board games.
Void Rangers, from Martin Senovsky
Price: $9.59 (Currently Discounted)
Grab yourself a couple blasters and immerse yourself in Void Rangers, an intense shooter with endless waves, weapon upgrades, and a leader-board to be conquered.
Recommendation: This is VR bullet-hell. In a really good way. Purchase this even if you’re bored of wave shooters.
Dark Mechanism, from Field Of Vision
Price: $1.19 (Currently Discounted)
In Dark Mechanism, take on an infinite amount of levels and obstacles to the tune of upbeat music. Styled after infinite runners, your reaction speed and focus will be put to the test.
Recommendation: If you have an affinity for infinite runners, this is right up your alley.
Battlezone, from Rebellion
Price: $33.99 (Currently Discounted)
Battlezone brings the high-octane Cobra tank battle to VR with a procedurally generated campaign for up to 4 players, a plethora of equipment and power-ups, and tanks to unlock.
Speed and Scream is a collection of high-speed experiences that take you from the surface of the moon to the realm of the dead. You and your friends can strap in enjoy the virtual rides of your life.
Recommendation: Don’t buy any more VR coasters.
Blastercell, from Robot Games
Price: $0.84 (Currently Discounted)
Blastercell drops you into the cold reaches of space for a twin-stick shooter experience. Shoot down asteroids and other ships, restoring your fuel and raising the score for as long as you can.
Recommendation: Arcade excitement but not an immersive experience. Super inexpensive though for retro fans.
Puppy Doge VR, from Chun Y.
Price: $0.99
The pup simulator you’ve been waiting for has arrived, but not really. Puppy Doge gives you three puppies to choose from so you can pet, feed, or play fetch with them.
Recommendation: Very limited experience. Skip it. Better VR pet simulators are still a little ways away.
CubeBall VR, from Tachyon Factory
Price: $6.99
CubeBall VR taps nostalgia, bringing back classic puzzle toys that many experienced as a child. There are also some concepts developed from scratch with more to be added in the future.
Recommendation: This game isn’t as exciting as other puzzle experiences for a similar price, but could be worth the nostalgic vibes.
Red vs Blue 360, from Rooster Teeth
Price: Free
Experience the classic Red vs Blue series and watch the chaos in Blood Gulch unfold in 360-degrees.
Recommendation: This first episode is part of the Steam 360 beta program. Check it out.
Alien Covenant In Utero, from MPC VR
Price: Free
This Alien Covenant tie-in comes right in time for Mother’s Day. The 360-degree journey takes you through loving and personal experience of giving birth to an alien neomorph. What more could you ask for?
Recommendation: Get this and bring extra underwear.
A CHALLENGE, from Brigantine Films, LTD.
Price: Free
Shot with OZO, A Challenge is a VR thriller is a captivating look into the realities of Stockholm Syndrome.
Recommendation: Another entry for the Steam 360 program. See if it’s to your liking.
Red Cube VR, from Egidijus Bachur, Bartosh Polonski, and Urte Milda Sirvinskaite
Price: $9.79 (Currently Discounted)
Confront your own consciousness in Red Cube as you dive into your deepest fears. The game brings an intense shooter experience to a distorted and imaginative world filled with your inner demons.
Recommendation: The atmosphere and art direction set this game apart and make it a solid addition to any library.
The Hunger Games 360, from Lionsgate
Price: Free
In this 360-degree Hunger Games experience, you’ll be able to journey through key moments in Katniss’ battles across all four films.
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of the franchise, check it out for zero dollars.
The Blank Canvas – Hacking Nature, from The Blank Canvas, Lobo
Price: Free
The Blank Canvas is a 360-degree film experience that uses the immersive medium to better express the ideas of some of the most brilliant minds. Some concepts are difficult to express but creators believe this format to be a better way to explain.
Recommendation: Definitely check this one out.
Lego Batman ‘The Batmersive Experience’, from Warner Bros.
Price: Free
The Lego Bat is the best Bat in the business. The Batmersive Experience gives you a 360-degree look into the Lego Batcave and how it feels to be his esteemed sidekick. You’ll also encounter some of his friends and Gotham’s rogue gallery.
Recommendation: It’s Batman. Come on.
Under the Canopy, from Jaunt, Inc.
Price: Free
Under the Canopy is an immersive documentary about the world’s greatest rainforest and how it is under threat. Soar over treetops and plunge into rivers around the Amazon and learn of one of the planet’s greatest and most beautiful treasures.
Recommendation: This is a different flavor for the Steam 360 launch. Watch it.
Pixvana 360 Production Series, from Pixvana Productions
Price: Free
The Pixvana Production Series collects a broad range of content for the 360-degree medium that shows off unique ideas and techniques. Currently, you get soccer, dance, and an inside look into a Seattle artist studio.
Recommendation: Give it a go.
Cyberdrifter, from UziGames
Price: $9.99
In Cyberdrifter you take on the role of Jack Torrents and take on a rogue AI in a virtual world. The retro design of the game has you infiltrating, shooting, and dodging as you work toward your goal.
Recommendation: Still in Early Access, but not bad so far.
New HTC Vive Releases on Viveport
StarPlayerVR, from OrangeStar
Price: $9.00 (also on Steam)
StarPlayerVR is a virtual media manager that gives you the expected features for a collection of media formats, while also giving you the chance to view within different settings. Once you make your choice of video, you can sit on the surface of the moon, the beach, or even a cemetery for a viewing.
Recommendation: No need to jump on it if you have a media manager you’re satisfied with, but certainly look into it if you haven’t found your favorite yet.
PlayStation VR (PSVR) gets something of an overhaul next week when the long-anticipated Aim Controller finally arrives on shelves alongside first-person shooter, Farpoint. Until then, though, we have a pretty decent week of new releases for VR fans. Nothing ground-breaking, but enough to keep you going until bigger and better things hit.
If you missed last week, you can see those new releases here. Also, UploadVR has launched the ‘UploadVR PSVR Community’ on PlayStation 4! Join up, find other gamers to play with, and engage in discussions with them.
Also, don’t forget to check out our list of the
Polybius, From Llamasoft
Price: $15.49
Jeff Minter is known for making hugely addictive and wildly trippy arcade shoot ’em ups, and his latest one comes from an urban legend. Polybius was originally an arcade cabinet that’s said to have been removed from many locations due to health issues. Recreating it for VR sounds like an entirely safe idea, then, right?
Recommendation: We’d definitely suggest you check this one out if you’re a fan of retro games.
VR Karts, from Viewpoint Games
Price: £34.99 (Europe Only)
Viewpoint Games finally races to the finish line with the PSVR version of its kart racer, which has released on pretty much every other headset out there so far. VR Karts offers colorful karting fun, clearly inspired by the Mario Kart series, with multiplayer racers to boot.
Recommendation: It’s probably worth waiting for a sale on this one at this asking price.
Moonshoot Galaxy, from Liftoff Labs
Price: $9.99
Moonshot Galaxy is a rather strange take on golf, having you knock a ball across wild courses that span several planets. There’s about 90 minutes worth of content here and the game makes good use of the PlayStation Move controllers.
Recommendation: Though it’s not meant to last very long it looks like heaps of fun.
Publisher VRotein sweeps into releases this week with four new experiences for the Gear VR, some of which use its new controller. On the Rift side there is but one single Oculus Home release of a game that’s been on Steam for a while now, as well as a couple other Steam offerings. Slim pickings, then, but there should be something for you here.
Blue Effect VR, from DIVR Labs
Price: $14.99 (Rift)
This is a horror-survival FPS with impressive visual effects and sound. A wave shooter that keeps you on your toes with some jump-scares in a dark warehouse. Already one of the better wave shooters on the market and it’s just in Early Access.
Recommendation: Give it a shot.
Dead and Buried, from Oculus
Price: Free (Gear)
The Oculus Touch launch game makes its way over to Gear VR with support for the new controller. Take part in fast-fire shootouts with friends or fend off waves of — you guessed it — zombies in a single-player mode.
Recommendation: One of the most polished shooters you’ll likely find on Gear VR right now.
Cranga!, from VRotein
Price: $4.99 (Gear)
Fancy a round of Jenga in VR? Cranga! delivers on a different scale, replacing small wooden blocks with giant shipping containers that will cause quite a scene if they tumble over. Compatible with the new Gear VR controller.
Recommendation: Looks like a fun distraction, ported from Touch.
Slice & Dice, from VRotein
Price: Free (Gear)
Use the Gear VR’s new controller as a Dead Space-style gun to chop through cubes to get a dice to a goal zone. The puzzles are pretty smart and inventive.
Recommendation: Check this one out.
Kingdom Watcher, from VRotein
Price: $2.99 (Gear)
VRotein has other VR games out this week too, but this definitely seems like the more polished and enjoyable of the bunch. It’s a tower defense game in which you chip away at enemy health bars before they reach the castle gates. There’s multiplayer too.
Recommendation: Definitely worth a grab.
Shooting Nightmare, from VRotein
Price: $2.99 (Gear)
Wave shooter madness returns to Gear VR in Shooting Nightmare, which looks like a fairly simple addition to the genre with weapon unlocks and survival mechanics. If you love this type of game though, it might be for you.
Recommendation: Only for big fans of the genre. The rest of us are bored of these.
Kill All Orcs, from Maestro Of VR
Price: $2.99 (Gear)
Despite the awesome name Kill All Orcs looks like it hasn’t been designed by the actual Maestro of VR. The environments in this third-person action game look drab and in need of some polish. It might have fun gameplay, though, but hard to really get into right now.
Recommendation: Not looking worth it as is.
Now You See Me: Back to Macau, from Sidekick
Price: Free (Gear)
We’re not exactly sure who was asking for a tie-in to the Now You See Me film series but here you go. This is a hidden object game with six missions. The description calls it the first of its kind, though I’m fairly sure that’s not the case.
Recommendation: It’s free, but seems like a strange tie-in. Something actually magic related would have fit better.
Samsung PhoneCast, from Samsung
Price: Free (Gear)
Want more than Netflix on your Gear VR to watch stuff? PhoneCast delivers, allowing you to access a range of Android Video on Demand apps like Hulu, Crackle, and YouTube from inside a 360 degree environment. Grab the popcorn.
Recommendation: Read more here. If you want to watch 2D content in VR this is essential.
New Oculus Rift Releases On Steam
Pixvana SPIN Play, from Pixvana, Inc.
Price: Free To Play
The SPIN Play app is an end-to-end solution for VR/360 content in multiple formats. Using Pixvana’s OPF format, users can play multiple types of encoded content in spherical form or a tile format.
Recommendation: Keep an eye on this as it evolves and more content becomes available.
Climbtime, from Saluda Systems
Price: $2.99
Climbtime challenges users to climb, fly, and glide around procedurally generated levels. Move quickly and efficiently to destroy cores as you chase leaderboard times. You can also explore real-world based terrain modeled after the Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and more.
Recommendation: The motion of climbing isn’t the most accurate but there’s fun to be had flying and gliding around.
VRIQ, from 3DIQ
Price: Free
VRIQ is a quick puzzle experience, challenging your problem-solving abilities within 5 minutes. Act quickly and then see how you match up against other users.
Recommendation: A free test of your ingenuity? Sure.
Conductor, from Overflow
Price: $8.99 (Currently Discounted)
Taking place in a post-industrial apocalypse, Conductor is an action-adventure with puzzle elements. You work through the game on a locomotive and must engage in different activities to clear your path to escape the pursuit of Overcorp.
Recommendation: This one is a moody and interesting looking adventure that is worth your gaze. Read our review and give it a go.
VectorWars, from Red Iron Labs
Price: $2.99 (Currently Discounted)
VectorWars is an arcade style shooter that takes place in 2842 when the aliens finally attack. You play as Andy, an asteroid miner, that must defend humanity and continuously upgrade his ship while taking down the alien threat.
Recommendation: Getting this for VR doesn’t add a great deal to the experience. Pass for now.
