Pistol Whip

February 7, 2020

The 10 Best Fitness Apps for a VR Workout

So normally VRFocus would publish this kind of article at the start of the year, just as everyone has made their new years resolution to be a bit healthier, eat better and exercise a bit more. Usually, all that has come crashing down by the end of January, it’s still cold and miserable outside and the thought of going for a run or even attempting the gym seems like a herculean task. So why not take a different approach, stay inside, grab the virtual reality (VR) headset and maybe, just maybe, enjoy working up a sweat.

Thrill of the Fight To help in this task without spending too much cash, VRFocus has selected the best VR titles which will move that body of yours. Some are sports videogames – no not leisurely fishing ones – while others involve shooting stuff, dancing and even causing a bit of carnage in a bid to help justify that Friday night pizza.

Here’s a videogame that certainly doesn’t fit into the category of fitness but to truly succeed standing on the spot just isn’t an option. Pistol Whip is a rhythm-action experience using guns, where you have to survive levels killing all the opponents on route, all to some thumping tunes.

These enemies shoot back so you’ll need to be light on your feet to dodge bullets as well as return fire. On the harder levels, Pistol Whip is a good full-body cardio workout because if you don’t put the effort in you’ll fail.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index and Windows Mixed Reality

BoxVR

Here’s the first proper training VR app on this list, taking the sport of boxing and combining it with rhythm action gameplay. You can choose from 45 workouts depending on how vigorous a session you want. These vary in length from short three-minute warmups to 60+ minute endurance workouts, there’s enough choice depending on how many calories you want to burn. Great for the upper body, you can even use your own tunes.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality and PlayStation VR

Beat Saber

This title is almost a de facto purchase for anyone new to VR or looking for a fun, energetic experience. There’s no denying the fact that swinging a couple of swords around to music is terribly addictive, easily making time fly for some entertaining exercise. Like a lot of these titles, it’s only on the higher difficulty levels that you’ll really burn some calories. Anything less than Expert just won’t cut it.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality and PlayStation VR

Racket: Nx

A futuristic take on squash Racket: Nx puts you inside a giant dome with hexagonal wall panels which light up according to the mode and difficulty. Some panels score points, some remove health and others replace health, offering a nice gameplay mixture which isn’t solely about smashing a ball. There are single-player and multiplayer modes helping up that competitive edge, just make sure you have plenty of space to play in.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index and Windows Mixed Reality

Thrill of the Fight

While BoxVR merely used a boxing theme to workout to, Thrill of the Fight puts you slap bang in the middle of the ring. This is one of those titles which doesn’t offer lots of flashy extras, just you and an opponent to punch it out. There are training areas with a speedball, punching bag and more to fine-tune your skills. The fights themselves are some of the best you’ll get in VR, no arms flailing here, you need to be accurate and punch with intention.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index and Windows Mixed Reality

Sprint Vector

Before getting fit in VR was really a thing if you wanted to burn some calories and get your sweat on then Survios’ Sprint Vector was one of the best ways to do it. Designed around the idea of looking for a novel way for people to move in VR without feeling nauseous, Sprint Vector utilised arm swinging as a means of propulsion alongside gliding and climbing mechanics.

With a game show vibe and a competitive edge, Sprint Vector is ideally suited to those who want more than just a training regime.

Supported platforms: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR

Gorn

The most brutal title on this list, there’s no music here – unless for some reason blood splatter counts – as Gorn is a gladiatorial combat experience. Gameplay is all about survival, using an assortment of melee weapons to decapitate, dismember, smash, stab, rip or slice opponents to bits. As such there’s plenty of effort involved, especially once the arena starts to fill up with opponents. After a few matches, you’ll soon feel the burn.

Supported platforms: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality and PlayStation VR

Synth Riders

Time for another rhythm-action videogame, this time going for a retro 80s vibe. Featuring the most Synth Wave tracks of any VR title – other genres like DubStep are included – Synth Riders is best described as neon-drenched cheerleader gaming. The standard mode has you matching coloured orbs, while featuring more of a boxing theme, having to punch the orbs as well.

Synth Riders gets you moving to some very catchy beats – 30 to choose from – so you’ll want to rest those arms after a good session.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index and Windows Mixed Reality

Creed: Rise to Glory

Float like and butterfly and sting like a bee in one of the more realistic experiences in this fitness selection. Creed: Rise to Glory by Survios puts you in the film, able to train with the likes of Rocky Balboa, before heading into the ring to see if you’ve got the skills to last. A high energy videogame which certainly requires effort, here you have both single-player campaign and free play modes plus online PvP matchmaking for plenty of gameplay options.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PlayStation VR

Dance Central

There’s no denying that you can get your dancing shoes on to any of the rhythm-action titles on this list. But to really strut that funky stuff like you mean it then you’ll want to try Dance Central. Brought back to life just for Oculus’ headsets, a 32 song soundtrack covers the 1970s the way through to today’s chart-toppers. Routines have been choreographed for each song providing a nice full-body aerobic workout.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift

Dance Central image1

February 3, 2020February 6, 2020

Free Song ‘Akuma’ Is Cloudhead’s 12th Track For Pistol Whip

Canada-based Cloudhead Games is adding its 12th track ‘Akuma’ from Kannibalen Records to rhythm shooting VR game Pistol Whip.

Check out the video for the full song below. The new track is available in a free update this week.

Pistol Whip is available on Oculus Quest as well as all PC VR headsets. The developers are also planning to release it for PSVR but we don’t have a release date yet. The game released in November and we rated it 5/5 stars with the included 10 tracks. Built-in modifiers like dual wield and the incredibly challenging “Deadeye” mode, which turns off the default auto-aim assistance, add significant depth to its Beat Saber-meets-Superhot style of non-stop body-moving action.

In December, Cloudhead added an 11th song called High Priestess inspired by the movie Oldboy which focused on the game’s titular tactic of pistol whipping baddies. “Akuma” from hvdesmusic is the game’s 12th track and it’ll be free in the new update. According to Cloudhead, the new update also lays the groundwork for monthly updates going forward leading up to E3 2020, with a new free scene planned for each update.

The new track “Akuma” features a background inspired by cyberpunk Japan and the Neo-Tokyo depicted in anime classics like Akira and Ghost in the Shell.

We’ve been hooked on Pistol Whip’s incredible action sequences since its release and look forward to seeing how the game evolves in future updates. We know PSVR owners are anxious to play it as well and its forward-facing design makes it a great fit for the headset’s tracking system. We’ll update readers as soon as we know when it’ll launch on Sony’s headset.

The post Free Song ‘Akuma’ Is Cloudhead’s 12th Track For Pistol Whip appeared first on UploadVR.

January 10, 2020

This Year’s DICE Awards Finalists List Features Lots Of VR Games

With over 20 different award categories, the 23rd annual DICE Awards have released their list of finalists, including two entire categories just for immersive reality, and it features lots of VR games across multiple awards.

The winners will be announced at the DICE Awards ceremony on Thursday, February 13th at Aria Resort Las Vegas as the culmination of the week-long industry gathering at the 2020 D.I.C.E. Summit. For the fourth year in a row the show will be hosted by Greg Miller and Jessica Chobot.

At the DICE Awards the two VR-focused categories are Immersive Reality Technical Achievement and Immersive Reality Game of the Year. You can see the full list of nominees below:

Immersive Reality Technical Achievement

Asgard’s Wrath
Blood & Truth
Pistol Whip
Stormland
Westworld Awakening

Immersive Reality Game of the Year

Asgard’s Wrath
Blood & Truth
Pistol Whip
The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets
Trover Saves the Universe

Both are very good lists. Every game nominated in these two DICE Award categories made appearances in our own Best VR Of 2019 Awards and they’ve done a great job picking titles that represent a wide gamut of what VR can offer. And it’s focused on actually new releases.

Beyond those we’ve also got some VR and VR-optional games showing up in other categories too. PSVR-exclusive Concrete Genie, which includes some side VR content, is nominated in both Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction and Outstanding Technical Achievement — deservedly when taking the entire game into account. We’ve also got another PSVR-exclusive getting some love with Golem showing up in the nominee list for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition. Finally, the VR-optional DiRT Rally 2.0 is nominated for a DICE Award in the Racing Game of the Year category.

Who do you think will take home the honors for each category at the DICE Awards next month? Let us know down in the comments below!

The post This Year’s DICE Awards Finalists List Features Lots Of VR Games appeared first on UploadVR.

December 30, 2019

The Best Oculus Rift Games of 2019

So far VRFocus has listed its favourite PlayStation VR and Oculus Quest videogames of 2019 and now it’s the turn of Oculus Rift. While there will always be some crossover thanks to some awesome multiplatform releases, the headset also has some choice exclusives which aren’t to be missed. So here’s VRFocus’ roundup of the best titles which have arrived this year.

The Best Oculus Rift Games of 2019:

Asgard’s Wrath

There were always going to be certain titles which would make this list, showcasing how far VR development has come over the last few years and Sanzaru Games’ Asgard’s Wrath is most certainly one of them. While it may require a decent VR-capable PC to make the most of the stunning visuals, Asgard’s Wrath also rewards Oculus Rift owners with plenty of close-quarters combat, a rich narrative based on Norse mythology and challenges galore.

As an Oculus Rift exclusive Asgard’s Wrath is one of those videogames all owners of the headset really should own, being a definitive AAA VR experience.

Stormland

Another massive VR exclusive for Oculus Rift was Insomniac Games’ sci-fi adventure Stormland. If you prefer guns and robots over swords and monsters then Stormland is the place to be. Giving players an ever-changing open world to explore set across three cloud levels, Stormland offers a campaign allowing for single-player and co-op multiplayer gaming.

With excellent gun mechanics and a mixture of locomotion options including gliding across clouds, Stormland encourages you to explore everywhere by making almost everything climbable. Once the campaign has been completed you can keep returning to find fresh challenges as each week the world changes.

Pistol Whip

If there’s one genre that’s surely captured the imagination of VR developers and consumers alike it’s rhythm-action. There are a number of videogames which could’ve made the cut but VRFocus went from Cloudhead Games’ latest, Pistol Whip.

Designed to make you feel like an action hero badass such as John Wick, on the standard setting you can hit bad guys at distance like a marksman, all to thumping beats. Find the gameplay is a little too easy then start to activate some modifiers like Dead Eye which removes the auto-aim feature. With or without these extras Pistol Whip is super fun to play no matter your VR experience.

Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series

Only available for Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest, Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series made the cut on the standalone headset and equally does the job here. While some may consider this an interactive experience rather than a fully-fledged videogame, however, you want to categorise it ILMxLAB’s trilogy expertly mixes the iconic franchise with VR technology.

Almost putting you inside a Star Wars film where you’re the central character, the main storyline lets you learn skills such as lightsaber duelling and using the force, all taught by Darth Vader himself. Once the campaign is over you can head to the dojo to really practice those skills. Sci-fi and VR fans will enjoy the experience, Star Wars fans will love it.

Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son

Certainly one of the more unusual (and unexpected) movie tie-ins of 2019, Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son is essentially a sequel to the early 90s movie starring Bill Murray. As the title suggests, you play Phil Connors Jr. as he returns to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Caught in another time loop, you need to relive the same day over and over, solving residents problems and other challenges to escape.

VRFocus’ four-star review noted: “Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son is a lovable VR adventure that doesn’t do any disservice to the original material on which it’s based. With a unique art style and engaging story, Groundhog Day: Like Father Like Son offers an unexpectedly enjoyable adventure, and you don’t even need to have seen the film.”

GORN

After blood, carnage, and utter, utter mayhem? Well, then Gorn should be on your want list. Originally a Steam Early Access title from 2017, Gorn saw its official launch back in the summer, allowing players to engage in some brutal gladiatorial combat.

While screenshots make this bloody brawler look gruesome thanks to decapitated heads, smashed in body parts and wall to wall crimson, Gorn doesn’t take itself seriously. The weapons bend and flex like comedy mallets, and enemy bodies all have rag-doll physics. Due to the nature of the combat, the experience is very physical, encouraging you to put in plenty of effort. As VRFocus said in its review: “Brutal, dumb and addictively fun.”

Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs

Resolution Games brought Rovio Entertainment’s massively popular mobile puzzler Angry Birds into VR at the beginning of the year, with the experience offering a fine take on the building destruction videogame. Its inclusion in this listing is thanks to a new update, greatly expanding the gameplay possibilities.

This month saw the studio release a Level Builder option for Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs so you can make your own levels and challenge your friends to complete them. Thanks to the level builder Angry Birds VR: Isle of Pigs now offers a far more rounded experience, that doesn’t simply end when he single-player campaign is over. One for puzzle fans the world over.

Espire 1: VR Operative

Digital Lode’s very first VR title Espire 1: VR Operative had a bit of a rocky start, with the initial September launch delayed with 24hrs notice. The delay saw the videogame pushed back a couple of months but that hasn’t hindered the experience. Offering a futuristic plot where you control an Espire model 1 robot to complete missions, the gameplay is designed around stealth, so there are plenty of places to hide, you can scale walls to maintain vantage points and you can tranquilise enemies rather than killing them.

Of course, should you get spotted or simply find a gung-ho approach more exciting then all hell will break loose and guards will start raining down gunfire. Espire 1: VR Operative offers the most standard first-person shooter (FPS) gameplay of any title on this roundup, yet it manages to deliver a videogame for VR fans looking for a Metal Gear Solid or Splinter Cell experience.

Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted

Who doesn’t love a good scare from a horror videogame? It’s something VR does so well and for 2019 fans were treated to the resurgence of a classic, Five Nights at Freddy’s. Steel Wool Studios kept what made the originals great and expanded upon the concept of original creator Scott Cawthon, including both the classics and brand new mini-games.

If you’ve not heard of the Five Nights universe the basic premise revolves around a theme park with some fairly questionable animatronics. Each mini-game will have you watching CCTV systems or repairing ventilation systems, whilst at the same time trying to stay alive and avoid being…well you know, killed. Not one for the faint of heart, Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted offers some of the best jump-scares for any VR headset.

Tetris Effect

Possibly a little controversial because the PC version of Tetris Effect is exclusive to the Epic Games Store, that doesn’t mean to say it shouldn’t be included here as its still an awesome VR puzzle experience.

The classic Tetris gameplay is still there, it’s the visuals and audio that have really been overhauled. They are in sync with the gameplay so as you score more points by making lines you’ll be treated to evermore stunning effects which envelop and mesmerize, without distracting from the gameplay. It’s why VRFocus gave Tetris Effect five stars for its review.

December 25, 2019

The Best Oculus Quest Games of 2019

Oculus Quest has been the standout success of 2019, with consumers eager to buy the headset and developers equally eager to supply the standalone device with content. Not only does the device have its own dedicated store but thanks to Oculus Link all of Oculus Rift’s content is also available. For this roundup of the best Oculus Quest videogames, VRFocus is purely going to concentrate on those made for the headset, allowing you to enjoy untethered VR gaming freedom.

Oculus Quest may have only been available for seven months but it has already made an impact on the VR scene. The store may be highly curated but there are plenty of videogames worth your time across a range of genres and skill levels.

The Best Oculus Quest Games of 2019:

Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series

You could almost say this is three videogames in one, but as each is roughly around 45 minutes long and you need to play all of them to unravel the full story. While Star Wars fans will certainly get the greatest joy out of playing Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series thanks to its story being canon material, even those that aren’t bothered about the franchise should still have fun playing with lightsabers and using the force.

Beat Saber

While the popular rhythm-action title couldn’t be included in VRFocus’ PlayStation VR ‘Best of 2019’ list, Beat Saber can most certainly be included here, as it was a launch title for Oculus Quest. Leading its genre Beat Saber needs little introduction as its simple yet addictive gameplay cutting cubes with a sword has struck a chord with VR gamers across the world.

There’s a reasonable selection of included songs plus a load of DLC tracks available to expand the selection. Beat Saber is one of those titles which has become a de facto addition to most gamers libraries no matter the platform and the Oculus Quest version is no different.

Pistol Whip

Another rhythm-action videogame, this time from the studio behind The Gallery puzzle series, Cloudhead Games. Only released in November, Pistol Whip has already garnered quite the reputation as a non-stop action shooter inspired by the likes of John Wick.

You can choose to shoot or melee enemies whilst dodging incoming bullets like a badass, all to a thumping soundtrack and some intense visuals. Modifiers help to change the gameplay, adding dual-wield weapons or removing the aim assist to increase the score multiplier. If Beat Saber isn’t quite your thing then Pistol Whip could well scratch that gaming itch, a first-person shooter (FPS) with flair.

The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets

A small side project by Apex Construct developer Fast Travel Games, The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets is a cute puzzler with light challenges designed for all ages.

It may have only got three-stars in VRFocus’ review but that does mean to say its not worthy to be on this list. While The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets is a little short, the design and ideas employed are definitely worth a look, each level a small diorama to be spun around, peered into and investigated. Charming and cute, The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets will put a smile on your face.

Gadgeteer

Another puzzle-based experience, Gadgeteer is a far more elaborate affair than others on this list. Gameplay mechanics revolve around Rube Goldberg machines, using a series of gadgets to build elaborate contraptions. Offering a single-player campaign to teach you the ropes, the sandbox mode is where most players will spend their time, offering free rein to create whatever machines you so please with the 50+ items available.

VRFocus said in its review: “Gadgeteer isn’t going to be for everyone, much like being a watchmaker. It’s finicky, time-consuming and puzzling all at the same time. They’re also the reasons why Gadgeteer is a puzzle gem for Oculus Quest.”

Acron: Attack of the Squirrels

So far this list has purely been about single-player VR videogames so let’s change that with Acron: Attack of the Squirrels by Resolution Games. Multiplayer only, Acron: Attack of the Squirrels is at its best with a few friends and family over, all playing locally.

The Oculus Quest player takes the role of a tree trying to protect several golden acorns while everyone else is a mischevious squirrel trying to steal them. The non-VR players join in via a free mobile app and up to eight can team up at once, offering some highly entertaining gameplay, with everyone laughing and shouting as they succeed and fail.

Shadow Point

More puzzling escapades, this time from Coatsink with Shadow Point. With a story narration by the legendary Sir Patrick Stewart, this British studio has previously released some excellent VR videogames and Shadow Point continues that trend.

Trying to unravel the mystery of a missing schoolgirl you head to Shadow Point observatory before being whisked to the heavens, tasked with solving evermore elaborate puzzles which play with light and shadows.

If you’ve tried The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets and want greater depth and difficulty then Shadow Point is a good step to take, providing a solid few hours of entertainment (depending on whether you get stuck of course).

Journey of the Gods

If you’re looking for a Legend of Zelda-like VR experience on Oculus Quest then Journey of the Gods is worth a look. With a bold cel-shaded style, there are big monsters to fight, people to save, weapons to upgrade and lands to explore. Everything that you could want or need in a VR adventure.

VRFocus noted in its review of Journey of the Gods: “Showcasing what’s best about VR adventuring, the title is ideal for those who want to make the most of their new headset purchase, with decent gameplay, narrative and fantasy feel.” Not one to be missed this festive season.

Thrill of the Fight

There are quite a few ways to burn calories in VR as this list very well proves and Thrill of the Fight offers the most intensive workout here. Boxing fans will find a barebones experience with training and career modes available. There are no flashy gimmicks here, you need to block, watch your footwork and time those punches for maximum effect – no waving your arms wildly hoping for success.

Do a couple of fights back to back and you’ll soon start to notice if you don’t work out much. Thrill of the Fight is very much a videogame which relies on roomscale, as you’ll need a minimum of 2m x 2m to play. More is preferable, otherwise, during the heat of a match, you’re likely to hit a wall.

Originally a PC VR title released in 2016, Thrill of the Fight has translated well for those wishing for an energetic experience.

Synth Riders

Noticing a theme here? Yes, here’s another rhythm-action videogame for those that love to expel some energy. Synth Riders differentiates itself from Beat Saber and Pistol Whip with Synth Wave tunes for that retro 80s feel.

This might be another arm swinger but its still great fun, and there are several modes and modifiers to change the gameplay mechanics. There’s a little more of a cheese factor with Synth Riders which is fine by VRFocus as the tunes just make you want to bop along.

Synth Riders might not be as well known as the other two but that’s no reason to dismiss it, plus its the cheapest of the three.

December 23, 2019

GIVEAWAY: Win Copies Of Pistol Whip, Doctor Who VR, And More!

Happy Holidays, VR fans! Over the weekend Perp Games continued their VR Advent Calendar series of videos in which they’ve been partnering with VR media publications like UploadVR and other content creators to give away select VR games, like Pistol Whip!

For our partnership with Perp Games we’re happy to giveaway four extremely different titles (such as Pistol Whip and Ninja Legends) that are sure to scratch at least one of your gaming itches:

Doctor Who: The Edge of Time

Excerpt from Jamie Feltham’s Review:

“Who is at its best when there’s a hook; a gimmick so playful and innovative that anyone can get carried away in the madness that ensues. Instead of testing those waters, The Edge of Time settles for bringing the series’ most tried and true elements directly into headsets in hopes of winning over dedicated fans. It plays more like a rejected episode of the TV series rather than something that fully embraces its platform. The Who faithful be satisfied in that safety, I suspect, but I personally can’t help but wish this was a little more dangerous.”

GIVEAWAY: Win A Free Copy Of A Doctor Who: The Edge of Time On Steam!

Pistol Whip

Excerpt from Ian Hamilton’s Review:

“Pistol Whip’s multiple difficulties and modifiers like Deadeye and Dual-wield add depth to a game that’s more addictive and satisfying than Beat Saber. This is neither fully a shooter nor completely a rhythm game yet it ticks off both boxes and does so exceptionally quickly in a stylish package. The 10 launch songs, all in the same general musical style, are a bit limiting. Pistol Whip, though, is already the game that brings me back to my VR headset again and again, and I expect that to be the case for months to come. I’ll be in the group waiting for more official scenes to arrive, trying to finish a few more songs in Deadeye mode on hard, showing the game to others and hoping someone figures out how to add custom maps and songs.”

GIVEAWAY: Win A Free Copy Of Pistol Whip!

Ninja Legends

Excerpt from David Jagneaux’ Preview:

“Although I initially wrote off Ninja Legends as just another wave-based VR game recycling assets and gameplay mechanics, it’s actually really fun and well-made with an addictive slow-motion system and satisfying ways to slice enemies in half and lop off body parts…It’s got a very cartoon-style aesthetic which helps alleviate the subject matter and lets you focus on the fun of a good slash. What makes the system so fun is that it isn’t canned animations at all. If you slice through an enemy with enough force you can actually cleave the character model itself into bits.”

GIVEAWAY: Win A Free Copy Of Ninja Legends!

HellBlade: Senua’s Sacrifice Non-VR Version

NOTE: This is not the VR version of the game, Perp Games instead sent us codes for PS4 (NA and EU), Xbox One, and Switch. We do not have any PC VR codes to give out unfortunately, Perp Games only provided non-VR codes.

Excerpt from David Jagneaux’s Review of the VR version:

“In Hellblade you take on the role of Senua as she descends into the depths of Nordic Hell, otherwise known as Helheim, on a quest to save the soul of her lost lover. Throughout the adventure you’re besieged by twisted, demonic creatures that engage you in ferocious melee combat. The journey consists of battling back these deranged creatures, exploring dark, twisted worlds, and uncovering the meaning behind cryptic symbols and puzzles….a remarkable achievement in visual and sound design…”

GIVEAWAY: Win A Free NON-VR Copy of HellBlade!

Thanks for entering and good luck! Which of these games do you hope to win most: Pistol Whip, Doctor Who VR, Ninja Legends, or the non-VR version of HellBlade?

The post GIVEAWAY: Win Copies Of Pistol Whip, Doctor Who VR, And More! appeared first on UploadVR.

December 19, 2019

Pistol Whip’s First Major Update Adds new Scene and Scoring Adjustments

Cloudhead Games released its addictive rhythm-based shooter Pistol Whip last month across multiple virtual reality (VR) devices, receiving a lot of positive reviews in the process. Today, the developer has released the first major update for the title, expanding upon the content whilst fine-tuning other parts of the experience.

Dubbed the “High Priestess Update”, Cloudhead Games has added a new scene which the studio says was: “Inspired by the hallway fight scene in the movie Oldboy.” This new level has been designed to be melee heavy, so expect plenty of close-quarters combat.

For those wishing to alter the gameplay in new ways, two new modifiers have been added. Unarmed Foes offers a new way to practice scenes without the fear of elimination, while No Obstacles has been designed for accessibility and standing room playspaces.

Two of Pistol Whip’s most popular modifiers, Dual Wield and Dead Eye have been updated, with the former seeing a reduction in penalty so players to challenge the leaderboards. The latter has received a revamped scoring system designed to punish missed shots. In addition to these updates, Cloudhead Games has initiated a leaderboard reset so players can start fresh and chase new scores with friends this holiday season.

Pistol Whip

VRFocus gave Pistol Whip a solid four-stars in its review, noting: “Pistol Whip is huge amounts of fun even on the easiest difficulty setting, suitable for VR players no matter their skill level. Like any videogame of this type there is an overly repetitive value to the gameplay, and with only 10 scenes to begin with, it could’ve done with a few more; especially when it comes to music variety. Even so, Pistol Whip can still be heartily recommended for all you VR fans.”

Supporting Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index and Windows Mixed Reality headsets, Pistol Whip was inspired by action movies like John Wick. With a distinctive art style and thumping soundtrack, you can shoot punch and dodge however you see fit. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Pistol Whip and Cloudhead Games, reporting back with further updates.

December 19, 2019

Pistol Whip ‘High Priestess’ Update Arrives With Scoring Changes

One of the best games of 2019 receives its first major post-launch update today with the new song High Priestess, new modifiers, and changes to the scoring system.

The new update to Pistol Whip arrives today for Quest and PC VR and, according to development studio Cloudhead Games, “Due to popular demand, Deadeye has seen significant improvements including a revamped scoring system designed to punish missed shots. Dual Wield has also seen a reduction in penalty, allowing players to challenge the leaderboards no matter their style of play.”

The leaderboard is also being reset along with these changes.

The new track and level “High Priestess” from Kannibalen Records lives up to the game’s name as you’ll be hitting a lot of enemies with your gun to make it through. Cloudhead says the level is inspired by the movie Oldboy.

The new modifiers include “Unarmed Foes” to practice scenes without risk of elimination and “No Obstacles, intended for accessibility and standing room playspaces,” according to Canada-based Cloudhead.

Pistol Whip was announced in our E3 VR Showcase earlier this year and I gave it 5/5 stars when it debuted in November, writing that “Pistol Whip’s multiple difficulties and modifiers like Deadeye and Dual-wield add depth to a game that’s more addictive and satisfying than Beat Saber.” We’ve nominated Pistol Whip as one of the best games of 2019 and Cloudhead is promising a regular update plan for the game with new scenes, modifiers and customization options.

Cloudhead is planning to release Pistol Whip for PlayStation VR headsets in 2020.

The post Pistol Whip ‘High Priestess’ Update Arrives With Scoring Changes appeared first on UploadVR.

December 11, 2019

Best VR Of 2019 Nominee: Pistol Whip Turned Us Into John Wick

The road to UploadVR’s Best of 2019 awards starts here! Every weekday for the next fortnight, we’ll be revealing one of the ten nominees for our Overall VR Game/Experience of the Year, counting down to the reveal of our full list of categories and nominees later in December. Put on your suit and tie, because today we’re nominating the incredible rhythm shooter Pistol Whip.

About 10 to 15 minutes into my first play session in Pistol Whip a moment of confusion overtook me as I realized I didn’t have to actually aim my gun perfectly at baddies to take them out. I tried to think about whether practiced shooters would get turned away by this automatic assistance, but that thought fell apart as instinct took over and I moved my body out of the way to avoid more bullets than I could count.

This undeniably addictive hook continued to wind its way deeper and deeper into my brain as my skill at the game increased through multiple phases, first learning to dance my way out of bullets then activating “Deadeye” mode to increase my score and hone my aim like a practiced marksman — repeating a song over and over and over again until I truly felt like the Baba Yaga himself, John Wick.

When Cloudhead Games introduced the world to Pistol Whip during our E3 VR Showcase earlier this year its influences were so obvious — they mentioned Wick’s name multiple times in the video and they are far from the only developer to try something rhythm related after seeing the success of Beat Saber. The bar for success was so high from the very outset, and they set expectations right up there alongside the threshold for success. The pressure was on and Cloudhead needed to deliver on a lot of fronts.

On November 7 they hit a bullseye, releasing 10 tracks from Kannibalen Records with built-in modifiers adding significant depth to the game. I’ve spent dozens of hours with those tracks, hobbling my way to bed with sore legs after multi-hour sessions battling through just one song. Cloudhead strayed so very far their first Myst-like VR games and made something instead so instantly accessible and deeply satisfying that it we absolutely cannot wait for Dec. 19 when the game’s first major software update arrives with a new free track called High Priestess.

Pistol Whip is available for both Oculus Quest and PC VR headsets with a PSVR version planned for next year.

The post Best VR Of 2019 Nominee: Pistol Whip Turned Us Into John Wick appeared first on UploadVR.

November 26, 2019

Get A Glimpse At Pistol Whip’s First Update In The #HolidayVR Showcase

Cloudhead Games is providing a glimpse at its first update to the incredible shooter-meets-rhythm game Pistol Whip as part of our Holiday VR Showcase on Wednesday.

The showcase airs with a pre-show starting at 8:45am PT/11:45am ET/4:45pm GMT! The main show kicks off at 9am PT/12pm ET/5pm GMT and will include a series of exclusive looks. Previously, we’ve previously confirmed the launch trailer for Budget Cuts 2, Radial-G: Proteus gameplay, Phantom Covert Ops Rift footage and there’s much more in store.

The world first heard about Pistol Whip in our E3 VR showcase earlier this year and, after spending dozens of hours with the game, we concluded in our review “Pistol Whip’s multiple difficulties and modifiers like Deadeye and Dual-wield add depth to a game that’s more addictive and satisfying than Beat Saber.” Check out some gameplay footage below.

It’s Cloudhead’s fifth overall VR release, following the first two episodes in its popular adventure series, The Gallery (and a free spin-off), and then collaborating with Valve on the Aperture Hand Lab demo for the launch of the Index Controllers earlier in 2019.

Naturally, Pistol Whip lends itself to more levels and features just as Beat Saber did, so we’ll be really excited to see what Cloudhead has in store.

What are you looking forward to most in our Holiday VR Showcase? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Get A Glimpse At Pistol Whip’s First Update In The #HolidayVR Showcase appeared first on UploadVR.