LA-based virtual reality (VR) developer Survios made a big name for itself in the early years of the industry’s resurgence with titles like arcade shooter Raw Data and competitive multiplayer Sprint Vector. In a couple of months, PlayStation VR owners will be able to pick up a physical double pack featuring both of these videogames.
Called ‘The Survios VR Power Pack’, both titles are two of the studios’ best, with Raw Data putting its teams talents on the map as one of the VR videogames to own in 2016. Featuring solo, co-op and PvP multiplayer modes, Raw Data allows you to chose from various character classes each with various melee and ranged abilities. In the campaign you have to smash through waves of robotic enemies as you try to steal data from the corrupt Eden Corporation.
Just as energetic but far more competitive is Sprint Vector, one of the first VR experiences to challenge the way players moved through digital worlds. Set against the backdrop of a game show, players have 12 courses to master, running jumping and flying their way to the finish line as fast as possible.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Perp Games and provide access to new audiences with the retail release of The Survios VR Power Pack,” said Hunter Kitagawa, Marketing Director at Survios. “From lively cinematics to high-intensity action and adrenaline-pumping gameplay featured in The Survios VR Power Pack, ‘Raw Data’ and ‘Sprint Vector’ are games that showcase the best of what only VR can do.”
“It’s been a great honour to partner with Survios to fuse together two of the best VR games ever created into a single pack,“ said Rob Edwards, Managing Director at Perp Games. “We are delighted to bring this essential VR bundle to our PSVR players and provide them a new way to own and access these fantastic games.”
The Survios VR Power Pack will come to European retails locations from 11th September 2020 with a North American version arriving at a later, unspecified date. It’ll feature Raw Data on disk and Sprint Vector as a voucher code of PlayStation Store. A price for the pack has been revealed just yet.
For further updates from Survios and Perp Games, keep reading VRFocus.
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.
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.
Pistol Whip
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 Whipis 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: Nxputs 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 Fightputs 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 Vectorutilised 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 Gornis 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 Ridersis 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 Gloryby 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.
LA-based virtual reality (VR) developer Survios has quite the lineup of videogames under its belt, being one of the earliest teams to see decent success with Raw Data back in 2016. Since then the studio has released titles covering a range of genres from sport to music and vehicular combat. This week sees Survios release a range of bundles on PlayStation VR for North American customers.
There are four bundles in total covering Survios’ back catalogue: Raw Data, Creed: Rise to Glory, Electronauts, Battlewake and Sprint Vector.
Raw Data – Survios’ first VR videogame, Raw Data adrenaline-charged, combat thriller testing your wits and endurance as you fight waves of mechanised opponents.
Creed: Rise to Glory – Take on the role of Adonis Creed as he looks to become the next world champion. Featuring iconic characters from the franchise including Rocky Balboa, Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago, Creed: Rise to Glory received a commendable 4-stars in VRFocus‘ review.
Electronauts – Become a music maestro as you build, drop, and jam on 80+ tracks from 80 world-class EDM, trap, and hip-hop artists. When reviewing ElectronautsVRFocus said the experience makes: “for a videogame that will have you playing for hours and wanting ‘just one more go.’”
Battlewake – Taking to the high seas as one of four Captains with battle-ready warships, battle fearsome pirates and unleash magical attacks in a single-player campaign as well as co-op and multiplayer PvP modes.
Sprint Vector– Mixing extreme sports with a chaotic game show, run, jump, climb, drift, and fly at extreme velocity through 14 intergalactic obstacle courses. Introducing a unique (at the time) swinging arm mechanic, Sprint Vector will have your heart pumping in no time.
VR games are difficult to market, especially when they don’t fit obviously into existing genres. Here’s 12 gems you may have overlooked but are well worth your consideration.
Updated – August 21st, 2020
The Paradox of VR Game Development
There exists a paradox of sorts in the VR game development landscape: many of VR’s most interesting games just don’t look like the sort of non-VR games we’re all familiar with. By not obviously fitting into existing genres—the ‘shooter’, ‘RPG’, ‘racer’, ‘puzzler’, etc—it’s very difficult to actually market such titles, no matter how excellent they may be.
The result, as I’ve found over the years, is a surprising number of ‘indie VR gems’: VR titles which are much better than their lack of noteirty would suggest. Oftentimes these games are rated exceptionally well by those who give them a chance, but getting people to decide to try them in the first place is the real challenge.
This is a double bummer because it’s these very developers—who are thinking outside the box and discovering what native VR games actually look like—which we should supporot if we want to accelerate the maturation of VR game design. Indies are usually working with small teams and shoestring budgets; if they don’t at least break-even with each VR project, it’s unlikely that they will be able to justify a followup and continue to help push VR game design forward.
So, if you want to help VR succeed, and have some fun in the process, take a careful look at these 12 indie VR gems and consider giving them a shot. I would be blown away if everyone doesn’t find at least one title they think is worth owning in this list. And you have little to lose here if you’re using Oculus or Steam; both have very reasonable refund policies: if you find out the game isn’t for you and you’ve played it for less than two hours, you’re entitled to a full refund within 14 days of your purchase.
Indie VR Gems
Real quick: this list isn’t intended to be comprehensive, nor is it scientific. In the VR space most developers fit the definition of ‘indie’ (those which aren’t working with a publisher). For the purposes of this article, I’m loosely defining an ‘indie gem’ to mean ‘a VR game which deserves more attention than it receives’, whether or not it is from a recognizable VR studio. Without further ado, and in no specific order:
Fujii is part walking simulator, part puzzler, and part meditation. The game presents a serene world which somehow manages to offer a feeling of exploration without traversing huge distances. As you explore and solve light puzzles, you’ll discover new plants and bring their seeds back to your garden. The garden acts as a persistent ‘home’ space which you can cultivate and customize to your liking by planting and watering your plants. Fujii does so much right in design and aesthetics. Nearly everything you do feels good, thanks to intuitive interactions and expert use of sound, animation, and haptics. This is a game which delivers a sense of delight just by being in its world.
Compound is a randomly generated rogue-lite shooter with a style all its own. Something about its 8-bit artwork manages to feel totally authentic and while still somehow completely at home even in the medium of VR which is so far removed from the 8-bit era. This is a challenging game; lethal and unforgiving enemies bring a heightened sense of immersion as you’ll need to be on high alert to prioritize and eliminate threats to succeed. Luckily you’ve got an array of interesting and fun weapons, each with its own sense of character.
While a handful of better known flight simulators exist with optional VR support, the vast majority are made for keyboard and mouse input or peripherals like flight sticks. VTOL VR sets itself apart by being made from the ground-up for VR and motion controllers. So set your HOTAS aside and bask in the feeling of interacting directly with the controls in your cockpit as you operate critical aircraft functions, identify targets, and engage enemies without needing to buy niche peripherals to make it all feel great.
Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades (AKA H3VR) [Early Access]
Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, also known as H3VR, is a VR sandbox for the gun aficionado. With more than 300 unique weapons in the game, you could spend hours just exploring the detailed custom sounds and interactions of each gun, right down to individually chambered rounds, folding stocks, fire modes, and adjustable iron sights. With heaps of modular accessories, you can do everything from the realistic—like adding sights, grips, and lasers to your favorite assault rifle—to the unholy—like turning a pistol into a kitbashed sniper rifle. Once you’ve got your arsenal sorted out, you can hit the shooting range, play a heap of mini-games and activities, or make up your own. Though H3VR launched in early access in 2016, its developer has been actively updating the game ever since, regularly bringing major new content additions and improvements over time, like the Team Fortress 2 weapon set.
Sprint Vector is a racing game that offers a sense of speed and mobility that’s hard to find anywhere else in the VR gaming landscape. Channeling elements of arcade racing games like Mario Kart with a Mirror’s Edge sense of flow, Sprint Vector’s unique take on ‘arm swinger’ locomotion is a revolution in its ability to maintain comfort even while you’re cruising at breakneck speeds—and it can be a good workout to boot. Alongside a competitive racing mode, the game also offers time trials which challenge you not just to be fast, but also to be creative as you look for new routes to shave precious seconds off your record. This game’s strong visual presentation is topped off by an excellent soundtrack.
Panoptic is a stellar asymmetric VR game where one player wearing a headset takes on the role of a giant and menacing ‘overseer’ while another player outside of VR plays as a tiny saboteur who attempts to blend in with roaming NPCs and destroy key objectives without being discovered. Thanks to VR, the overseer’s embodied presence and giant scale feel exceptionally imposing to the tiny non-VR player, creating tense moments where a single slip-up could lead to a suspenseful cat-and-mouse chase. The overseer may be powerful, but they can’t watch everything all at once; with a blend of strategy and cunning, the saboteur can prevail. The need for only one VR headset makes Panoptic a great game for sharing some of VR’s unique fun with friends who don’t have VR headsets themselves. While the game currently only supports local multiplayer, we found that Steam’s Remote Play Together feature makes it pretty easy to play Panoptic together online.
FREEDIVER: Triton Down is a short but worthwhile narrative adventure about an oceanographer who gets caught in a capsized research vessel after discovering something unexpected in a cave in the ocean depths. The game is built entirely around a unique ‘swimming’ locomotion system which is more than just a way to get the player from A to B; not only does it allow you to seamlessly navigate in 3D space underwater, it creates a built-in tension between movement and survival as the player has to surface for air or risk drowning. This effectively puts a time limit on puzzle solving which is always in the back of your mind, especially as the oxygen indicator on your arm beeps as it gets closer to 0%. Thanks to engaging interactive elements and thoughtful VR design, this is an adventure worth taking.
Virtual Virtual Reality is a narrative-driven VR game with an intriguing concept that’s worth seeing through to the end. As the name implies, you’ll find yourself popping in and out of various levels of virtual reality to navigate the game’s light puzzle elements while experiencing its strong art direction, writing, and interaction design. The developers include “an artichoke screams at you” among the game’s ‘key features’, which ought to give you an idea of the comedic flavor within.
Electronauts is half game, half tool, and wholly unique. It’s a VR music mixing game which lets you tap into your inner musical creativity even if you don’t have any idea how to play an instrument or make music from scratch. Each song in the game is effectively a ‘kit’ which includes various backing tracks, vocals, and unique instruments. Even though the game does much of the heavy lifting behind the scenes to keep everything in the right key and on beat, you’ll be surprised at how much freedom you have to make each song your own. While there’s no ‘objectives’, there’s much satisfaction to be had at managing seamless transitions between song segments, creating instrument loops that add a new flavor, and one of my favorite challenges: bringing each song to a smooth conclusion. Electronauts is an incredible way to experience the magic of music, and with multiplayer (on the Steam and Oculus Rift versions of the game only) you can even jam with a friend.
Racket: Nx is a polished and high energy game which feels like a futuristic mashup of racquetball fused with elements of Breakout. Players stand at the center of a 360 degree arena with neon targets that pulsate to the game’s excellent soundtrack. With racket in hand, players smack the glowing orb to destroy some targets while avoiding others. There’s some depth to hitting the orb too: you can slice it to give it spin, or give it an especially firm smack to send it roll along the wall for bonus points before it finally bounces back. Powerups and portals add additional variety. Racket: Nx can be a good workout, and is great for playing with VR friends thanks to cross-platform multiplayer between all versions of the game.
Until You Fall is a procedurally generated rogue-lite that’s all about melee combat. You’ll battle your way through a string of rooms populated with enemies of increasing difficulty. Eventually, inevitably, you’ll die. At the end of each round, you’ll respawn in a hub space where you can spend money you’ve earned on new weapons and upgrades, making you stronger for your next bout. The game successfully fuses VR sword combat with meta-game elements in a way that no other VR title has yet managed. Combat is underscored with a sense of deliberate strategy that can change from one encounter to the next, especially depending upon which weapons you choose to bring into battle.
As a VR mech game, Vox Machinae strikes and impressive balance between playability and immersion. It feels like a simulator, but manages to be almost as easy as an arcade game to pick up while remaining challenging to master. It’s controls and systems are intuitive enough that you can grasp the basics in a match or two, but that doesn’t stop the game from delivering a incredible sense of immersion thanks to its interactive cockpit and unique mech control model. Even now, two years after its early access launch, Vox Machinae remains arguably unmatched in immersion by any other VR mech game.
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Surely this list only covers a fraction of VR’s indie gems—let us know your own picks in the comments below!
Rec Room developer Against Gravity today revealed the debut trailer of its next new game mode: Stunt Runner, coming in September to all platforms.
From what we can tell Stunt Runner is a race-based mini game that pits players against each other to get through a series of obstacles as quickly as possible. There are walls to jump off of, large gaps to jump across, speed boosts to collect, and more. Based on the gameplay footage shown in the trailer below it certainly seems to be heavily inspired by Sprint Vector.
Since Rec Room typically uses either teleport-based locomotion or smooth movement via analog sticks it’s hard to tell exactly how Stunt Runner will accommodate all control schemes. At one point near the end of the trailer the three players are seen swinging their arms as if they’re actually running — but I can’t tell if that’s just theatrics for the trailer or if that’s a new movement scheme adopted for this new game mode.
“Stunt Runner is an obstacle-based, extreme sports game show set in Rec Room! In this high-speed obstacle course where every second counts, four contestants must sprint, climb, wall jump, mantle, and dodge hazards to survive. Pick the perfect route and execute flawlessly to set a record time and become leaderboard champs!”
Stunt Runner joins the likes of Paintball, Bowling, Laser Tag, Rec Royale, and tons of other options for things to do with friends in VR using Rec Room’s free social VR hub. Gradually it’s grown to included more and more players, including Oculus Quest, PSVR, iOS, and even non-VR gamers on PC and console.
We’re looking forward to giving Stunt Runner a try when it launches later this year in September. A representative from Against Gravity confirmed to us that Stunt Runner will be coming to all platforms, include cross-play like other games, and continues to be entirely free.
Specifically, I’m most excited to see what sort of custom Stunt Runner rooms players will make.
Few things come more naturally to VR than racing. The best VR racing games let us get behind the wheel of impossible machines and put our foot down. The results are fast, thrilling and visceral.
But racing is a broad term; it doesn’t just have to mean driving. In fact, VR’s physicality has brought about an entirely new wave of racing games unlike any we’ve seen before. So when rounding up our list of the best VR racing games, we only thought it fair that we threw those in too. As such, we’ve split our list into both driving and non-driving racing games so those of us without a license can join in.
So what are the best VR racing games? Speed down our list to find out.
If you’re looking for strict simulation, you can’t go wrong with Assetto Corsa. Kunos Simulazioni’s long-running racer is packed tight with different makes of cars and tracks spanning the world over. Its pinpoint precision racing remains practically unbeaten in the field and, if you want more of it, there’s an army of extra content to dive into. Assetto Corsa might be the oldest game on this list but it’s also one of the best.
Sticking with simulation, Slightly Mad Studios’ most recent racer is typically exhaustive too. Project Cars 2 overtakes both Gran Turismo and Forza with its army of 180+ car models and extensive number of tracks. But its going the extra mile that really makes Project Cars 2 shine, with dynamic weather conditions and a huge career mode to tackle. This one will keep you busy for a good while.
Once PlayStation VR was announced, Wipeout VR seemed inevitable. Fortunately, unlike Gran Turismo Sport, Sony didn’t mess it up. Wipeout Omega collection is already an impressive tribute to the sci-fi racing series, bundling three games worth of content into one. Throw in VR support and it quickly becomes one of the most essential games yet seen on headsets. This is visceral, vibrant racing as its very best, though you may want to keep a sickbag at the ready.
There’s been a disappointing lack of Codemasters racing games for VR platforms thus far. More are on the way but, for now, DiRT Rally remains a prime example of how to do VR racing right. This is a different kind of sim, taking you to rocky roads and twisty forests and daring you to put your foot down. Again, it can be tough on the stomach but the adrenaline that comes from nailing a drift is unparalleled.
If getting behind the wheel isn’t your thing, how about a wingsuit? Rush is a popular high flying racer in which you can glide down mountains, narrowly dodging tress and rocks in pursuit of checkpoints. Challenge your friends in over 90 tracks across four environments, physically tilting your body to master each course. Rush is tough to m
When we thinking about racing games we think about driving. But the truth is it would be a crime to do a VR racing list without mentioning Survios’ sublime sprinting game. Sprint Vector is about as close as you’ll get to Mario Kart in VR. The game uses a finely-tuned arm swing mechanic to help you skate down tracks as a supernatural athlete. Throw in power-ups, climbing and flying and you have one of the most dynamic racing games yet made for VR.
To The Top is similar to Sprint Vector, only a little more vertical. The game uses your hands as the main way of getting around, hoisting yourself up over obstacle courses and flinging yourself forwards. It’s an unconventional racing game for sure, but it’s undoubtedly one of VR’s best.
2018 has almost come to an end which means VRFocus is rounding up the best videogames for each headset. Now it comes to the turn of HTC Vive. Probably the one head-mounted display ((HMD) with the fewest exclusives, there’s still no shortfall of great content on the device. Looking back over the last 12 months, it’s time for VRFocus to name its favourite HTC Vive experiences.
The Best HTC Vive Games of 2018
Transpose – Secret Location
A truly mind-bending puzzle title from Blasters of the Universecreator Secret Location, Transposehas over 30 levels where you have to bend time and clone your body, in a bid to solve the challenges. Alongside the time loops, Transpose allows players to rotate the environment around them to walk on walls and ceilings, experiencing perspective shifts and multifaceted puzzles in ways only possible in VR. One for the more advanced VR player, nevertheless a highly thought-provoking experience.
Arca’s Path – Dream Reality Interactive
The debut title from Dream Reality Interactive, Arca’s Path VRtakes the gameplay style of classics like Marble Madness and updates it for VR headsets. Featuring a dark storyline where you play a girl tricked by an evil witch, you’ve been turned into a ball and must navigate levels in a bid to free yourself and return home. Great for VR beginners as the controls are gaze based.
In Death – Solfar Studios
It featured in VRFocus’ Oculus Rift list and we liked it that much that Solfar Studios’ In Deathdeserved a place here with HTC Vive. With procedurally generated levels, no checkpoints or saving of any kind, the gameplay is as brutal as it is difficult. With just a bow by your side – until you unlock the crossbow – you need to become proficient at dispatching enemies at close and long range. Fail and you return to the start, a little wiser and a little tougher. Just remember that so are the angels and demons you need to kill.
Blind – Tiny Bull Studios
While the title may look a bit sinister Blindis simply a puzzle experience with one unique feature, you can’t see unless you make a sound, using an echolocation system to see the world around you. This can be achieved via a walking cane or grabbing anything to hand and throwing it. Clocking in at around fours hours of gameplay Blind doesn’t feel too short, and puzzle fans should like the way most of the challenges are designed.
Tin Hearts – Rogue Sun
Currently, in Early Access, Tin Hearts is a wonderfully quaint VR puzzle experience from indie studio Rogue Sun. Tin Heartsrequires you to guide squads of little tin soldiers through a magical toy filled world, in a similar vein to Lemmings. This time though you need to use the toys to guide the little guys in the right direction. It may still be in development but Tin Hearts is too adorable to not recommend.
Island 359 – CloudGate Studio
When it comes to massive adventures for HTC Vive, most may instantly veer towards Bethesda’s Fallout 4 VRwhich is exclusive to the headset. It may be a good videogame but it’s so 2017, and VRFocus isn’t interested in last year. Instead, how about going for CloudGate Studio’s rather epic Island 359. Whether you want to hunt, or just try to survive, Island 359 has something for every dinosaur fan – apart from a visitor centre, just remember there are no fences and they bite back.
Beat Saber – Beat Games
It doesn’t matter which headset you play Beat Saber on you’re more than likely going to enjoy it. It’s just so frustratingly addictive, bopping and swinging your arms around to catchy tunes, slicing away at blocks. Not only can 30 to 60 minutes pass without thinking about it, but you also get a reasonable workout to burn those calories, excellent for when you fancy another Christmas snack.
Transference – Ubisoft Montréal and Spectrevision
Love to be scared witless? Either by things jumping out from the shadows or by creatures you can’t see then VR horror is the way to go. Ubisoft Montréal and Spectrevision collaborated on terrifying psychological thriller Transference that blurs the lines between live-action movies and videogame dynamics. With a multi-branching narrative focused on a scientist and his family experiments, this is one title not for the faint of heart.
Sprint Vector – Survios
If you want a VR title that’s energetic but you don’t fancy Beat Saber then it’s worth trying Survios’ Sprint Vector. There’s still lots of arm swinging involved but this time it’s competitive, racing against opponents to find the best line to the finish. With the ability to jump and glide to find new routes, you can also disadvantage opponents with a selection of armaments.
Evasion – Archiact
For those that are looking for an all-out first-person shooter (FPS) then sci-fi action adventure Evasionis what you seek. A frantic sci-fi shooter that can be played in either single-player or co-op multiplayer modes. Players can choose from four classes (Striker, Surgeon, Engineer and Warden) each having their own unique strengths, weapons and abilities, with players able to customise their class as they level-up. There’s a great feel to the gunplay, and Archiact has built in plenty of movement options for those worried about motion sickness.
What a year it’s been for Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and its virtual reality (VR) headset, PlayStation VR. During the summer SIE announced the major milestone of 3 million units sold since its launch in 2016, and an IDC report put the headset ahead in Q3 2018 shipments. The device has seen some big titles exclusively launch over the past 12 months, giving it one of the most unique libraries available for any headset.
The Best PlayStation VR Games of 2018
Astro Bot Rescue Mission – Sony Japan Studio
Let’s start with one of the biggest titles of the year for PlayStation VR, Astro Bot Rescue Missionfrom Sony Japan Studio. Proving that 3rd person platformers have a rightful place in VR, the lovably cute Astro Bot Rescue Mission spans 26 levels across five locations, with players in control of Astro who happens to be captain of a spaceship. An accident happens and Astro loses all the crew and now it’s up to players to find them all. Astro Bot Rescue Mission won the VR/AR category during the recent Game Awards 2018 and is one of the best introductions to VR gameplay on PlayStation VR.
Beat Saber – Beat Games
The rhythm action title featured on our Oculus Rift list and naturally found its way here. Having taken the industry by storm since its PC release earlier in the year, PlayStation VR owners got to see what all the fuss is about in November. With its simple but addictive gameplay, Beat Saber is great to play by yourself or with a few friends and family around.
Borderlands 2 VR – Gearbox Software
It may have only launched this month but Gearbox Software’s VR version of its open-world adventure is one to pick up. Exclusive to PlayStation VR, VRFocusproclaimed in its 5-star review: “Borderlands 2 VR is most certainly a highlight of this year’s VR releases and one of the best titles yet to hit PlayStation VR. Its still Borderlands 2, sure, but you’ve never played Borderlands 2 like this before.”
Firewall Zero Hour – First Contact Entertainment
Proving that dedicated online multiplayer shooters can work in VR when done correctly, this PlayStation VR exclusive makes good use of the PlayStation Aim controller. Firewall Zero Houris a team-based first-person shooter (FPS), four vs four player action where teamwork and communication is key to winning the multiplayer missions.
Moss – Polyarc
Much like Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Polyarc’s Moss is a third-person adventure. Featuring an adorable little mouse called Quill, Moss mixes up action sequences with puzzle platforming as she ventures away from her home to save her family and everyone else. Arriving at the beginning of the year, Moss is another 5-star experience in which VRFocus said: “Moss is a flawlessly crafted experience starring a character that absolutely deserves to be the face of modern VR. Every inch of the world shows attention to detail, and a story is woven that draws you in, making you truly invested in the world and in Quill as a person.”
Sprint Vector – Survios
Beat Saber maybe energetic but if you really want to work up a sweat in VR then Survios’ Sprint Vectoris the videogame of choice to burn those Christmas calories. Up to up to eight players can take part in this high-octane intergalactic game show which features both competitive multiplayer and customizable solo racing where movement is achieved by swinging your arms back and forth to build momentum.
Tetris Effect – Enhance Games
Bringing the classic puzzle videogame into the 21st century with an optional VR twist, Enhance Games has embued Tetris with some visual and audio flair as only it can. With 30-plus stages for players to experience, Tetris Effect also features the all-new “Zone” mechanic, where players can stop time (and Tetriminos falling) by entering “the Zone” and either get out of a sticky situation that could otherwise lead to “Game Over,” or rack up extra line clears for bonus rewards. One for those puzzle lovers out there.
Archangel: Hellfire – Skydance Interactive
Skydance Interactive originally launched single-player mech adventure Archangel back in 2017. The title has made it to this list thanks to the major update, Archangel: Hellfire, which added a major change. Originally an on-rails shooter, the studio gave the gameplay an overhaul which added free-roaming multiplayer. This improved the entire experience massively, with nuanced combat in massive building-sized machines that can unleash devastating attacks.
The Exorcist: Legion VR – Wolf & Wood
Now time for something scary. Wolf & Wood’s The Exorcist: Legion VRis an episodic horror series over five chapters. You step into the shoes of a Boston homicide detective tasked with investigating a series of ritualistic murders, including a priest at a local church. They have all the makings of a serial killer but it soon becomes apparent at the cause is far more demonic. With bags of creepy atmosphere, this is a proper alternative to the festive season.
Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – Mars – Konami
Another big robot title, Konami’s Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner – M∀RS is a PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR remake of the PlayStation 2 title. For the first time players can jump into the cockpit of these giant mechs – called Jehuty’s – and pilot them first-person – rather than first-person. Fans of the series should love it, but you don’t need to be to enjoy this quintessential Japanese title.
Every weekendVRFocusbrings you a number of sports and eSports related virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) stories as part of This Week In VR Sport. This week, the Mount Royal University Cougars women’s soccer team is using VR to help with recruitment and training, Racket Fury: Table Tennis VR is coming to PlayStation VR, and Oculus talk about the blood, sweat, and tears of eSports at Oculus Connect 5.
Mount Royal University Using VR Try-Outs For Their Women’s Soccer Team
Those looking to earn a spot on the Mount Royal University Cougars women’s soccer team may soon find that their try-out goes beyond the pitch and into VR.
As reported by globalnews, the University is looking to explore how they are use VR technology to help them recruit players and train athletes already on the team. This came around following Cougars head coach Tino Fusco notices the importance of review match footage. After reaching out to Mount Royal University associate professor Anthony Chaston, a way to incorporate VR into his coaching was developed.
By taking 360-degree video of Cougars players during practice matches the plan is to use the footage to immerse players and recruits into a real soccer scenario and see how they perform. The system could also be used by the coaches to provide them with a unique perspective to review plays and improve their teams performance.
“If I can get a recruit in my office and sit her down and put the headset on her and actually be on the field and be able to see 360 degrees, now I’m able to challenge the athlete and say, ‘Do you understand the game?’” Fusco said.
The solution could see the recruitment process for the team become more in-depth while all allow Fusco a means to challenge the teams knowledge and performances in an immersive way. As the technology continues to get rolled out to the team, VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest.
Racket Fury: Table Table VR Coming To PlayStation VR Next Month
Earlier this week it was revealed that developer 10Ants are bringing their VR table tennis title to PlayStation VR next month. Racket Fury: Table Tennis VR was originally released for the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive back in 2017 and then the Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR earlier this year. Now, the title will be coming to the PlayStation VR headset giving even more players a chance to enjoy some sci-fi inspired table tennis.
“We can assure that the game is exceptionally challenging, engaging and fun! Thanks to the advanced physics, developed in cooperation with professional TT players, every match you’re about to play is going to be a really immersive experience” said Sebastian Boczek, CEO of 10Ants Hill in a statement.
Racket Fury: Table Tennis VR gives players the chance to experience a realistic and immersive table tennis experience that will see them traveling to a range of sci-fi locations. With advanced physics and challenging AI opponents to face, the title is able to recreate the real-world feeling while also putting a few twists on things. There is even a workshop where players can develop their unique robot-character to create the ultimate table tennis player.
Oculus Talk eSports At Oculus Connect 5
At the recent Oculus Connect 5 event, Christopher K. McKelvy, Head of eSports at Oculus to the stage to deliver a short keynote on the companies current and future VR eSports plans. Titled “Blood, Sweat, and Tears: A Tale of VR Esports” the talk explores what makes VR so appealing within this rapidly growing and expanding market sector. Oculus have a vision to grow the VR eSports ecosystem and feel that it will play a key part in the future of gaming as a whole.
As mentioned in the talk, the market is on track to have an audience size of over 500 million with $1.5 billion (USD) expected in revenue. Titles such as Onward, Sprint Vector and The Unspoken are some of the titles that are mentioned during the talk as being some of the most played and most successful on the Oculus store.
Oculus are of course heavy invested in the VR eSports scene being involved in the VR League, which held it’s season 2 finals at the Oculus Connect 5 Event. One part of the keynote that is a nice touch as well is that McKelvy spends a moment talking about the players and some of their stories, even sharing his own. The full talk, which last around 17 minutes, can be watched below and goes over Oculus’ strategy to revolutionize eSports and keep creating more excitement.
That is all for This Week In VR Sport. For more on immersive sport news keep reading VRFocus and remember to check back next week for another This Week In VR Sport.
Auf der Oculus Connect 5 wurde die neue VR-Brille Oculus Quest enthüllt. Mark Zuckerberg verspricht, zum Startschuss über 50 Titel auf dem Niveau der Oculus Rift bereitzustellen. Um welche VR-Spiele und -Erfahrungen es sich dabei handelt und welche Entwicklerstudios ihre Arbeit für das neue System bereits bekannt gegeben haben, erfahrt ihr hier.
Oculus Quest – VR-Spiele und -Erfahrungen für die neue VR-Brille
Die neue Oculus Quest möchte als mobiles VR-Spielsystem den Mainstream erobern. John Carmack sieht sie in direkter Konkurrenz zur Nintendo Switch, um ortsungebunden in ein virtuelles Gaming-Erlebnis einzutauchen. Damit die Käufer/innen bereits zum Release genug Auswahl erhalten, sollen laut Oculus über 50 VR-Titel bereitstehen.
Einige Studios hielten nicht lange hinter dem Berg und veröffentlichten kurzerhand ihre anstehenden Releases. So veröffentlichte das Team von Superhot, dass SUPERHOT VR auf der Quest spielbar sein wird. Eine Demo wurde bereits auf der OC5 vorgestellt. Auch die Titel Moss von Polyarc Games, Robo Recall, The Climb und Dead and Buried wurden bereits bestätigt. Auch Sci-Fi-Freunde kommen mit der neuen VR-Erfahrung Star Wars: Vader Immortal voll auf ihre Kosten.
Eine einzigartige Arcade-Multiplayer-Erfahrung soll Dead and Buried Arena bieten. Mit Mixed-Reality-Technologie bezieht der VR-Titel dank eingebauten Kameras das reale Umfeld mit ein und vermischt somit virtuelles Arena-Shooter-Gameplay mit Deckungen aus der realen Welt. Wie der MR-Titel umgesetzt wird, bleibt noch abzuwarten. Auf der OC5 konnten bis zu sechs Teilnehmer/innen auf einer 450 Quadratmeter großen Fläche gegeneinander antreten
Sportlicher geht es dagegen in Tennis Scrampe zu. Mit einem Schlaggerät eurer Wahl dürft ihr auf dem virtuellen Tennisplatz in Wettkampf treten und euch die Bälle um die Ohren hauen.
Neben den VR-Spielen wurde der angsteinflößende Nachfolger Face Your Fears 2 von Turtle Rock Studios verkündet. Erneut dürft ihr euch euren Ängsten stellen und in gruselige Szenarien eintauchen.
Face Your Fears 2 is at #OC5 being played hands on for the very first time! Check it out if you're here… and very, very brave. pic.twitter.com/dp8Sg6e3Kn
Oculus Quest – Unbekannte VR-Titel von bekannten Entwicklerstudios
Wenn auch bisher noch ohne öffentliche Releases, haben diverse Entwicklerstudios ihre Arbeit an VR-Software für die kommende Oculus Quest angekündigt. Dazu zählen Twisted Pixel (bekannt für Wilson’s Heart), High Voltage Software (bekannt für Dragon Front), Sólfar Studios (bekannt für In Death), Ready at Dawn, Schell Games, Vertigo Games, BigScreen und viele mehr.
Hugo Barra, Vice President von Facebook VR, kündigte die Arbeit der Devs folgendermaßen an:
“Diese Teams erforschen derzeit, welche Möglichkeiten die Oculus Quest offenbart und welche zukünftigen VR-Titel damit umsetzbar sind.”
To help in this task without spending too much cash, 
BoxVR
Beat Saber
Thrill of the Fight
Sprint Vector
Synth Riders
Creed: Rise to Glory
Dance Central
Blind – Tiny Bull Studios
